Best Prospect Magazine Podcasts (2025)

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Can you create a media company with journalistic values that makes money? 33:00

Play Pause

1h ago33:00

33:00

Alan and Lionel are joined by documentary maker Ben Zand, founder of documentary company Zandland and co-host of the new current affairs podcast Untangled. He talks about the era of podcasts, how to reach younger audiences and what being “authentic” means in practice. Ben also shares his journey from self-shooting to the BBC, to starting his own co…

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What do Russians really think of Putin? 35:47

6m ago35:47

35:47

How many Russians support President Putin’s worldview? Does real opposition exist? Leading dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza outlines how Russia and the West must prepare for the post-Putin era, and why those efforts must begin now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Prospect Lives: Chatbot friends and corresponding with strangers 32:24

3d ago32:24

32:24

This month, Anglican priest Alice Goodman explains why she has mixed feelings about pilgrimages, while Gen Z-er Alice Garnett despairs at the development of AI friends. Sarah Collins contracts a case of burnout, while Kiran Sidhu enters into correspondence with a stranger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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The OBR springs a leak! Reporting on a budget shambles story 27:21

2d ago27:21

27:21

After this month’s media chaos, Alan shares his experience of Monday’s select committee hearing, where BBC board members were brought before MPs. But why did no-one address the elephant in the room? As Lionel returns from his overseas travels, the reunited hosts discuss the media bombshells that dropped in his absence. They also examine claims by h…

1
Explainer 495: What’s the deal with the Ukraine peace deal? 8:04

15h ago8:04

8:04

Does Ukraine stand to gain anything from the US-brokered peace deal? And does Russia even want the war to end? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Cory Doctorow: How the internet went to sh*t 51:02

2d ago51:02

51:02

Why does every platform seem to get worse over time? This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by journalist, tech activist and sci-fi writer Cory Doctorow, who coined the term “enshittification” to describe the decay of digital services into exploitative, user-hostile platforms. As constraints that once kept platforms in check have broken down, Cory s…

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The BBC crisis: The next test 32:55

41m ago32:55

32:55

The Media Confidential team got up early to talk through the options in advance of BBC heads facing the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport select committee. Alan and Janine discussed what might happen next, as MPs prepare to question organisation chiefs over a leaked memo accusing the BBC of bias and systemic problems. And who might be helicopter…

1
Stranger than fiction? 33:24

3m ago33:24

33:24

Many politicians and diplomats serve during incidents that feel stranger than fiction. Veep writer David Quantick and former UK ambassador John Everard discuss how entertainment and politics interact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Modern Industry and Prospects for Socialism 40:35

10d ago40:35

40:35

Dónal Ó Coisdealbha analyzes the history and results of the management and production system (TPS) developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation, arguing that the cooperative effects the TPS had on Toyota's internal labor relations contain the seeds of a successful model of socialist industrial production. Ó Coisdealbha is the director of process contr…

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Understanding equity at tech companies, with Billy Gallagher of Prospect 1:18:31

11d ago1:18:31

1:18:31

Why do billions of dollars of stock trade hands based on napkin math and vibes? Billy Gallagher, CEO of Prospect and former Rippling employee, joins Patrick McKenzie (patio11) to walk through the information asymmetry that costs less-sophisticated employees massive amounts of money. From understanding when to early exercise options to navigating 83…

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‘The New York Times won’t settle’: Why reporters will not be intimidated by Donald Trump 26:46

1h ago26:46

26:46

In an era of punitive lawsuits, how can we protect journalistic freedoms? This week, Alan and Janine talk to David McCraw, the lead newsroom lawyer for the New York Times. With Donald Trump’s record of launching libel cases against major media outlets on both sides of the pond, the three discuss how big lawsuits are used to capture headlines and ap…

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Explainer 494: The bright side of Ukraine’s corruption scandal 7:33

5d ago7:33

7:33

It has been a tough week for Zelensky’s government. But is there a bright side to the corruption scandal gripping Ukraine? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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How Palantir infiltrated the state 30:11

7d ago30:11

30:11

Palantir has acquired key UK government contracts, promising to make government more effective. But Peter Thiel’s controversial company has also worked with the US government and ICE on deportations and with Israel’s military during its war on Gaza. This week, investigative journalist Mark Wilding joins Ellen to explain how the tech giant has becom…

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What’s next for the BBC? A new director-general 30:33

