The Intelligence from The Economist
The Economist
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
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Episodes
Mentioned books
23 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 24min
Country of the year: The Economist’s pick for 2025
Chris Lockwood, Deputy Foreign Editor at The Economist, introduces the rigorous selection process for Country of the Year. Josie DeLapp makes a compelling case for Syria, highlighting political changes and humanitarian improvements following Assad's overthrow. Hal Hodson argues for Argentina, showcasing its economic reforms and declining poverty. The debate weighs the significance of humanitarian gains against economic progress, ultimately leading to Syria being named the winner for its substantial strides in safety and stability.
14 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 21min
Weight boss? Competition for Novo Nordisk
Shalash Chitnis, a global business writer for The Economist, dives into the fierce competition between Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in the weight-loss drug market. He highlights how Lilly's ZepBound is threatening Novo's dominance. Lane Green, a language writer, explores the origins of slang, arguing that crude words may have been among the first uttered by humans. Bella King, covering agriculture, discusses the surprising rise in wool prices tied to demand and the happiness of sheep, while highlighting the challenges facing Britain's wool industry.
10 snips
Dec 17, 2025 • 20min
Emissions possible: EU petrol ban quashed
Tom Lee Devlin, The Economist's business editor, shares insights on the EU's recent decision to dilute its 2035 petrol and diesel vehicle ban, highlighting concerns for automakers amid rising competition from Chinese EVs. He discusses the barriers hindering EV adoption, including costs and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Henry Kerr, the economics editor, explores potential nominees for the Federal Reserve chair, examining the political pressures that threaten the institution's independence. They also reveal the winning word of the year, 'slop,' and its cultural significance.
4 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 20min
After Bondi: how to tackle extremism
Sue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent for The Economist, shares insights from her on-the-ground reporting of the Bondi Beach attack, detailing the suspects' training and links to Islamic State. She discusses the national grief and public response, including acts of bravery during the attack. Rachel Lloyd contributes by recommending standout books of 2025, offering a delightful cultural escape. The conversation also touches on the rising popularity of unique advent calendars, analyzing the trend's connection to consumer behavior and year-round anticipation.
7 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 21min
Judgment day: Jimmy Lai convicted
Alice Su, a senior international correspondent with deep insights into China and Hong Kong, discusses the conviction of media mogul Jimmy Lai under the national security law and its chilling effects on dissent. Joel Budd, social affairs editor, explains how UK policies are hurting London, from funding cuts to the exodus of wealthy residents. Meanwhile, Alex Hearn, known for his 'hungover correspondent' title, shares why hangovers happen and offers scarce solutions, debunking popular myths about relief that just prolong the pain.
21 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 28min
Right, here, waiting: Europe’s populists on the rise
Guests include Tom Nuttall, a Berlin bureau chief analyzing Germany's populist rise, Sophie Petter, a Paris expert on France's National Rally, and Matthew Holhaus, covering the UK’s Reform UK under Farage. They delve into the shared themes of immigration and anti-elite sentiment across Europe. Sophie highlights the National Rally's transformation, while Tom discusses the AfD's radicalization. Matthew outlines strategies against Farage’s movement and anticipates key political tests in upcoming elections, framing it as a critical moment for Europe.
25 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 17min
Ven and the art of hemispheric maintenance: America’s national-security posture
Explore America's new national-security strategy, emphasizing dominance in the Western Hemisphere, and the implications of seizing a Venezuelan oil tanker. Discover how remote work is reshaping cities, leading to empty offices and changing downtown economics. Learn why Pepsi reigns in the Middle East, tracing its success back to historical boycotts and strategic partnerships. Dive into the contrasts in responses to local markets and the effects of political trends on cola preferences.
21 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 20min
Digital stimulation: AI and porn
Avantika Chilkoti, a global business writer for The Economist, dives into the provocative intersection of AI and the porn industry. She discusses how generative AI is transforming production processes, shifting focus to on-demand content and user-customizable experiences. The risks associated with automation and the potential replacement of sex workers are explored, alongside the troubling rise of violent trends and deepfakes. Avantika also touches on licensing issues and regulatory responses while hinting at the darker uses of technology in the entertainment industry.
20 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 23min
“You’re…fired?” A momentous Supreme Court case
Join Stephen Mazey, a Supreme Court correspondent, and Tim Cross, a senior science writer, as they dive into pivotal issues surrounding presidential power and astronomy. Mazey discusses the far-reaching implications of a Supreme Court case on presidential removal authority, while Cross sheds light on how satellite constellations are sabotaging astronomical observations, leading to innovative challenges in current technology. They also explore the surprising resurgence of the pen industry amidst declining trends. It's a fascinating blend of law, science, and market dynamics!
23 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 25min
Transitional injustice: Syria one year after Assad
Gareth Brown, a Middle East correspondent, discusses the fragile balance in Syria post-Assad: newfound freedoms and rising sectarian tensions. He also highlights the government's neglect of transitional justice and concerns over centralization of power. Carla Suborana, a news editor focused on Latin America, reveals the rise of sex tourism and trafficking, driven by drug gangs exploiting vulnerable migrants. She explains how these crimes are meticulously orchestrated and the challenges in combating them, shedding light on a dark underbelly of exploitation in both regions.
