Today in Focus

by The Guardian
614
News #225, Daily News #33

Hosted by Michael Safi and Helen Pidd, Today in Focus brings you closer to Guardian journalism. Combining storytelling with insightful analysis and personal testimonies, the podcast takes you behind the headlines for a deeper understanding of the news, every weekday. And, in the run up to the US Election, Lucy Hough presents US Election Extra, a daily series of short updates, running alongside the regular Today in Focus podcast. Today in Focus is unmatched in both scope and depth, delivering analysis and storytelling from right across the planet. With a global network of over 900 journalists and five dedicated editions covering news in the US, UK, Australia, Europe, and beyond, the Guardian offers comprehensive reporting across every continent. Most recently we have introduced new correspondents in the Caribbean, South America and Africa.

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Recent Episodes
  • Nigel Farage and his ‘historic mission’: on the ground with Reform UK
    Nov 22, 2024 – 00:34:51
  • An arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu – Today in Focus Extra
    Nov 21, 2024 – 00:13:20
  • What’s behind the escalating situation in Ukraine?
    Nov 21, 2024 – 00:28:00
  • Starmer v farmers – will the government have to backtrack?
    Nov 20, 2024 – 00:27:44
  • Inside Port-au-Prince, Haiti: the capital where gangs have taken over
    Nov 19, 2024 – 00:30:01
  • Assassins, spies and a superpower on the rise: the rift between Canada and India
    Nov 18, 2024 – 00:31:04
  • Hardliners, loyalists and a dog killer: Trump’s new White House team
    Nov 15, 2024 – 00:25:42
  • The fall of Justin Welby
    Nov 14, 2024 – 00:28:59
  • The briefcase, the Porsche and the collapse of the German government
    Nov 13, 2024 – 00:30:11
  • A week of tumult and triumph for Netanyahu
    Nov 12, 2024 – 00:27:24
  • Finding one trillion dollars at Cop29
    Nov 11, 2024 – 00:25:44
  • Where do the Democrats go from here?
    Nov 8, 2024 – 00:29:55
  • What will Trump do in power?
    Nov 7, 2024 – 00:21:05
  • The return of President Trump
    Nov 6, 2024 – 00:28:21
  • US election extra: what to look out for on election night
    Nov 5, 2024 – 00:10:06
  • A road trip through Pennsylvania, the ultimate swing state
    Nov 5, 2024 – 00:29:43
  • US election extra: the endgame
    Nov 4, 2024 – 00:10:45
  • Can Kemi Badenoch make the Tories electable again?
    Nov 4, 2024 – 00:31:06
  • US election extra: Duel rallies in Las Vegas with surprise J-Lo endorsement
    Nov 1, 2024 – 00:10:25
  • Six weeks in Saginaw: the bellwether county in the bellwether state
    Nov 1, 2024 – 00:32:19
  • US election extra: the race in Georgia
    Oct 31, 2024 – 00:10:03
  • Rachel Reeves’s big tax-and-spend budget dissected
    Oct 31, 2024 – 00:23:40
  • US election extra: Kamala Harris’s closing argument
    Oct 30, 2024 – 00:10:16
  • AI images, child sexual abuse and a ‘first prosecution of its kind’
    Oct 30, 2024 – 00:26:25
  • US election extra: the two Trump campaigns
    Oct 29, 2024 – 00:10:33
  • The Trump supporters who took over Georgia’s election board
    Oct 29, 2024 – 00:35:26
  • US election extra: rage and racist bile at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally
    Oct 28, 2024 – 00:10:31
  • The child skincare boom
    Oct 28, 2024 – 00:20:51
  • US election extra: TikTok, podcasts and the polls
    Oct 25, 2024 – 00:09:46
  • Undercover inside a ‘scientific racism’ network
    Oct 25, 2024 – 00:48:17
  • US election extra: Pennsylvania in the balance
    Oct 24, 2024 – 00:10:35
  • Liam Payne: the heady rise and tragic death of a One Direction star
    Oct 24, 2024 – 00:31:49
  • US election extra: Trump accuses Labour of ‘interference’
    Oct 23, 2024 – 00:10:34
  • Will the Chris Kaba murder trial change British policing?
