The Debrief

Dubai’s Driverless Future

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:54:04 +0000

Driverless cars are already operating on Dubai’s roads, but are they ready for the city’s unpredictable traffic, and are passengers ready to trust them? Hassan Khairat and Antonio Semeraro, Principals at Arthur D. Little Middle East, join The Debrief to discuss where the UAE stands in the global autonomous vehicle race, why companies including Pony.ai, Baidu Apollo Go and WeRide are testing their technology here, and whether Dubai can achieve its ambitious target of making 25% of all trips autonomous by 2030.

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Should I be worried about an AI takeover?

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 11:33:29 +0000

AI is moving too fast. That’s the warning from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who recently called for the industry to slow down. And he isn’t alone. Some of the biggest names in artificial intelligence are raising concerns about the speed of development and the potential damage rogue AI systems could cause. But how realistic is the threat, and what could it mean for ordinary people? Maher Yamout, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky, joins us to explain what is really happening, whether fears of an AI takeover are justified and how we can protect ourselves.

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Apple's first foldable iPhone: everything from the big launch

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:19:25 +0000

The Debrief crosses live to Apple expert and content creator Jermaine D'Vauz to break down everything from Apple's big launch. Fresh off the September keynote, Jermaine talks the team through the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, and the headline moment nobody could stop talking about: Apple's first-ever foldable iPhone, its biggest change in form factor since the iPhone X. He gets into the upgraded cameras, what the foldable is expected to cost, and whether it lives up to years of hype. And there's a change at the very top too, as this marked the first launch led by Apple's new CEO John Ternus, stepping into the role after Tim Cook. Jermaine gives his verdict on what it all means for anyone thinking about their next upgrade.

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How trillions in dirty money vanish into the financial system

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:24:28 +0000

Every year, somewhere between two and five trillion dollars in dirty money is washed through the global financial system. The Debrief is joined by Robert Nordlander, who spent 20 years as a Special Agent with IRS Criminal Investigation, one of the world's most elite financial crime units. Robert explains what the unit actually does, and walks the team through what it takes to track dirty money through somewhere like Zhao Wei's Golden Triangle zone in Laos, a 39 square mile enclave one man effectively runs as his own country. He also gets into whether crypto has made hiding money easier or harder, how both criminals and investigators are now racing to out-use each other with AI, and what strings to pull at to track dirty money.

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What it's really like inside the mind of diagnosed psychopath Loïc De Marie

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief sits down with 26-year-old Loic De Marie, who has been diagnosed as a psychopath, for a rare and unsettling look inside how he actually experiences the world. Loic takes the team back to his youth, the moment he first understood he was different, and the incidents that made his family realise something more serious was going on. He speaks with striking bluntness about relationships and whether he can genuinely love, how he makes sense of grief and heartbreak, and where, if anywhere, he finds joy. He describes how he used to manipulate people (especially women) and just how conscious he was of doing it, and what it's like to feel no fear. Dane and Shaan were left terrified and fascinated in equal measure…

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Tupac’s Murder: Guilty After 30 Years

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:13:38 +0000

Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was murdered, a jury has finally found someone guilty. Journalist Cathy Scott, who covered the case from the night Tupac was shot, explains who Keffe D is, how his own words helped convict him, and why justice took so long.

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Joe Berlinger: The Idaho College Murders

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:41:53 +0000

The Debrief is joined by true-crime filmmaker Joe Berlinger, the man behind Netflix’s The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare. In November 2022, four university students were found murdered inside an off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho. Joe takes us inside the investigation, the evidence and the extraordinary scrutiny surrounding the case. He explains how social media transformed the story, why misinformation spread so rapidly, and what happens when millions of online spectators begin treating a real murder investigation like a mystery they can solve.

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Can you trust vibe coding?

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:00:00 +0000

What if you could create an app simply by describing what you wanted? Vibe coding is the use of conversational AI to build apps, websites, and software. The Debrief is joined by cybersecurity expert Tanya Janca, better known as SheHacksPurple, to explain what vibe coding actually is, and what can go wrong when non-technical creators launch products with vulnerabilities they do not know exist. She reveals what a software “crash” can look like, whether AI will fix the security problems it is helping create, and whether governments can realistically keep pace.

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He spent 438 days and 7,000 miles lost at sea, and lives to tell the tale

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:14:59 +0000

In November 2012, two fishermen set off from the coast of Mexico. Only one came back, 438 days later, having drifted almost 7,000 miles across the Pacific, the longest open-ocean survival in recorded history. The Debrief is joined by journalist Jonathan Franklin, who tracked down survivor Salvador Alvarenga and wrote the book documenting the whole ordeal. Jonathan takes the team through how it began, a routine trip that a storm turned into a nightmare, and what happened to Alvarenga’s young, barely-experienced crewmate out on the water. He explains how he fact-checked a story almost too extraordinary to believe, what kept Alvarenga alive through months of total isolation, and the strange mental tricks that stopped him losing his mind. Then the moment everything changed: after 438 days, land.

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Would you wear a jumper made from human hair?

