Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Psychedelic medicine
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s new series, The Goop Lab, is attracting fresh attention to the idea that psychedelic drugs such as LSD and magic mushrooms could be used in the treatment of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain - or, in small doses, to promote creativity and productivity. The evidence for this is patchy, but researchers believe this is an area of medicine worth investigating.
Battle for the Antarctic
This week marks the 200th anniversary of Antarctica’s discovery. It has no government, no indigenous population and is the only continent devoted to peace and science. But amid 21st-century geopolitical tensions, how long can this last? And which nations might break away from a 60-year international consensus to protect the world’s last great wilderness?
The Bristol pound
In the wake of the financial crisis, “local currencies” sprung up across the UK, capitalising on distrust of the financial system and globalisation as a whole. But now, the Bristol pound, long seen as one of the more successful local currencies, is struggling to raise funding to cover its running costs. Is it a failed experiment? And what is the point of these currencies anyway?
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get your podcasts. It is produced by Sarah Myles and the music is by Tom Mawby.
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