    Oct 23, 2024 – 00:36:31
  • US election extra: is the US ready for ‘Maga-nomics’?
    Oct 22, 2024 – 00:10:06
  • Moldova’s razor-thin EU referendum result
    Oct 22, 2024 – 00:25:39
  • US election extra: could Trump steal the election? – podcast
    Oct 21, 2024 – 00:10:08
  • How the US border became a toxic issue for voters
    Oct 21, 2024 – 00:33:06
  • US election extra: the path to power – understanding the electoral college
    Oct 18, 2024 – 00:08:52
  • The killing of Yahya Sinwar
    Oct 18, 2024 – 00:20:25
  • US election extra: Harris breaks with Biden
    Oct 17, 2024 – 00:10:17
  • How abortion became a battleground issue of the US election – podcast
    Oct 17, 2024 – 00:36:14
  • US election extra: Musk’s millions
    Oct 16, 2024 – 00:09:40
  • How UN peacekeepers ended up in Israel’s line of fire
    Oct 16, 2024 – 00:27:07
  • US election extra: DJ Trump
    Oct 15, 2024 – 00:10:11
  • The hurricanes shaking the US election – podcast
    Oct 15, 2024 – 00:31:42
  • US election extra: the state of the race
    Oct 14, 2024 – 00:10:10
  • How Giorgia Meloni became Europe’s favourite far-right leader
    Oct 14, 2024 – 00:30:35
  • One man on his grief for Gaza
    Oct 11, 2024 – 00:42:38
  • ‘I am your retribution’: Trump’s radical plan to remake the presidency
    Oct 10, 2024 – 00:27:58
Recent Reviews
  • Joris J.P.S.
    Not great journalism at times
    Some of the questions to Dan were off during this last Ukraine podcast.
  • Palunargar
    Great handling of the news topic
    I enjoyed the recent topic on Germany’s politics. The questions were relevant and of the guests’s points of view gave me more understanding.
  • JCASEA
    Lucy Hoff: Low-Talker Still
    update— still, the music practically drowns your voice in the beginning. Lucy Hoff: please stop with the gentle, soft voice.
  • ShayKay2022
    UN Peacekeepers in Israel's line of fire ...
    Plenty focus on Netanyahu's critique of the UN in its many roles, almost nothing of the reasons why Guterres, Spain and Ireland have criticized (only top line descriptions were offered) and so incurred Netanyahu's wrath.
  • verozone
    IBS episode
    Next time invite a scientist. No reason to deal with such excruciating symptoms with the right diet. I feel Fodmap diet being a sidenote in this episode was very poor science as it is the only thing scientifically proven to help. Not telling people to cut down on foods that make it difficult for them to even goto the theater is really poor medical advice. Also important, what women eat close to or during their period is crucial. Telling people IBs is terrible and there's no way to manage it is only part of the story. Very disappointing episode with all the wonderful research that is being carried out right now.
  • midwestBlue
    7.20.24
    If you never saw Kamala in action when she was in the senate you don’t know Kamala. Kamala as vp had to stay low key. Kamala is going to kick trump’s butt from here to Chins and he won’t even know what hit him. it is going to be glorious just as glorious as she was chewing up and spitting out kavanaugh when he was being interviewed to get in scotus by senate members and it too was a beautiful thing to see. she’s smart, tough yet caring and she is tougher than buden so i can’t wait!
  • Louise and Dani
    Lies lies lies
    Today’s edition of The Guardian’s Today in Focus on the protesters trying to prevent humanitarian aid into Gaza is a completely biased and distorted view of the issue - more Israel bashing from The Guardian. They claim that the Israeli protesters trying to block aid represent mainstream Israeli opinion. This is totally untrue. This is an extremist right-wing group on the fringes of Israeli society and totally unrepresentative. The opposite is true, the majority of Israelis are horrified by extremist groups like this and a large proportion of Israelis want the war to end. The reporter failed to provide context that if there were elections in Israel now, Netanyahu and his extremist government would lose
  • De-bling
    Smart, in-depth analysis of the unpredictable world we inhabit!
