What I'm listening to
The podcasts that help me think clearer, laugh often and stop doomscrolling
I was worried this newsletter might be a little presumptuous. I mean, why should anyone care what my favourite podcasts are? Then, it was pointed out to me that I smuggle myself into people’s inboxes every weekday with whatever thought has been bothering me most recently, and so perhaps it was best not to overanalyse whether any of this is a worthwhile activity.
In that spirit, here are the podcasts I keep coming back to, whether because they give me ideas, make me smile or simply get me through the day. I’ve limited myself to three pods per category. This represents heroic restraint.
UK politics
Politics at Sam and Anne’s: Few Westminster-based journalists have as substantial a hinterland as Anne McElvoy, while Sam Coates manages to combine boyish enthusiasm and mischief-making with a first-class political mind. Hard to find a better use of 20 minutes.
Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government: Deeply sensible (which is not shorthand for dull), with a unique perspective, detailed reports and excellent guests, Catherine Haddon, Hannah White and the team make public service trackers fun. Shout-out to Jill Rutter, who knows more about the Treasury and tennis than me.
Political Fix: Robert Shrimsley, Stephen Bush, Miranda Green, George Parker, Jim Pickard — hook it to my veins. Plus, if you’re not fortunate enough to have access to my Dad’s FT login details, there are always a bunch of unpaywalled links in the show notes.
US politics
The Ezra Klein Show: No marks for originality here, and none sought. In an age where legacy media is fighting for its life with misinformation and influencer-driven content, Klein (and The New York Times) is powering ahead. In fact, it is no exaggeration to say his pleas to Democrats to at least consider replacing Joe Biden as the nominee may have changed history.
The David Frum Show: When I grow up, I’d like to be able to write like David Frum. Until then, I get to read and listen to him. A man of wisdom, compassion and integrity. Which may come as a surprise if all you know him as is George W. Bush’s speechwriter.
The Axe Files with David Axelrod: I’m cheating here, as the show came to an end last year. But Axelrod is, in addition to everything else, a phenomenally thoughtful interviewer. The only thing beyond his considerable talents, it seems, was getting Ed Miliband elected prime minister in 2015. Some tasks are beyond us all. Great opening music, too.
Sport
The Totally Football Show with James Richardson: For millennial men, there is something deeply comforting about Richardson’s voice. He was the face of Italian football on English TV, forever pictured with an espresso and a copy of La Gazzetta dello Sport. The puns are tremendous too.
No Challenges Remaining: Hosted by Ben Rothenberg, often alongside (Spain and sub-Saharan Africa correspondent) Tumaini Carayol, NCR manages to combine newsiness, whimsy and a love of the drama. Also, do check out Ben’s terrific newsletter, Bounces.
Good Areas: What Jarrod Kimber does not know about cricket is not worth knowing. From the rise of the wobble ball to why West Indies’ Joel Garner is the most underrated bowler of all time, it’s all there. He might shout, but then again, he’s Australian.
Foreign affairs
Net Assessment: Melanie Marlowe, joined by Christopher Preble (“hello, again”) and Zack Cooper, introduces each episode by welcoming the listener to a place where they debate the hard choices facing America’s national security and foreign policy communities, with a particular focus on the ‘hard’. No sane-washing here. A must-listen.
The Russia Contingency: If you want to know what’s happening in the Russia-Ukraine war, listen to Michael Kofman. This is a paid-for podcast as part of my War on the Rocks membership, and worth every penny. Stephen Kotkin is the latest guest, if you needed any more reason to subscribe.
Power Problems: Nestled uncomfortably somewhere between neoconservatism and America First, there is restraint. Hosted by John Glaser, director of foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute, you’ll find the right guest on the right topic, and a perspective not often heard in the US or elsewhere.
Economics
A Long Time in Finance: Bretton Woods! The Barber Boom! The nine lives of Credit Suisse! Whatever the subject, veteran city editors, Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins, tackle it with a dry wit and buckets of experience.
Odd Lots: I think I hit my personal rock bottom when I binged the Odd Lots three-part mini-series on the hidden history of the Eurodollar. But in all seriousness, if you want to know how things work in finance, markets and economics, tune in.
The Wolf-Krugman Exchange: A six-part series where Martin Wolf and Paul Krugman just talk to each other. That’s the podcast. They are, by the way, as bewildered as the rest of us as to what is going on with the global trading system. You obviously don’t have to listen, but if you don’t know why I do, you’re so not invited to my sweet sixteen.
Culture
Sentimental Garbage: Hosted by the charming Caroline O’Donoghue, it’s all about the culture we love that society sometimes makes us feel ashamed about. In particular, check out the mini-series with Dolly Alderton on Sex and the City. They may not know the most about SaTC, but they feel the most.
Conversations with Tyler: ‘Rock star economist’ Tyler Cowen has an unusual interview technique, but I think that is part of the charm. He normally knows more about the subject than his expert guest, though he does his best to keep that under wraps.
Mixed Signals: Has anyone had a more interesting career than Ben Smith? From Politico at the start of the Obama administration to running BuzzFeed News when it was definitely going to bury the NYT, to becoming that paper’s media columnist and then, in 2022, founding Semafor. Mixed Signals is all about media, and it is the best kind of inside baseball. Max Tani is also excellent. Interesting use of ads, too.
And finally…
Did you know that I have (had) a podcast? Alongside my friend Lisa Gerson, we dived into the archives to discuss old, peak (2003-2007) Federer matches. What’s that? You want us to make more of them? That’s so random!
Podcasts, when done right, are such an intimate medium — so if any of these have spoken to you, or you have better ones to recommend, comment below. I want to know what’s happening in your ears.
No comedy?