Economist Podcasts

The rise of generative AI has put new urgency into ancient questions. What is consciousness, and can machines ever have it? We dive into the data that reveal a surge in sexually transmitted infections in Europe. And our obituaries editor considers the life of Mary de Rachewiltz, translator and tireless defender of her father, Ezra Pound.

Watch extended clips from Insider here.
Guests and host:
Alok Jha, science & technology editor
Stephen Hurford, newsdesk writer
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
AI, consciousness
sexual health, STIs, STDs, Europe
Mary de Rachewiltz, Ezra Pound

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From anti-corruption probes to a disgruntled ex-minister calling for elections to disrupted grain shipments, headaches are mounting for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. China has until now coped with a patchy, pricey system for mental-health treatment. The government is now getting serious about plugging the gaps. And why a debate over “Paw Patrol” is more than just culture-war madness.

Guests and host:
Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
Sarah Wu, China correspondent
Andrew Miller, special correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
Ukraine war, Volodymyr Zelensky, Mykhailo Fedorov
China, CCP, mental health
Paw Patrol, culture wars

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Orexins are peptides involved in the body’s sleep-wake system—and are big pharma’s next big thing. Like multi-purpose GLPs, they may have far more uses than just regulating shuteye. We ask why Japan’s post-war innovation boom petered out, and what must be done to breed more unicorns. And why procrastination seems to be on the rise, and how to beat it.

Guests and host:
Shailesh Chitnis, global business correspondent
Ethan Wu, Asia business and finance editor
Benjamin Sutherland, science writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
orexins, peptides, sleep disorders, pharmaceuticals
Japan, innovation, startups
procrastination

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Israeli settlers have been clashing more and more with Palestinians in the West Bank, often with government backing. We examine the forces at play in what could soon be yet another battlefront. India’s proliferating civil codes are creating insuperable legal contradictions for a multi-faith people. And answering some letters addressed to our “agony uncle” columnist.

Guests and host:
Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
Andrew Palmer, executive editor
Jason Palmer (no relation), co-host of “The Intelligence”
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:
West Bank, Palestinians, Israeli settlers, Israel election
India, civil codes, Hindu nationalism
management, advice

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To critics, the Green Party leader is dangerous, even a con man. To fans, he is a national saviour-in-waiting. Our correspondent meets him to see what is behind the hype. So-called SpudCells have just seven bespoke DNA loops, but represent a revolutionary step toward life made from scratch. And the many ways travel agents still beat the bots.

Guests and host:

Andrew Miller, special correspondent
Oliver Morton, planetary affairs editor
Caitlin Talbot, culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Zack Polanski, Green Party
SpudCells, synthetic biology
travel agents, luxury travel

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