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
28 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.
71 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.
50 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.
104 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.
68 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 4min
The Big Short is Big Back
Michael Lewis reflects on the legacy of his book, revisiting the 2008 financial crisis. He discusses the pivotal moment when banks showcased their failings, signaling systemic risks. With insights from real-life characters and the filmmakers, he explores the fortunes made by betting against Wall Street. The connections between the crisis and political shifts, including the rise of Donald Trump, are also examined. Listeners gain a fresh perspective as he narrates the new audiobook, unearthing in-depth stories from key figures.
68 snips
Feb 11, 2025 • 30min
Sen. Richard Blumenthal on the SAFE Bet Act
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic U.S. senator from Connecticut, dives into the urgent need for regulating sports gambling through the SAFE Bet Act. He highlights the act's focus on curbing gambling advertisements and funding treatment for addiction, painting a vivid picture of sports gambling as a potential public health crisis. Blumenthal discusses the shifting landscape of sports betting and the parallels it shares with the tobacco industry, emphasizing the importance of consumer protection and accountability in an increasingly tempting environment.
146 snips
Feb 4, 2025 • 30min
Dr. Laurie Santos on Group Psychology, the Teen Brain, and Happiness
In a captivating discussion, Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab, explores the intriguing psychology behind sports fandom and teenage behavior. She shares insights on the emotional landscapes distinguishing sports and celebrity fandom, while highlighting the risks of mobile betting for youth. Santos delves into adolescent decision-making processes, the gender dynamics of teen sports betting, and effective strategies for motivating teens through respect and autonomy, shedding light on their unique psychological needs.
115 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 31min
Natasha Schüll on the Antisocial Lure of Gambling
Natasha Schüll, an NYU associate professor and anthropologist, spent over a decade studying slot machine gamblers in Las Vegas. She reveals that many players actually loathe winning, exploring how the digital transformation of gambling has made all forms of betting feel more solitary. Schüll discusses the isolating experience of casino gaming despite promotional messages of social interaction, and how this underscores the addictive design of modern gambling technologies, including mobile apps that particularly lure younger users.
356 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 46min
Episode 10: “Anybody Can Win, but Everybody’s Gonna Lose”
Explore the alarming rise of sports gambling, especially among teens, and the complex cultural shifts since legalization. A father's experiment with his son reveals the psychological and ethical challenges of betting, highlighting the need for responsible practices. Dive into the fascinating world of prop bets and the emotional rollercoaster of gambling, where highs and lows coexist. Personal anecdotes, insightful readings, and discussions about the implications for families emphasize the critical need for understanding in this new landscape.
140 snips
Jan 14, 2025 • 30min
Episode 9: Framing the Gambler
Charlie Lewis, a journalist with Crikey, shares insights on Australia's ingrained sports gambling culture. He explores the disturbing parallels between gambling and the opioid crisis, highlighting how predatory practices exploit society’s vulnerabilities. The podcast delves into the ethical dilemmas facing the gambling industry, comparing it to tobacco's past. It also discusses the role of misinformation and regulatory failures in protecting users, shedding light on the urgent need for accountable practices in the face of a growing addiction crisis.
