The Overview

The Overview

Get to grips with the past, present and future of an idea in the news. Each episode examines one story from the headlines, dipping into history to explain how we got to where we are today – and peering into the future to predict what will happen next. With contributions from The Week’s writers and insights from leading subject specialists, The Overview provides a concise, engaging exploration of the debates and questions shaping the news agenda today and in the months to come.

Episodes

16. What's wrong with carbon offsetting?

August 10, 2022 • 26 mins
As the world races to reach net zero, many governments, businesses and individuals are turning to carbon offsetting to tackle emissions. But are carbon offsets an effective tool to mitigate climate change – or just another form of greenwashing? How can the problems within this booming market be solved? And what role could new technologies play in combating global warming?
Presented by Julia O’Driscoll, with guests Dr Steve Smith of ...
Mark as Played

15. Are we facing an "insectageddon"?

August 3, 2022 • 25 mins
Alarming reports of declining insect populations have triggered warnings that the world may be facing ‘Insectageddon’. What could happen if insect numbers fall further? Why do we care about some more than others? And what can we do to protect at-risk species?
This is The Overview.
Presented by Julia O’Driscoll, with guests environmentalist and broadcaster Chris Baines, Dr Nick Isaac from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Dr Er...
Mark as Played

14. Has the pandemic changed the workplace forever?

July 27, 2022 • 20 mins
Millions of US workers are quitting or changing jobs in an ongoing trend dubbed the Great Resignation. With job vacancies rising to record highs on both sides of the Atlantic, is the UK also facing a resignations surge? Has the pandemic changed workers' priorities and job expectations forever? And how can businesses attract and retain talent?
This is The Overview.

Presented by Julia O Driscoll. With guests Jonathon Wadsworth, profess...
Mark as Played

13. Has women’s football finally broken into the mainstream?

July 20, 2022 • 26 mins
Women’s football was once banned and derided, but some say it could now be the standard-bearer for all women’s sports. England’s Lionesses are riding a wave of enthusiasm that fans hope will see them through to a Euro 2022 victory, while champions of the sport hope this could be a watershed moment in redefining perceptions of the game. Why has it taken so long for women’s football to be embraced? What barriers persist? And could th...
Mark as Played

12. Does university education need a rethink?

July 13, 2022 • 22 mins
The number of school leavers going to university has hit a record high, but what are they getting in return for their tuition fees? Amid growing questions about the value of degrees, does taking on student debt pay off? And what are the non-financial benefits of a university education? This is The Overview.
Presented by Julia O'Driscoll, with guests Nathan Sansom, chief executive at The Access Project, John Gill, editor of Times Hig...
Mark as Played

11. Is the US Supreme Court fit for purpose?

July 6, 2022 • 24 mins
The US Supreme Court has shocked the world by overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that had protected American women's right to abortion for almost 50 years. And other controversial recent rulings have fuelled questions about the legitimacy of the nation's highest court. As the row rages on, are further rights under threat? Or could calls for reform see the court's justices stripped of some of their power? This is The Overvi...
Mark as Played

10. Is France's far right a threat to the European Union?

June 29, 2022 • 24 mins
Recent election gains by Marine Le Pen’s far-right party have sent shockwaves across France and triggered concern throughout the EU. Could the rise of the Eurosceptic far-right threaten the future of the bloc? And could Emmanuel Macron's nationalist nemesis be paving the way for a Frexit? This is The Overview.

Presented by Julia O'Driscoll with guests Andrew Smith, Reader in Contemporary History and Politics at the University of Ch...
Mark as Played

9. Can nuclear power overcome its image problem?

June 22, 2022 • 22 mins
As the world races to decarbonise, nuclear power is being touted as an essential energy source. But safety fears remain, along with claims that nuclear reactors are too expensive and too slow to build. So just what would it take to win over the nuclear sceptics? This is The Overview.

Presented by Julia O'Driscoll, with guests Richard Rhodes, author of The Making of the Atomic Bomb, and Douglas Parr, chief scientist and policy direct...
Mark as Played

8. Are politicians the new celebrities?

June 15, 2022 • 23 mins
Stardom and showmanship have long been part of politics, but are the lines blurring so that lawmakers are becoming celebrities? Has new media changed the way politicians talk to voters and the kind of people who go into politics? And, could an innocuous photograph at lunch spell election disaster?

