Economist Podcasts

4.3 (3.7K)
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.

23H AGO

Fed man walking? Trump v Powell

First, Jerome Powell, chairman of the Federal Reserve, was for the chop; then he was safe. As elsewhere President Donald Trump’s flip-flopping chips away at American credibility. After years of working from home, data make clear which demographic likes to do more of it (10:40). And electric vehicles do pollute the air—just not from the tailpipe (17:19). 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
1D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Car crash: has Elon Musk damaged his business empire?

When Elon Musk took on a new job leading Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, it might have seemed like a savvy move. But while he was busy slashing US federal spending, his business empire was facing serious threats. This week, Tesla revealed its first quarter results. Net income was down 70%, while car revenues were down 20%. On a call with Tesla investors, Mr Musk vowed to take a step back from Doge. But is it too little, too late? And has cosying up to Mr Trump paid off in any way at all? Hosts: Ethan Wu and Tom Standage. Guests: Ross Gerber of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management; Tu Le, founder of Sino Auto Insights; and Chris Quilty, co-founder of Quilty Space. 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.

47 min
1D AGO

Division multiplication: the UAE’s foreign meddling

The United Arab Emirates projects an image of level-headed calm in the Gulf. Its actions abroad, however, betray a far more divisive and ideological agenda. Japan’s recent rice crisis is in part about market reforms—but solving it is mostly about making farmers happier (10:29). And a romp through the linguistics (and culture-war triggers) of personal pronouns (17:08). 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
2D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Material world: should you worry about microplastics?

Few materials have had such an influence on humanity as plastic. But as a result, tiny fragments, known as microplastics, have become ubiquitous in the environment. They have been found in Earth’s most pristine environments, from Antarctica to the deepest ocean trenches. And researchers have even detected microplastics in human blood and breast milk, and in organs such as the heart and the brain. How worried should you be about their impact on human health? Hosts: The Economist’s Alok Jha and Gilead Amit. Contributors: Mark Miodownik of University College London; Douglas Walker of Emory University; and The Economist’s health-care correspondent, Slavea Chankova. Read more about new ways to recycle plastic and how to manage waste better. 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.

42 min
2D AGO

Cardinals in: choosing the next pope

As the cardinals of the coming conclave prepare, our correspondent considers what will guide them. Which of the church’s challenges will the next pope be elected to address? In Mexico the discovery of a ranch littered with clothing adds disturbing evidence to a torrent of mysterious disappearances (9:24). And the wild goings-on at cinema screenings of “A Minecraft Movie” (15:55). 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.

21 min
3D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Everything everywhere all at once: how Chinese hacking got so good

As tensions with America rise, China has found an edge. A decade ago, Chinese cyber-operations were clumsy and unsophisticated. But a dramatic shift has taken place. Chinese hacking is now formidable—and it has been turbocharged by the private sector and hacking competitions. Alice Su, The Economist’s senior China correspondent and Shashank Joshi, our defence editor, ask: how did China become a cyber powerhouse? 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.

44 min
3D AGO

A man of the people: Pope Francis has died

He shunned fancy vestments and paid surprise visits to prisons and hospitals: our obituaries editor reflects on the life of a reform-minded pontiff who preferred to be among his flock. High-protein snacks are on an absolute tear, and one explanation is linked to new weight-loss drugs (7:49). And the thorny business of nudging an employee towards resigning (14:31). 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.

20 min
6D AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

The Weekend Intelligence: Make Babies Great Again

In our last episode looking at the impact of falling birth rates, Weekend Intelligence senior producer Barclay Bram travels to Austin, Texas to attend Natalcon, America’s leading pro-natalist gathering. While pro-natalists may seem fringe, it turns out they’ve got friends in high places. Recently, Elon Musk, JD Vance and President Trump have all championed their cause. But who are the pro-natalists and how have they cornered the debate on such an existential issue?

44 min

See All (2.3K)

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

4.5 (2357)

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+.

4.7 (194)

BUSINESS
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.

4.3 (905)

BUSINESS NEWS
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.

