Economist Podcasts

4.4 (1.2K)
NEWS
UPDATED DAILY

Every weekday our global network of correspondents makes sense of the stories beneath the headlines. We bring you surprising trends and tales from around the world, current affairs, business and finance — as well as science and technology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 HR AGO

The chat is out of the bag: a stunning leak

Put aside for the moment the outrageous security breach of a journalist being brought in on classified military planning: a leaked group chat reveals much about the Trump administration’s transactional, anti-European ethos. The story of a Nigerian senator shows how vile politics can be for the country’s women (10:23). And why not to be too bothered by colleagues stealing your ideas (16:26). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 min
1 DAY AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Prime time: China’s micro-dramas are going global

An ancient empress, thrust into the modern world, must win over a CEO and his family. After a one-night stand, two people wake up married, and their wedding goes viral. Micro-dramas deliver non-stop twists in under two minutes and audiences can’t stop watching. This booming industry has outpaced China’s box office and Chinese production companies are looking to replicate its success abroad. Meanwhile, the Communist Party is trying to regulate these micro-dramas and adopt the format to spread party-approved values. Alice Su, The Economist’s senior China correspondent, and Gabriel Crossley, our China correspondent, ask: why is China cracking down on its most addictive entertainment export? Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

27 min
1 DAY AGO

Bibi driver: battles led by and within Israel

The ceasefire in Gaza is in tatters; the campaign against Hizbullah is flaring up again. Yet the most telling battles are those happening inside Israel. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, is coolly dealing with the fitful aggression of her northern neighbour (10:25). And our obituaries editor pays tribute to Richard Fortey, a fossil obsessive who spent a career telling the world about trilobites (16:50). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 min
4 DAYS AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

The Weekend Intelligence: The prison that works

Noel ‘Razor’ Smith has done some terrible things. A key player of the criminal underworld in South London in the 1970s and 1980s. A ‘horrible bastard’ by his own account. Today he is fifteen years out of prison with no intention of going back. In a failing British prison system there is one place that works. That helps criminals like Mr Smith to reform and rehabilitate. In this episode of the Weekend Intelligence, public-policy correspondent Tom Sasse finds out about His Majesty’s Prison Grendon – ‘the secret hidden under the staircase’. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

42 min
4 DAYS AGO

Spy-fall: Trump imperils intelligence pact

America’s international intelligence-sharing relationships have been decades in the making and rely not on a treaty but trust. Could Donald Trump damage the powerful spy alliance? Why we may soon be buying cutting-edge medicines developed in China (11:00). And introducing a new regular feature, “What to watch this weekend” (17:39). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 min
4 DAYS AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Moscow rule: The Russia-MAGA relationship

America and Russia seem closer than ever. It goes further than Putin and Trump’s lengthy phone call this week. Russian thinkers are spreading their anti-liberal ideas abroad. MAGA men are a receptive audience. Just how much do MAGA and Russian political thinkers have in common? And what does this mean for the future of both countries? John Prideaux hosts with Idrees Kahloon and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by The Economist’s Ed Carr and Arkady Ostrovsky. Runtime: 46 min Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

46 min
5 DAYS AGO

Not so delightful: Erdogan arrests rival

Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested just days before he was likely to be elected leader of Turkey’s opposition. Where does this leave Turkish democracy? What Panama’s concessions teach us about how to deal with Donald Trump (9:49). And how zoos help hospitals treat venomous snakebites (19:16). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 min
6 DAYS AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Reid Hoffman: a Silicon Valley superstar on Musk, AI and the future of humanity

The members of the so-called Paypal Mafia, who founded and grew the payments startup at the turn of the 21st century, have gone on to become the leading lights of Silicon Valley. Their ranks include Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and many others who have gone on to found and build many of the best-known firms in tech—or even run departments in Donald Trump’s government. Among them is Reid Hoffman, who co-founded LinkedIn, which Microsoft bought for $26bn in 2016. Now he invests in AI firms and he has also written a new book about what the technology could mean for the future of humanity. He also has some choice words for Elon Musk. Hosts: Mike Bird and Ethan Wu. Guest: Reid Hoffman. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

39 min

See All (2.2K)

Get a daily burst of illumination from The Economist’s worldwide network of correspondents. Our reporters dig past the headlines to get to the stories beneath—and to stories that aren’t making headlines, but should be. A unique perspective on the issues and events shaping your world. Sign up for Economist Podcasts+ at http://www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page at https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts

4.6 (1240)

DAILY NEWS
A sophisticated, predatory, multi-billion dollar industry is emerging from the shadows. It already rivals the size of the illicit drug trade. And it’s about to get bigger and much more powerful. The Economist’s Sue-Lin Wong follows a trail that starts with the collapse of a bank in rural Kansas to uncover a global, underground scam economy built around human trafficking, corruption and money laundering. Can it be stopped? To listen to the full series subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.