11d ago30:33

30:33

Alan and Janine discuss the potential candidates for the top job in British media—and there’s no shortage of suspects. The pair break down the candidates’ CVs and even ring up one Lionel Barber on holiday to get his thoughts... Plus, one listener asks who signs off on decisions like the one to edit the Trump speech that got BBC’s Panorama programme…

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How the Arctic is hotting up 30:37

3m ago30:37

30:37

As the ice recedes, geopolitical tensions are emerging among arctic nations – not to mention China and the US. What are the stakes? And how can this region be better defended? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Explainer 493: Trump vs the BBC 8:39

11m ago8:39

8:39

The BBC is the latest media outlet to find itself at the mercy of Trump’s legal team. Does this spell the end of the embattled British institution? Or just another passing feud for the litigious president? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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The $4,000 insurance policy designed to never pay out 28:31

18d ago28:31

28:31

Patrick McKenzie (patio11) reads his essay on title insurance, a service designed to never be performed with a "laughably low" 5% loss ratio compared to 50-80% for almost all types of insurance. The typical American moves every seven to eight years, paying a $500 annual tax for basically no good or service. This is due to a quirk about how America …

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‘Trump is a grifter. The BBC must not pay him a dime’ 48:02

18d ago48:02

48:02

The BBC is under attack. Alan and Janine go to heart of the biggest media story of the week, and reveal what really happened at the disastrous board meeting that toppled BBC leadership. Under fire from powerful enemies at home and abroad, does the broadcasting service have a future? They're joined by Pat Younge, chair of the British Broadcasting Ch…

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Serhii Plokhy: How close are we to nuclear war? 38:43

7d ago38:43

38:43

In a world of unpredictable strongman leaders, do nuclear weapons keep us safe or make us more vulnerable? This week, Ellen and Alona are joined by Serhii Plokhy, historian and author of The Nuclear Age, to discuss the threat of nuclear conflict. From Putin’s war in Ukraine to China’s expanding arsenal and new nuclear “threshold” states, Serhii dis…

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The Border is a Mirror: Europe and the politics of migration with Iker Suarez 1:11:30

17d ago1:11:30

1:11:30

In this episode, Rudy joins Iker Suárez, author of The Migrant Genocide: Toward a Third World Analysis of European Class Struggle, to delve into the politics of migration and borders in Europe, examining how imperialism, class, and race intersect in what our guest describes as a "genocide at sea." We explore who the people migrating to Europe are, …

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The Nerve: ‘We want to shine a light on culture… with a bit of “F— you” energy on the side’ 46:26

19d ago46:26

46:26

Do you have the nerve? Carole Cadwalladr and Sarah Donaldson join Alan and Janine to discuss their new independent media platform the Nerve which focuses on culture, politics and tech—and share why they felt there was no room for their work at the Observer under new management. The four discuss the all-female founding team, the driving mission behi…

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Are the world’s Gen Z protests different? 30:16

16d ago30:16

30:16

Young people across the world are taking to the streets, setting fire to parliaments and toppling governments. But why now? And are these activists any different to previous generations? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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How deposit insurance actually works 33:06

25d ago33:06

33:06

Patrick McKenzie (patio11) reads his Bits about Money essay on deposit insurance, explaining this critical financial infrastructure, with some thoughts on its performance during 2023. He covers what deposit insurance actually covers (and critically, what it doesn't), how fintech users often misunderstand their exposure to counterparty risk, and the…

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The BBC is in a mess—but it’s not what you think 30:57

22d ago30:57

30:57

Alan is joined by Janine Gibson, editor of the Weekend FT and this week’s guest host on Media Confidential. The pair discuss the media response to a train stabbing incident in Huntingdon. They also weigh in on the Telegraph’s attacks on the BBC, amid reports that a Panorama documentary misled viewers by selectively editing a Donald Trump speech dur…

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Explainer 492: Why is Nigeria the US military’s latest target? 7:26

18h ago7:26

7:26

After threatening Venezuela with military intervention last week, President Trump has now shifted his focus to Nigeria. But why? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Yanis Varoufakis on Mamdani, hope and resistance 48:30

18d ago48:30

48:30

How should the left resist fascism? This week, Prospect’s Ben Clark speaks to Yanis Varoufakis, economist and Greece’s former finance minister, whose most recent book is Raise Your Soul: A Personal History of Resistance. Yanis reflects on writing a feminist history as a man, what his family’s encounters with Nazism taught him, and whether today’s l…

