
Advertise on podcast: The Explanation
Rating
4.6from
This podcast has
379 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
BBC World ServiceExplicit
No
Date created
2023/05/10
Latest episode
2026/10/30
Average duration
22 min.
Release period
3 days
Description
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.
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Check latest episodes from The Explanation podcast
The President's Path: Midterm races to watch
2026/10/30
Could Texas really go blue? Are Democrats at risk in Michigan? A week out from the 2026 US midterms, Sumi Somaskanda and Caitriona Perry look at the key states – and seats – at play in the 2026 US midterms.
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: [email protected]
Senior producer: Ellyn Duncan
Editor: James Kraft
Executive producer: Anna Holford
Unspun World: Ukrainians prepare for winter at war
2026/10/30
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores the challenges facing Ukraine in the war with Russia as winter approaches, analyses the causes of the widespread protests in France, and looks at the unexpected victory for President Lula in the Brazilian election.
Producer: Kate Cornell
Executive producer: Benedick Watt
Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall
The Media Show: Is TV news fit for purpose in the internet age?
2026/10/29
Lewis Goodall presenter of “The News Agents” podcast and Krishnan Guru-Murthy presenter of Channel 4 News discuss whether traditional TV news remains fit for purpose in the digital and social media era.
And as Blue Planet III returns to BBC One, we talk to Jack Bootle, the BBC’s Head of Specialist Factual Commissioning. He explains how the series was made without generative AI and gives a behind-the-scenes peek into producing the natural history veteran David Attenborough.
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Producer: Lucy Wai
Content Producer: Emily Channon
Editor: Gavin Poncia
Researcher: Cameron Taylor
Sound: Callum Mclean
Technical Coordinator: Luke Sweeney
The President's Path: Trump's immigration stance and the midterms
2026/10/23
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann take a closer look at how President Trump’s tough stance on immigration is impacting lives and politics. Sumi joins us from Florida, where she’s been hearing from voters firsthand on what is driving their decision at the polls.
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power.
Unspun World: Saudi Arabia’s safe-haven reputation
2026/10/23
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, analyses the toll on Saudi Arabia of ongoing Houthi attacks, explores whether the Japanese will end their post-war pacifism, and looks at the possible effects on English football of Manchester City being found guilty of breaching financial rules.
Producer: Kate Cornell
Executive producer: Benedick Watt
Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall
The Media Show: More cuts at the BBC
2026/10/22
This week the BBC announced more cuts as part of its drive to save £500 million, following on from a series of other budget saving measures over the last few months. Katie and Ros take stock of everything announced so far along with a panel of experts: ex-BBC executive Roger Mosey, MP for Southport Patrick Hurley, Baroness Morgan, former Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the BBC Deputy Director General Rhodri Talfan-Davies.
And a new Channel 4 programme investigates public attitudes toward disability. The creators of The Experiment have built a fictional care home for disabled people and invite members of the public into the facility to see if they can recognize Nazi-era concepts disguised as modern social care. Producer Nick Parnes and presenter Sophie Morgan join the show.
Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall
Producer: Tim Bano
Content Producer: Lucy Wai
Editor: Gavin Poncia
Researcher: Ruth Waites
Sound: Mark Pickett
Technical Coordinator: Mark Dickins
The President's Path: Will affordability decide the US midterms?
2026/10/16
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann discuss how the issue of affordability is playing out in different parts of the US - and shaping voters' views. Will voters punish the president and his team at the ballot box?
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: [email protected]
Senior producer: Ellyn Duncan
Editor: James Kraft
Executive producer: Anna Holford
Unspun World: Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine
2026/10/16
John Simpson explores the effect on civilians of Russia’s intense bombardment of Ukrainian cities, looks at how Turkey has become a more authoritarian state, and analyses China’s decision to regulate AI chatbots.
Producer: Kate Cornell
Executive producer: Benedick Watt
Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall
The Media Show: TV screenwriter Russell T Davies
2026/10/15
Writer and producer Russell T Davies reflects on his career, from the groundbreaking series Queer as Folk to the revival of Doctor Who, Years and Years and his latest Channel 4 drama Tip Toe.
