The Economist Podcasts

The Economist

5730 - First rate: Kevin Warsh’s Fed debut

Economist Podcasts constitute the comprehensive audio programming produced by *The Economist*, a global news and international affairs publication. While the organization is headquartered in London, the podcast network leverages a worldwide array of correspondents and editors to provide analysis on geopolitics, business, finance, science, and technology. The content is designed to offer the same analytical depth and global perspective found in the print edition, adapted for an audio-first audience.

The network's primary offering is *The Intelligence*, a daily program that investigates the underlying trends behind current headlines through interviews with on-the-ground journalists. Supplementary to this are several thematic weekly podcasts: *Money Talks* focuses on global markets and the economy; *Babbage* examines the latest developments in science and technology; and *Checks and Balance* explores the structural and political shifts within the United States. Additionally, *Drum Tower* provides weekly reporting and insights into China’s social and political landscape.

In late 2023, the network implemented a subscription model titled "Economist Podcasts+." Under this system, many of the weekly shows and narrative series—such as the management-focused *Boss Class* or the limited series *Boom!*—became exclusive to subscribers. However, the organization maintains a hybrid access model by keeping the weekday editions of *The Intelligence* accessible to all listeners, using it as a central hub for their broader audio catalog.

Production values are high, typically featuring a blend of studio interviews, field recordings, and scripted narrative segments. The tone is consistently objective and research-oriented, aimed at providing listeners with historical context and expert forecasting. Although the network maintains a global reach, it frequently focuses on significant regional developments across its major bureaus, including those in Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. This multi-platform approach ensures that its journalistic output remains accessible to a diverse, internationally-minded audience seeking rigorous analysis of world events.

5730 - First rate: Kevin Warsh’s Fed debut