Do looks matter? Pulchronomics, the study of economics and beauty, says they do. But just how much impact does being attractive have on your love life, career and happiness? Are our fortunes really determined by our looks?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Times Poll: How attractive are you? Rate yourself out of five

Clips: Britain’s Got Talent ITV/Thames.

Photo: Times Graphics.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has stormed to victory, so what does his vision for the future of the US look like? Who will he take into the White House with him? And will his hard-talking rhetoric meet reality?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Middle East Eye, CNN, Forbes, ABC News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Further reading:

Who will be in Trump’s cabinet? From ex-rivals to golf partners

What a Trump presidency means for Ukraine, Middle East, Europe and Asia

The Times website will be free to read until midnight on Thursday 7th November.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After two years of campaigning, Americans have cast their votes, with Trump riding a growing wave of momentum. This is how the night unfolded.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

• Tom Newton-Dunn, covering the US election for The Times.
• Louise Callaghan, US Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.
• Alistair Dawber, Washington Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.
• Tom Calver, Data Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: NBC News, Fox News, PBS News, CNN.

Photo: Getty Images/Times Illustration

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An investigation by the Sunday Times’ Insight team has revealed for the first time the extensive property empires of the King and Prince of Wales. The information includes details of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall’s business deals with the NHS, schools and military that help fund the royals.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

• Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.
• George Arbuthnott, Insight Deputy Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Channel 4, Parliament.

Photo: Getty Images/Times illustration.

Further listening: The SAS murders and the conspiracy to cover them up and Cash for places: The backdoor for overseas students into Britain's top universities

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch grew up in Nigeria and - as the state failed - was forced to complete her homework by candlelight. So how has that shaped her politically? What are her policies and can she resurrect the Tories and mount a challenge against the twin threats of Labour and Reform?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Host: Luke Jones.

Guests:

• Janice Turner, Columist and Interviewer, The Times.
• Daniel Finkelstein, Contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Clips: The Conservative Party, BBC, Sky, Times Radio.

Image credit: Times Photographer Jack Hill.

Further listening: What happens if the American election is a tie?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from the new Money Podcast from The Times. Rachel Reeves’ first budget raised taxes by more than expected, borrowed more than predicted, and brought higher taxes on employers than forecast. But now, Holly is at hand with a podcast pick-me-up! It is time to get down to brass tacks as she is joined by experts whose job is to help you understand money better.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

• Chris Etherington, tax analyst.
• Tom McPhail, pensions expert.
• Jo Noble, Money Editor, The Times and Sunday Times.

Host: Holly Mead, Deputy Money Editor, The Times and Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off tonight in their first TV debate, it’s more than just a political showdown - it's a battle of the sexes. The polls are too close to call with women heavily favouring Harris, while men lean towards Trump. Could the hot-button topic of abortion prove the issue that shifts the electoral balance?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sarah Baxter, former Deputy Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Further listening: Why tech billionaires are backing Trump

Further reading: Why Donald Trump is suddenly talking about cocaine

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: NBC, Fox, AP Archive.

This episode was first published in September 2024.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the US election approaches, fears are growing that the result will not be accepted by the losing side. The potential consequences range from election denialism to violence and even civil war.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Newton Dunn, covering the US election for The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: MSNBC, CBS, New York Post, NBC News.

Photo: Getty Images

Further listening: Podcast title (hyperlink)

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.