The Week Unwrapped - with Olly Mann
Have you missed the biggest news of the week? Olly Mann and three of The Week's writers and editors decide which under-reported stories will have the biggest long-term consequences. Join Felicity Capon, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson to learn about three stories you won't hear on other news podcasts – but will remember in years to come.
Property Unwrapped: Build, baby, build
In the last part of our special series, Olly Mann and The Week dive into the UK property market and work out how to improve it for everyone. This week, will Andy Burnham’s pledge to build vast numbers of council homes transform Britain’s approach to housebuilding? And what else could he do to help more people find their ideal homes?. With John Muellbauer, professor of economics at the University of Oxford, and Holden Frith
Property Unwrapped is sponsored by Strutt & Parker
Image credit: Oli Scarff / AFP / Getty Images
The Vagrancy Act, Indonesian corruption and Citizen Vigilante
Will a change in the law help Britain’s rough sleepers? Will a dirty money scandal spread beyond Jakarta? And why has Armie Hammer’s new film been banned in Germany? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Felicity Capon and Jamie Timson
Image credit: Henry Nicholls / AFP / Getty Images
Algae, Albania’s flamingo protests and Madonna’s failed film
Why is toxic algae spreading? Will the Albanian PM be the next to fall? And what does a cancelled biopic tell us about today’s movie industry? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Felicity Capon and Rebecca Messina
Image credit: Artem Hvozdkov / Getty Images
Property Unwrapped: building better homes
In part two of our bonus three-part series, Olly Mann and The Week delve into the UK property market and work out how to improve it for everyone. This week, how we can build new homes that people want to live in – and live next to. With Julia Riddle, Managing Director of Castle Planning, and Holden Frith
Property Unwrapped is sponsored by Strutt & Parker
Image credit: Olga Pankova / Getty Images
Lone star ticks, Roberto Vannacci and AI grief
How does a tiny tick turn people vegan? How will Giorgia Meloni deal with a challenge from the right? And could AI make grief obsolete? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Harriet Marsden
Image credit: Smith Collection / Gado / Getty Images
Food prices, primary scandals and the Cockroach Janta Party
Should food be more expensive? Could Graham Platner cost Democrats the Senate? And is India’s new cockroach-themed party more than just a joke? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon
Image credit: d3sign / Getty Images
Property Unwrapped: tech to the rescue!
In a bonus three-part series, Olly Mann and The Week delve into the UK property market and work out how to improve it for everyone. First up, how more efficient technology – and AI – means property transactions could soon be finalised in a fortnight. With Maria Harris, Chair of the Open Property Data Association, and Holden Frith
Property Unwrapped is sponsored by Strutt & Parker
Image credit: iStock / Getty Images
Prostate screening, dating and the Sagrada Familia
Should more men get prostate cancer screening? Is it time to swipe left on dating apps? And why is Sagrada Familia still controversial? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Arion McNicoll and Jamie Timson
Image credit: ASMR / Getty Images
Prostate screening, dating and the Sagrada Familia
Should more men get prostate cancer screening? Is it time to swipe left on dating apps? And why is Sagrada Familia still controversial? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Arion McNicoll and Jamie Timson
Image credit: ASMR / Getty Images
Dam removals, Colombia’s election and flat-sharing pensioners
Have dams had their day? Will drone warfare determine the next president of Colombia? And could shared flats rival retirement homes? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Harriet Marsden and Suchandrika Chakrabarti.
Image credit: Andi Horngacher / 500px / Getty Images
Kidnapping in Nigeria, the return of Steve Hilton and Swatch-mania
What’s behind the mass abduction of Nigerian children? Could David Cameron’s chief strategist be the next Governor of California? And how did an analogue watch launch descend into chaos? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon
Image credit: Ifeanyi Immanuel Bakwenye / AFP / Getty Images
Robotaxis, fact-checking and gym drugs
Will driverless cars find their way through London? Why has BBC Verify closed? And what’s behind a rise in doping among young gym-goers? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Arion McNicoll
Image credit: Richard Baker / In Pictures / Getty Images
Romania, sterilisation and the Biennale
Is Bucharest’s left-right coalition a sign of things to come? Should women be offered sterilisation as freely as men are offered vasectomies? And has art fallen victim to politics in Venice? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Harriet Marsden and Felicity Capon
Image credit: Simone Padovani / Getty Images
Helium, the next financial crash and tipping
Will we run out of helium? Are soaring stock markets about to plummet? And should we replace tips with a compulsory service charge? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon
Image credit: Archivio Camera photo Epoche / Getty Images
Japan’s military, HAYI and ageing athletes
Has Japan broken with its pacifist past? Who or what is Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia? And why are sportspeople retiring later than they used to? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson
Image credit: Richard A Brooks / AFP / Getty Images
Pakistani prestige, Ulster gold and Dolly Parton
How did Pakistan become the Middle East mediator? Has Northern Ireland struck gold? And why does the Queen of Country unite Americans? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden.
Image credit: Rebecca Conway / Getty Images
Orban, stalkers and boil-in-the-bag funerals
Is Viktor Orban about to lose power? Why are stalking offences on the rise? And would you choose to be dissolved after death? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Arion McNicoll
Image credit: John Thys / AFP / Getty Images
Japanese divorce, London’s web wars and Eurovision Asia
Why is joint custody controversial in Japan? Does London deserve its online reputation for mayhem? And why is Eurovision expanding eastwards? Olly Mann and TheWeek delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Rebecca Messina
Image credit: Sebastien Bozon / AFP / Getty Images
Organ donation, Gerry Adams and corgi-cloning
What’s gone wrong with Britain’s transplant system? Why did Gerry Adams’ trial collapse? And did Fergie really want to clone the late Queen’s dogs? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Jamie Timson
Image credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
Brexit backtracking, Banksy and a battery breakthrough
Is Britain rethinking its big break with the EU? Will Banksy survive (another) unmasking? And is battery technology about to take a leap forward? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Arion McNicoll and Felicity Capon.
