Economist Podcasts

The Economist Podcasts

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.

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Episode's summary

We examine the record of the man at the helm of India’s government. As protests pose a fresh threat, where will he take the country next? From New Hampshire to Virginia, our American-midterms series takes you to the races you might be missing. And the life of Winston Churchill’s last personal secretary. Guests and host: Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief Daniella Raz, US correspondent Ann Wroe, obituaries editor Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Narendra Modi, India, Cockroach-Janta party America’s midterm elections, abortion, California Cecily Gemmell, Winston Churchill Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

5836-

Silver-year strongman: 25 years of Narendra Modi

We examine the record of the man at the helm of India’s government. As protests pose a fresh threat, where will he take the country next? From New Hampshire to Virginia, our American-midterms series takes you to the races you might be missing. And the life of Winston Churchill’s last personal secretary. Guests and host: Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief Daniella Raz, US correspondent Ann Wroe, obituaries editor Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Narendra Modi, India, Cockroach-Janta party America’s midterm elections, abortion, California Cecily Gemmell, Winston Churchill Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Oct 2026
5835-

Effective non-altruism: Elon Musk’s foundation

The world’s richest person does not say much nice about philanthropy, and his foundation does not say much about itself. Our correspondent digs deeper. The next stop for our midterm-elections series is Kansas, where a Republican-seeming Democrat has an unlikely shot at the Senate. And an examination of the received wisdom about how many steps to walk in a day. Guests and host: Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer Daniel Knowles, Midwest correspondent Sam Wikeley, science correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Elon Musk, Musk Foundation, philanthropy America’s midterm elections, Kansas wellness, walking, received wisdom Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Oct 2026
5834-

Bye bye Bibi? Israel’s election results

Binyamin Netanyahu has underperformed but so has his main opponent, Gadi Eisenkot. Who will form a government? We decipher what the messy results mean for Israel. Our American-midterms series heads south to Georgia. And how film critics and audiences have agreed to disagree. Guests and host: Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent Rebecca Jackson, Southern correspondent Doug Dowson, data journalist Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Israel, Binyamin Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot America’s midterm elections, Georgia, Jon Ossoff Film critics, cinema, the box office Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Oct 2026
5833-

Act of Claude: Anthropic’s IPO bid

It would be the first public listing from a frontier-AI firm—and perhaps the largest IPO of all time. We comb through the filing to understand how the company is thinking about itself and its industry. Our American-midterms series continues in the battleground state of Alaska. And scientists consider how to redefine the second. Guests and host: Miles Kruppa, technology correspondent Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent David Adam, science writer Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Anthropic IPO, AI America’s midterm elections, Alaska the second, metrology, atomic clocks Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Oct 2026
5832-

From this day, fourth: Lula’s surprise win

Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, staged a historic comeback to win a fourth term. We ask how he did it, and what he must do next. Each day this week our correspondents in America are focusing on crucial midterm-election races; today we start in Texas. And tote-bag economics: why so many businesses are getting in on selling merchandise. Guests and host: Ana Lankes, Brazil bureau chief Rebecca Jackson, southern correspondent Lizzy Peet, researcher Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Brazil election, Lula, Flávio Bolsonaro America’s midterm elections, Texas, Ken Paxton, James Talarico economics of “merch” Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Oct 2026