Today in Focus

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Hosted by Anushka Asthana, Today in Focus brings you closer to Guardian journalism. Combining personal storytelling with insightful analysis, Today in Focus is The Guardian's daily podcast that takes you behind the headlines for a deeper understanding of the news, every weekday. 

The Guardian


    • Dec 26, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • daily NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 1,766 EPISODES

    4.6 from 634 ratings Listeners of Today in Focus that love the show mention: guardian, royals, iran, violence, favourite, porn, usa, journalism, varied, reporting, trump, presentation, media, white, including, offers, analysis, daily, intelligent, listener.


    Ivy Insights

    The Today in Focus podcast is an exceptional source of in-depth reporting and analysis on a wide range of topics. The podcast stands out for its ability to provide comprehensive coverage and insightful commentary, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking in-depth understanding of current events.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its commitment to thorough reporting. The journalists behind Today in Focus go beyond surface-level coverage, delving into the complexities and nuances of each topic. They conduct interviews with experts, visit relevant locations, and provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. This level of depth sets Today in Focus apart from other news podcasts.

    Another highlight of this podcast is the variety of topics covered. From international affairs to domestic politics, from social issues to cultural phenomena, Today in Focus tackles a wide range of subjects that are both timely and important. This diversity ensures that there's always something new and interesting to learn from each episode.

    However, one area where the podcast could improve is by including more interviews with parents about their role in their children's lives. While the podcast covers a broad range of topics, it often neglects to explore the experiences and perspectives of parents with young children. Including interviews with parents would provide valuable insights into family dynamics and shed light on the challenges and joys of parenting.

    In conclusion, Today in Focus is an outstanding podcast that offers high-quality reporting, insightful analysis, and diverse subject matter. It stands as one of the best sources for in-depth news coverage and provides listeners with a deep understanding of complex issues. Despite some room for improvement regarding parent interviews, this podcast remains a top choice for those seeking informative and engaging journalism.



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    Latest episodes from Today in Focus

    Revisited: Cringe! Why millennials became so uncool

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 24:18


    An intergenerational war has broken out with Gen Z mercilessly mocking millennials as embarrassing and out of touch. Chloë Hamilton reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Revisited: Having a baby with your best mate

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2025 33:48


    Nicola Slawson on her decision to have a baby with her best friend Tom rather than a romantic partner. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    How the Guardian reported 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 28:18


    The Guardian's editor-in-chief Katharine Viner looks back on the biggest news stories of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Why Bethlehem is celebrating Christmas again

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 25:14


    Pastor Munther Isaac talks about his hometown of Bethlehem – the scene of the nativity – celebrating Christmas for the first time in three years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The moment this year I'll never forget

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2025 32:43


    Today in Focus hears from Guardian journalists all around the world about their most memorable moments – and sounds – of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    What's in the Jeffrey Epstein files? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2025 10:23


    The US Department of Justice is expected to release files relating to the disgraced late financier and sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, this evening. Jonathan Freedland joins Lucy Hough to discuss why it's such a big moment. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Culture 2025: the best in film, TV and music

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2025 29:39


    Guardian critics Ben Beaumont-Thomas, Catherine Shoard and Hannah J Davies look back at some of the best (and worst) of the year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Deepfakes and pornography: the plan to tackle toxic masculinity – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2025 10:01


    The UK government's long-awaited strategy to tackle violence against women and girls has been published today. Alexandra Topping joins Lucy Hough to explain what it will change, amid concerns that ‘toxic ideas' are going unchallenged in schools. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The Pinochet fan with a Nazi dad: meet Chile's next president

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2025 23:15


    Santiago-based journalist John Bartlett charts how far-right José Antonio Kast managed to win election by landslide. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Doctors strike again amid flu crisis – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2025 11:20


    Resident doctors in England have begun five days of strike action after rejecting the government's latest offer to resolve a long-running dispute over pay and jobs. The health secretary, Wes Streeting, met the British Medical Association on Tuesday in a final attempt to reach an agreement, but they failed to agree a deal. It means that resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – will remain on strike until 7am on Monday. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian's health policy editor, Denis Campbell – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Ilhan Omar on Trump's attacks on Somali-Americans