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Would you wear clothes made out of human hair? Turns out that idea is a lot closer than you might think. The Debrief is joined by Zsofia Kollar, founder of Human Material Loop, who is turning the hair swept off salon floors into actual, wearable fabric. Zsofia walks the team through exactly how it works, from strand to sweater, whether the end result would actually be comfortable against your skin, and how far away we really are from this landing on shelves for millions of people. Dane and Shaan, meanwhile, remain firmly split, somewhere between genuinely disgusted and quietly wondering... hmm, maybe?

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Why the FBI cares about your dodgy streaming box

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000

You know those boxes. Around 500 dirhams, and suddenly you have every movie, every sport channel, streaming platform, all of it “for free”. But a new report has the FBI tracking down the people who own these boxes, and it is not about the free movies. The Debrief is joined by Ahmed Khanji, CEO of GridWare and one of the cybersecurity’s leading voices, to explain what you are really plugging into your home. He breaks down how a cheap box can quietly turn your internet connection into a proxy for cyberattacks happening on the other side of the world, whether you should actually be worried if you own one, and how far law enforcement will really go to get them off the street. If you have got one of these sitting under your TV right now, this is the one you need to hear.

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Why you need security clearance (and AED 20,000) to meet Obama

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000

As Barack Obama's speaking tour puts premium meet-and-greet access on sale, The Debrief digs into what that eye-watering price tag of AED 20,000 per ticket actually buys, and why every ticket comes subject to a background check. Joining the team is Jason Russell, a former US Secret Service Special Agent of eight years. He explains just how big a headache an event like this is when the public is given close access to a former president, what kind of personal history gets someone flagged, and what most people misunderstand about presidential security in general. And the question everyone secretly wants answered: how close are the presidents and their agents really?

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Ricky Kidd: The man who spent 23 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief hears the extraordinary story of Ricky Kidd, sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without parole for two murders he did not commit. Ricky walks the team through it all, from the fateful day police first made contact to the moment the gavel came down in the courtroom and his life changed forever. He describes what it was like to walk into a maximum security prison for a crime he had no part in, and how, behind three layers of barbed wire, he somehow found his purpose again. It builds to the moment that had all of us in tears on air: being told, at last, that he was free to go.

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Negotiations: What an FBI trained expert thinks of your handshake

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief puts Shaan in the hot seat with a live negotiation, then takes it apart - before handing it over to a real expert. Joe Navarro spent his FBI career in counterintelligence and behavioural assessment, and he reveals the tiny signals people leak long before they say a word, and the thousands of behavioural tells hiding in every interaction. He even weighs in on what makes a good handshake (hint - it’s not always strength), and what he makes of the world's most famous grips, including President Trump's.

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How to see 100 shooting stars over the UAE desert

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:58:23 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Nirmal Rajah from Mleiha National Park to get everything you need to know before one of the year's great sky shows: the Perseids meteor shower. Nirmal explains what the Perseids actually are, and why this year's peak, overnight from August 12 into August 13, is set to be especially stunning, with up to 100 meteors an hour. He talks the team through where to watch across the UAE, from Mleiha's UNESCO-listed dark-sky desert to spots away from the city glow, the best conditions for catching those famous fireballs, and just how rare a display like this really is. No telescope required, just a clear patch of sky and a little patience!

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Amanda Knox at Edinburgh Fringe: Comedy or a step too far?

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:53:24 +0000

The Debrief digs into the storm surrounding Amanda Knox's new one-woman show, Cartwheel, at this year's Edinburgh Fringe. The team looks at why the production has drawn sharp criticism from Meredith Kercher's family, who have called the idea offensive, and how Knox has defended it, insisting the show honours Meredith's memory and confronts the violence done to both women rather than making light of the tragedy. We weigh what the family, what Knox, and what festival-goers themselves make of it. Dane and Shaan then look back to last year's Disney+ dramatisation of the case, and to Dane's own interview with Amanda herself, in which she opened up about everything she has lived through. She told Dane more about how she intends to keep telling her story, and what she makes of the criticism that still follows her, despite being acquitted of the murder twice.

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Brandon Maben: Inside adidas’ New UAE Pet Collection

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:44:30 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Brandon Maben, category lead for the Adidas Originals business across the MENA region, to get to the bottom of a question dividing pet owners everywhere: should you really be dressing up your pet? With the Adidas pet collection now landing in the UAE, Brandon reveals why the reaction here has been so huge, and how it all traces back to Gen Z and the way they see their pets. He explains why the whole trend started in Asia and what was driving it there, walks the team through what's actually in the collection, from mini Cali Tees to collars and carriers, and names the standout bestseller. And the big question underneath it all: is pet fashion a passing novelty, or a category that's here to stay?

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Tim Pulliam: How Strangers Steal Homes and Get Away With It

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:12:55 +0000

The Debrief is joined by reporter Tim Pulliam, who took part in the new documentary series Squatters: Get Out of My House, to unpack why this has become one of America's most maddening and dangerous problems. Tim explains how complete strangers manage to occupy someone else's home, why they become so difficult to remove once they're in, and how the law can end up working against the very people who own the property. Along the way he shares some of the most jaw-dropping cases he reported on, including one that sent a fraudster to prison for 20 years, in a conversation that will make you look at your own front door a little differently.

