Foundling | Tortoise Investigates

Under one roof | Foundling Ep 2

DNA results and a cold-case investigation reveal that the woman who found a newborn in a bag is her birth mother.

On the verge | Foundling Ep 1

A woman tracks down the truth behind her 1987 discovery as an abandoned baby left on a remote Suffolk country lane.

Introducing... Foundling

In the premiere of Foundling, journalist Lucy Greenwell revisits a haunting mystery from her childhood. On a quiet October day in 1987, a newborn baby named Jess was discovered abandoned on a remote country lane in Suffolk. Despite an extensive police investigation, the identity of the mother remained unknown, leaving a gap in the history of the infant who was subsequently adopted. Driven by decades of curiosity, Greenwell sets out to uncover what truly happened that day and the circumstances that forced a mother to make such a desperate choice. Upon finally locating Jess, Greenwell discovers that the woman is already deep into her own search for answers. What follows is a complex investigation into long-buried secrets and the unforeseen consequences that ripple through their lives, revealing a story far more tangled than either woman ever imagined.

The Missing Book | The Walkers Ep7

In this episode of Foundling, reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou deepens her investigation into the phenomenal success of Raynor Winn, the author behind the global bestseller The Salt Path. While the memoir captivated millions, the subsequent sequels included increasingly bold assertions regarding the author’s ability to reverse a terminal illness. Hadjimatheou examines the role of the publisher, Penguin, questioning why these medical claims were not subjected to greater scrutiny. Beyond the controversy surrounding the sequels, the episode follows the host on a quest to uncover a hidden piece of literary history: Raynor Winn’s actual debut book, written years before she gained international fame. Listeners can expect a compelling exploration of truth, publishing accountability, and the narrative construction of a bestselling author's identity. It is a thought-provoking look at the gap between personal stories and verifiable facts.

The Letters | The Walkers Ep6

In this episode of Foundling, reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou travels to a motorway service station for a pivotal meeting with an unexpected source. This individual, who is revealed to be the niece of author Raynor Winn, expresses deep hesitation about coming forward but ultimately provides crucial information that could reshape the ongoing investigation. As a familiar face from the pages of The Salt Path, this new contact brings forward evidence that challenges previous assumptions about the Walkers. Listeners can expect an atmospheric and investigative journey as Chloe pieces together these delicate revelations. The episode delves into the complicated layers surrounding the family history, focusing on the human impact of the investigation while uncovering new leads that connect directly to the heart of the story. It is a tense and revealing installment that moves the search for answers into new, uncharted territory.

The French Quarter | The Walkers Ep5

In this episode of Foundling, reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou continues her deep dive into the complex lives of Moth and Raynor Winn. Following her initial findings, Chloe receives a significant breakthrough when she is contacted by a close family member of Moth. This new testimony reveals a history defined by deep-seated familial divides and uncovers evidence of yet another mysterious theft. As Chloe unravels these layers, the narrative moves closer to the truth behind the couple's enigmatic past. Listeners can expect a compelling exploration of identity and hidden histories as the investigation gains momentum. By connecting these disparate threads, the episode provides essential context that challenges what we think we know about the Winns, pushing the inquiry toward a more definitive understanding of the people at the center of this unsettling story.

The Miracle | The Walkers Ep4

In this episode of Foundling, reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou delves into the extraordinary case of Moth, a man who has lived with a terminal diagnosis for nearly twenty years. Moth suffers from corticobasal degeneration, a rare neurodegenerative condition that typically results in a much shorter life expectancy. Against all medical predictions, he remains alive and active nearly two decades after his initial prognosis. The episode explores the mystery behind his survival, questioning whether he has stumbled upon a medical miracle or if there is another explanation for his defiance of the odds. Listeners can expect a thought-provoking examination of resilience, the limitations of medical science, and the unexplained endurance of the human spirit as the series continues to peel back the layers of the Walkers’ story.

Cider at Haye | The Walkers Ep3

In this episode of Foundling, reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou investigates the puzzling disappearance of Moth and Raynor Winn, the acclaimed authors behind The Salt Path. Following a period spent at a heritage cider farm in Cornwall, the couple vanished shortly after their time there was documented by television cameras. The farm owner, who considered the pair friends, is left to grapple with a troubling disconnect between the reality he witnessed on his property and the narrative Raynor Winn later presented in her writing. This installment explores the tension between public storytelling and private truth, offering listeners a compelling look into a fractured friendship and the conflicting accounts surrounding the Winns’ departure. Join the investigation as the hosts peel back the layers of this mystery to uncover what truly happened at the cider farm.

