Explore every episode of the podcast The Week Unwrapped - with Olly Mann
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arctic manoeuvres, a UK referendum and Darlene Love | 18 Sep 2026 | 00:49:53 | |
Will Europe meet Canada in the High North? Is the Piddington vote a sign of things to come? And why did it take 50 years to recognise a lost talent? 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 Rebecca Messina Image credit: Olivier Morin / AFP / Getty Images | |||
| Hunter Biden’s cryptocurrency, VW’s military pivot and Nathan Fielder on Theranos | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:43:21 | |
What is Hunter Biden up to? Can defence spending save Germany’s car factories? And are we ready to hear more from Elizabeth Holmes? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Rebecca Messina and Jamie Timson Image credit: Ronny Hartmann / AFP / Getty Images | |||
| A naval odyssey, paternity leave and art heists | 04 Sep 2026 | 00:44:21 | |
Why did the USS Abraham Lincoln spend so long at sea? Should British fathers get more time off work? And what’s behind a pan-European wave of museum thefts? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebecca Messina, Jamie Timson and Harriet Marsden. Image credit: US Navy / Getty Images | |||
| The maternity gap, Tunisian unrest and literary feuds | 28 Aug 2026 | 00:44:25 | |
Why is it so hard to find somewhere to give birth? Is the pioneer of the Arab Spring preparing for another revolution? And should we welcome a new round of reading rows? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Julia Macfarlane and Felicity Capon. Image credit: Hesther Ng / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images | |||
| ADHD, the besieged Palestinian-American and discussing women’s appearance | 21 Aug 2026 | 00:53:44 | |
Is ADHD overdiagnosed? What can we learn from the case of Louai Abu Ridi? And, after Ariana Grande and Nicole Kidman, how should we approach conversations about what women look like? The Week and Arion McNicoll, standing in for Olly Mann, delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Jamie Timson, Rebecca Messina and Felicity Capon. Image credit: Ilia Yefimovich / AFP / Getty Images | |||
| Assad sentenced, LGBT rights in Africa and sleep drugs | 14 Aug 2026 | 00:48:59 | |
How have Syrians reacted to the trial of Bashar al-Assad? Why are so many African nations enacting homophobic laws? And after obesity, is tiredness next in line for a chemical ‘cure’. The Week and Arion McNicoll, standing in for Olly Mann, delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson. Image credit: Bakr Al Kasem / Anadolu / Getty Images | |||
| Compulsory voting, lost civilisations and country music | 07 Aug 2026 | 00:47:16 | |
Should everyone have to vote? What can we learn from the Aquiry civilisation? And why is country music top of the pops? The Week and Arion McNicoll, standing in for Olly Mann, delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Rebecca Messina, Harriet Marsden and Felicity Capon. Image credit: Jason Kempin / Getty Images | |||
| Palantir, Ali G and the AI singularity | 31 Jul 2026 | 00:58:14 | |
Is Palantir’s NHS work actually doing any good? Do we need another Ali G movie? And is the AI singularity already here? 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: Karwai Tang / Getty Images | |||
| Road safety, British gloom and the Commonwealth Games | 24 Jul 2026 | 00:46:19 | |
Can we keep making cars safer? Are we a nation of Eeyores? And will Glasgow make the most of its sporting moment? 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: Karel Noppe / iStock / Getty Images | |||
| Elderly executions, a new Ebola vaccine and instapoetry | 17 Jul 2026 | 00:44:21 | |
Will Florida’s execution of a 74-year-old change the death penalty debate? How did scientists create a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in 57 days? And is spoken-word poetry the next social-media trend? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Felicity Capon, Harriet Marsden and Jamie Timson Image credit: Mike Simons / Getty Images | |||
| Chinese missiles, vanishing anchovies and unpredictable weather | 10 Jul 2026 | 00:46:14 | |
What’s behind China’s latest missile tests? How do anchovies in Peru affect the global food chain? And do Brits really trust the weather forecast? Image: Yi Haifei / China News Service / VCG / Getty Images | |||
| Property Unwrapped: Build, baby, build | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:28:35 | |
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 | 03 Jul 2026 | 00:48:04 | |
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 | 26 Jun 2026 | 00:48:09 | |
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 | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:29:05 | |
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 | 19 Jun 2026 | 00:49:39 | |
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 | 12 Jun 2026 | 00:46:24 | |
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! | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:33:16 | |
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 | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:48:39 | |
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 | 29 May 2026 | 00:46:02 | |
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 | 22 May 2026 | 00:45:54 | |
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 | 15 May 2026 | 00:54:09 | |
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 | 08 May 2026 | 00:56:47 | |
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 | 01 May 2026 | 00:46:46 | |
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 | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:52:32 | |
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 | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:47:25 | |
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 | 10 Apr 2026 | 00:47:13 | |
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 | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:46:14 | |
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 | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:45:02 | |
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 | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:46:19 | |
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 | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:42:35 | |
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 | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:48:37 | |
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? | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:47:36 | |
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 | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:50:48 | |
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 | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:45:23 | |
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 | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:44:42 | |
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 | 30 Jan 2026 | 00:45:52 | |
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 | 23 Jan 2026 | 00:46:55 | |
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? | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:43:45 | |
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 | 09 Jan 2026 | 00:49:40 | |
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 | 26 Dec 2025 | 00:51:30 | |
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 | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:42:26 | |
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 | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:43:34 | |
** 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 | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:42:59 | |
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 | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:46:30 | |
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 | 21 Nov 2025 | 00:35:58 | |
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 | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:45:16 | |
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 | 07 Nov 2025 | 00:43:50 | |
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 | 31 Oct 2025 | 00:46:42 | |
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 | 24 Oct 2025 | 00:41:55 | |
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 | |||