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Danielle & James Styron: Confessions of a Private Jet Flight Attendant

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:31:50 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Danielle and James Styron, co-authors of The Mile High Club: Confessions of a Private Jet Flight Attendant. For most of us, flying private is a world glimpsed only in films and on social media, but behind the luxury sits a crew managing extraordinary demands, enormous egos and situations most people would struggle to believe. Danielle spent seven years in those crews, and she pulls back the curtain on the wildest requests, the most difficult moments, and the surprisingly kind clients who restored her faith. Danielle and James open up about the pressure to stay silent, to tolerate almost anything, and what all of it taught them about human nature when money strips away the usual limits and consequences.

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Guido De Wilde: 3,333 Kilometres and a Fight for Life

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:03:43 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Guido De Wilde, fresh off an extraordinary journey across Europe. Over 25 days, Guido and 14 other riders cycled 3,333 kilometres from Barcelona to Paris, climbing more than 54,000 metres along the way, all in support of the Al Jalila Foundation’s cancer research and patient care programmes. Guido takes the team inside what a day on the road really looked like, and how tough this challenge was on his body. He also goes into the deeply personal side to this challenge: a stage 4 colon cancer survivor himself, Guido reflects on what cycling gave him when so much felt out of his control.

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Dr. Christine Marie: Going Undercover to Take Down a Cult Leader

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:04:57 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Dr. Christine Marie, cult psychology expert and author, who did something almost no one would dare: she went undercover inside a dangerous cult to help bring down its leader. Christine reveals how she worked her way into the FLDS group led by Sam Bateman, winning the trust of its members under the cover of filming a documentary. She breaks down the psychological control tactics Bateman used to hold his followers in his grip, and how she quietly gathered the evidence and confessions that would eventually condemn him. It all builds to the tense, high-stakes day the FBI finally moved in, and Christine takes the team right into the heart of it.

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Finding The Lost Plane That Changed Aviation Forever

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:28:47 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Russ Matthews and Idee Matthews Montijo to tell the extraordinary story of how they found the Pan Am Clipper Endeavor aircraft, 74 years after it crashed and sank off the coast of Puerto Rico. Russ and Idee trace the years of painstaking archival detective work that led them to the site, and the moment they finally found the wreck. They detail the unforgettable legacy left by this tragedy that reshaped air travel forever. The safety briefing every passenger hears before takeoff exists in part because of what happened that Friday in 1952, which means every person who has ever flown has been touched by this plane, and almost none of them know it.

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Edna Cowell Martin: Growing Up With Ted Bundy

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Edna Cowell Martin, cousin of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy, and Megan Atkinson, who helped her tell her story in print. Edna takes the team back to a childhood spent alongside a boy nobody suspected, and answers the question that has followed her for decades: were there ever glimpses of what lay beneath? She describes what it was like to remain close to him while the murders were happening, how the family absorbed the news when the truth finally broke, and what passed between them in their final exchanges before he escaped prison for the second time. Megan explains how the writing process forced Edna to revisit trauma she had buried for years, and what it revealed about the toll it had taken on her whole life. It leaves one unsettling question hanging over the whole conversation: if someone close to you was living a double life, would you really see it?

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Dr. Adeel Khalid: How Rescue Drones Find What Humans Can't

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Professor of Aerospace Engineering Dr. Adeel Khalid, to unpack the technology that recently found two lost hikers in a matter of hours, a search that could have taken human teams days. Dr. Khalid explains exactly what he has been building, and what one of these drones is actually seeing when it sweeps over a forest below. The team uncovers the accuracy difference between these machines and old school rescue tech like helicopters or dogs. They also find out how long these machines can stay airborne, and just how much ground they can cover on a single flight. Then the conversation lifts off into the future: what these life-saving systems will look like five to ten years from now, and how many more people they might bring home.

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CeCe Moore: How Your DNA Can Catch a Killer

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 14:24:27 +0000

The Debrief is joined by CeCe Moore, the pioneering genetic genealogist who helped turn a hobbyist's tool into one of the most powerful weapons in modern policing. CeCe explains what those consumer DNA tests are really telling you, how far back your family tree can genuinely be traced, and why some parts of the world are far better represented in the databases than others. The conversation digs into the hurdles of unpicking someone's ancestry, and how the same technology that reunites adoptees with birth parents is now cracking cold cases that sat untouched for decades. Then comes the harder question: where does personal privacy end and the pursuit of justice begin, when a distant cousin's spit sample can put a killer in handcuffs? CeCe also looks ahead to where AI takes this next, and reflects on how a career spent inside other people's DNA has reshaped the way she thinks about family, identity and truth itself.

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Dr. Steven Hassan: Inside the Mind of a Mind Control Survivor

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:08:54 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Dr. Steven Hassan, one of the world's leading experts on cults, mind control and undue influence, and a man who knows the subject from the inside. Recruited as a young college student, Steven spent years inside a high-control group before getting out and dedicating his life to understanding how it happened. He explains exactly how skilled recruiters operate, the small steps that pull a person in long before they realise it, and why the people most vulnerable are almost never who you would expect. The conversation turns to the long road back, what it takes to rebuild a life, relationships, and learn to trust your own thoughts again. And with the internet doing the recruiting now, Steven has a warning about how much easier it has become - especially for the younger generation to disappear into one of these groups.

