The Story

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2025, this episode was first published in March.Japanese ‘kidults’ revolutionised pop culture in the 90s and 00s, turning to their inner children to cope with economic crisis and post-industrial societal ills, despite being ridiculed. As the milestones of adulthood - property, marriage and careers - become increasingly difficult for millennials and Gen Z to achieve - are westerners now turning to ‘kidulting’ to find answers? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Matt Alt, author of Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Sam Chantarasak.Further listening: Studio Ghibli: Is this the end for the Japanese studio that inspired Pixar?The South Korean culture machine that conquered the worldClips: SEGA, Pokémon Theme/POKEMON, MSNBC, CNN, AJ+, Sony, PlayStation, CBS, SXSW, TikTok/@otakuintokyo, TikTok/@kaitlyneats, Your Name/dir. Makoto Shinkai/CoMix Wave Films/Toho.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: [email protected] podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re revisiting some of our favourite episodes of 2025. This episode was first published in February.A year ago Times columnist James Marriott ditched his smartphone to escape the endless notifications from his apps. How has he managed without a device many of us feel is indispensable? And could it be a more desirable future?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: James Marriott, Columnist, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Edward Drummond.Further reading: I’m a digital native — can I survive without my smartphone?Photo: Jude Edginton for The Times Magazine.Get in touch: [email protected] This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From oil spills to climate change, penguins are on the frontline of environmental change. Pablo García Borboroglu has spent more than three decades rescuing colonies, moving shipping lanes, and protecting over 32 million acres of penguin habitat. He joins Adam Vaughan to share what it takes to keep these charismatic seabirds alive in a rapidly changing world.This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays.Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times. Guest: Pablo García Borboroglu, Founder of the Global Penguin Society and Rolex Award Laureate. Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia Sound Designer: David CracklesThis podcast is advertiser funded. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special Christmas Day episode we have an exclusive, brand-new story from acclaimed author, and former CIA analyst, David McCloskey. Commissioned for The Sunday Times Review, it's read for us by the author.Before she met Painter, before the CIA came calling, Natalie Perkins had no secrets, only followers, likes, and a hope of online fame. But now, 'retired' from the spotlight and living quietly in Nebraska, Natalie holds a secret that could change everything. When Painter reappears, Natalie is thrust back into a world of espionage and deception. Read by: David McCloskey.Producer: Dave Creasey.Photo: Tom Barnes for Sunday Times Magazine.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re revisiting some of our favourite episodes of 2025. This episode was first published in February.When James Coney's son Charlie missed milestone after milestone, he knew something wasn't right. It would take 12 years before one phone call would change their lives. They learned that, not only was there finally an answer, but Charlie's DNA had been used as part of a huge scientific breakthrough.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: James Coney, News Projects Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Photo: Times Media Ltd.Get in touch: [email protected] This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.