    Walking in Oakland, CA, this podcast helps calm me down with the ongoing political circus and uncertainty fomenting in the US nowadays. Thank you, fearless and thoughtful Guardian journalists + editors + admin staff + assistants + janitors + you know who you are + we are grateful!
  • black6
    Who Screwed Millenials.
    MOMG, this show on Who Screwed millennials is so repetitive in its content. If the rest are like this cut each by 50% please.
  • joel.biz
    Sensationalist, and a little fear mongering!
    Mispronounces the subject of investigation at every mention, even after being corrected (in episode 2). This just really bothered me because the point of "ClothOff", as you yourselves illustrate, is to create images of people with *clothes off*. Nobody is clamoring for whatever "Cloth Off" is; "I would love to see what the dining table looks like with the 'Cloth off'." — said nobody ever, obviously. Enormous journalistic failure that persists even after someone associated with the nefarious application refers to it, correctly, as "ClotheOff" (in pronunciation, not spelling). I would like to see a correction issued for this entire episode, unless, of course, The Guardian and journalists behind Black Box do not care at all about accuracy or integrity in journalism!
  • El Phantsmo
    Lackluster and biased
    Reporting on Gaza is notably insufficient.
  • EdmondsKat
    Absolutely brilliant
    Calm, methodical, always riveting
  • halligallivalley
    No more Michael, please
    Nosheen and Rachel are wonderful. Michael sounds like a kid imitating a journalist. Please no more.
  • *Mr. Joshua*
    This podcast is terrible - don’t waste your time
    This podcast was a disappointing venture into the world of audio content. Its monotonous hosts, poor production quality, lack of structure, excessive length, and unimpressive guest selection all contributed to an underwhelming and forgettable experience. With so many exceptional podcasts available today, this particular offering failed to meet even the most basic standards of quality and entertainment. I would strongly advise seeking out other podcasts that offer engaging hosts, well-produced episodes, and valuable insights.
  • berni2012
    Correction: Daniel Penny killed Jordan Neely
    The description "died at the hands of a fellow passenger" doesn’t convey that killer Daniel Penny choked Jordan Neely to death on a NYC subway in 2023 after unarmed Jordan Neely wailed that he was hungry, homeless, tired and wanted to die. Using the passive voice and not describing accurately that Daniel Penny choked his victim to death represents a perennial problem in Western media that attempt to humanize White criminals. This media problem is dangerous for everyone because it is part of what leads to leaving dangerous people in the community to continue their crimes and criminalizing the innocent who could have been contributing members of society. This is racism and not having enough people of all races at The Guardian and throughout society to change this represents an existential threat for everyone.
  • Jhub91
    Some good coverage but predictably biased
    I’ve started to notice that on issues I’m very familiar with the Guardian always ends up on the left end of the spectrum. In that sense it’s a bit like the New York Times podcasts. Frankly for me it’s hard to trust a news outlet if it only reports on half the perspective, over and over and over again.
  • Christina Caudill
    Excellent reporting on Cost of the Crown
    The Cost of the Crown miniseries was riveting! Excellent reporting that hopefully will continue to shatter the wall of secrecy surrounding the finances of the royal family.
  • Bettdocs
    American Listener
    I know, I know just hear me out… I listened to today’s show about the U.S. intelligence leak. The piece asked all the salient questions and provided in-depth analysis in a way I have not seen in a variety of U.S. news sources. Well done.
  • NaomieMom
    Great job on March 30 episode
    I am a regular listener of your podcast. Today I listened to your podcast on the French crisis. I am myself French and American, living in the US, and I have been frustrated by the simplistic and cliche way these events have been reported in the US. This podcast constitutes the best account and analysis I’ve heard of the complex situation the French are in. For French people, there has been a denial of democracy, of the legitimacy of “the people” guaranteed by the French constitution - all through the will of one individual with very little legitimacy, as you justly mentioned. I thank you for your analysis. There were some elements missing you might have included, but it’s good to finally hear a journalist who knows what they are talking about!