4.6 (59)

BUSINESS
The World in Brief tells you what’s on the global agenda in the coming day, what to look out for in business, finance and politics and, most importantly, what to make of it. Economist Podcasts+ subscribers and digital subscribers to The Economist should log in at economist.com/audio/podcasts/the-world-in-brief for access to the full World in Brief. Sign up for Economist Podcasts+ here: www.economist.com/podcastsplus-worldinbrief. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page here https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts.

4.0 (201)

DAILY NEWS
Take a seat at the table and learn about the biggest stories in financial markets, the economy and business. Each week our editors and correspondents explore how economics influences the world we live in and share their insights across a range of topics. From inflation and recession risk to all things crypto and even the commercial success of K-pop, we have you covered. Published every Thursday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page at https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts.

4.5 (307)

BUSINESS NEWS
Babbage is our weekly podcast on science and technology, named after Charles Babbage—a 19th-century polymath and grandfather of computing. Host Alok Jha talks to our correspondents about the innovations, discoveries and gadgetry shaping the world. Published every Wednesday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page here https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts

4.7 (258)

TECH NEWS
Checks and Balance unlocks American politics by taking a big theme each week and digging into the data, the ideas, and the history shaping the country. Join John Prideaux, Charlotte Howard, Idrees Kahloon and Jon Fasman as they talk to politicians, pollsters, academics and people across the country about the great experiment of American democracy. Published every Friday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page here https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts.

4.8 (330)

POLITICS
Two of The Economist's China correspondents, Alice Su and David Rennie, analyse the stories at the heart of this vast country and examine its influence beyond its borders. They’ll be joined by our global network of correspondents and expert guests to examine how everything from party politics to business, technology and culture are reshaping China and the world. Published every Tuesday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page here https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts.

4.7 (96)

NEWS
Xi Jinping is the most powerful person in the world. But the real story of China's leader remains a mystery. In this eight-part series Sue-Lin Wong finds out how he rose to the top, and what it means for China—and the rest of the world—now that he has ripped up the rule book to stay in power, perhaps for the rest of his life. Sign up for Economist Podcasts+ at www.economist.com/podcastsplus If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.

4.7 (210)

NEWS
A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Published weekdays from Monday to Thursday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page here https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts.

4.1 (206)

NEWS
Arkady Ostrovsky travels across Europe and the Middle East speaking to free-thinking Russians who left when the shelling of Ukraine began in 2022 in this eight-part series. For them the war meant the future of Russia itself was now in doubt. Now they have to rebuild their lives and their hopes for Russia from exile. Can they get their country back? Their stories help solve the mystery of why this senseless war began – and how it might end. Sign up for Economist Podcasts+ at www.economist.com/podcastsplus If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.

4.6 (298)

NEWS
The best bosses create systems for solving problems old and new—from navigating working-from-home demands to hiring the right people, from running good meetings to managing themselves. Andrew Palmer, author of the Bartleby column, looks for advice on how to be a better boss by talking to people who have actually done the job. Listen to The Economist's seven-episode guide for managers. Episodes are out on Mondays. If you're not already a subscriber to The Economist, sign up for our podcast subscription, Economist Podcasts+ at economist.com/podcastsplus.

4.6 (49)

MANAGEMENT
Narendra Modi may well be the most popular politician on the planet. India’s prime minister is eyeing a third term atop the world’s biggest democracy. A tea-seller’s son, Mr Modi began life an outsider. The man behind the political phenomenon remains hard to fathom. India has become an economic powerhouse during his ten years in charge. But he’s also the frontman for a chauvinistic Hindu nationalist dogma. Can Mr Modi continue to balance both parts of his agenda and finish the job of turning India into a superpower? The Economist’s Avantika Chilkoti finds out what makes him tick. Launching June 2024. To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

4.5 (29)

NEWS
It might start with a lightbulb moment or a sudden flash of insight—but having an idea and making a success of it are very different things. It’s the gap between invention and innovation. In these six episodes, you’ll find out about the people and stories behind game-changing ideas and technology. Sign up for Economist Podcasts+ at www.economist.com/podcastsplus If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.