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The Future of Aid 36:55

27d ago36:55

36:55

In this episode of Policy Insights, sponsored by ASI and produced by Prospect Publishing, Prospect deputy editor Ellen Halliday talks to Annalisa Prizzon from ODI Global, Daniel Pimlott from ASI, and Stefan Dercon from the Blavatnik Institute and Oxford University about the future of foreign aid. Our expert guests share their perspectives on the ch…

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Goalhanger co-founder: ‘I’ve stepped in to stop Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart arguing’ 31:29

15d ago31:29

31:29

In this week’s Media Confidential, the co-founder of podcasting giant Goalhanger, Tony Pastor, reveals the drama behind The Rest is Politics and the secrets to the podcast’s success. He, Alan and Lionel chat about the podcast revolution and how the Covid-19 pandemic transformed the audio landscape in the UK. Plus, Tony explains how each host gets ‘…

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Is Milei’s chainsaw cutting through? 30:25

23d ago30:25

30:25

Argentina’s mid-terms surprised everyone, as president Javier Milei’s party doubled its parliamentary seats. Have Argentinians bought into his radical economic programme? Or will the pain and populism prove too much? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Home improvement lending with fewer bankers and more computers 30:05

1M ago30:05

30:05

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie reads his essay about the financial infrastructure that makes buying windows painless. When a window installer can originate, underwrite, and fund a $25,000 loan in 15 minutes before leaving your house, it's because four parties—window companies, facilitating platforms, specialized banks, and capital providers—have…

1
Has Ofcom opened the door to a British Fox News? 34:47

20d ago34:47

34:47

As American firm RedBird continues its bid to take over the Telegraph, Alan and Lionel discuss concerns about foreign influence and what it means for media ownership in Britain. They weigh in on Ofcom updating its guidance on politicians being news presenters. Does it open the doors to a Fox News equivalent in the UK? Plus, Alan and Lionel talk abo…

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Explainer 491: Trump’s third term? 8:00

29d ago8:00

8:00

US presidents are, as we know, two-term limited. But will that stop Trump? Andrew Mueller lays out the possible paths to re-re-election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Halloween special: AI and modern monsters 38:56

1M ago38:56

38:56

Zombies, werewolves and...ChatGPT? In this week’s spooky special, Ellen and Alona are joined by historian and “monster consultant” Surekha Davies, who argues that humans have always created monsters to understand the world—and ourselves. In her new book Humans: A Monstrous History, she explores a history of monsters, as well as the weird and horrif…

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Peter Oborne: Is the British media complicit in genocide? 47:13

29d ago47:13

47:13

Is the British media complicit in the Gaza genocide? This week, things heat up as Alan and Lionel are joined by Peter Oborne, former Telegraph chief political commentator, whose most recent book is Complicit: Britain’s role in the destruction of Gaza. Peter discusses the influence of pro-Israel lobbyists on British politics, his own political evolu…

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Eighty years on, is the United Nations a relevant institution? 42:44

12d ago42:44

42:44

Eighty years on from its inception, the United Nations is in crisis. Former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton joins an expert panel to discuss the institution’s need for change, and if reform is possible. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Talking to the Bank of England about systemic risk and systems engineering 1:32:54

1M ago1:32:54

1:32:54

Patrick McKenzie (@patio11) shares his remarks to the Bank of England on critical vulnerabilities in financial infrastructure. Drawing from the July 2024 CrowdStrike outage which brought down teller systems at major US banks, Patrick discusses how regulatory guidance inadvertently created dangerous software monocultures. He also examines the stable…

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How would you prepare to interview Putin? 52:59

1M ago52:59

52:59

In this week’s special episode, Alan and Lionel are grilled by Sheffield University’s third-year Broadcast Journalism students. The pair are asked about using artificial intelligence in newsrooms, how to cover Gaza with fairness, and whether they think China is being underreported on. They also discuss imposter syndrome in the media world, and how …

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Explainer 490: Who is Japan’s new prime minister, other than a woman? 6:39

1M ago6:39

6:39

Japan made history this week as its first woman prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, was sworn in. But what are her politics and how will she manage without a parliamentary majority? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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‘Petty rules make no sense in an authoritarian takeover!’ 52:19

1M ago52:19

52:19

Does Washington need a shake up? As the Democratic party faces its lowest favourability ratings on record, one man wants to completely change its brand. This week, Prospect’s Ben Clark speaks to Saikat Chakrabarti, progressive political adviser and former chief of staff to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is now running for Congress himself. Saikat di…