  • June Jade temple
    Turkey-Syria earthquake relief
    Thank you for the reporting. Where I could find the show notes for the donation links? Thank you.
  • Jeepers67
    This is Journalism?
    After years of horribly racist, vile attacks against Harry, Meghan and their children - are you really going with “there’s two sides?” Why would the Guardian publish salacious leaks without context? This is as trashy as all your tabloids. Is it so hard to say this royal family is trash?
  • AlistairCandlin
    Can I tell you a secret- top journalism.
    Sirin Kale’s long series was ace. Some in-depth reporting, and views on the story from different perspectives. Without meaning to be insensitive - given the suffering of the victims, and the fact that Matthew obviously has problems and has led quite a sad life - it’s a really strong narrative. It would make a good film or tv show - either documentary or documentary drama - if the producers handled it in a nuanced way, without hamming it all up. Hope Sirin is able to interview Matthew himself, in future.
  • moving on-missu
    Today in Focus?
    Sadly just missing the mark. Good exploration but then you release your crazy. Your water story was good, well explored the topic, spoke of alternatives and then your interviewee and interviewer slipped into crazy suggesting adding all new water supplies for gray water could be done at a reasonable price. We know that is laying in an entirely new system would be costly AND then every home would need different plumbing to provide gray water to the home toilets and outside faucets. That isn’t just going to cost some corporation-that would hit millions of homeowners, renters, elderly who would need to retrofit their old homes. Please think before you post.
  • Gustav jones
    Gone so so so downhill
    I used to love this podcast when Rachel and Anushka presented it, it used to have great and insightful content and interesting stories. Unfortunately the content has gone downhill and Michael is sadly not up to scratch as a presenter. Also they have also fallen into lazy left wing tropes instead of justifying their conclusions
  • bobthegodguy2
    Good
    Very good gets news out there
  • philozopher
    My heroes! Brilliant reporting
    Keep up the amazing work Guardian reporters and presenters! You make sense of the world everyday, and I need more of that!
  • CjaneSee
    More than 2 Dimensions
    These journalists really get out and walk around their subjects’ surroundings; they bring us with them into “real” conversations (and like all conversation, there are vivid and blurry narratives). Whether sure footed on familiar turf or clumsy like toddlers in foreign parts, the effect is the same, overall… we follow trains of thought that reveal the hosts’ legitimate humanity.
  • heroic mouse
    What happened?
    This used to be an amazing, never miss podcast and news website…not so much any more :(
  • jlduan
    Too biased
    Too biased.
  • ronn1e1
    Guardian
    The Uber series is awesome, so far. Not surprising though, the Guardian website and podcast are superb. Good not to be owned by a ‘press baron’.
  • marty blatt
    New Orleans series
    That was a terrific series. Quite moving and informative and excellent analysis
  • Jessicahms
    Today in Focus gets better and better.
    I love the way the TiF team gets under the skin of a story and really figures out what it means; the topics they cover are not always the obvious ones, and this makes it even more valuable. I learn from TiF and sometimes come to understand things I hadn’t even realized were happening, which is so much better than version 16 of a well-known story. That said, when TiF covers huge stories, which is often, they bring original angles and fresh critical thinking. Of particular note are the two specials they have done, firstly about the Freshwater Five (UK drug smuggling case), and second, just last week, The Division (civil rights in New Orleans). Both were excellent, thoughtful, and vital pieces of reporting and I am the richer for having listened. Three cheers to the whole TiF team.
  • 😉💙🙃
    5/4/2022
    You’ve speeded up your podcast, to squeeze more news in, I guess. However, the presentation leads a lot to be desired. Please slow it down. Thx, C. Davis
  • 123Massi
    Disappointing and low quality
    The podcast does not add anything or give a different prospective to what you can find on FT or NYT. Why wasting time…?