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Alex Baber: AI Versus Two of America’s Darkest Crimes

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief is joined by independent cold-case investigator Alex Baber, who believes he may have unmasked the man behind two of America’s most infamous unsolved crimes: the Black Dahlia murder and the Zodiac Killer. Alex makes the extraordinary claim that both were the work of the same man, and explains how he ended up chasing two cases that have haunted investigators for decades. Using AI, historical records, handwriting analysis and a fresh crack at one of the Zodiac’s shortest and most mysterious codes, he lays out how he arrived at his suspect. Alex even reveals the chilling moment he approached the son of the man he believes did it.

Correction: This episode includes a misstatement that Alex Baber was hired by Elizabeth Short’s sister.

Mr Baber would like to clarify that he was not hired by anyone to investigate these cases.

He briefly spoke with Elizabeth Short’s sister, and that is the extent of his connection to the family.

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Paul Brodsky: The Hidden Cables That Run the World

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:07:09 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Paul Brodsky, a senior analyst at TeleGeography, to pull back the curtain on the physical guts of the internet. Paul explains how the whole system actually works, what people really mean when they talk about “the cloud,” and what happens in those split seconds when you send a simple message. The team gets into how much of the world’s internet traffic runs through undersea cables, what those cables actually look like - especially m just how startlingly thin they are for something the entire planet depends on. Then comes the big one: what happens when it all goes down?

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The Empire State Climbers and GTA 6 Breaking Every Record

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Michael Pachter, one of the most respected analysts in the video games industry, as the countdown to GTA 6 hits fever pitch ahead of its November 19 launch. Michael breaks down just how enormous this release is in pure financial terms, why Rockstar has leaned so heavily into a digital-first approach, and whether fans should brace for the console shortages already being predicted. Plus, the team unpacks the stunt that stopped New York in its tracks, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus scaling the Empire State Building!

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Roman Axelrod: Inside the World’s First Smart Contact Lens

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Roman Axelrod, founder of Dubai-based deep tech company XPANCEO, which is building what could be the world’s first fully integrated smart contact lens. Roman explains how the lens can merge augmented reality, health monitoring and biosensing into a single device that sits directly on your eye. The team digs into who this technology is actually for, from continuous glucose tracking for diabetics to hands-free data for surgeons and pilots, and how something so small manages to power itself. And with tech that literally touches the eye, the conversation turns to the big question hanging over it all: what does this mean for privacy, and are we ready for it?

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Paul Holes: Cracking the Golden State Killer Case

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Paul Holes, the investigator who helped crack one of the most notorious cold cases in American history. Paul takes the team inside the world of cold case work, where an investigation actually begins, and what Hollywood consistently gets wrong about it. He explains how he became involved in the Golden State Killer case and why the killer managed to stay hidden in plain sight for so long. Then he reveals how a brand new kind of forensic science finally caught up with him, and what really happened on the day it all came crashing down.

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Barbara Butcher: Inside the Life of a Death Investigator

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Barbara Butcher, who spent more than two decades as a death investigator in New York City, witnessing thousands of crime scenes over her career. Barbara explains exactly what the job involves, how someone ends up in that line of work, and how she mentally prepared to walk into a crime scene. She opens up about the difficulty of delivering devastating news to strangers, and even the times she clashed with police and homicide detectives. It left Dane and Shaan asking: what does our fascination with death really say about us?

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If Money Was No Object: The Truth About Franchises

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief tackles a tempting question: if money was no object, which franchise would you open, and could you actually make it work? Dane and Shaan dig into the surprising rules, hidden costs and wildly different definitions of "ownership" behind some of the world's biggest names. McDonald's owner-operator Paulina Kostecki joins from Detroit to reveal what it actually costs to run one, what owner really means in her world, the truth about Hamburger University, and the biggest misconceptions people have about life behind the golden arches.

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Sima Taparia: Compromise, Adjust and Get Off the Dating Apps!

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:07:15 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Sima Taparia, the celebrated Indian matchmaker known to millions from her hit Netflix show. Sima shares the inner workings of her business, why she believes dating apps are failing a generation, and where she sees the matchmaking industry heading next. The conversation digs into how young people are finding love today and even her famous philosophy of "compromise and adjust”. What role does romance play in a modern relationship? Sima aunty says, important, but not as front-and-centre as you think!

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SpaceX Goes Public: Would You Live on Mars?

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:47:54 +0000

The Debrief breaks down SpaceX's record-breaking Nasdaq debut, the biggest IPO in history, and what it actually means. Why did this IPO matter so much? What does SpaceX even do beyond rockets? The conversation then drifts off-planet, into what living on Mars or the Moon would really involve: shelter and infrastructure, water, oxygen and food, power systems, and even what sunrise and sunset would look like in outer space. It all comes down to one question the hosts put to themselves: would they actually do it?

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Kshitish Koorapaty: One Pack, Seven Summits

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:36:20 +0000

It all kicks off with the big question: if you were in a survival show, would you pick fire, hunting, or shelter? The Debrief is joined by UAE-based explorer Kshitish Koorapaty, who is on a mission to climb the legendary Seven Summits. With three already conquered, Elbrus, Aconcagua and Kilimanjaro, Kshitish takes the team through his journeys, the training behind each climb, and what it really takes to reach the top. He opens up his adventure pack to reveal the essentials he carries (he picked fire!), even challenging Dane and Shaan to lift it!

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Is Technology Improving Sport, or Ruining It?

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:29:55 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Segolene Stephenson to explore how Hawk-Eye Innovations and the technology behind it has transformed the world of sport. Segolene breaks down how the technology actually works, the precision it delivers, and the ways it has reshaped officiating across tennis, football, UFC and beyond. They even cover controversies in how the tech has slowed down sports and watching experiences. Dane and Shaan also dig into the odd ways the next generation is changing the way sport is watched, followed and consumed…

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Mark Blundell: Le Mans, F1 and Beyond

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:56:05 +0000

The Debrief is joined by Le Mans winner Mark Blundell ahead of the 2026 race. Mark takes the team through what it feels like to win the iconic 24-hour race, the physical and mental demands of endurance racing, and even all the drama behind his time in Formula 1. With the current F1 season in full swing, Mark also shares his take on this year's grid and where the championship is headed.

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The World Cup is Almost Here!

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:49:46 +0000

The Debrief digs into the FIFA World Cup and why things haven't exactly gone to plan even before kickoff - from chaos to the complaints, and the new rules shaking up the tournament. The team get into the chants: Dane’s flying the flag for England while Sana has been handed the unenviable task of rooting for the USA!

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Trapped Inside My Own Body for 12 Years

Mon, 25 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

For over a decade, Martin Pistorius was fully aware but unable to move, speak, or tell anyone he was still there. Misunderstood as unreachable, he lived locked inside his own body until technology finally gave him a voice. In this extraordinary conversation, Martin opens up about the loneliness, the guilt of feeling like a burden to his family, and how he rebuilt a life he once believed was impossible… including finding love when he thought there was no future left for him.

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Luxury Brands Are Secretly Profiling You

Tue, 19 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

After Hermès faced backlash over alleged background checks on shoppers before allowing access to certain products, serious questions emerged about privacy, exclusivity, and what luxury brands can legally get away with. IP lawyer Vivek Jayaram breaks down what’s actually legal behind the scenes of high-end retail, how brands protect exclusivity, and where the line is between customer screening and discrimination.

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The Collaboration Everybody Is Talking About

Mon, 18 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

The watch world can’t stop talking: Swatch x Audemars Piguet collaboration but is it hype, history, or a cash machine waiting to explode? The Debrief are joined by a luxury watch content creator Karim Haddad who shares some industry insights, what collectors should expect, the resale frenzy already brewing, and the insider strategies most buyers won’t hear until it’s too late.

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Your Brain Decided Before You Did

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:59:45 +0000

How many decisions do you really make each day? According to Professor Robert Sapolsky… maybe none. In this fascinating conversation with the Debrief, the professor explains why he believes free will is an illusion, arguing that our choices are shaped long before we’re aware of them, by genetics, hormones, environment, and biology.

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Are we all addicted?

Wed, 13 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

The Debrief in conversation with Anna Lembke from Stanford University School of Medicine who breaks down how dopamine drives our habits and why it is so easy to become obsessed with things from our life. From compulsive scrolling to modern-day dependency, she explains what’s happening inside your brain and how to take back control before it’s too late.

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Racing to make change

Tue, 12 May 2026 15:12:23 +0000

After losing their mum to dementia, brothers Jordan Adams and Cian Adams were hit with the unthinkable truth - they carry the same gene and could develop symptoms in their 40s. Instead of stepping back, they stepped up. Known as the FTD Brothers, they’ve already raised over £1 million and are pushing even harder. This powerful conversation covers genetic testing, running 32 marathons in 32 days and even being recognised with British royals.

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The Obsession That Never Stops

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:14:20 +0000

What drives someone to run 100 miles every single week… for over 320 weeks straight? The Debrief are joined by Andy Glaze who breaks down the mindset, discipline, and sacrifice behind his unbelievable streak. From injuries and mental battles to documenting it all online they discuss what it takes to keep going.

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Is being an influencer really what we think?

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:24:26 +0000

When a successful creator quits at her peak, people take sides. Is it brave honesty or total disconnect? Influencer relations expert Le D'Souza tells the Debrief exactly what brands really expect from influencers. From burnout behind the filters to the pressure of constant performance, we unpack the realities of an industry that looks glamorous but demands far more than you see.

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We’re Bringing Back Extinct Animals

Tue, 05 May 2026 15:38:38 +0000

Ben Lamm, co-founder of Colossal Biosciences joins the Debrief live for a fascinating conversation. Ben reveals how scientists are racing to revive species like the woolly mammoth. From cutting-edge genetics to exploring whether de-extinction could reshape ecosystems or rewrite the rules of life itself.

