Economist Podcasts

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Latest Episodes:

Big meet, little meat: the Trump-Xi summit Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Not much of real substance appears to have emerged from the get-together. But our correspondent says there are clues of how both sides view an evolving relationship. Tommy Robinson, a British far-right influencer, is increasingly well known to MAGA types in America; we examine his rise to prominence. And remembering Bob Mackie, daring dressmaker to the stars.

Watch extended clips from Insider here

Guests and host:

Simon Rabinovich, Beijing bureau chief
Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, trade war, diplomacy
Tommy Robinson, American politics, Texas
Bob Mackie, fashion

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Home disadvantage: risks in housing markets Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Rich-world house prices survived the last fit of interest-rate rises; our correspondent lays out why they may not this time. Nine months after Australia banned social media for under-16s, we ask if anything has changed. And a critical look at Israel’s hit show “Fauda” as it tackles the atrocities of October 7th.

Guests and host:

Callum Williams, senior economics writer
Josh Spencer, Asia news editor
Andrew Miller, special correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

housing markets, bond yields, interest rates
Australia, social media bans
“Fauda”, October 7th

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National front-runner: who can beat Le Pen? Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Marine Le Pen, party leader of France’s populist-right National Rally, starts her fourth presidential bid with a commanding lead. The country’s political centre is broad, fragmented—and flagging. A buffer zone against so-called infiltrators in India’s West Bengal state is making life miserable also for Indian citizens. And how Argentina’s supply of horses and cowboys led to world dominance in polo.

Guests and host:

Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
Hamish Clayton, culture writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

French politics, Marine Le Pen
India, West Bengal, Bangladesh, Hindu nationalism
Argentina, polo

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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The mob rule: criminality consumes South Africa Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

An illicit shadow economy, rampant extortion and the capture of the criminal justice system: mafia members and tactics are eating away at the state. Oura seems to have captured the market for smart rings; we ask whether it can keep its lead finger-tight. And our correspondent finds convention upended, for good and bad, at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

Guests and host:

John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

South Africa, organised crime, criminal justice
wearable tech, Oura rings
Lucas Museum

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Centre punch: Germany’s state-election shocker Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Two more state-election results reveal surging support for both the far-right AfD and the populist-left Die Linke parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz himself described the outcome as a disaster; what will it mean for him? Our correspondent looks into why there is so much enthusiasm for African stocks. And what the science says about blue-light exposure and sleep.

Guests and host:

Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Sam Wikeley, science correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

German politics, Friedrich Merz, AfD, Die Linke
African stockmarkets, Aliko Dangote
sleep science, blue light

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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Drone truth: Russia has the upper hand Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

After a visit to Ukraine last week, our defence editor reports on a new phase of the war as Kyiv and other civilian targets are bombarded by Russian missiles. He also visits an elite Ukrainian drone unit. Why alcohol companies are scrambling to innovate. And remembering the life of feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem. Watch extended clips from Insider

Guests and host:

Alex Turner, defence editor
Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Ukraine, drones, Shahed, Kyiv
Alcohol, beer, aperol
Gloria Steinem, feminism

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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Rise and shine: Warsh’s Fed rate test Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since July 2023. For the central bank’s new chair Kevin Warsh, that decision was a test both of monetary policy and politics. A governor’s election in Okinawa is a boon to Japan’s military ambitions. And why summer is a casualty of climate change.

Guests and host:

Archie Hall, acting economics editor
Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter
Andrew Miller, special correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, interest rates, inflation
Okinawa, Japan
Summer, climate change, heatwave

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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The end of the world is AI? An existential threat Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Is artificial intelligence becoming uncontrollably powerful? Our correspondent analyses whether a pause to breakneck development is possible or feasible. We have entered the new age of the orator. And why cheese is getting more popular in India.

Guests and host:

Alex Hern, AI writer
Tom Wainwright, culture correspondent
Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Human extinction, AI, Sam Altman, Dario Amodei
Oral culture, literacy, James Marriott, Walter Ong
Cheese, India, kalimpong

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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Islamism in Britain: what is the threat? Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Though a growing share of the British population is anxious about Islam, they have no reason to be. Islamism, a fringe ideology that believes government and society should be guided by Islamic principles, is the real concern. America cracks down on multinationals’ efforts to shift profits overseas. And why corporate training videos are virtually useless.

Guests and host:

Sonny Loughran, Britain correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, US business correspondent
Andrew Palmer, “Boss Class” host and Bartleby columnist
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Islamism, Britain, Islamophobia
IRS, corporate tax, Coca-Cola
Corporate training videos

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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Strait and narrowing: the Houthis’ striking advance Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

After years of stalemate, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis are taking territory, including on a Red Sea strait. We ask what has changed, and how the shift fits into the wider regional conflict. As America’s midterm elections approach, we examine the fragmentation of the coalition that put Donald Trump back in office. And we ask how much nepotism matters in Hollywood today.

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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