Macrodose

Latest Episodes:

Starmer's Military Keynesianism Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Curve, James Meadway and Grace Blakeley discuss Rachel Reeves spending review, expected to mark a miserable return to austerity (1:41).

In the full episode, James and Grace discuss Starmer pledging to increase defence spending to put Britain in a state of ‘war-fighting readiness’, and the Autonomy Institute's report on how maximum temperatures limits will be required for workplaces.

The extended version of this show is available to Macrodose Patreon members. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.

Autonomy Report: https://www.ier.org.uk/news/autonomy-institute-report-finds-2-3rds-of-uk-labour-force-could-be-working-in-extreme-heatwaves-by-end-of-2020s/

Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk

LIVE: Green Futures in the Age of Trump w/ Kojo Koram, Nick Dearden & Maria Finnerty May 28, 2025

Show notes

Last week, Macrodose returned to SPACE4 for another live show, looking at the future of global political economy under the shadow of Trump 2.0.

We explored where the UK fits into this shifting global landscape, what a radical economic programme could look like, and how green politics can rise to meet the moment.

Speakers:

James Meadway
Maria Finnerty (Cafod’s economic lead)
Kojo Koram (Author of Uncommon Wealth)
Nick Dearden (Director, Global Justice Now)

LIVE: The Afterlives of Neoliberalism w/ Quinn Slobodian and Geoff Mann May 22, 2025

Show notes

To celebrate the launch of The BREAK—DOWN ISSUE #1, editor Adrienne Buller was joined by Quinn Slobodian and Geoff Mann for a timely conversation on the afterlives of neoliberalism, the climate crisis, and the global rise of the far right.

ISSUE #1

The BREAK—DOWN is dedicated to exploring the political economy of the climate crisis. We bring together personal stories, cultural critique, expert insight and radical imagination to explore the systems driving ecological collapse — and what it might take to confront them.

In the wake of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, our first issue, RIGHT TURN, explores climate politics in an age of rising authoritarianism, asking what happens when the future of the planet is shaped by a hardening new right.

Issue ⁠⁠#1⁠⁠ is available now. Buy a print copy ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

UK Avoids Recession (for now) May 21, 2025

Show notes

On this week's MACRODOSE, James Meadway unpacks: First, the UK avoids recession! Where did recent positive GDP figures come from and are they sustainable? (0:48) Second, more news from "The Uninsurable World", as global losses from natural disasters hit $318 billion in 2024 (3:28). And finally, how the Labour government is responding to historic droughts in the UK (12:07).

Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.

Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.

To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.

US-UK Trade Deal Explained w/ Faiza Shaheen May 14, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Faiza Shaheen - distinguished policy fellow at the London School of Economics - to discuss the trade deal recently announced between the UK and US (1:49).

In the full episode, James and Faiza investigate the sudden flurry of interest in the term “geoeconomics”, and reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is about to review Cash ISAs.

Macrodose LIVE tickets (May 22nd): ⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/macrodose-live-green-futures-in-the-age-of-trump-tickets-1325086472309⁠

Pre-order issue one of The Break Down magazine: ⁠https://www.break-down.org/issues/1⁠

Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠⁠⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠⁠⁠

To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk

Fresh Warnings For UK Food Suppliers May 07, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s MACRODOSE, James Meadway breaks down two big stories. First (0:43), fresh warnings from UK food suppliers about the threat of climate change. Second (3:24), tensions between India and pakistan have seen the dismantling of a key treaty over the supply of water. And finally (10:32), a look at what Reform’s successes in the local elections could mean for England’s flood defences.

🎟 LIVE show tickets! (May 22nd)

Green Futures in the Age of Trump, with James Meadway, Kojo Koram, Adrienne Buller & Nick Dearden:⁠⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/macrodose-live-green-futures-in-the-age-of-trump-tickets-1325086472309⁠⁠

Find the Inside Track memo here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tATFmJG0wOtLDHxionMX0qNEXw49tjRl/view?usp=drivesdk

Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.

Got a question or comment? Drop us a line at ⁠⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠⁠.

Learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions:⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

Blackout Europe w/ Adrienne Buller Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Adrienne Buller from The Break Down to discuss the electrical blackouts that hit southern europe, what caused them, and what they mean for climate policy (2:05).

In the full episode, James and Adrienne go over the Canadian election results, the latest on international trade after Trump's liberation day, and the launch of The Break Down's first magazine issue.

Macrodose LIVE tickets (May 22nd): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/macrodose-live-green-futures-in-the-age-of-trump-tickets-1325086472309

Pre-order issue one of The Break Down magazine: https://www.break-down.org/issues/1

Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠⁠

To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠⁠planetbproductions.co.uk

Popenomics Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s MACRODOSE, James Meadway breaks down two big stories. First (0:35), as US investors continue their sell-off, what could de-dollarisation mean for global markets and the balance of economic power? Second (8:41), James reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis following his passing—highlighting the economic themes of his papacy that have been largely overlooked in mainstream tributes.

🎟 LIVE show tickets! (May 22nd)
Green Futures in the Age of Trump, with James Meadway, Kojo Koram, Adrienne Buller & Nick Dearden:⁠https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/macrodose-live-green-futures-in-the-age-of-trump-tickets-1325086472309⁠

Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.

Got a question or comment? Drop us a line at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.

Learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions:
planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

Tariff Turbulence w/ Nick Dearden Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Curve, James Meadway and Grace Blakeley are joined by Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now and author of Trade Secrets: The Truth About the US Trade Deal and How We Can Stop It. Together, James, Grace & Nick discuss the continued fallout from Trump's tariff turbulence (2:12).

In the full episode, they unpack the big British Steel debate here the UK, and the landmark UN decision to force shipping firms to pay for CO2 emissions.

Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠

The End of Globalisation Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

On this week's MACRODOSE, James Meadway focuses on the one huge story of the week: Trump’s tariffs and the end of globalisation (1:17). As Washington announces a sweeping 10% minimum tariff on all US imports, decades of economic orthodoxy are being upended—and the world economy is being reshaped before our eyes. What do we make of it, and what happens next?

Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.

Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.

To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.

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