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The AI Revolution: What Happens Next

Tue, 05 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

AI expert, James Poulter explains to the Debrief how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, creativity, and the future of work. From real-world applications to ethical dilemmas, he breaks down what AI means for all of us and why understanding it is no longer optional.

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To the Deepest Depths: Exploring Earth’s Final Frontiers

Mon, 04 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief chat with Victor Vescovo, investor and explorer, who takes us from the highest peaks to the deepest points on Earth. From record-breaking ocean dives to extreme expeditions, he reveals what drives humans to explore the unknown and the mindset needed to operate where few have ever gone.

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Building Viral Empires: The Rise of UNILAD & LADbible

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Dane speaks with Alex Partridge, founder of UNILAD and LADbible, who breaks down how he built one of the world’s most influential digital media brands. From early disruption to global reach, he shares the risks, controversies as well as his own mental struggles with ADHD and how that has shaped him as a person.

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Search, Rescue & the Science of Finding the Missing

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The Debrief in conversation with Peter Faulding, pace rescue and forensic search specialist, who reveals what it takes to locate the lost and uncover the truth in the most challenging environments. From high-risk rescue missions to groundbreaking forensic techniques and equipment, he shares the realities behind his role.

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The World’s Deadliest Peaks

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief in conversation with Allisson Levine who shares what it really takes to survive Everest, endure Antarctica, and push past breaking points. From brutal conditions to mental resilience, and she reveals why success isn’t just about strength.

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Life of a Detective

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Dane and Sana get inside the mind of Steve Keogh a detective Inspector whose 30-year career in the UK's Metropolitan Police started in 1991. Steve breaks down what it is really like to be a part of a real life crime scene, from split-second decisions to the subtle clues criminals miss.

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The world's first Cyborg

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:47:52 +0000

The Debrief in conversation with Neil Harbisson who explains how he turned a disability into a superpower by implanting an antenna into his skull to “hear” colour. From becoming the world’s first legally recognised cyborg to identity, technology, and the future of our senses Neil explains all.

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Risk, Isolation and Survival

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Explorer and adventurer Charlie Walker shares his experiences with Dane and Sana. 15 years, covering 60,000 miles by food, horse, bicycle, ski, kayak and dugout canoe. Charlie tells how he builds trust with local communities along the way.

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Inside the Pit

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Former McLaren Formula 1 race mechanic Marc Priestley shares the insights from his amazing career with the Debrief as well as working alongside racing champions like Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Räikkönen.

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Have we been drinking water wrong all along?

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Real life water sommelier Timmo Bausch joins the Debrief in studio to explain exactly what is involved in testing waters from around the world, even telling Dane and Sana some companies book him to do water tasting with their employees for fun.

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Pushing Limits: Nikola Aleksic’s 100km Challenge

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:26:56 +0000

On The Debrief, Dane speaks with Dubai-based trainer Nikola Aleksic, who’s taking on a 100km run across the city to raise awareness for rare autoimmune diseases. Battling Behcet’s disease himself, Nikola shares what drives him and the challenges he faces along the way.

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Solo & Unsupported: The Most Extreme Way to Trek

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Dane speaks to Ashy Dykes, a Welsh adventurer and extreme athlete that hold world records that include trekking alone across Mongolia and even hiking the full length of Madagascar. But Ash tells the Debrief what it really takes when it comes mindset and how he even came close to death thanks to bears and wolves along the way.

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The Man Who Mastered Communication

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:58:23 +0000

Communication expert Julian Treasure joins the Debrief to talk about not only being a good communicator but how to be an even better listen. Julian tells Dane and Sana that $10 trillion is lost annually due to miscommunication... so what can he teach us?

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How Far Can a Human REALLY Dive?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:09:24 +0000

The Debrief in conversation with the world's deepest freediver, William Trubridge is an 18 time record breaker, 6 time world champion and the first person to ever dive 100 metres unassisted.

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He Turns Actors Into Superheroes… Here’s How

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:29:39 +0000

Jason Walsh joins the Debrief, the celebrity personal trainer who has worked with clients like Matt Damon, Pedro Pascale and even Bradley Cooper. He helps his clients get do extreme body transformations to reach their goals for the next big movie.

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He Survived the Impossible… Twice

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:20:05 +0000

Dane and Sana are joined on the Debrief by Alex Staniforth, someone who is a true definition of resilience. Alex shares his struggles from early life than has shaped him into the adventurer that he is today.

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From Magic to Movies

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:14:43 +0000

We explore the world of magic. Magician Ben Seidman explains how he entered this fascinating industry and how he managed to land a role training acting legends like Morgan Freeman in a Hollywood movie.

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FX Unmasked

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:27:06 +0000

Dane and Sana dig deep into the world of special effects make up, hair and prosthetics within film and TV. The Debrief hear from industry expert Erika Okvist who has won 2 Emmys, a Bafta and multiple awards for amazing work as a hair and makeup designer.

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Mental Secrets of Top Performers

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The Debrief are joined by Jamil Qureshi is an expert in high performance psychology who has worked with 22 out of the world's top golfers, F1 drivers and even huge global companies. Dane and Sana find out what it's like to try made these already success people change their mindset to achieve even more.

