The Story

From bleak TV comedies to #mumtok meltdowns, modern motherhood is often portrayed as joyless, exhausting, and even traumatic. How did fear become the dominant narrative around parenting? And what gets lost in the process?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: Alexandra Jones, writer, The Times.Host: Taryn Siegel.Producers: Aaliyah Ahmed and Taryn Siegel.Further reading: Negative tales of motherhood nearly put me off having a babyWhat I wish I’d known before I had kidsClips: Netflix/Motherland, Parliament TV. Photo: Courtesy of Alexandra Jones.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com..

Keir Starmer is changing course on the winter fuel allowance - where does it sit in the league table of political U-turns, and will it please anybody?The political masterminds also discuss the Conservative Party's existential polling spiral, why Starmer's approval ratings have fallen so far in the year since the General Election was called, and why Hugo agrees with Polly that babies should get the vote.Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

In New York, the P Diddy trial is in its second week. The case centres around ‘freak-offs’ - parties where it’s claimed he forced two ex-girlfriends to engage in sexual acts with male escorts. He denies the claims. As the trial enters its second week, here’s the update. This podcast contains discussions of rape and sexual assault that some listeners may find upsetting. If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve heard in this podcast, you can visit the Rape Crisis website https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ or for domestic abuse, Refuge’s website https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ for help and support. 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: Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Olivia Case.Further reading: My week at the Diddy trial, where laughter gave way to disturbed silenceDiddy went to confront rival with three guns, ex-assistant saysFurther listening: P Diddy on trialThe P Diddy lawsuits: The downfall of a rap legendClips: Instagram / @Diddy, ABC, Fox, BBC, YouTube, NewsweekMag, CourtTV, Diaro As, CNN. Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

As Donald Trump took a tour of the Middle East last week, there was one notable omission from his itinerary - a trip to see America's long term political ally in the region, Israel. Instead, the US President voiced concern for the ongoing famine in Gaza. And now, after days of speculation, Benjamin Netanyahu has been forced to dismiss talk of a rift with Israel's military and diplomatic patron. But what caused Trump's patience to snap, and will it change anything for starving Gazans?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: Gabrielle Weiniger, Tel Aviv-based correspondent for The TimesAmal Helles, Reporter at The TimesHost: Manveen RanaProducer: Rosie StopherFurther reading: Leaked map shows Israeli proposal to force Gazans into strips of land / Here in Gaza, babies are skin and bone. I fear mine will be tooFurther listening: Trump’s Gaza BombshellClips: Sky News, UK Parliament, Al Jazeera, TRT WorldPhoto: A Gaza soup kitchen, via Getty imagesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 

More than 200 migrants from the US are being held in a high-security prison for terrorists in El Salvador, accused of being gang members. How did El Salvador become the repository for US deportees? And what does the friendship between President Bukele and President Trump tell us about the futures of both countries?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: Stephen Gibbs, Contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Further reading: The TikTok beauty influencer shot dead during livestream in MexicoClips: China Xinhau Español, NBC News, CNN, MSNBC, Guardian News.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, and is now considering his options for treatment. The physical and mental health of the 82 year old has made the news frequently over the last year or so. In fact, questions about his mental capacity eventually forced him to step aside in favour of Kamala Harris. A new book reveals how Biden’s team kept him away from scrutiny and covered up his declining health. Manveen speaks to The Times’s assistant editor, David Charter, who has interviewed the authors. 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: David Charter, Assistant Editor (US), The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Shabnam Grewal.Further reading:The fall of Joe Biden and how his team covered up his decline.‘Original Sin’ review: How the democrats tried to hide Biden’s decline.Key claims about Joe Biden’s health.Clips: CNN, House Committee on the Judiciary, NBC, MSNBC.Photo: Getty Images.

The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 has been one of the hardest to compile in recent years, thanks in large part to President Trump's tariffs. But it’s another government’s policies that the rich listers cite as their biggest concern. Why are the top 1% of earners so angry? 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: Robert Watts, compiler of The Sunday Times Rich ListHost: Manveen RanaProducer: Rosie StopherFurther reading: How the Sunday Times Rich List 2025 was compiled / The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 revealedClips: BBC, Times Radio, UK ParliamentPhoto: Richard Pohle for Times Media LtdGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This episode was originally published in January.Elon Musk has unleashed a huge political row in the UK over whether there should be a national inquiry into the gangs that groomed young girls for rape in a number of Britain's northern towns. But whilst the world's richest man accused the 'legacy media' of a cover-up, the scandal was actually exposed by Times journalist Andrew Norfolk. So how did he uncover the shocking story? And has enough been done to make sure it never happens again?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: Andrew Norfolk, former Chief Investigations Reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Emily Webb.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comImage: The Times.

Katie and Danny are joined for a conversation with Jon McNeil. For a pivotal 30 month period, Jon was President of Tesla and worked closely with Elon Musk. And also just where is the EV market currently at? Is the future of driving autonomous? And how best to invest in our AI future?Any thoughts or questions, get in touch - techpod@thetimes.co.uk