The Story

If you get a decent night’s rest regularly, you’re likely to be slimmer, happier and healthier. But with research suggesting that the more we think and worry about our sleep, the worse it gets, is it time to throw away our sleep-trackers and unfollow the TikTok ‘sleepfluencers’? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestoryFurther reading: How to get a good night's sleep - and why you're not.Host: Manveen Rana.Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.Clips: TikTok / milaandmike, TikTok / justin_agustin, TikTok / anastazia, TikTok / thesleepdoctor, TikTok / valerieribon, TikTok / alishaxnourie, TikTok / marjmaroket, TikTok / hanbanan.fit, TikTok / melfyx.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

For weeks, we were told the polls were too close to call. But when the votes were counted, the Democrats lost every single swing state - and the popular vote too. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker and Democrat party grandee has blamed President Biden for Donald Trump winning the White House as a Democrat blame game intensifies. So how did it all go so wrong for the Harris campaign? And what does her party need to do to reconnect with middle America?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: Christopher Hale, Democratic consultant and strategist.Nick Hanauer, tech entrepreneur and political economist.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Megyn Kelly; The View/ABC; NBC News; Instagram/realdonaldtrump; CNN; Votolatino; Newsnation; Hindustan Times; Al Jazeera English.Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from our sister podcast, The Royals with Roya and Kate. They have been in South Africa covering Prince William’s Earthshot Prize awards ceremony. Speaking afterwards, the Prince of Wales described the last year as “dreadful”, “brutal”, and “probably the hardest year of my life”.Host: Roya Nikkhah, Royal Editor, The Sunday Times.Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor, The Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk 

Elon Musk has aggressively backed Donald Trump in the US election, raising questions about whether he may be part of Donald Trump's new administration. But what has led the one-time political liberal to come out in support of the president-elect and a raft of conservative causes? This weekend, we revisit an episode from August, looking at how the billionaire Tesla and X owner became politically involved.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory  This episode was first published on 15th August 2024.Guest: James Ball, tech journalist and author.  Host: Manveen Rana.  Clips: X.com/Kamala Harris AI generated audio.   Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk 

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

Donald Trump has stormed to victory, so what does his vision for the future of the US look like? Who will he take into the White House with him? And will his hard-talking rhetoric meet reality?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: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Middle East Eye, CNN, Forbes, ABC News.Photo: Getty Images.Further reading:Who will be in Trump’s cabinet? From ex-rivals to golf partnersWhat a Trump presidency means for Ukraine, Middle East, Europe and AsiaThe Times website will be free to read until midnight on Thursday 7th November.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

After two years of campaigning, Americans have cast their votes, with Trump riding a growing wave of momentum. This is how the night unfolded.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:Tom Newton-Dunn, covering the US election for The Times.Louise Callaghan, US Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.Alistair Dawber, Washington Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.Tom Calver, Data Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: NBC News, Fox News, PBS News, CNN.Photo: Getty Images/Times IllustrationGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

An investigation by the Sunday Times’ Insight team has revealed for the first time the extensive property empires of the King and Prince of Wales. The information includes details of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall’s business deals with the NHS, schools and military that help fund the royals.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: Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.George Arbuthnott, Insight Deputy Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Clips: Channel 4, Parliament.Photo: Getty Images/Times illustration.Further listening: The SAS murders and the conspiracy to cover them up and Cash for places: The backdoor for overseas students into Britain's top universitiesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

The new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch grew up in Nigeria and - as the state failed - was forced to complete her homework by candlelight. So how has that shaped her politically? What are her policies and can she resurrect the Tories and mount a challenge against the twin threats of Labour and Reform?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.Host: Luke Jones.Guests:Janice Turner, Columist and Interviewer, The Times.Daniel Finkelstein, Contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times. Clips: The Conservative Party, BBC, Sky, Times Radio.Image credit: GettyFurther listening: What happens if the American election is a tie?