

Macrodose
Planet B Productions
Your weekly fix of everything economics. Hosted by James Meadway.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 9, 2025 • 27min
Rosa Luxemburg: Ecological Economist
On this week's MACRODOSE, James kicks off our economics history series with a look at the life and impact of the Jewish Polish-German revolutionary and Marxist theorist Rosa Luxembourg, and why her work has renewed relevance today (2:22).Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk.To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to planetbproductions.co.uk.

Jul 2, 2025 • 23min
Zohranomics w/ Kate Aronoff
This week on The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Kate Aronoff - staff writer at The New Republic - to discuss Zohran Mamdani's resounding victory in the democratic primary for New York City Mayor (0.57).In the full episode, available to Macrodose patrons, James & Kate also break down: - Attempts by US republicans to take from the poor and give to the rich via Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, set to cut health insurance for those on lower incomes and hand massive tax cuts to the wealthy.- Starmer’s Labour government coming a cropper over cuts to disability benefits and facing a backlash from the backbenches.Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.

Jun 25, 2025 • 21min
After Peace
On this week's MACRODOSE, James unpacks the big news story of the week: the US’ direct entry into the war in the Middle East, the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, and the potential long term geopolitical and economic fall outs (2:11). Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk.To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to planetbproductions.co.uk.

Jun 18, 2025 • 31min
War on Iran w/ Laleh Khalili
This week on The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Laleh Khalili - Professor of Gulf Studies at the University of Exeter and author of Sinews of War and Trade and Extractive Capitalism. Together, James and Laleh discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, with Israel escalating it’s U.S.-backed war on Iran. What are the potential geopolitical and economic consequences of escalating tensions in the region? (1.57)In the full episode, available to Macrodose patrons, the team also breaks down: - Trump’s proposed 'Golden Share' deal to control U.S. Steel - and what it could mean for the future of corporate governance and national industrial policy.- A rare dose of optimism: the New York mayoral primary, where insurgent candidate Zohran Kwame Mamdani is mounting a progressive grassroots challenge to disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo.Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.

Jun 11, 2025 • 15min
The Millionaire Exodus Myth
On this week's MACRODOSE, James unpacks:First, everything you need to know about today's Spending Review from the Labour government. What cuts are coming, and what does this mean for public services? (0:31) Second, the millionaire exodus that never was - new research debunks the myth that higher taxes are driving the rich to flee the UK (7:45). Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk.To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to planetbproductions.co.uk.

Jun 4, 2025 • 24min
Starmer's Military Keynesianism
On this week's episode of The Curve, James Meadway and Grace Blakeley discuss Rachel Reeves spending review, expected to mark a miserable return to austerity (1:41).In the full episode, James and Grace discuss Starmer pledging to increase defence spending to put Britain in a state of ‘war-fighting readiness’, and the Autonomy Institute's report on how maximum temperatures limits will be required for workplaces.The extended version of this show is available to Macrodose Patreon members. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.Autonomy Report: https://www.ier.org.uk/news/autonomy-institute-report-finds-2-3rds-of-uk-labour-force-could-be-working-in-extreme-heatwaves-by-end-of-2020s/Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at macrodose@planetbproductions.co.ukTo learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to planetbproductions.co.uk

May 28, 2025 • 1h 13min
LIVE: Green Futures in the Age of Trump w/ Kojo Koram, Nick Dearden & Maria Finnerty
Join Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now, who sheds light on international trade and his book, Pharmonomics. Maria Finnerty, lead economist at CAFOD, discusses the pressing issues of global debt justice. Kojo Koram, a law reader at Birkbeck College and author of Uncommon Wealth, analyzes the challenges facing neoliberalism today. The trio delves into the impacts of Trump's presidency on global trade dynamics, the urgent need for equitable policies, and the role of grassroots movements in shaping a sustainable future.

May 22, 2025 • 58min
LIVE: The Afterlives of Neoliberalism w/ Quinn Slobodian and Geoff Mann
To celebrate the launch of The BREAK—DOWN ISSUE #1, editor Adrienne Buller was joined by Quinn Slobodian and Geoff Mann for a timely conversation on the afterlives of neoliberalism, the climate crisis, and the global rise of the far right.ISSUE #1The BREAK—DOWN is dedicated to exploring the political economy of the climate crisis. We bring together personal stories, cultural critique, expert insight and radical imagination to explore the systems driving ecological collapse — and what it might take to confront them.In the wake of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, our first issue, RIGHT TURN, explores climate politics in an age of rising authoritarianism, asking what happens when the future of the planet is shaped by a hardening new right.Issue #1 is available now. Buy a print copy here.

May 21, 2025 • 17min
UK Avoids Recession (for now)
On this week's MACRODOSE, James Meadway unpacks: First, the UK avoids recession! Where did recent positive GDP figures come from and are they sustainable? (0:48) Second, more news from "The Uninsurable World", as global losses from natural disasters hit $318 billion in 2024 (3:28). And finally, how the Labour government is responding to historic droughts in the UK (12:07). Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk.To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to planetbproductions.co.uk.

May 14, 2025 • 16min
US-UK Trade Deal Explained w/ Faiza Shaheen
On this week's episode of The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Faiza Shaheen - distinguished policy fellow at the London School of Economics - to discuss the trade deal recently announced between the UK and US (1:49).In the full episode, James and Faiza investigate the sudden flurry of interest in the term “geoeconomics”, and reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is about to review Cash ISAs.The extended version of this show is available to Macrodose Patreon members. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.Macrodose LIVE tickets (May 22nd): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/macrodose-live-green-futures-in-the-age-of-trump-tickets-1325086472309 Pre-order issue one of The Break Down magazine: https://www.break-down.org/issues/1Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at macrodose@planetbproductions.co.ukTo learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to planetbproductions.co.uk