4.1 (1005)

DAILY 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.

4.5 (1398)

POLITICS
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

4.8 (567)

TECH NEWS
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 (354)

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.

4.8 (884)

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.

4.3 (517)

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 (62)

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.

4.1 (67)

NEWS
This series goes behind the scenes of the future to meet the people who are building tomorrow's world. We examine the future of money—the death of cash, the rise of challenger banks and the potential of cryptocurrencies. 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 (45)

BUSINESS
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.

4.9 (495)

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 (100)

TECHNOLOGY
This future-gazing series examines an assortment of speculative scenarios, what-if conjectures and provocative prophecies. Not all of them will come to pass, but thinking about possible futures can help us understand the present, and catch glimpses of the world ahead. 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 (106)

NEWS

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4.3

out of 5

3,688 Ratings

Okay

12/15/2024

No DRM

It’s about the only news podcast I can listen to anymore, so I guess I’m coming to appreciate it.
Not Engaging

Mar 19

Whyy76?

I’m sorry but relative to platforms like The Daily, WSJ, and NPR, Economist Podcasts is dreadfully boring. The reporting and discussions are stale and lack fervor to keep listeners engaged and tuned in. The content creation needs a shakeup.
Losing our minds over Trump

Feb 26

peredavi

Seems like commentary is increasingly Leftist. Most of your concerns are over DOGE cuts. No real discussion of all of the fraud and waste being found in government. No talk of massive deficit and doing something about it. Sounds like a highbrow elitist discussion of horrors of cutting bloated government. Becoming very difficult to listen to. Glad when subscription ends.
Bring Jon Fasman back

Feb 24

lifeisgood001

Checks and Balances isn’t what it once was without Jon Fasman. Idriss’ smug attitude is unwelcome. I missed Jon Fasman as soon as he left, but especially since Elon took over the treasury payment systems three weeks ago, Idriss didn’t indicate that his pulse was elevated in the slightest. As we endure a power grab in America and are losing what’s best about our values as a nation, we need Jon Fasman back with us.
Par excellence

Feb 15

PratimDatta

I am a business professor and ex-industry consultant. The Economist never economises, neither on its rigour nor on its relevance. Thrillingly factual work! Just the right amount of capital intelligence injection to finance our intellectual deficits, so known and most unknown (for me). What a publication and what brilliant coverage. My only recommendation would be to move a little more from a slight left-to-center lEuropean liberalism to a bit more centrist tone and parlance. Ecce Economist!
TRAILER: Spam Inc

Feb 5

TinyBigTree

Seriously, love the publication, love the podcast. But getting a notification every other day for their new special ‘Scam Inc’ is absolutely ridiculous.
Great brief of world events.

11/18/2024

jordank25

As another reviewer notes, the bad reviews come from people who can't stand Trump *and* people who can't say a bad thing about Trump. That tells you everything you need to know. This is a direct, balanced report on major news.
Unbalanced

11/06/2024

IskanderMakedon

I want to like the Economist more, because it has some good programming with interesting stories, but the political reporting is always slanted. Why? Anything conservative or right leaning seems to be bashed by the Economist’s reporters. It really is off putting and why I am giving the program two stars.
Thought provoking and then your bias

11/01/2024

moving on-missu

Inflation, energy policy blunders, electric car market crashing, looming recession, 2 wars, all on the Biden-Harris Administration and yet Trump is the greater threat? Shame on your lack of perspective. Your bias has clouded your vision. Inflation, poor energy policy, and wars can all get worse, and leaving the same players in the game is not how we turn the page. How many people must die in these wars? how many families must save for another 4 years for a car or a home? I’m ashamed of you, you can’t help your readers if you can’t see clearly.
I subscribe….

11/06/2024

c.hristovski

The Economist is getting my scathing 1* review because it’s actually just a sub par predictive news agency. The fact they spent a half year yapping about a close thing that was a Trump blowout showed me that they are just like all the other entertainment news agencies out there and are, in the best interpretation, just not very good or, in the worst interpretation, knowingly misleading.