On the path | The Walkers Ep2

In this episode of Foundling, reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou digs deeper into the narrative surrounding the bestselling memoir The Salt Path. Following revelations that have cast doubt on the origins of the story, Hadjimatheou shifts her focus toward the other real-life characters featured in the book. As she systematically tracks down these individuals, the investigation aims to verify the experiences shared by Raynor Winn and her husband, Moth. Listeners can expect a compelling exploration of memory and truth as the series questions whether the couple truly completed the journey as described. By revisiting the timeline and circumstances of their famous walk, the episode invites the audience to consider the fine line between memoir and myth in a story that captured the public imagination.

The Missing Money | The Walkers Ep1

In the premiere episode of Foundling, reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou travels to a quiet town in north Wales to unravel a mystery that transcends its humble origins. What begins as a seemingly routine allegation of theft at a local estate agency serves as the catalyst for an extraordinary tale that eventually spans the globe. This investigation dives deep into the complex history of the Walker family, peeling back layers of deception and buried secrets. Listeners can expect a gripping narrative that balances meticulous journalistic inquiry with the intrigue of a real-life blockbuster. As Hadjimatheou traces the threads of this disappearance, the episode sets the stage for a sprawling inquiry into how a local scandal could possibly connect to a much larger, international enigma. It is a compelling start to a story where nothing is quite what it appears to be.

Introducing... The Walkers: The real Salt Path

Raynor Winn’s memoir The Salt Path became a global literary phenomenon, celebrated as a raw and inspiring account of a couple finding healing through a 630-mile trek after facing total financial ruin and a terminal diagnosis. The story resonated with millions and has even been adapted into a major motion picture. However, this investigative series peels back the layers of that narrative after reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou receives a tip-off suggesting the memoir may not be the unflinchingly honest account it was presented as. This podcast explores the blurry line between personal truth and storytelling, meticulously examining the facts behind the famous journey. Listeners can expect a deep dive into the discrepancies surrounding the Walkers’ story, ultimately questioning how much a narrative can be altered before the truth begins to break. It is an inquisitive journey into the nature of memory and honesty.

In good faith | Deep Water Ep6

In this gripping episode of Foundling, the investigation into the freediving community reaches a major turning point. After weeks of persistent pursuit, reporter Lydia Gard finally secures an interview with Vitomir Maričić, the Croatian athlete at the center of a growing scandal. Listeners are offered a rare opportunity to hear Maričić address the allegations directly as he shares his personal perspective on the controversy that has rocked the sport. This installment moves the investigation forward by contrasting external reports with the subject's own testimony, providing a deeper look at the murky realities behind competitive freediving. As the narrative unfolds, the episode invites the audience to weigh these conflicting accounts, making it a critical listen for those following the unfolding mystery of the Deep Water series.

Click Bait | Deep Water Ep5

In this episode of Foundling, titled Click Bait, reporter Lydia Gard peels back the layers of the secretive and intense world of competitive freediving. The investigation takes a turn when an anti-doping officer dismisses the prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs as mere internet chatter, relegated to social media speculation and podcast discourse. However, as Lydia digs deeper into the culture surrounding the sport, she discovers that the issue of doping is far more pervasive and complex than authorities suggest. Listeners are taken on a tense journey that exposes systemic corruption and the lengths to which athletes and organizations will go to maintain appearances. This installment challenges the official narrative, forcing the audience to question the integrity of the sport and the unsettling reality hidden beneath the surface of extreme athletic competition.

Don’t hold your breath | Deep Water Ep4

In this fourth episode of Deep Water, reporter Lydia Gard continues her investigation by seeking guidance from a figure synonymous with high-stakes athletic integrity. The episode features an insightful conversation with the CEO of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the very man who famously exposed Lance Armstrong. Rather than offering the expected validation or conventional industry advice, he provides Lydia with a perspective that shifts her understanding of the story. Listeners can expect a tense and revealing chapter that challenges previous assumptions and deepens the mystery at the heart of the series. By drawing on his unique experience in navigating institutional secrets and doping scandals, the CEO forces a critical turning point in the investigation, leaving Lydia to reconcile his unexpected guidance with the evidence she has gathered so far.

