Elon's Spies | Tortoise Investigates

Three years ago, we released our chart-topping investigative podcast Sweet Bobby. And now, Netflix are releasing the documentary Sweet Bobby on 16th October. Catch up with the original story across all 6 episodes by searching for Sweet Bobby wherever you get your podcasts.

To listen to the exclusive ad-free and bonus episode with Kirat, the woman at the heart of this catfishing story, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or become a Tortoise member.

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Elon Musk is one of the most powerful men in the world. He's a billionaire, the founder of SpaceX, Tesla and more. To his followers, he's a hero; to his critics, a far-right rabble rouser. 

But for someone so public, there’s one part of his life that’s less well known.

Elon’s Spies investigates how this free-speech champion uses private investigators and surveillance to target everyone from whistleblowers at his companies, to online critics and people in his own life. 

Episode 1 is available on Tuesday 8th October, with episodes releasing weekly. To get ad-free access and binge listen to all 3 episodes on Tuesday 8th October, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or by becoming a Tortoise member.

You can find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Reporter: Alexi Mostrous

Producer: Gary Marshall

Original Music & Sound design: Tom Kinsella

Podcast artwork: Jon Hill 

Executive producer: Ceri Thomas

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A fifth woman comes forward with allegations against the author Neil Gaiman.

Reporter: Paul Caruana Galizia and Rachel Johnson

Producer: Matt Russell

Additional reporting: Jess Swinburne

Original music and sound design: Tom Kinsella

Series editor: Matt Russell

Editor: Jasper Corbett

To find out more about Tortoise:

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Almost a month since the investigation where two women came forward with allegations that the author Neil Gaiman sexually assaulted them - allegations he strenuously denied - more women have come forward. Including another woman made to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Reporter: Paul Caruana Galizia and Rachel Johnson

Producer: Katie Gunning and Matt Russell

Additional reporting: Jess Swinburne

Original music and sound design: Tom Kinsella

Series editor: Matt Russell

Editor: Jasper Corbett

To find out more about Tortoise:

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The second woman to allege Neil Gaiman sexually assaulted her first met him as an 18-year-old fan. They began a consensual sexual relationship two years later. She alleges he was abusive and once penetrated her without her consent. He strenuously denies any unlawful behaviour and maintains all their sex was consensual.

Reporter: Paul Caruana Galizia and Rachel Johnson

Producer: Katie Gunning

Additional reporting: Jess Swinburne

Original music and sound design: Tom Kinsella

Series editor: Matt Russell

Editor: Jasper Corbett

To find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

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New Zealand police tell the former nanny there isn’t enough evidence to actively pursue her sexual assault complaint against Neil Gaiman. He says he offered himself up for an interview with the police. But the facts may indicate otherwise.

Clip: 1968 interview with Neil Gaiman - BBC 

Clip: Big Bang Theory, series 11, episode 21 - CBS/Warner Bros

Clip: Newsnight - BBC 

Clip: William Morrow 2014

Clip: Politics and Prose bookstore 2013

Reporter: Paul Caruana Galizia and Rachel Johnson

Producer: Katie Gunning

Additional reporting: Jess Swinburne

Original music and sound design: Tom Kinsella

Series editor: Matt Russell

Editor: Jasper Corbett

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

The former nanny who alleges Neil Gaiman sexually assaulted her shares her WhatsApp messages with him. The messages appear friendly and affectionate. He says they’re evidence that she consented to sex with him. But is there another way of reading them?

Reporter: Paul Caruana Galizia and Rachel Johnson

Producer: Katie Gunning

Additional reporting: Jess Swinburne

Original music and sound design: Tom Kinsella

Series editor: Matt Russell

Editor: Jasper Corbett

To find out more about Tortoise:

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Neil Gaiman is one of the world’s most successful authors. And one of the most loved. His works have been adapted for film, TV and the stage. Now two women, a former nanny and a fan, allege he sexually assaulted and abused them while they were in consensual relationships with him. He strenuously denies all the allegations.

Clip: The Sandman trailer - DDC comics / Netflix 

Clip: The Ocean at the End of the Lane trailer - National theatre 

Clip: The Simpsons - Disney

Reporter: Paul Caruana Galizia and Rachel Johnson

Producer: Katie Gunning

Additional reporting: Jess Swinburne

Original music and sound design: Tom Kinsella

Series editor: Matt Russell

Editor: Jasper Corbett

To find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

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Introducing...What's Wrong With Democracy?

By the end of this year, countries making up half the world’s population will have held elections. But not all of them will have been free and fair. In ‘What’s Wrong with Democracy?’ Professor Ben Ansell of Oxford University will, with the help of academics, journalists, activists and writers, figure out whether democracy is working and how best to preserve democratic freedoms, equality and rights. 

What’s Wrong with Democracy? is produced by Tortoise Media and supported by The Open Society Foundations. 

To find out more about Tortoise:

Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Host: Professor Ben Ansell

Producers: Katie Gunning and Ada Barume

Editor: Jasper Corbett

Original artwork: Jon Hill | Emma O’Neil

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We are publishing a bonus Q&A episode, and we want to hear from you.

Huey and her mum Sarah have agreed to come back into the podcast studio, so if you would like to ask them about their experiences, please send your questions to [email protected] by Tuesday 14th of August. 

It has been brilliant to hear how Dangerous Memories has resonated with people. Thank you for getting in touch with us about your similar experiences, and your questions so far.

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