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Operation: Taller

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Dane and Sana speak with Leon Otremba who gained 20cm in height after having two excruciating surgeries to make him taller. The Debrief discuss what is involved in this operation and what they think is OK when it comes to surgeries to enhance your look.

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Million-Dollar Domains

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Domain expert Munir Badr joins the Debrief to give all insights into the domain industry. Dane and Sana find out if they are too late to cash in on any domain investments.

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Summit Stories

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:20:29 +0000

The Debrief speak with Jake Meyers a British mountaineer and adventurer, in 2005 aged just 21 he became the youngest man in the world to climb the Seven Summits. Dane, Sana and Jake discussed the latest announcement from Nepal that inexperienced climbers will be allowed to climb Everest.

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Tartan Trek to Boston

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The Debrief catch up with Craig Ferguson, the Scotsman currently trekking 3,000 miles across the U.S to reach Boston for Scotlands first game at the 2026 Fifa World Cup all to raise awareness for mental health.

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Micro Drama Queen: Anne Chan

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 +0000

Dane and Sana catch up with CEO and Co-founder of AR Asia Production, Anne Chan. The Hong-Kong based media company specialises in the production and distribution of short-form "micro dramas", scripted series and movies.

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Creative Icon

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:20:26 +0000

The Debrief in conversation with the world famous graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister who works alongside some of the biggest artists from the music industry. Stefan shares the insights to what makes a great graphic designer and how modern technology can enhance your creativity.

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Family vs Ocean

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief chat with Caspar Craven a man who decided to travel the world with his young family by boat. Dane and Sana ask Casper how he uses his entrepreneurial skills and mindset to help raise his family as well as training leaders around the world with their goal setting.

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Fear, Heights and her Journey to the Top of K2

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:09:44 +0000

The Debrief chat with Nelly Attar, by the first Arab woman to summit K2 back in 2022. Nelly shares what it was like as a woman in sports in Saudi Arabia as well as her mission to help people add movement into their lives while concurring huge challenges of her own.

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What If You Could Remember Every Single Day of Your Life?

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:56:01 +0000

What if you could remember exactly what happened on any day of your life?
Rebecca Sharrock joins The Debrief with Dane and Sana to talk about living with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), a rare condition that allows her to recall almost every day she’s ever lived.

So is having a perfect memory a gift… or can it sometimes feel like a burden?

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Simple tips from the Queen of Cleaning

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:05:00 +0000

With nearly five million YouTube subscribers, Auri Kananen — also known as Aurika Kateriina and widely called the “ Queen of Cleaning ” — shared how she began cleaning homes for free and how those dramatic transformations eventually helped her build a massive online following.

Auri also revealed the one cleaning essential she swears by for tackling almost anything around the house. And if guests are arriving in 15 minutes, she advised which area you should clean first.

From practical cleaning hacks to the motivation behind helping people through cleaning, she shared plenty of useful tips.

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A Formula 1 Insider

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:16:42 +0000

The Debrief kick off the start of the official testing session ahead of the new F1 season by chatting with British motorsport engineer and presenter for F1 TV, Ruth Buscombe. Ruth shares all with Dane and Sana including what makes a great driver, and her predictions for this season.

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Is an AI Actress Still an Actress

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:14:34 +0000

Dane and Sana speak with Eline Van Der Velden the creator behind Tilly Norwood an AI actress, the first of her kind that sent Hollywood into a frenzy. A controversial conversation that splits opinions in the industry.

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The Worlds Toughest Row in 38 Days

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:58:42 +0000

Dane and Sane speak to Jess Smiles and Beth Murphy, two friends from the UK who recently smashed the world record for female rowing. The pair crossed the finished line after rowing 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua. The journey is considered as one of the hardest endurance events on earth. They share the good, bad and ugly parts of their achievement.

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Is AI About To Replace Your Doctor?

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:25:00 +0000

The Debrief dig deep on the new Open AI feature within Chat GPT focussed solely on your health. Dane and Sana were joined in studio by Evan Kraus, Chief Operating Officer of APCO worldwide looking after the organisations AI Communications Lab as well as Dr Kotecha who shared her positive views on AI and health.

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The Mind of a Human Calculator

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 04:00:00 +0000

The Debrief in conversation with Scott Flansburg aka the ‘Human Calculator’. Prepared for your mind to be blown and for you to see numbers in a completely different way.

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From Earth to Orbit: Life as an Astronaut

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:55:37 +0000

The Debrief speak to retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield who flew on three space missions over his amazing career. Chris shared his insights with Dane and Sana on the launch of Artemis II and the new trend of astronaut tourism.

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Thinking Like a Dragon

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 07:51:43 +0000

The Debrief in conversation with Piers Linney MBE and former Dragons Den. Piers gives some major business insights, what it’s been like to grow several hugely successful businesses and also his latest business launch in the UAE.

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Sold: Power, Ego, and Million-Dollar Sales

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:36:16 +0000

Dane, Sana and Ellis hear from Sotheby's highly sought after auctioneer Phyllis Kao and what it takes to be one of the best in the business. From pristine art to dinosaur fossils Phyllis's auction house energy has picked up major attraction across social media platforms.

