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 President’s Path: Is Trump facing a Republican rebellion in Congress?
Friday
Is President Trump facing a GOP rebellion in Congress?
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Unspun World: Who is in control of Gaza now?
Friday
John Simpson explores who is actually governing Gaza at the moment
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The Media Show: Bonfire of the Murdochs
Thursday
Gabriel Sherman on the Murdoch family succession battle and the company’s direction
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The President’s Path: Epstein files
Fri 6 Feb 2026
Political pressure on President Trump after the release of more Epstein files
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Unspun World: Is time running out for Iran's supreme leader?
Fri 6 Feb 2026
John Simpson looks at the dangers facing the Iranian clerical regime
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The Media Show: The Epstein files
Thu 5 Feb 2026
How journalists are reporting the latest Epstein data dump
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The President’s Path: Minneapolis unrest
Fri 30 Jan 2026
Minneapolis unrest grows after federal agents fatally shoot Alex Pretti
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Unspun World: Is Europe toughening its stance on Trump?
Fri 30 Jan 2026
John Simpson analyses EU-US relations after the row over Greenland
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The Media Show: Netflix’s skyscraper live stunt
Thu 29 Jan 2026
Is a live broadcast of a climber on a skyscraper without a rope the future of television?
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The Evidence: Anaesthesia
Sat 24 Jan 2026
What happens to our brains and our consciousness when we’re put to sleep?
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The President’s Path: US-Europe breakup
Fri 23 Jan 2026
Is Trump driving a breakup between the US and Europe?
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Unspun World: Trump's return, one year on
Fri 23 Jan 2026
Caroline Hawley looks back at the first year of Donald Trump’s second term
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The Media Show: The battle for brand Beckham
Thu 22 Jan 2026
The Beckham’s family fallout reignites questions on how celebrities shape press coverage
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The President’s Path: Trump’s world domination
Fri 16 Jan 2026
Trump warns Iran and pushes US control of Greenland
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The Media Show: Iran protests and international coverage
Thu 15 Jan 2026
Questions over how global media report unrest in Iran and the constraints on verification
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The President’s Path: After Venezuela, what next for Trump?
Fri 9 Jan 2026
US seizes Maduro, while Trump eyes up next targets
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The Media Show: Reporting the Venezuela operation
Thu 8 Jan 2026
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
