

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

May 7, 2025 • 15min
Fresh Warnings For UK Food Suppliers
UK food suppliers issue urgent warnings about climate change impacting food security, as unpredictable weather poses significant risks. Meanwhile, rising tensions between India and Pakistan threaten water resource treaties, adding to the geopolitical strain. The discussion also highlights the need for effective adaptation strategies, advocating for better flood defenses, public water ownership, and sustainable farming practices to fortify communities against climate-related challenges.

Apr 30, 2025 • 18min
Blackout Europe w/ Adrienne Buller
On this week's episode of The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Adrienne Buller from The Break Down to discuss the electrical blackouts that hit southern europe, what caused them, and what they mean for climate policy (2:05).In the full episode, James and Adrienne go over the Canadian election results, the latest on international trade after Trump's liberation day, and the launch of The Break Down's first magazine issue.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

Apr 23, 2025 • 13min
Popenomics
On this week’s MACRODOSE, James Meadway breaks down two big stories. First (0:35), as US investors continue their sell-off, what could de-dollarisation mean for global markets and the balance of economic power? Second (8:41), James reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis following his passing—highlighting the economic themes of his papacy that have been largely overlooked in mainstream tributes.🎟 LIVE show tickets! (May 22nd)Green Futures in the Age of Trump, with James Meadway, Kojo Koram, Adrienne Buller & Nick Dearden:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/macrodose-live-green-futures-in-the-age-of-trump-tickets-1325086472309Subscribe 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? Drop us a line at macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk.Learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions:planetbproductions.co.uk

Apr 16, 2025 • 26min
Tariff Turbulence w/ Nick Dearden
On this week's episode of The Curve, James Meadway and Grace Blakeley are joined by Nick Dearden, Director of Global Justice Now and author of Trade Secrets: The Truth About the US Trade Deal and How We Can Stop It. Together, James, Grace & Nick discuss the continued fallout from Trump's tariff turbulence (2:12).In the full episode, they unpack the big British Steel debate here the UK, and the landmark UN decision to force shipping firms to pay for CO2 emissions. 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.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

Apr 9, 2025 • 14min
The End of Globalisation
On this week's MACRODOSE, James Meadway focuses on the one huge story of the week: Trump’s tariffs and the end of globalisation (1:17). As Washington announces a sweeping 10% minimum tariff on all US imports, decades of economic orthodoxy are being upended—and the world economy is being reshaped before our eyes. What do we make of it, and what happens next?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.

5 snips
Apr 2, 2025 • 23min
Liberation Day! w/ Yanis Varoufakis
Yanis Varoufakis, an influential economist and former Greek finance minister, joins the conversation. He discusses the implications of Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs and Germany's shift to military Keynesianism. The trio explores the potential for a wealth tax, the legacy of Nixon’s monetary policies, and strategies for U.S. dollar devaluation. They also delve into the transition from a unipolar to a multipolar world and the need for the UK to adapt. Varoufakis brings sharp insights on economic strategies that resonate with current global dynamics.

Mar 26, 2025 • 23min
Labour’s Welfare Crackdown & Washington’s EU Blackmail
On this week's MACRODOSE, James Meadway unpacks: the UK's Spring Statement and Labour’s reckless welfare cuts (0:51), how Trump’s America is using dollar swap lines to pressure the EU (7:55), and how global shipping companies are raking in record profits from worldwide trade disruptions (16:55).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.

Mar 19, 2025 • 46min
The UK’s Misguided Embrace of AI Hype (Macrodose & TWSU)
James is away from the show this week, so we’re sharing a great conversation between him and Paris Marx for the podcast Tech Won’t Save Us - a show offering a critical take on Big Tech and its impact on society.Paris and James dive into the UK’s relationship with tech. Why is Keir Starmer promising to, quote, “mainline AI into the veins of the nation”? Can we do anything about the UK’s dependence on Silicon Valley? And what might an alternative tech future look like?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.Support Tech Won't Save Us here.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.

Mar 12, 2025 • 21min
Germany Ditches Austerity, UK Doubles Down
On this week's MACRODOSE, James Meadway unpacks: Germany’s dramatic break from austerity as the government abandons its balanced budget commitments for the first time since 2009 (1:14), and a look at Rachel Reeves' planned cuts in Britain, sticking to the same old austerity playbook even as Germany goes the other way (10:37).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.MICHAEL BURKE – INCREASING MILITARY SPENDING WILL NOT RAISE LIVING STANDARDS 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.

Mar 5, 2025 • 19min
Germany's Election Results & Record US Food Imports [Patreon Preview]
In a new show from Macrodose:The Curve, James Meadway and Grace Blakeley break down the week’s biggest economic stories and what they mean for all of us.In this excerpt, they discuss the recent German federal election results and how Die Linke managed to turn things around (1:08).In the full episode, James and Grace look at how US food imports are at a record level, and some recommended reading on the global debt crisis.FULL SHOW: Patreon.com/macrodose