In the bag | Deep Water Ep3

In this episode of Foundling, titled In the bag, reporter Lydia Gard dives into the intense atmosphere of the 2023 Vertical Blue freediving competition. The narrative centers on the dramatic moment a major doping scandal disrupted the event, forever changing the landscape of the sport. Listeners will hear from competition organizer William Trubridge, who explains the tactical efforts behind the attempt to identify and apprehend those using performance-enhancing substances. As the investigation unfolds, the episode examines the messy, controversial fallout of the drug bust and its ripple effects throughout the elite freediving community. This installment offers a compelling look at the intersection of extreme athletics, integrity, and the high-stakes consequences when professional sports integrity is called into question. It is an essential listen for those interested in the darker, less visible side of world-class competitive sports.

Fair Play | Deep Water Ep2

In this episode of Foundling, reporter Lydia Gard travels to the Greek coastal city of Kalamata, a world-renowned destination for elite freediving. As the investigation into doping allegations intensifies, Gard delves into the shadowy side of this extreme sport to uncover the truth behind prohibited substance use. Listeners will explore the specific substances rumored to be circulating among competitors and examine the devastating physical risks these performance enhancers pose to the athletes involved. Beyond the individual health implications, the episode interrogates the broader threat that doping presents to the integrity of the sport itself. Through on-the-ground reporting, the series provides a gripping look at the tension between human physical limits and the drive to win at any cost. This installment offers a compelling, investigative deep dive into the hidden challenges facing the global freediving community.

Depth Wish | Deep Water Ep1

In the debut episode of Deep Water, travel writer and freediver Lydia Gard explores the mesmerizing world of extreme breath-hold diving. What began as a personal passion for the sport quickly transformed into an investigative journey after Gard uncovered unsettling allegations within the elite freediving community. Listeners are introduced to the immense physical and psychological pressures of diving to extreme depths on a single breath, only to discover that this pursuit of greatness may have a darker underbelly. The episode examines persistent rumors of systemic doping among top-tier athletes seeking to break records at any cost. As Gard peels back the layers of this niche sport, the series promises a gripping deep dive into the intersection of human ambition, athletic integrity, and the hidden risks taken in the pursuit of reaching the absolute limit.

Introducing ... Deep Water

In this introductory episode of Foundling, travel writer Lydia Gard explores the mesmerizing and dangerous world of competitive freediving. What began as a personal journey into a sport defined by the pursuit of extreme depths on a single breath quickly revealed a hidden, unsettling reality. Gard details her immersion into a fanatical community where elite athletes push their bodies to the absolute limit, only to discover deep-seated corruption beneath the surface. The narrative centers on explosive allegations of widespread doping among top competitors and a failed, clandestine sting operation intended to expose the truth. As the community continues to fracture under the weight of these secrets, the podcast prepares to give voice to those who were previously too afraid to speak out. Listeners can expect a gripping investigation into integrity, human endurance, and the dark side of professional obsession.

Myths and monsters | The Lab Detective Ep4

In this episode of The Lab Detective, reporter Rachel Sylvester travels to Greece to re-examine the tragic and controversial case of Roula Pispirigou, a mother convicted last year of murdering her three young children. As the legal system reached its verdict, questions surrounding the role of rare genetic conditions continue to loom over the investigation. Sylvester dives into the complex intersection of law and medical science, exploring whether modern genetic testing could offer a different perspective on the evidence presented in court. Listeners can expect an investigative deep dive into the clinical mysteries behind the case, featuring expert insights from the scientific community. By balancing the emotional gravity of the crimes with the objective rigor of the laboratory, the episode prompts a critical look at how genetic science is reshaping our understanding of justice and medical truth.

Science versus the law | The Lab Detective Ep3

In this episode of The Lab Detective, reporter Rachel Sylvester explores the high-stakes intersection of cutting-edge genomics and the criminal justice system. The investigation centers on scientist Carola Vinuesa and her dedicated research team as they attempt to introduce a groundbreaking genetic discovery into a courtroom setting. Listeners will follow the intense process as the team works to present complex scientific evidence that could fundamentally change how the law views biological culpability. As the team faces the rigid traditions of legal scrutiny, the narrative delves into the friction between scientific innovation and judicial precedent. This episode provides an intimate look at the challenges experts face when they try to use revolutionary genetic data to challenge existing legal outcomes. It is a compelling deep dive into the pursuit of truth when the laboratory meets the courtroom floor.