Presented by Julia O'Driscoll with Sharon Coen from the University of Salford, Joe Twyman from Delta Poll and political trainer and autho...
Mark as Played

7. Can fast fashion slow down?

June 8, 2022 • 20 mins
Fast-fashion brands have revolutionised the way we buy clothes but are also a major contributor to climate change. As one of TV's most-watched shows ditches its fast-fashion sponsors, are consumers set to change their shopping habits? How did our wardrobes get so crammed with clothes and can fashion ever be green? This is The Overview.

Presented by Julia O'Driscoll with guests Aja Barber, author of Consumed: The Need For Collectiv...
Mark as Played

6. Are plagiarism rows threatening the future of music?

March 23, 2022 • 21 mins
Artists have always drawn inspiration from each other's work, but music stars have faced a deluge of plagiarism claims in recent years. So is music copyright fit for purpose in the age of streaming? Could the latest legal battles open the floodgates to more lawsuits? And is AI changing how music is written?

This is The Overview. Presented by Julia O'Driscoll, with platinum-selling songwriter and record producer Crispin Hunt, legal ...
Mark as Played

5. What can London do about Russian money launderers?

March 16, 2022 • 21 mins
London has earned a global reputation as a financial centre for dirty Russian money, but how and why? What is the UK doing to tackle the laundering of corrupt assets in so-called Londongrad? And what more could and should be done in the future?

This is The Overview.

Presented by Julia O'Driscoll with Theo Tait, editor of The Week magazine, and guests Robert Barrington, an anti-corruption professor at the University of Sussex, and j...
Mark as Played

4. Can we recycle ourselves out of environmental disaster?

March 9, 2022 • 20 mins
The UK has become a nation of recyclers, with Wales in particular leading the way. But can recycling help to protect and conserve our natural environments as effectively as we've been led to believe? Is recycling set to play a key role in a sustainable future, or do we need to change tack? This is The Overview.

Presented by Julia O'Driscoll, with the Week's Kari Wilkin and guests Simon Ellin, Chief Executive of the Recycling Associ...
Mark as Played

3. Do NGOs help or harm?

March 2, 2022 • 23 mins
Non-Governmental Organisations support millions of people facing poverty, natural disasters, wars and other crises. But in recent years, international NGOs have faced increasing scrutiny, with critics asking whether they sometimes do more harm then good. Who decides if a mission has been successful, and do we need a global watchdog for NGOs? This is The Overview.

Presented by Julia O'Driscoll, with The Week's Joe Evans and guests Mi...
Mark as Played

2. Why are more books being banned?

February 23, 2022 • 21 mins
The history of banning books reaches back thousands of years, but censorship is now being used increasingly as a political and cultural weapon, with more and more books disappearing from library shelves and syllabuses.

Amid a rising tide of challenges to literature tackling themes such as LGBTQ+ issues, what could the future hold for books, readers and authors? This is The Overview.

Presented by Julia O'Driscoll with The Week's Lea...
Mark as Played

1. Why have MMR vaccination rates dropped?

February 16, 2022 • 19 mins
The MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) jab vaccinates against some of the world's most infectious diseases, but the number of children getting the vaccine has fallen during the pandemic. With more than one in ten children in England starting school without having been jabbed, what does history tell us about this vaccination, why have uptake rates fallen, and what are the future implications. This is The Overview. Presented by Julia O'Dris...
Mark as Played

Introducing The Overview

February 3, 2022 • 51 secs
This is The Overview, a new podcast from The Week.

The Overview is a guide to the past, present and future of news, bringing you the stories that you’ll wish you already knew about.

We’ll be looking behind the scenes and analysing the subtext, helping you understand what’s really going on and why it matters.

The Overview will cover stories from around the globe, calling on experts and leading writers to give you a clear, balanced pict...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Crime Junkie

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    Ridiculous History

    Ridiculous History

    History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Mobile

Wearables

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.