Economist Podcasts

4.4 (37)
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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.

8 HR AGO

Manhattan transfer: New York’s finance folk flee

Taxes upon taxes are just one of the reasons that both financial-industry hotshots and businesses are moving out of the Big Apple. We look at what that might cost the city. A snapshot of the drinks business reveals a subtle picture of who is drinking what, and where. And the Chinese rapper that is fast becoming a global household name. 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.

22 min
18 HR AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Budget balancing act: an interview with France’s finance minister

France has been cycling through governments with head-spinning speed. Part of what has brought each down is a contentious 2026 budget. Sophie Pedder, our Paris bureau chief, shares her exclusive interview with Roland Lescure, France’s finance minister. They discuss how he intends to get the budget passed at last, and what is at stake if he does not. Hosts: Mike Bird, Ethan Wu and Alice Fulwood. Guest: Roland Lescure. 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.

41 min
1 DAY AGO

War-chest X-ray: how to finance Ukraine

Europe is edging closer to using seized Russian assets to finance Ukraine. The country badly needs that 140bn-euro windfall—and much, much more. A much-fretted-about AI jobs apocalypse is not here yet, but AI-adopting firms are hiring less for junior-level positions. And our ranking of the passports that permit the most freedom of movement. 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.

22 min
1 DAY AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Protecting the jungle: on the road with Madagascar’s seed hunters

Between 2001 and 2024, a quarter of Madagascar’s native rainforest has vanished. At this rate of destruction, those ecosystems will be entirely wiped out by the end of the century. Could collecting and preserving the seeds of the endangered plants help repair the country’s ancient forests? Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor. Guests: The Economist’s Ainslie Johnstone; Henintsoa Razanajatovo and Nomentsoa Randriamamonj of Kew Madagascar; Sharon Balding and Charlotte Lusty of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst. 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.

43 min
2 DAYS AGO

Bust a vessel: NATO v dark fleets

Ships of unknown origin or intent are flummoxing NATO forces on the high seas. Our correspondent visits the Latvian navy on the Virsaitis as it intercepts a mystery vessel. We examine China’s enormous gig economy and how 200m workers are turning precarious conditions to their advantage. And a new book explores what people talk about when they talk about antisemitism. 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.

24 min
2 DAYS AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Tough gig: what it’s like to work in modern China

Hu Anyan worked nineteen different jobs across twenty years in China’s gig economy. “I Deliver Parcels in Beijing”, his account of that time, has become a bestselling book. What do his experiences tell us about changing attitudes to employment in today’s China? And what could it mean for the country's stalling economy? Hosts: The Economist’s China correspondent, Sarah Wu and China researcher, Jiehao Chen 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.

38 min
3 DAYS AGO

Let Milei this out: Argentina’s midterms surprise

Voters overwhelmingly backed the party of President Javier Milei, handing him a lifeline he was not expected to get. We ask how he can finish his vast project of economic change. Meanwhile Germany’s promised package of sweeping reforms is turning out to be lacklustre. And why many video games appear to be getting harder after years of popular-appeal ease. 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.

25 min
5 DAYS AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

The Weekend Intelligence: Science under siege

It's been a tough year for American universities. The Trump administration has taken aim at elite institutions across the country, threatening their funding to force ideological change. And while the administration claims its objective is to punish antisemitic activities, and prevent universities from “promoting divisive ideologies,” the cuts have gone straight for the jugular: impounding money meant for the sciences to insist on changes in the humanities. And at the same time, this administration has demanded huge cuts to the research funding that is the life blood of American academia. Some universities, like Columbia, have come to a settlement with the government. Others, like Harvard, where this week' s episode was recorded, are choosing to fight back in court. In September, our Health Editor, Natasha Loder went to Boston for a fellowship run by Harvard University. While she was there, she met with people who’ve been affected by the government’s actions. People like Alberto Ascherio, who just seven months ago won the Breakthrough Prize for his discovery that a virus is one of the main causes of multiple sclerosis. And John Quackenbush, one of the world’s top cancer researchers. Natasha’s reporting shows that, like many of the policies to have come out of the White House recently, this doesn’t just affect American universities, or American scientists—its impact will be far reaching and long lasting. 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 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.

47 min

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Join Jason Palmer and Rosie Blau for noise-cancelling news and analysis from The Economist's global network of correspondents. Every weekday this award-winning podcast picks three stories shaping your world—the big shifts in politics, business and culture, plus things you never knew you needed to know. On Saturdays, download The Weekend Intelligence to dive deep into a single story, vividly told. 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.

3.9 (11)

DAILY 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4.5 (2)

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+. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3.6 (5)

BUSINESS
Gain a deeper understanding of China with Jeremy Page and Sarah Wu. The Economist’s China correspondents report from across the country and the places it influences beyond its borders. Jiehao Chen joins the discussion from London. This award-winning podcast takes on everything from the CCP to EVs and from ageing to AI. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3.0 (2)

NEWS
Join The Economist’s Mike Bird, Alice Fulwood and Ethan Wu for award-winning reporting and discussion on the stories that move markets. They speak to top bosses, investors and analysts around the world for unmatched insight into global finance, business and economics. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4.2 (6)

BUSINESS NEWS
Babbage is The Economist’s weekly podcast on science and technology—named after Charles Babbage, the grandfather of computing. Explore the science changing the way we live from AI to genetics, particle physics and space travel with Alok Jha. This award-winning podcast features in-depth interviews with top scientists and special episodes investigating wellness trends. 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

0.0 (0)

SCIENCE

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Alice Fulwood

Host
Mike Bird

Host
Patrick Lane

Host
Tom Lee-Devlin

Host
Alberto Ascherio

Guest
John Quackenbush

Guest
James Bennet

Guest
Steve Coll

Guest
David Rennie

Guest

4.4

out of 5

37 Ratings

Great podcast!

25/09/2018

zzz8567

Well developed ideas, every episode has been curated concisely based on contemporary issues faced by differing regions globally, coupled with distinguished individuals makes this podcast worth listening to!
Accent

10/09/2021

foxtrotte

There’s a weird female guest or presenter who speaks too fast with a strong accent. Pain in the ears for serious news.
Fantastic

12/09/2017

S, R

A brilliant podcast. Thoroughly informative and professional. An absolute must listen. I would like to commend the Economist for such an invaluable podcast. R Singh

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.