Miranda Sawyer

Fifty years on, the missing aristo and his wife continue to fascinate; Danny Robins and Stewart Lee get into the Halloween spirit; and an eerie English tale with Will Sharpe

The ex-Tory minister talks shop; artist Jonny Banger enthuses about his activism; Mei Mac and Adam Buxton lift a spooky drama; and a harrowing look at the US military’s attitudes to homosexuality

The UK musicians who came to prominence in the mid-90s were more diverse and thrilling than is often acknowledged. In her new book, Miranda Sawyer, who was writing for the music press at the time, looks back through 20 songs

The week in audio: Origin Story: Russell Brand – Confidence Man; Lost Notes: Groupies; The Lion, the Witch and the Wonder – review

The Mercury-winning quintet talk about the youth clubs where it all started – and what we can all do to support the musicians of the future

The tale of a scam hitman on the dark web grips after a slow start; Kamala Harris has the human touch in a US interview; Kate Lawler is moreish; and a radio stalwart is set to bow out

A thoughtful study of football hooliganism; glossy mags of yore amusingly revisited; the mother of murdered teen Brianna Ghey on online safety; and it’s a wonderful pond life

Marianna Spring’s measured approach to Trump conspiracists pays off; a hijab-wearing porn star is a surprise interviewee; Nick van der Kolk revists 00s reality TV; and Esther Perel’s must-hear chat with author Miranda July

The Obamas, Janelle Monáe et al sing the praises of Stevie Wonder’s genius; Ken Bruce and Joanna Lumley are a dream 60s radio team. Plus, assorted horrors nuclear and otherwise

The celebrated musician answers questions from Observer readers and famous fans including Michael Stipe, Bernardine Evaristo, Questlove and Sadiq Khan

A winning double act provide revealing literary insights; Gabriel Gatehouse dives back into American conspiracy culture; and Florence + the Machine are top of the Proms

A different goal: how women’s football is changing the beautiful game

A tribute to the much-loved DJ is by turns heartwarming and heart-sinking. And Tristram Hunt explores the survival of Britain’s country houses

The American writer’s personal effects, languishing in a French lock-up, are only part of a touching story. Plus, an entertaining tale of 80s bodybuilding, and gymnastics on the radio

Now a stand-in LBC presenter, the ex-home secretary accepts no opinion but her own; an investigation into a lifestyle guru is horrifying and riveting; and the harrowing story of a South African mass murderer is well told

A tale of mystery illness – and Jell-O – grips; Naomi Alderman illuminates our digital age; and comedian Jon Holmes creates the ‘men talk cancer’ show he needed, featuring Eric Idle, Stephen Fry and more

On Radio 4, the moving story behind one teenager’s prison sentence; a satisfying mystery show; and a pitch-perfect satire inspired by Woman’s Hour

A dive into the history of the UK’s music festivals is life-enhancing, while two disturbing investigative series tackle toxic dumping in Wales and the origins of vaping

With days to go to the UK’s general election, our critic listens to Starmer and Sunak face LBC’s listeners and dips into the big-name political podcasts

The pop star and the TV presenter are longtime friends, and it’s their intimacy – and honesty – that gives their new BBC Sounds show its edge. They discuss their storied careers, and how they turn life’s challenges into audio gold