Economist Podcasts

Latest Episodes:

Songs of disenchantment: the sorrow of Nigeria Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

Nigeria is suffering a worsening security crisis, compounded by a lean harvest, global aid cuts and rising energy prices. So why is President Bola Tinubu likely to win January’s election? Europe is struggling to develop a rival to Starlink and reduce reliance on American satellites. And our obituaries editor recalls the improbable career of author and conman Jeffrey Archer.

Watch extended clips from Insider here.

Guests and host:

Ore Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Jonathan Rosenthal, international correspondent
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Nigeria, Bola Tinubu
Starlink, Ukraine, Musk, OneWeb, Eutelsat
Jeffrey Archer, Kane and Abel, perjury

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Dunes and gloom: MBS’s annus horribilis Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

This week, Muhammad bin Salman, crown prince of Saudi Arabia, was forced to postpone his annual investment summit. His other big bets on the kingdom’s future are also floundering. Sam Bankman-Fried, a crypto-billionaire supporter of effective altruism, calls our correspondent from prison. And things look hazy in Singapore and other Asian countries.

Guests and host:

Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, US business correspondent
Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

MBS, Saudi, Davos in the desert, Future Investment Initiative
Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX, effective altruism
Indonesia, Singapore, wildfires, El Niño

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Cash test: can Europe support Ukraine alone? Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Donald Trump’s administration is turning against Ukraine. But as European powers confront trouble at home, they are struggling to replace American support. Are US private science institutions entering a golden age? And the climb in art crime.

Guests and host:

Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editor
Shera Avi-Yonah, US business correspondent
Vendeline von Bredow, senior Germany correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Ukraine, Witkoff, Zelenksy
Scientific research, National Science Foundation
Art theft, Louvre, Museum for Applied Art

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

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Disorder of magnitude: France’s riots Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

What started as student protests ballooned into national lawlessness. The disorder plays into the hands of France’s political extremes; expect more of it. In Zimbabwe white farmers are returning to work land taken by Robert Mugabe a quarter-century ago. And our columnist considers the delicate wording that might indemnify AI firms if the bots happen to wipe out humanity.

Guests and host:

Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent
Andrew Palmer, “Bartleby” columnist
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

France riots, French politics
Zimbabwe, agriculture, white farmers
AI, extinction-level events, legalese, parody

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

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Independence eh? Canada’s referendum Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

The province of Alberta will vote on secession today. It is unlikely to go ahead, but the separatist vibe is just one of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s many headaches. Our correspondent examines China’s efforts toward brain-computer interfaces, finding the country is closing the gap with America. And Britain’s “bug superhighways” link up the shrinking number of lush insect habitats.

Guests and host:

Robert Russo, Canada writer
Don Weinland, China business and finance editor
Bella King, news editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Canada, Alberta, separatists, referendum
China, brain-computer interfaces
Britain, insects, conservation

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Schrödinger’s chat: can AI and scientists co-exist? Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

In recent weeks, AI has solved hundreds of previously unanswered maths problems. Our correspondents ask if machines can do the same in other areas of science and what role human researchers may play. Why crisps are getting chunkier and chocolate chewier. And celebrating the life and work of author Annie Dillard.

Watch extended clips from Insider here.

Guests and host:

Alex Hern, AI writer
Alok Jha, science editor
Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Scientific research, mathpocalypse, AI
Crisps, snacks, texture, crunchtok
Annie Dillard, nature, obituary

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

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An interview with Alice Weidel Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Under Alice Weidel’s leadership the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a right-wing populist party, has been riding high. A series of successes in state elections have brought it closer than ever to power at national level. Ms Weidel is perhaps best known for her calls for “remigration” and criticism of Germany’s support for Ukraine. She spoke to The Economist’s editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes, for The Insider, our video show for premium subscribers. Hear their conversation in full.

Watch the show—and sign up to the Insider newsletter.

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

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Who wants to be a millennial? Generation comeback Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Their struggles to get jobs or buy homes once propelled political movements. Now many millennials are out-earning their parents and in positions of power. Our correspondent explains the transformation. Sophisticated tech tools are being used to sway voters in Israel. And why you should hold your tongue to high standards.

Guests and host:

Callum Williams, senior economics writer
Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Bella King, digital news editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Millennials, home ownership, unemployment
Israel, election, Netanyahu
Tongue-scrapers, dental hygiene

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

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Kicking Kyiv: Trump’s doubtful deals Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

Donald Trump claims to have brokered a deal to import Russian diesel and an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. As attacks on Kyiv continue, our deputy editor says Trump is risking Ukraine’s future for a mid-term bounce. India’s government is failing to quell Gen Z protests. And how song binds us together and brings joy.

Guests and host:

Edward Carr, deputy editor of The Economist
Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
Joel Budd, Britain social affairs editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Ukraine, diesel, energy ceasefire, Starlink
Cockroach party, Modi, Abhijeet Dipke
Singing, Sacha Langton-Gilks, choir

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

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Unrest in peace: misery in Gaza Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

A year ago Donald Trump created the Board of Peace to rebuild Gaza. Yet for many Palestinians, life is even harder, as the ceasefire is repeatedly violated, crime is rising and poverty rife. Why record labels are in a spin over AI music. And Japan is struggling to benefit from the global matcha boom.

Guests and host: