Against the Rules: The Big Short Companion
Pushkin Industries
Michael Lewis’s best-selling book The Big Short is now 15 years old. The Oscar-winning movie based on it came out a decade ago. To mark the occasion, Lewis has narrated a new audiobook of The Big Short. Here on his podcast, he and co-host Lidia Jean Kott are thinking about the legacy of the book, the movie, and the financial crisis of 2008. Michael catches up with the director of the movie, Adam McKay, as well as some of the real-life characters depicted by the likes of Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell and Jeremy Strong. He also calls up journalists, economists, and historians to make sense of the 2008 financial crisis and to understand how it still affects the world today.
Get your copy of The Big Short audiobook, narrated by Michael Lewis, on Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, pushkin.fm/bigshort or wherever you get audiobooks.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
Get your copy of The Big Short audiobook, narrated by Michael Lewis, on Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, pushkin.fm/bigshort or wherever you get audiobooks.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
Episodes
Mentioned books
17 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 48min
How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now: A Giving Tuesday Special from The Happiness Lab
Tim Harford, a journalist and economist known for his insights on behavior, shares a touching story of kindness involving a returned passport. J.R. Martinez, an inspiring Army veteran and actor, recounts how receiving a dog changed his life. Dr. Maya Shunker, a psychologist, emphasizes the powerful impact of moral elevation from her childhood experiences. Together, they explore the joy of giving and its profound effect on happiness and community trust, promoting how even small acts can have monumental outcomes.
550 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 36min
Michael Burry Speaks
In this engaging conversation, Michael Burry, the hedge fund manager known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, reveals his insights on current market dynamics. He discusses his critical role in developing credit-default swaps and why he closed his fund despite significant gains. Burry critiques the rise of passive investing and shares his bearish outlook on tech giants like Nvidia and Palantir, drawing parallels with past market manias. He also expresses skepticism about Bitcoin and offers intriguing views on the future of AI and investment strategies.
70 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 41min
How the Financial Crisis Broke Politics
To wrap up our series on The Big Short, Michael Lewis speaks with two people who represent two very different responses to the financial crisis of 2008: US Senator Elizabeth Warren, an expert in bankruptcy law who became an advisor to the Obama White House before running for higher office in Massachusetts. And Michael interviews former Trump White House advisor and right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon, who talks about how the financial crisis radicalized him. Order The Big Short audiobook, now narrated by Michael Lewis, on Audible, Spotify, pushkin.fm/bigshort or wherever you get audiobooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
95 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 31min
How the Financial Crisis Broke Wall Street
In a riveting discussion, Michael Lewis chats with Matt Levine, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and former Goldman Sachs investment banker. They delve into what the financial crisis revealed about Wall Street, exploring how risk shifted post-2008 to hedge funds and high-frequency trading firms. Levine highlights Bitcoin's emergence as a reaction to the crisis and warns that short-term funding remains a crux for financial turmoil. He also shares insights on the rise of stablecoins and the evolving landscape of bank regulation, hinting at where the next financial shakeup might occur.
249 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 35min
Lessons of the Great Depression
Andrew Ross Sorkin, a financial journalist and author known for his insights on market crises, dives deep into the 1929 crash and its parallels with 2008's meltdown. He discusses the rampant speculation and margin credit that fueled the roaring twenties, revealing the personalities like Thomas Lamont and Jesse Livermore who played pivotal roles. Sorkin also contrasts the Federal Reserve's inaction in 1929 with its aggressive response in 2008. The conversation explores how narratives of blame and public trust in institutions have evolved over time.
163 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 46min
Lender of Last Resort
Emi Nakamura, a UC Berkeley macroeconomist, dives deep into the Federal Reserve's critical role during the 2008 financial crisis. She explains the Fed's origins in response to banking crises and discusses how its decisions shaped economic policies. Nakamura highlights the complexities of monetary intervention, including the controversial bailouts and the evolving nature of money from gold to modern currency. She also warns about the potential risks to the Fed's independence and public trust in the aftermath of such interventions.
120 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 23min
The FrontPoint Boys
Join former FrontPoint traders Porter Collins, Danny Moses, and Vincent Daniel, who gained notoriety by betting against subprime mortgage bonds during the financial crisis. They dive into their pivotal decisions, revealing how they identified cracks in the housing market. The trio shares personal reflections on the fallout and moral complexities of profiting from others' misfortunes, while also addressing why most Wall Street traders overlooked crucial data. Their insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the chaotic world of finance during a historic collapse.
118 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 23min
The Short Sellers
Steve Eisman, the astute investor and founder of FrontPoint Partners, known for his foresight in the subprime mortgage crisis, shares his riveting insights. He discusses the alarming moment he recognized fraud in the mortgage market and reflects on chaotic moments during Lehman's collapse. Eisman critiques the systemic failings in Wall Street's due diligence and questions the lack of criminal prosecutions. He also delves into current risks in private equity and the dual systems of justice stemming from the financial crisis.
59 snips
Oct 18, 2025 • 26min
Michael Lewis Interviews His Producer
In this enlightening discussion, producer Lydia Jean Kott shares her journey uncovering the Chinatown drug trials of the 1980s. Known for her work on The Chinatown Sting, she reveals how mahjong parlors linked the defendants and shaped the investigation. Lydia recounts the emotional challenges of telling the stories of those affected and the unique methods used by law enforcement, including covert operations and surveillance tech. Her insights into the human side of the prosecution provide a fascinating perspective on this complex case.
144 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 37min
Adam McKay is Still Angry About 2008
Adam McKay, acclaimed film writer-director known for his work on comedies like Anchorman and for directing The Big Short, joins Michael Lewis to unpack the lasting impact of the 2008 financial crisis. McKay shares insights into his transition from comedy to serious filmmaking, the challenges of adapting Lewis's book, and how he used humor to tackle complex financial concepts. He reveals the star-studded cast's role in bringing the film to life and expresses his ongoing anger about the crisis and its political ramifications.