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2025 24:29


    The congresswoman told David Smith about how it feels to be targeted by the world's most powerful man. But why has Donald Trump gone after her and the Somali community?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Trump v BBC: broadcaster to fight back against $10bn lawsuit – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2025 9:59


    The BBC has vowed to defend itself against the $10bn lawsuit that the US president, Donald Trump, filed against it. Trump alleges the broadcaster ‘intentionally, maliciously and deceptively' edited the speech he gave before the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol. On Tuesday, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.' Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    What happened when Reform took power

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2025 28:03


    When Reform took over 10 local councils in England this summer, it offered the first glimpse of how the party might govern if it were to get into No 10. Helen Pidd reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Horror and heroism in Bondi: what we know about the antisemitic terror attack – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2025 10:13


    Australia suffered one of the deadliest massacres in its modern history on Sunday when two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish celebration at Bondi beach in Sydney. At least 16 people died, including one of the alleged gunmen, with more than 40 wounded. The victims include a 10-year-old child, a Holocaust survivor and a London-born rabbi. The alleged gunmen behind the attack are a father and son, who are suspected of using legally obtained firearms to commit the massacre. One of the suspects, Naveed Akram, 24, was known to New South Wales police and security agencies. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is facing questions about gun law reform and security failings as the country reels from the attack. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian Australia senior reporter Ben Doherty – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Labubus, TikTok and KPop Demon Hunters: how childhood went east Asian

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2025 26:59


    Has east Asia replaced the US as the world's cultural centre? With Jeff Yang. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The Birth Keepers: I choose this – episode one

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2025 36:59


    The Free Birth Society was selling pregnant women a simple message. They could exit the medical system and take back their power. By free birthing. But Nicole Garrison believes FBS ideology nearly cost her her life. This is episode one of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne Listen to the full series from The Guardian Investigates podcast. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Exposed: the business linked to baby deaths across the world – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025 11:51


    A year-long investigation into the Free Birth Society reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors. Lucy Hough talks to the investigative correspondent Lucy Osborne about her reporting – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Is the far right hijacking Christianity?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025 30:09


    Are US-style Christian politics finally taking root in the UK? With Lamorna Ash. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Why is Trump attacking Venezuelan boats? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025 11:15


    US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in a major escalation of Donald Trump's campaign against the country's president, Nicolás Maduro, whose government called the seizure an act of international piracy. The Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny over a series of attacks on boats off the Venezuelan coast. At least 87 people have been killed in 22 known strikes since early September. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian's deputy head of international news, Devika Bhat – Watch on YouTube.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Pete Hegseth unleashes his ‘warrior culture' on the world

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025 29:50


    Donald Trump's secretary of war is facing allegations of war crimes and a blistering report into his handling of classified information. Joseph Gedeon reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Will weakening human rights really stop far right? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2025 12:16


    Keir Starmer has called on European leaders to urgently reform human rights laws so that member states can take tougher action to protect their borders and see off the rise of the populist right across the continent. But Labour has been condemned by campaigners and MPs who argue these proposals could lead to countries abandoning the world's most vulnerable people and further demonise refugees. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's political editor and host of Politics Weekly, Pippa Crerar – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The social media ban for kids: Australia's world-first experiment – podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2025 28:31


    Today in Focus talks to three teenagers, and technology reporter Josh Taylor, about Australia's world-first legislation: a social media ban for under-16s. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Netflix v Paramount: Trump wades into Warner Bros battle – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2025 9:45


    The battle to buy Warner Bros Discovery has captured Donald Trump's attention. The US president has said he will be involved in the decision on the company's sale as Netflix and Paramount fight to take over the entertainment company. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian US's deputy business editor, Callum Jones – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Palantir: the world's ‘scariest company'?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2025 29:16


    How far will tech firm Palantir go to ‘save the West'? With Michael Steinberger and Johana Bhuiyan. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Trump turns on Europe: will he pull support for Ukraine?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2025 10:54


