The Explanation Podcast
Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin.
Where the world is explained. Making sense of the big stories - looking behind the spin. Exploring the important questions about long-running stories and the latest global news. An honest, unvarnished, explanation of the world.
Featuring new episodes of The President's Path, Unspun World with John Simpson, and The Media Show.
Episodes to download
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The Media Show: Reporting the Venezuela operation
Yesterday
How US newspapers delayed reporting military strike amid national security concerns
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The Media Show: How to Make a Hit TV Show
New Year's Day 2026
Top producers reveal what works and what doesn't
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The President’s Path: Year in review
Boxing Day 2025
A look back at the first year of President Trump’s second term in office.
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The Media Show: Meet The Tech Bros
Christmas Day 2025
The origin stories of a group of men who now wield an extraordinary level of influence
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The President’s Path: Maga coalition cracks
Mon 22 Dec 2025
A look at what the divisions in the Maga coalition mean for Trump.
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The Media Show: Reporting the Bondi beach attack
Thu 18 Dec 2025
How journalists deal with online claims while confirming facts after the Sydney shootings
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The President’s Path: Affordability
Fri 12 Dec 2025
How the Trump administration is addressing affordability in America
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The Media Show: Netflix’s Hollywood takeover drama
Thu 11 Dec 2025
The battle to control Warner Bros and what it could mean for movie fans
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The President’s Path: The health of healthcare
Fri 5 Dec 2025
The state of US healthcare under RFK Jr
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The Media Show: Manchester’s YouTube problem
Thu 4 Dec 2025
Why vloggers are accused of exploiting vulnerable people for clicks
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The President’s Path: Trump v California
Fri 28 Nov 2025
Donald Trump is challenging the state of California. Its governor is returning the favour
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The Media Show: Another day, another BBC editing row?
Thu 27 Nov 2025
A disputed Reith Lectures cut adds to questions over BBC governance
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The Media Show: Ed Sheeran’s one-shot film
Thu 20 Nov 2025
Producer behind Ed Sheeran’s new live performance show on how they did it
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The President’s Path: US-Venezuela boat strikes
Fri 14 Nov 2025
Why the US is striking Venezuelan boats in the Caribbean and Pacific
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Unspun World: Are Russian forces on the brink of seizing Pokrovsk?
Fri 14 Nov 2025
Why is Russia so keen to capture the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk?
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The Media Show: Trump’s billion-dollar BBC threat
Thu 13 Nov 2025
As the President vows to sue, two BBC bosses quit amid crisis
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The President’s Path: Elections fallout
Fri 7 Nov 2025
How Republicans and Democrats fared in this year’s elections
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Unspun World: War-weariness in Russia
Fri 7 Nov 2025
John Simpson explores war-weariness in Russia and the problem it poses for the Kremlin
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The Media Show: Lessons from Top Gear
Thu 6 Nov 2025
Producer Andy Wilman on success and fallout at TV’s biggest car show
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The President’s Path: Electoral battlegrounds 2025
Fri 31 Oct 2025
What will the first big elections of Trump’s second term reveal?
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Unspun World: Donald Trump’s China strategy
Fri 31 Oct 2025
John Simpson analyses President Trump’s approach to dealing with China
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The Media Show: Advertising race row
Thu 30 Oct 2025
How race and representation in adverts became a political issue.
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The President’s Path: Shutdown and teardown
Fri 24 Oct 2025
Trump tears down the White House's East Wing as the federal shutdown continues
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Unspun World: Will Hamas really give up control of Gaza?
Fri 24 Oct 2025
John Simpson analyses whether Hamas will lay down its weapons in Gaza
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The Media Show: When the Royals lose control of the story
Thu 23 Oct 2025
What renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew reveals about royal-media dynamics
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Weight loss jabs: A medical game changer?
Sat 18 Oct 2025
Do weight loss injections have far-reaching benefits beyond weight management?
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The President’s Path: How many wars has Donald Trump ended?
Fri 17 Oct 2025
How many wars has President Trump ended?
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Unspun World: Who will run Gaza?
Fri 17 Oct 2025
John Simpson analyses who will actually be running Gaza in the wake of the ceasefire
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The Media Show: The Gaza Ceasefire
Thu 16 Oct 2025
How newsrooms are covering Gaza as access remains blocked
