Sam Bankman-Fried was the poster child for effective altruism. Before his arrest, he had done more than anyone to promote the movement. Today, no one has done more damage. Yet, in Silicon Valley, EAs (as adherents are known) are everywhere. Should you worry that a philosophy that inspired the man behind one of America’s largest frauds has taken root in the world’s most important firms? We ask Bankman-Fried himself. We also speak to one of the founding fathers of the EA movement.

Guests and hosts:

• Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of FTX
• Toby Ord, co-founder of Giving What We Can
• Shera Avi-Yonah, The Economist’s US business correspondent
• Ethan Wu, co-host of “Money Talks”
• Alice Fulwood, co-host of “Money Talks”

Topics covered:

• Effective Altruism
• AI
• Silicon Valley

Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.

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It’s that time of year again. An economist gets a call from Sweden–and we then badger them to speak to us. We’re pleased to say Michael Woodford, who shared the award with Robert Hall, returned our call. The prize committee credited the duo with rebuilding macroeconomics on “microfoundations”: representing economic outcomes as the result of the behaviour of individuals and businesses. On this week’s show, Mr Woodford explains his theory.

Guests and hosts:

• Michael Woodford, Columbia University
• Henry Curr, The Economist’s acting business affairs editor
• Alice Fulwood, co-host of “Money Talks”
• Ethan Wu, co-host of “Money Talks”

Topics covered:

• Nobel prize for economics
• Economic theory
• New Keynesian economics

Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.

Investors have a big problem. Their sharpest tool, diversification, is getting blunter. And one possible culprit may surprise you: Donald Trump. A growing number of investors blame populist politicians for upending the world order and ruining the logic behind their most important strategies. Are they right?

Guests and hosts:

• Ed Cole, of Man Group
• Josh Roberts, The Economist’s acting Britain editor
• Alice Fulwood, co-host of “Money Talks”
• Ethan Wu, co-host of “Money Talks”

Topics covered:

• Populism
• Investment strategies
• Inflation

Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.

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Carson Block is not the only investor asking whether the AI rally can last. But the famed short-seller has a distinctive theory of how it will unravel. In this special live show, he explains how he is betting against the AI boom.

Guests and hosts:

• Carson Block, CEO of Muddy Waters Research
• Alice Fulwood, co-host of “Money Talks”
• Mike Bird, co-host of “Money Talks”

Topics covered:

• AI
• Short selling
• Muddy Waters Research

Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.

Global alcohol consumption fell by 2% in 2025. It was the third straight year of decline, as younger drinkers prove they are not as boozy as their parents. As drinks-makers face an uncertain future, competition is sharpening. With brewers, vintners and distillers expanding into new domains, which companies hold the advantage?

Guests and hosts:

• Jacob Aarup-Andersen, CEO of Carlsberg
• Trevor Stirling, analyst at Bernstein
• Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer at The Economist
• Alice Fulwood, co-host of “Money Talks”
• Ethan Wu, co-host of “Money Talks”

Topics covered:

• Alcoholic drinks industry
• Ready-to-drink cocktails
• Alcohol-free drinks

Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.

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The global bond sell-off is deepening. This week, the yield on ten-year American Treasuries surpassed 5%, its highest level in two decades. Meanwhile British gilts, German bunds and Japanese government bonds are all soaring to multi-year highs. Investors are under pressure from persistent inflation, government debt and the AI borrowing binge. We ask whether high long-term yields are here to stay.

Guests and hosts:

• Mark Dowding, Chief Investment Officer for BlueBay fixed income
• Mike Bird, co-host of “Money Talks”
• Alice Fulwood, co-host of “Money Talks”

Topics covered:

• Bond markets
• Scott Bessent
• AI infrastructure buildout

Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

Since 2022, the AI boom has been the biggest story in financial markets. It has turned some of the largest tech companies into major financial players, lending and borrowing from one another. This week, we dig into how worried you should be about that web of “circular” AI financing.

Guests and hosts:

• Shailesh Chitnis, The Economist's global business writer
• Mike Bird, co-host of “Money Talks”
• Alice Fulwood, co-host of “Money Talks”

Topics covered:

• Nvidia
• AI boom
• “Circular” financing

Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.

Each August, the world’s central bankers descend on Jackson Hole. Normally, the coffee-break chatter is about policy. But this year, the big question was what Kevin Warsh, the enigmatic new Fed Chair, was really thinking—about how the Fed works, its independence and monetary policy. His speech was surprisingly revealing. Our acting economics editor tells us what he learned.

Guests and hosts:

• Archie Hall, The Economist’s acting economics editor
• Alice Fulwood, co-host of “Money Talks”
• Ethan Wu, co-host of “Money Talks”

Topics covered:

• Kevin Warsh
• Jackson Hole Economic Symposium
• Federal Reserve

Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.