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Millions in Memorabilia

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:50:04 +0000

The Debrief catch up with Ken Goldin from the 'King of Collectibles'. Ken tells us all about his empire and what collectables have sored over the years and what we should look out for. He talks all things TV show to real life in the job.

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Butler School Is Real

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:29:26 +0000

The Debrief are joined by Robert Wennekes the man behind ‘the international butler academy’. Robert shares all the inside scoop of what makes you the best butler & the experiences that come with it.

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Ten years of BoyzLife

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 09:33:12 +0000

The Debrief in conversation with BoyzLife. Former Boyzone Keith Duffy & former Westlife’s Brian McFadden are celebrate 10 years of collaboration this year, Dane caught up with them during their trip to the UAE.

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The Hair Truth

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:05:13 +0000

A world leading trichologist joins the Debrief live in studio to talk hair and scalp health. The team put lots of questions to specialist Mark Birch about Danes thinning hair as well as Mark busting all your hair myths.

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Inside the Mind of the Youngest Software Engineer Ever

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:16:32 +0000

The Debrief catch up with Rayyan Siddiqui, a tech prodigy, mentor and entrepreneur. He's known well for his 5 Guinness World Records, one of which is for being the worlds youngest software engineer. A chat that will leave you feeling very inspired or inadequate with your own life achievements!

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The New Digital Superpower

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:15:13 +0000

The Debrief have AI prompt engineer, Sufyan Alhusssein live in the studio to give everyone top tips to get the best out of AI. However one message was clear don’t be using AI for simple tasks, keep your mind active!

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Zero Days Apart

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:40:23 +0000

The Debrief chat with Father and Son, Josh and George Kohler who have been biking across the world together for the last 300 days while documenting their journey along the way and aiming to break some Guinness World Records. Dane, Sana and Ellis discuss the latest popular Reddit thread where an employee writes a strong email to their boss about respecting their work life balance but is it ok to be straight with your boss?

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Is Scrolling Over?

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:26:49 +0000

Dane, Sana and Ellis dig deep in the world of social media following a 2025 study highlighting how young people are increasingly adopting dumb phones or digital minimalism as a lifestyle choice to reduce online stress and social media dependency. The Debrief are asking is social media dying?

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No Limits in Space

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:05:16 +0000

The Debrief chat with Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer who has made history by becoming the world's first wheelchair user to travel to space. And calling all lego lovers, how do you feel about the new Lego ‘Smart Bricks’ that are splitting the opinions of many?

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World’s Ultimate Record Breaker

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 15:28:16 +0000

Dane and Sana catch up with David Rush, the man with the record for the most Guinness World Records, all 350 of them. And the Debrief discuss how Japan has now reached around 100,000 centenarians but what leads you to a long lasting life?

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Phone Gone in 5 Seconds : Inside The Pickpocked Boom

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 15:43:09 +0000

The Debrief chat with Diego Galdino otherwise known as pickpoccketlondon whose main job is to go around the city to film and prevent pickpocketers and petty theft by posting their videos online. Dane Sana and Ellis discuss strange tourist attractions around the world after Scotland try to attract tourists by dressing ponies in cardigans... would that make you visit?

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Hype v Heavyweight

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:11:20 +0000

Dane, Sana and Ellis discuss the big fight that is taking place this weekend, Jake Paul v Anthony Joshua from Youtube to the ring. The Debrief explore what this fight means for the boxing world and the future for both contestants. And looking back at the Coldplay 'Kiss Cam' scandal and whether we think it is ever ok to judge someone's work based on a personal scandal? All debated on the Debrief!

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40 Trees, One Bungalow: Meet Europe’s Most Festive Man

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:18:56 +0000

The Debrief hear from Geoff Stonebanks, who has been dubbed Europe's most festive man having displayed 40 Christmas trees up in his modest bungalow in the UK. If Geoff can't get you in the festive mood nothing will. Dane, Sana and Ellis discuss holiday travel do's and don'ts... what are your pet peeves when travelling in the busy season?

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Footsteps Across a Kingdom

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:32:51 +0000

The Debrief speak to Alice Morrison, a Scottish adventurer and the first person recorded to have walked by foot from North to South of Saudi Arabia. Alice started her journey on January 1st 2025 and finally finished her adventure this week. Dane, Sana and Ellis discuss 'quiet quitting' in the workplace as well as a few term of ''quiet cracking'. And is it ok to send long voice notes? Some strong opinions from the listeners today!

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From Pitbull to Santa

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:13:36 +0000

Sana survived a wild weekend at the Pitbull concert — and it turns out that going to concerts might actually help you live longer. Speaking of longevity, Dick Van Dyke has officially turned 100, so we look back at a career that’s spanned generations.

Plus, we catch up with Brant Miller, one of Santa’s most trusted helpers — often dubbed America’s most realistic and most popular Santa.

And on The Great Debate, we ask: is it OK to complain to your neighbots, or should people just live and let live, after a UK man accidentally ordered a 20-foot inflatable Santa… and the neighbours are not having it.

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