The BBC has issued an apology for making false and defamatory allegations about the founder of PinkNews and his husband. Katy Searle, Head of Opinion at The i, and legal expert Clive Coleman assess the editorial and legal implications of the case.
Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins
Producer: Tim Bano
Content Producer: Lucy Wai
Editor: Gavin Poncia
Researcher: Ruth Waites
Sound: Adrian Bhargava
Technical Coordinator: Mark Dickins
The President's Path: Could Trump deliver Democrats a midterm victory?
2026/10/09
Sumi Somaskanda, Caitriona Perry and Bernd Debusmann look at the Democrats' race to the midterms. The party is eyeing some key victories in races across the country, to secure control of either the House or Senate – or both – come November. Recent polls appear promising, but what is deciding voters’ minds about who will get their vote – or if they will even head to the polls?
Every weekend, The President’s Path explores the state of US politics — in Washington and beyond. We dig into the key issues shaping America and uncover what’s on the minds of those closest to power. You can contact us at: [email protected]
Senior producer: Ellyn Duncan
Editor: Magnus McGrandle
Executive producer: Anna Holford
Unspun World: Israel marks three years since 7 October attacks
2026/10/09
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, explores how Israeli attitudes have changed three years on from the 7 October attacks, analyses the possible impacts of the midterm elections on the Trump presidency, and examines the civil war in Yemen.
Producer: Kate Cornell
Executive producer: Benedick Watt
Commissioning editors: Silvia Costeloe and Paul Royall
The Media Show: Hungary and the battle for press freedom
2026/10/08
Six months after Péter Magyar’s election ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, Hungary’s new government faces scrutiny over its promised press reforms. BBC East and Central Europe Correspondent Nick Thorpe reports from Budapest on how the country’s media is changing.
Broadcaster Anneka Rice reflects on fifty years since joining the BBC as a trainee, tracing her career across television and radio and the changes she has witnessed in British broadcasting.
As the Cornell rape investigation continues, journalism experts including Dr Robert Topinka of Birkbeck, University of London, and Professor Kathleen Bartzen Culver of the University of Wisconsin–Madison consider the ethical and legal responsibilities of reporters covering sensitive cases.
Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall
Producer: Lucy Wai
Content Producer: Emily Channon
Editor: Gavin Poncia
Researcher: Ruth Waites
Sound: Mike Campbell
Technical Coordinator: James Cherry
The President's Path: Do Trump's endorsements help?
2026/10/02
Caitríona Perry, Sumi Somaskanda and Bernd Debusmann examine the role President Trump is playing in the race to November’s midterm elections. They discuss whether his endorsement is helping Republican candidates, look at the key battleground races, and explore the issues likely to matter most to voters.
What effect are Russian drone strikes having on Ukraine?
2026/10/02
John Simpson, in discussion with the BBC’s unparalleled range of experts across the world, looks at the impact of intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine, analyses the state of the relationship between China and the United States, and examines the possibility of renewed civil war in Ethiopia.
The Media Show: Reporting the Man City scandal
2026/10/01
The Premier League alleges that Manchester City arranged sham contracts with commercial partners to conceal more than £830 million in funding. BBC Sport’s Laura Scott, Der Spiegel journalist Christoph Winterbach, Nick Harris from Sporting Intelligence, and Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris explain how the story developed and the media’s role in reporting it over time.
Also on the programme With Celebrity Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing returning to television, celebrity talent executive Stefania Aleksander describes the process of selecting the personalities who help make these entertainment formats successful, and the behind-the-scenes work that shapes some of the UK’s most-watched shows.
Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall
Producer: Lucy Wai
Assistant: Emily Channon
Editor: Gavin Poncia
Researcher: Ruth Waites
Sound: Chris Lovelock
Technical Coordinator: Akik Rahman
Podcast reviews
Read The Explanation podcast reviews
avm1406 2023/07/13
John Simpson is a legend
Listen if only for John Simpson’s pithy, deeply felt wrap up monologue.
midwestBlue 2023/06/29
good program
i like the program but claire graham speaks too softly compared to the guests. please speak up claire. thank you
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