The Story

For many, paying off a mortgage is one of their biggest financial goals. So, this week Holly and Lucy are joined by mortgage expert Sarah Tucker from The Mortgage Mum and Leigh Macfarlane, a content creator documenting her journey to becoming mortgage free. They share practical tips and strategies to make your dream of financial freedom a reality.Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk

When Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon labelled the new kid on the block, Elon Musk, as “racist” and “truly evil”, it hit the headlines. But what’s their feud really about? And what does it tell us about the two sides of President Donald Trump?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Oliver Bateman, journalist and historian.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: NBC, CNBC Television, CNN, CNN News-18, MSNBC, PBS, All-In Podcast, Sirius XM.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

For almost two years, two armies have fought a brutal civil war in Sudan, Africa’s third largest country. Over 150,000 have died, 11 million have been displaced and evidence of genocidal war crimes have emerged. So why has the war in Sudan been forgotten? The Times’ Special Correspondent Anthony Loyd has recently returned from a reporting trip on the frontline and tells The Story about the people he met. This episode includes descriptions of war and rape. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Anthony Loyd, Special Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: BBC. Photo: Anthony Loyd/The Times. Watch Anthony’s video from SudanFurther reading: Inside Sudan’s forgotten war: 150,000 dead, 11 million displacedGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to killing three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last July. But why wasn’t the 18 year old - who was referred to counter terrorism scheme Prevent three times - stopped before he could commit his crimes? And, as the Prime Minister warns of a new kind of terrorism, does Britain need to rethink its whole strategy around terror to prevent an attack like this happening again?This podcast contains descriptions of violence. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests:Constance Kampfner, Northern Correspondent, The Times.Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor, The Times.Read more:Axel Rudakubana: from class clown to killerSouthport attack timeline: missed opportunities and misinformationHost: Manveen Rana. Clips: GB News, 10 Downing Street, UK Parliament.Photo: Merseyside Police / PA.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Rachel Reeves travels to the World Economic Forum today to shore up support among CEOs and world leaders in Davos. The chancellor hopes to boost investment amidst volatile bond markets, borrowing costs hitting a 27-year high, and the prospect of Trump tariffs. But is the government heading for a Liz Truss-style crash? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Dominic O’Connell, Columnist, The Times, and Business Presenter, Times Radio. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: GB News, Sky News, NBC News, UK Parliament, BBC News. Photo: Times Design/Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

At 12pm ET today, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. To mark this historic occasion, we’ve gathered together two of our US experts from either side of the Atlantic – one who attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, and one who will be attending this one. What’s so different this time around?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests:Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.Louise Callaghan, US Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Straight Arrow News, CNN, ABC News, NYTimes, Wall Street Journal, CNN.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Today we look back on one of our favourite episodes from the past few months: a deep dive into the economics of beauty, with Tom Whipple.Do looks matter? Pulchronomics, the study of economics and beauty, says they do. But just how much impact does being attractive have on your love life, career and happiness? Are our fortunes really determined by our looks? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribeGuest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Times Poll: How attractive are you? Rate yourself out of fiveClips: Britain’s Got Talent ITV/Thames. Photo: Times Design, Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from the Tech Podcast from The Times.The Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, joins the pod to discuss the British Government's 'AI Opportunities Action Plan' (and Elon Musk). Plus, a new guide the UK's fastest growing tech companies is revealed by The Times and Sunday Times, read all about it.

There was widespread jubilation at the announcement that a deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire in Gaza. Netanyahu's government is still to formally approve the deal that would bring to an end 15 months of conflict. The deal includes the release of the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners. But how exactly will it work? And, more importantly, will it last?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Samer Al-Atrush, Middle East Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: The Times and The Sunday Times, Reuters, Times Radio, Al Jazeera, Parliamentlive.tv, Sky, CBS, BBC, @zakisolja / X.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com