It's the weekend before Christmas and millions of people around the world are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Father Christmas. For many, it's feels like he's always been there, but where exactly did he come from? Turns out, it's been a pretty wild ride for Old Saint Nick, one that involves prostitution in the 3rd century, pagan winter feasting, and even the creation of New York City. And what if it transpires the loveable, jolly figure we know today, was formally a thin, wayward drunk? It's the origin story you thought you knew, one that spans thousands of years of history, and countless reinventions. How well do we really know St. Nicholas of Myra, Sinterklaas or Kris Kringle?

Written by: Waldemar Januszczak, Chief art critic of The Sunday Times.

Read by: Shabnam Grewal.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Photo: Getty

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.

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In July 2025, married mother of two Kristin Cabot was caught on a kisscam embracing her also married boss, Andy Byron, at a Coldplay concert. A video of this moment went viral, with the suspected adultery between a tech CEO and his head of HR drawing mockery, abuse and threats from across the internet. In a Times exclusive, Josie Ensor interviewed Cabot and in this bonus episode of The Story we’re reading that article for you.

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: Josie Ensor, chief US reporter, The Times.

Producers: Harry Stott, Sophie McNulty.

Read more: Coldplay kisscam HR boss Kristin Cabot on 16 seconds that ruined her life

Clips: ABC7, The Tonight Show / Jimmy Fallon / NBC, 9 News Australia, MBC News, NBC News.

Photo: Lucy Lu for The Times

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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.

Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead last Sunday. His son has been charged with their murder. It’s seen an outpouring of emotion from Hollywood and across the world, but one person’s response was less than complimentary: Donald Trump. So what does the President’s latest incursion into Hollywood politics mean for the movie industry?

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:

• Hadley Freeman, columnist and features writer, The Times.
• Kevin Maher, chief film critic, The Times.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producers: Harry Sott, Olivia Case.

Read more: Rob Reiner just wanted a happy home

Rob Reiner’s five best movies ranked, from Spinal Tap to Misery

Clips: When Harry Met Sally / Rob Reiner / Columbia Pictures; This is Spinal Tap / Rob Reiner / Embassy Pictures; A Few Good Men / Rob Reiner / Columbia Pictures; Being Charlie / Rob Reiner / Paladin; Build Series / Youtube, Film Courage / Youtube; PBS Newshour.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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.

This week, MI6 and the UK military issued a stark warning: Britain is already on the front line against Russia. And Moscow’s tactics – from drone warfare to cyber attacks and sowing disinformation – are growing more sophisticated and aggressive. But is the UK taking the threat seriously enough? A former British army general explains what conflict with Russia would look like and how the UK should prepare.

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: General Sir Richard Barrons, former Commander of Joint Forces Command.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson and Taryn Siegel.

Read more: To repel Putin, Britain and Europe must be ready to punch back hard

Military head: Britons must be ready to fight as Russian threat grows

Further listening: A continent prepares for war. Here's how it's done

Clips: The Mirror, 10 News, BBC, LBC, Netflix / A House of Dynamite.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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.

Thousands of resident doctors are going on strike today despite a flu outbreak which is already putting hospitals under pressure. The NHS says it’s facing a “worst-case scenario” in the run up to Christmas, so will the health service be able to cope?

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:

• Eleanor Hayward, health editor, The Times.
• Joshua Bratt, photojournalist who had a severe bout of flu.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal, Edward Drummond

Read more:

• What the new superflu feels like: a drill inside my head
• Wes Streeting: NHS risks collapse from strikes threat and ‘superflu’

Clips: Times Radio, LBC, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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.

Australia is still reeling after Sunday’s terror attack on a Chanukkah event at Bondi Beach. At least 15 people were killed, in addition to one of the gunmen. We hear from a crime reporter who was at the scene just minutes after the massacre unfolded and ask, could the government have done more to prevent the attack?

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:

• Mark Morri, crime editor, Sydney Daily Telegraph.
• Bernard Lagan, Australia correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Taryn Siegel and Micaela Arneson.

Read more: Leadership has been lacking in fight against antisemitism

Clips: Sky, News.com.au, ABC News Australia.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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.

19-year-old Edward Cornes was found dead in a hotel room, just two days after he arrived at university. A post-mortem found large amounts of GHB, commonly known as the ‘date-rape’ drug in his system. Cornes had spent his final few hours in the company of two men in their fifties, but police concluded his death was not suspicious. His mother has accused the police of running a botched and homophobic investigation. So what went wrong?

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:

• Miriam Blythe, mother of Edward Cornes
• Fiona Hamilton, chief reporter, The Times

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Read more: Family fight for truth over son’s ‘date-rape’ drug death

Photo: Courtesy of Miriam Blythe.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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.

Cyber-attacks on some of Britain's biggest companies like Marks & Spencer have cost hundreds of millions of pounds. For Jaguar Land Rover, experts estimate the cost to the company and the economy ran to billions. But most of us know almost nothing about what happens behind the scenes in the hours after a hack. Who do you call? In a bank robbery, a negotiator armed with a megaphone might turn up. But what if the loot is bitcoin, and the hostages, data?

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: James Ball, freelance writer, the Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: ITV News, CNBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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.