Image credit: Daniel Leal / AFP / Getty Images
A proxy Gulf war, Chile’s right turn and Meta’s AI gamble
Why are Saudi Arabia and the UAE at odds in Africa? How will a new president change Chile? And why did Meta just buy a social network built for AI? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Hariet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Jamie Timson
Image credit: Andrea Domeniconi / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images
France’s nuclear arsenal, dinosaurs for sale and North Korean football
What does France’s nuclear policy shift mean for Europe? Why is the dinosaur market booming? And can North Korea regain its place at the top of women’s football?
What will happen if we run out of RAM?
Is the world running out of RAM? Why is the Royal Artillery keeping looted treasure behind closed doors? And how can Heathrow's car park cost £1.3bn?
Image credit: credit: SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg / Getty Images
Freemasons in the police, prediction markets and the UK’s creative crisis
Do the Freemasons have too much sway in the police force? What does the growing popularity of prediction markets mean for the future? Why are UK film and TV workers struggling?
With Arion McNicoll, Jamie Timson, Harriet Marsden and Suchandrika Chakrabati.
Image: Sam Mellish / In Pictures / Getty Images
Iranian confessions, Musk’s moonshot and BBC puzzles
Have televised confessions quelled protests in Iran? Why has Elon Musk turned from Mars to the Moon? And will the BBC prove to be a puzzles champ? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Harriet Marsden.
Image credit: Atta Kenare / AFP / Getty Images
Russia’s shadow fleet, tackling cancer and a new broom at Disney
Why does Russia send so many ships through the Channel? What does a ‘feminist’ approach to cancer involve? And who is Mickey’s new boss? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Hariet Marsden and Jamie Timson.
Image credit: Damien Meyer / AFP / Getty Images
Xi’s purge, Prosper UK and hearing difficulties
Why is China clearing out its generals? Can the Conservatives win back the centre? And what’s gone wrong with Britain’s hearing aids? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden
Image credit: Lintao Zhang / Getty Images
Billionaires, immoral orders and cow tools
Have we reached ‘peak billionaire’? When should troops disobey their superiors? And what can we learn from a tool-wielding cow? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Arion McNicoll and Jamie Timson.
Image credit: William West / AFP / Getty Images
Bobi Wine, cancer research fraud and Are You Dead?
Will Uganda’s pop-star politician prevail? Is dodgy data undermining medical research? And what does a new app reveal about Chinese society? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden
Image credit: Michel Lunanga/Getty Images
Grok abuse, the politics of Mumsnet and Avatar’s cultural impact
Is Elon Musk’s AI tool a platform for abuse? Can Mumsnet predict who will be the next PM? And who is still watching Avatar sequels? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity Capon
Image credit: Vincent Feuray / Hans Lucas /AFP / Getty Images
The Year Unwrapped: Emotional bots, weight loss and British culture
Why are we so willing to bond with AI bots? How will appetite suppressants change society? And is Britain back on the main stage? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past 12 months.
With Harriet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Holden Frith
Image credit: Jim Dyson / Getty Images
The politics of AI, forever chemicals and universal income
Why is George Osborne joining OpenAI? What’s the cost of PFAs? And has universal basic income finally come of age? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Alex Hudson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden.
Image credit: Just Super / Getty Images
Euro protests, Syria and monogamy
** This episode was recorded on Thursday morning, shortly before the resignation of the Bulgarian government **
How is the euro fuelling unrest in Bulgaria? Has Syria changed, a year on from its revolution? And why are humans (mostly) monogamous? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Felicity Capon and Harriet Marsden
Image credit: NurPhoto / Getty Images
A Honduran reprieve, water wars and rom-coms
Why did Trump pardon a drug-trafficking president? Will drought fuel global violence? And are romantic comedies in terminal decline? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
With Harriet Marsden, Jamie Timson and Felicity CaponImage credit: Shwan Nawzad / AFP / Getty Images
Slovenia, fallible leaders and mongrels
What can we learn from Slovenia’s rejection of assisted dying? Can politicians admit their weaknesses? And have pedigree dogs had their day? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Arion McNicoll
Image credit: Jens Buttner/ AFP / Getty Images
Cryogenic morality and a Catholic rift
What are the ethics of freezing your late partner? And will US Catholics rebel against the Pope? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Julia Macfarlane and Suchandrika Chakrabarti
Image credit: Andreas Solaro / AFP/ Getty Images
Anti-Putin rap, Sarajevo snipers and captive penguins
Who were the “human hunters” of the Bosnian war? Why has a rap song become an anti-Putin anthem in Russia? And what should happen to captive penguins? With Jamie Timson, Harriet Marsden and Felicity Capon.
Photo: Lorena Sopena/Europa Press via Getty Images
Smoking in the Maldives, rap in the UK and elderly whales
Can the Maldives quit smoking? Are British rappers the world’s best? And can whales lead us to immortality? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
With Harriet Marsden, Felicity Capon and Jamie TimsonImage credit: Simone Joyner / Getty Images.
Bacon, a Dutch standoff and the art of living well
Should we be eating less fat – or more? Who will benefit from a surprise election result? And how can art improve our health? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Jamie Timson and Harriet Marsden
Image credit: Bloomberg / Getty Image
Fusion, frog protests and fashion
Will nuclear fusion deliver us from climate change? Is humour the best way to take on Trump? And will Grace Wales Bonner change Hermès for the better? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Harriet Marsden, Arion McNicoll and Jamie Timson.
Image credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images
