Economist Podcasts

We examine one of America’s primary races, in which a sharply lefty candidate beat the establishment figure. What does that reveal about changes in the Democratic Party? For decades China’s Yangtze River was a polluted, overfished mess. We look at the wins from cleaning it up—and who loses. And a fond look back at postcards as they fade from use.

Guests and host:
John Prideaux, executive editor and host, “Checks and Balance”
Gabriel Crossley, China correspondent
Catherine Nixey, Britain correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
America’s primary season, Democratic Socialists of America, Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed
China, Yangtze River, remediation
postcards, second world war, British history

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Fewer clouds, shrinking ice caps, changing pollutants: all result in less of the sun’s energy being reflected back into space. Which is more bad news for a changing climate. Our correspondent explains why so much more of the world’s cocaine is passing through west Africa. And the data that reveal Americans’ discomfort about wives earning more than their husbands.

Guests and host:
Oliver Morton, planetary-affairs editor
Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
Doug Dowson, data journalist
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
climate change, albedo, global temperatures
Africa, cocaine, smuggling
wage equality, gender pay gap

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President Donald Trump’s claim that Hamas had agreed to disarm in Gaza was, at best, premature. We examine the sticking points of a lasting deal. New-business applications are on a tear in America. We ask why so many people are working for themselves—but not doing much hiring. And the enduring popularity of radio in Africa, aided rather than degraded by social media.

Guests and host:
Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
William Finlator, contributor to The Economist
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Gaza, Hamas, Israel, Board of Peace
American business, entrepreneurship
Africa, media, radio

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The deadly rush of migrants into the Spanish exclave has deep roots in a wider North African conflict—and implications for a far wider European fight about immigration. Our India columnist presents an incomplete list of falling objects as a way to examine public-safety failures. And a data dive that reveals how AI writing is forever shifting.

Guests and host:
Michael Reid, Spain correspondent and writer at large
Leo Mirani, Ashoka columnist
Caitlin Talbot, digital culture correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Ceuta, migration, Spain, EU, Schengen
India, public safety
AI writing, waning human primacy

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From impasse in Iran to still-unresolved conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, a trend is clear: President Donald Trump’s scant, early plans for peace do not actually forge a path to it. Our correspondent says that in the driverless-car future, it will often be Chinese AI behind the wheel. And remembering Wally Funk, who never relinquished her ambition to become an astronaut.

Watch extended clips from Insider, plus our full Elon Musk interview, here

Guests and host:
Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent
Don Weinland, China business and finance editor
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Iran war, Strait of Hormuz, diplomacy
China, AI, driverless cars
Wally Funk, astronauts

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

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