  • Joe2020.2
    Weird editing - tennis episode
    The episodes are usually very good but the episode of the female tennis star Peng Shuai was just messy. I couldn’t focus because at different points the host/guest was speaking while they had someone in the background talking at the same time. Hot mess.
  • ccr226
    Our favorite news podcast
    I am an avid daily listener to Today in Focus and love the honesty and rigor of the coverage, as well as the relatability of the hosts. I am so so sad that Anoushka Asthana and Rachel Humphreys are both stepping down. They have both been absolutely wonderful. I cannot tell you how much we’ll miss their voices and easy, natural interviewing styles. Michael Safi does amazing reporting on South Asia and beyond - the Pegasus series was astounding- so I’ll look forward to his future stories. But lighting my votive candles in memory of Anoushka and Rachel as such fabulous hosts. Come back!!
  • kayeskayes
    Stop whispering
    Guys, stop with all these posh whispering. Speak loudly so people actually hear and understand you. SMH.
  • Duck2223
    Brilliant podcast
    I absolutely love this podcast. Have returned to it after a months away and am pleased to hear a shift in tone and storytelling. This new Aussie guy Michael Safi is fantastic. More Pegasus-style episodes please!
  • CogetteUS
    Disappointed! Anyone paying attention to the ads?
    Disappointed and confused. I LOVE this podcast! I voted for you and celebrated your well-deserved win. I know that if your journalist team were aware that your misogynistic advertising uses the term “mackrely mother in law” to advertise a mattress, there might be questions. (Yes, that means a woman who smells like oily fish. It’s hilarious.) Is anyone paying attention to what we are hearing in the US Extremely impressed by Belarus Ryanair story. Had been following on many excellent podcasts from several countries which were quicker to the post and gave me updates I wanted. Getting this from you completed the picture.
  • AnniSue
    I’m Furious...
    ...with the court of appeals’ decision on the Freshwater case. I trust the Guardian to present an unbiased story. Which is all the more important if people have been unjustly imprisoned. I wish the families strength in their continued quest for fair review of the facts.
  • Mlles_E
    Freshwater Five
    I’ve been a loyal listener since inception. Always been a huge fan. This five-part series on the Freshwater Five is massively impressive. I’m strongly hoping the remaining men currently serving time get a fair appeal. Would love to see more of these in-depth pieces.
  • kbxbk
    Quickly becoming my favorite podcast!
    The range and reporting is amazing. Anushka Asthana is excellent! I used to listen to The Daily every morning, but prefer Today in Focus’ scope, presentation and diversity of stories. I am glad I was turned on to this podcast!
  • Mrs Big Apple
    Freshwater
    Gripping - excellent reporting
  • Theo31415
    Freshwater Five
    I’m a daily listener of Today in Focus. If you’re just starting, I strongly recommend the ongoing Freswater Five series and the Alastair Campbell episode.
  • LealieJ
    My favorite podcast
    Fantastic reporting on a wide variety of issues.
  • dadibellz
    Well balanced coverage
    Love the range of issues that you cover on the show!
  • pinknoisepod
    Best daily
    A vastly superior podcast to other...ahem....Daily podcasts. The host doesn’t insult your intelligence and drag out a 2 minute story into 15+ minutes. They also don’t “remix” cable news talking heads. Refreshing!
  • Seamus Cannon
    Actually interview people please
    Rather than letting someone one your show who says terror is justified because of a cartoon maybe push back on that ridiculous notion.
  • Mukkuroni
    Polls edition
    Just heard Mona Chalabi. A bit smug, like many Guardian journalists. Patting herself on the back so hard, she might have sprained her hand. “I predicted Trump would win!!!” Conveniently glosses over the Comey announcement 11 days before the election. This is what turns everybody off of the Guardian, the air of superiority combined with dishonesty.
  • h_shujaa
    Amazing podcast
    great show, wonderful presentation for different topics and informative subjects. keep up the good work, I feel like you are saving me a great deal of time not reading about new things.
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