4.9 (36)

TECHNOLOGY
One question posed to a high-profile newsmaker, followed up with lively debate. Anne McElvoy hosts The Economist's chat show. Recent guests include Henry Kissinger, Chris Patten and Maggie Gyllenhall. Sign up for Economist Podcasts+ at www.economist.com/podcastsplus If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.

4.5 (144)

NEWS
How did two old, unpopular men end up running for the world's most demanding job? It’s the question John Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor, gets asked the most. And the answer lies in the peculiar politics of the baby boomers. Since 1992, every American president bar one has been a white man born in the 1940s. That run looks likely to span 36 years - not far off the age of the median American. This cohort was born with aces in their pockets. Their parents defeated Nazism and won the cold war. They hit the jobs market at an unmatched period of wealth creation. They have benefitted from giant leaps in technology, and in racial and gender equality. And yet, their last act in politics sees the two main parties accusing each other of wrecking American democracy. As the boomers near the end of their political journey, John Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor, sets out to make sense of their inheritance and their legacy. Launching July 2024. To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

4.4 (39)

POLITICS

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4.4

out of 5

1,220 Ratings

Excellent

12/12/2024

JFhist

By far the best podcasts for general news and in-depth analysis. Well worth subscribing to to enjoy all of the coverage which wide ranging and always excellent: from world news briefings, Espresso, and The Intelligence, in-depth analysis of events in America (Checks and Balance), China (Drum Tower), science and technology (Babbage), business/markets/economies (Money Talks) through to incredible multi episode series (Next Year in Moscow, The Prince, boom, Boss Class, The Modi Raj). I cannot recommend The Economist highly enough; the highest quality reporting and not the opinion piece outlets that many previously great news organisations have become. Subscribe!
Outstanding

22/11/2023

smallword22

Top quality journalism in bite sized chunks. Brilliant addition to what the Economist already offers. Love that it’s daily
Used to be good…

02/10/2024

grudge patron jodhpur vienna

Now fully biased & one sided against Israel. Shame.
Decent enough

27/04/2024

ChrisC Inc

The show is ok but think I will have some time out. Some commentators can be pretty one-sided and sound gleeful when discussing issues in the UK.
Will not be renewing subscription

24/04/2024

Flanners65

Used to enjoy especially Babbage but to left wing for me now.
Propaganda

20/01/2024

T33jo

Not recommended. I started reading The Economist in my youth, and over time, it became apparent that they have a distinct agenda. They manipulate their analysis by selectively omitting information and trivializing certain aspects. Despite their polished writing, it frequently reflects a subtle form of propaganda.
Would recommend

25/08/2023

LagerStout

A true extension of the print journalism - superbly researched with quality mini-series such as the Prince, last year in Russia, Drum Tower, the reporting from Alaska etc. Checks & Balance is the best current affairs podcast I have found. Diverse, interesting topics with excellent ‘presenters’. Thank you.
The Weekend Intelligence

11/11/2023

Enttopy

I listened to the IVF article in this new podcast, fabulous. I so want to listen to today’s “show”, apparently entitled “The Apology “, but it’s not available anywhere. Searching or the Weekend Intelligence merely brings up the introduction to this new podcast but none of the actual “shows “. I have subscribed to the Economist’s Podcast + but this show seems to be unavailable. Why is that?
My Desert Island podcast…

16/05/2023

Ajapwhite

If I could only take one Podcast to a desert island it would have to be The Economist. Personable presenters, a huge range of subjects (Babbage episodes are my favourite science-based podcasts - it isn’t just finance or politics!), great guests and invigorating interviews. For example, the 2015 interview with Trump remains the best insight into Trump’s mindset I’ve come across. The best all-round current affairs magazine podcast there is. Keep it up!
I paying customer, why are there ads?

07/07/2023

mcpoonski

I pay a digital subscription for the economist content. Would like a version of this podcast for people like us that has all the adverts removed