The Weekend Intelligence from The Economist

The Economist

One story, vividly told. Join The Economist’s correspondents from around the world as they step back from the news to report on the people, places and ideas that matter most to them and shape all our lives. Published every Saturday. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. A life less Earthly

    6 DAYS AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    A life less Earthly

    Talking to space architects and scientists, real astronauts, and secret wannabes, Jessica Camille Aguirre set out to discover the blueprint for a possible moon base—and what she found was a vision for the evolution of humanity. Topics covered: Space Living on the moon Artemis program Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts

    40 min
  2. The red-state psychedelic

    28 MAR • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    The red-state psychedelic

    Ibogaine, a potent psychedelic, is coming to red-state America. Tamara Gilkes Borr meets one of the movement’s most determined advocates, an evangelist on a mission to spread ibogaine across America, to understand why this illegal and potentially dangerous psychedelic is gaining popularity among conservatives. Topics covered: ibogaine psychedelics conservatives opioid crisis Bryan Hubbard Links to articles: Kentucky eyes ibogaine https://www.economist.com/united-states/2023/12/30/kentucky-eyes-ibogaine-a-psychedelic-to-treat-opioid-addiction A psychedelic medicine performs well against depression https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/02/19/a-psychedelic-medicine-performs-well-against-depression Amanda Feilding fought to rescue the reputation of psychedelics https://www.economist.com/obituary/2025/06/05/amanda-feilding-fought-to-rescue-the-reputation-of-psychedelics 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. Music by Blue dot and Epidemic This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI.

    49 min
  3. Screwed by AI?

    21 MAR • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Screwed by AI?

    At one of the stands displaying AI-powered sex dolls at the Adult Video Network expo, there is a robot holding a handwritten sign saying, “You can do anything to me.” For generations, criticism of the porn industry has focused on the treatment of performers. But in the age of AI, the users of porn are more vulnerable than ever. The Economist’s Avantika Chilkoti travels to the Oscars of porn to find out how AI is changing the industry—and what it might mean for all of us. Topics covered: AI Adult sex industry Intimacy and relationships Humanoid robots

    45 min
  4. Kidulting

    14 MAR • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Kidulting

    The toy industry has a problem: there aren’t enough children. Its solution? Adults. Rosie Blau reports on the rise of the "kidult". Is there anything wrong with big kids collecting toys? And what does it say about her that —secretly— she might want one. Topics covered: Toy industry Demographic change Kidults 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. Music provided by Domestic Background Music, and bluedot Sessions This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI.

    41 min
  5. The last whales at Marineland

    7 MAR • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    The last whales at Marineland

    Last autumn, a shuttered amusement park in Niagara Falls, Canada, tried to export its 30 remaining belugas to China. When the Canadian government blocked that sale on welfare grounds, the park threatened to euthanise the animals. So began the race to save the whales. Sam Colbert reports on the challenge of re-homing captive whales. Even among leading scientists, what’s best for the animals is far from clear. Topics covered: Animal rights Marine-mammal science Theme parks Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Epidemic Sound Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts

    44 min
  6. How to prepare for an invasion

    28 FEB • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    How to prepare for an invasion

    Just one generation after they gained independence, people in the Baltic States are watching the threat from the Kremlin creep closer and closer. In Lithuania, the government is preparing the population to resist an invasion. On “The Weekend Intelligence” Katie Bryant travels to Vilnius to ask how facing up to threat is changing the nation. Topics covered: Lithuania Civil defence Disinformation 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. Music by bluedot Sessions and Epidemic Sound. This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI.

    44 min
  7. Inside Nepal’s Gen Z Revolution

    21 FEB • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Inside Nepal’s Gen Z Revolution

    Nepal’s youth took to the streets last September when the government banned social media. It became a protest about corruption. Police killed 19 protestors, the youngest just twelve years old. After a day of violence the parliament building in Kathmandu lay smoldering, the prime minister had fled, and Nepal was left with a burning question—what next? The Economist’s Jiehao Chen visited Nepal to meet the Gen Z revolutionaries trying to repair their fractured nation. Topics covered: Nepal Gen-Z protests Social media ban 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. Music by Blue dot and Epidemic This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI.

    42 min

  8. 31 JAN

    PSA: Taking a short break

    Instead of your usual episode of The Weekend Intelligence, we are bringing you season 3 of Boss Class. The series asks, how should employees and managers adapt to the world of AI? You'll find it wherever you listen to The Intelligence. The Weekend Intelligence team is on a short hiatus. We're using the time to report, gather and polish more stories for you. We'll be back Saturday 21st February. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 min
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One story, vividly told. Join The Economist’s correspondents from around the world as they step back from the news to report on the people, places and ideas that matter most to them and shape all our lives. Published every Saturday. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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