The Story

It's the weekend before Christmas and millions of people around the world are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Father Christmas. For many, it's feels like he's always been there, but where exactly did he come from? Turns out, it's been a pretty wild ride for Old Saint Nick, one that involves prostitution in the 3rd century, pagan winter feasting, and even the creation of New York City. And what if it transpires the loveable, jolly figure we know today, was formally a thin, wayward drunk? It's the origin story you thought you knew, one that spans thousands of years of history, and countless reinventions. How well do we really know St. Nicholas of Myra, Sinterklaas or Kris Kringle?Written by: Waldemar Januszczak, Chief art critic of The Sunday Times.Read by: Shabnam Grewal.Producer: Dave Creasey.Photo: Getty

Married mother of two Kristin Cabot speaks for the first time about being caught on a kisscam embracing her married boss, Andy Byron, at a Coldplay concert. The video went viral as people wrongly suspected adultery between a tech CEO and his head of HR, drawing online mockery, abuse and threats. In a Times exclusive, our chief US reporter Josie Ensor interviewed Cabot to ask her side of the story.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: Josie Ensor, chief US reporter, The Times.Producers: Harry Stott, Sophie McNulty.Read more: Coldplay kisscam HR boss Kristin Cabot on 16 seconds that ruined her lifeClips: ABC7, The Tonight Show / Jimmy Fallon / NBC, 9 News Australia, MBC News, NBC News.Photo: Lucy Lu for The TimesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead last Sunday. His son has been charged with their murder. It’s seen an outpouring of emotion from Hollywood and across the world, but one person’s response was less than complimentary: Donald Trump. So what does the President’s latest incursion into Hollywood politics mean for the movie industry?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:Hadley Freeman, columnist and features writer, The Times.Kevin Maher, chief film critic, The Times.Host: Rosie Wright.Producers: Harry Sott, Olivia Case.Read more: Rob Reiner just wanted a happy homeRob Reiner’s five best movies ranked, from Spinal Tap to MiseryClips: When Harry Met Sally / Rob Reiner / Columbia Pictures; This is Spinal Tap / Rob Reiner / Embassy Pictures; A Few Good Men / Rob Reiner / Columbia Pictures; Being Charlie / Rob Reiner / Paladin; Build Series / Youtube, Film Courage / Youtube; PBS Newshour.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This week, MI6 and the UK military issued a stark warning: Britain is already on the front line against Russia. And Moscow’s tactics – from drone warfare to cyber attacks and sowing disinformation – are growing more sophisticated and aggressive. But is the UK taking the threat seriously enough? A former British army general explains what conflict with Russia would look like and how the UK should prepare.  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: General Sir Richard Barrons, former Commander of Joint Forces Command.Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson and Taryn Siegel. Read more: To repel Putin, Britain and Europe must be ready to punch back hardMilitary head: Britons must be ready to fight as Russian threat growsFurther listening: A continent prepares for war. Here's how it's doneClips: The Mirror, 10 News, BBC, LBC, Netflix / A House of Dynamite.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Thousands of resident doctors are going on strike today despite a flu outbreak which is already putting hospitals under pressure. The NHS says it’s facing a “worst-case scenario” in the run up to Christmas, so will the health service be able to cope?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: Eleanor Hayward, health editor, The Times.Joshua Bratt, photojournalist who had a severe bout of flu.Host: Jane Mulkerrins.Producer: Shabnam Grewal, Edward DrummondRead more: What the new superflu feels like: a drill inside my headWes Streeting: NHS risks collapse from strikes threat and ‘superflu’Clips: Times Radio, LBC, Sky News.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Australia is still reeling after Sunday’s terror attack on a Chanukkah event at Bondi Beach. At least 15 people were killed, in addition to one of the gunmen. We hear from a crime reporter who was at the scene just minutes after the massacre unfolded and ask, could the government have done more to prevent the attack? 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:Mark Morri, crime editor, Sydney Daily Telegraph.Bernard Lagan, Australia correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Taryn Siegel and Micaela Arneson. Read more: Leadership has been lacking in fight against antisemitismClips: Sky, News.com.au, ABC News Australia.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

19-year-old Edward Cornes was found dead in a hotel room, just two days after he arrived at university. A post-mortem found large amounts of GHB, commonly known as the ‘date-rape’ drug in his system. Cornes had spent his final few hours in the company of two men in their fifties, but police concluded his death was not suspicious. His mother has accused the police of running a botched and homophobic investigation. So what went wrong?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: Miriam Blythe, mother of Edward CornesFiona Hamilton, chief reporter, The TimesHost: Luke Jones.  Producer: Shabnam Grewal.Read more: Family fight for truth over son’s ‘date-rape’ drug deathPhoto: Courtesy of Miriam Blythe.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Cyber-attacks on some of Britain's biggest companies like Marks & Spencer have cost hundreds of millions of pounds. For Jaguar Land Rover, experts estimate the cost to the company and the economy ran to billions. But most of us know almost nothing about what happens behind the scenes in the hours after a hack. Who do you call? In a bank robbery, a negotiator armed with a megaphone might turn up. But what if the loot is bitcoin, and the hostages, data? 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: James Ball, freelance writer, the Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Dave Creasey.Clips: ITV News, CNBC.Read more: Your company has been hacked. The clock is ticking. Here’s who to call.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Deep in rural Arkansas, far right YouTuber Eric Orwoll has founded 'Return to the Land', an all-white compound. Black people, gays and Jews are not allowed to live there. Sixty years after the end of segregation in America, is his community a remote collection of oddballs, or a sign of more extremism to come?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryHost: George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times.  Producer: Dave Creasey.Read more: The sinister US village for white, straight Christians onlyClips: Piers Morgan Uncensored, PBS, Aarvoll.Photo: Karen Pulfer for The Times MagazineGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com