    Donald Trump has loomed large over Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with European leaders, after the US president took aim at the Ukrainian leader once again. It comes in the wake of a new White House national security strategy that has caused fear in Europe, but drawn praise from the Kremlin. Lucy Hough speaks to our Europe correspondent Jon Henley – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Is AI a bubble that's about to pop?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2025 23:40


    Should we be worried about the vast amounts of money pouring into AI? And what will happen if the bubble bursts? Blake Montgomery reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Eurovision in crisis? Israel's inclusion causes rift – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2025 11:28


    Several countries are boycotting Eurovision after Israel was cleared to compete in the 2026 song contest despite calls for it to be excluded over the war in Gaza. Lucy Hough speaks to our European culture editor, Philip Oltermann – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The World Cup's Maga makeover

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2025 26:41


    Guardian sportswriter Jonathan Liew on how football went about courting Donald Trump – and how it might regret it when the World Cup comes to the US next summer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Can Farage survive racism allegations? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2025 9:57


    Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice says allegations of racism from Nigel Farage's school days are ‘made-up twaddle'. Lucy Hough speaks to investigations correspondent Henry Dyer -- Watch Today in Focus: The Latest on YouTube --. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Zack Polanski on the Green party boom

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2025 30:46


    Three months into his leadership the Green party membership is surging. Randeep Ramesh explains why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Is Putin really ‘ready for war' with Europe? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2025 12:34


    Vladimir Putin has stalled progress on a peace plan for Ukraine being brokered by Donald Trump's US and has said he is ‘ready for war' with Europe ‘if it starts one'. Luke Harding speaks to Lucy Hough. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The 27-year-old white supremacist radicalising MAGA

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2025 27:46


    Where is Nick Fuentes trying to lead the Republican party? J Oliver Conroy reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Why is Labour scrapping jury trials for some cases? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2025 12:24


    Criminal cases in England and Wales where a prison sentence is likely to be less than three years will be heard by a judge, not a jury, under plans from justice secretary David Lammy. Would it help reduce the backlog in courts? Or could it be purely to save money? Alexandra Topping joins Lucy Hough. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Your Party: leaderless or just hopeless?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2025 26:16


    Geraldine McKelvie reports from the ground at the inaugural Your Party conference, while Peter Walker talks to a number of insiders about the divisions that have beset the party until now. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Has Rachel Reeves been economical with the truth? – The Latest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2025 9:50


    Keir Starmer has been pushed to defend his chancellor after she was accused of lying in the run-up to the autumn budget. Rachel Reeves is alleged to have misled the public by citing bleak economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility to justify tax rises, even though the figures were more positive than she suggested. Lucy Hough is joined by the head of national news, Archie Bland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The women throwing off their hijabs in Tehran

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2025 28:01


    Social media videos of women riding motorbike and dancing in the streets in the Islamic Republic have gone viral. But after war, and the crushing of the ‘Women, life, freedom' movement what is life really like? Deepa Parent reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The NGO worker on trial for people-smuggling in Lesbos

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2025 31:46


    How is the criminalisation of asylum changing Europe? With Katy Fallon. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Mansions, milkshakes and the minimum wage: Labour's 2025 budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2025 24:47


    After so much buildup, Rachel Reeves has finally unveiled her budget, but will it be enough to turn things around for the government? Our economics editor, Heather Stewart, reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    The frantic push to bring peace to Ukraine

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2025 25:01


    There have been deals and counter deals. But how close has the flurry of diplomacy brought a ceasefire? Pjotr Sauer reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    How Nigel Farage's ‘right-hand man' in Europe was unmasked as a traitor

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2025 29:46


    Nathan Gill was an MEP for the Brexit party and Ukip, and later became Reform UK's leader in Wales. Now he has been jailed for 10 years for taking bribes to make pro-Russia statements. Luke Harding reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    ‘Enshittification': how we got the internet no one asked for

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2025 24:28


    Tech critic Cory Doctorow explains why for so many the internet – from Amazon to Google to Instagram – seems to be getting worse. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    Nazi salutes and racism: the allegations about Nigel Farage's school days

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2025 27:07


    Former pupils at Dulwich College have made shocking claims about the Reform leader's behaviour at school – which he denies. Daniel Boffey reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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