The Econoclasts

In this first episode of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau debunk two failed economic orthodoxies shaping our world. First, they dismantle the narrative that Europe is helping Ukraine - and striking a powerful blow against Russia - by raiding Russia’s frozen assets. More than this being legally questionable, is it also economically and geopolitically self-defeating? Next, they expose the "battle" between central banks and anti-establishment crypto rebels as a false choice, revealing it as a dangerous illusion that serves the powerful. Far from being revolutionary, are stablecoins turbo-charging financial instability for the next global crash? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Econoclasts is a new podcast from UnHerd hosted by economist Yanis Varoufakis and journalist Wolfgang Munchau. While they don't always agree politically, they are united in one conviction: the consensus is rotten. Mainstream economics has consistently failed to predict the events that shape our world, yet this broken orthodoxy still dominates policy and media. Each week, they choose two pillars of the established orthodoxy — the "settled facts" — and shatter them, cutting through the spin to connect the dots between money, geopolitics, and the real forces shaping our future.Don't forget to rate, like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tom and Helen follow on from the previous episode by analysing Donald Trump's response to the multipolar world and its implications, especially for Europe. They dive into Trump's clear actions towards Russia, the complications with China, the broader strategic shifts, European interests, NATO's current state, and rising geopolitical tensions involving Turkey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen zoom out to look at the wider geopolitical world order coming into being in the midst of Donald Trump's second term, and whether American acceptance of a multipolar world is the key thread in Trump's geopolitical ambitions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tom and Helen discuss the growing American debt crisis and whether Donald Trump's bold political moves can be understood as a response to this escalating financial challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tom and Helen discuss the growing focus on the US-Ukraine minerals deal and its potential impact on intelligence sharing and arms supplies. They also explore whether the war in Ukraine has evolved into a battle over resources amid rising global geopolitical tensions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tom and Helen discuss the recent whirlwind of political events: Keir Starmer's meeting with Donald Trump after announcing a boost in British defense spending, Volodymyr Zelensky’s fiery Oval Office press conference, and European leaders’ efforts to draft a peace plan for presentation to the U.S. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tom and Helen discuss the aftermath of Germany's election, where the Christian Democrats won but with their second-lowest vote tally ever. They explore what these results mean for the future of European politics and the shifting dynamics of Europe’s relationship with the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Tom and Helen discuss the impact that peace talks with Russia might have on the United States security commitment to Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of These Times, Tom and Helen discuss the deep history behind Trump's latest round of tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada; how the US has used tariffs throughout history, how protectionism shifted between the Democratic and Republican parties, and what it all means for global politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following on from the previous episode, this week, Tom and Helen expand even further on the topic of Europe and its dependance on the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tom and Helen discuss what Donald Trump's presidency means for Europe, historically, after his revealing first week in office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tom and Helen delve into Joe Biden's farewell address, why he warned of a new tech oligarchy and the possible new epoch in American politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Tom and Helen delve into Donald Trump's open attempt to annex Greenland, retake the Panama Canal, and seduce Canada into joining the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first episode of 2025, Tom and Helen take a deep dive into the life and worldview of the world's richest man; who is Elon Musk, what does he believe - and what does he want? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the final episode of the year, Tom and Helen reflect on the events of 2024 and how they may effect the geopolitical future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our Christmas special episode Tom and Helen take a look back at the state of British politics this year and ask the question - Is British politics unravelling? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Tom and Helen return to the extraordinary situation in Syria and question whether it's really possible to have a unified Syrian state. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the collapse of the French government, Tom and Helen discuss the Franco-German crisis in the new age of Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Economist's Defence Editor Shashank Joshi joins Tom and Helen for an early episode this week to discuss how the Assad regime fell so rapidly and what this means for Syria and the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast Helen and Tom explore why Keir Starmer's government has come so far adrift so quickly and what this means for the future of British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode Tom and Helen explore the recent military escalation over Ukraine and what this might mean for the current geopolitical world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following Joe Biden's controversial decision over the weekend to authorise Ukrainian forces to fire American missiles deep into Russia itself, Tom and Helen explore what a Trump presidency means for war and peace across the world, not just in Ukraine, but in China, the Middle East and the border with Mexico... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump won the podcast battle by appearing on the shows of right-leaning stars like Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman and Theo Von. On the other hand, Kamala Harris went on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast. Tom is joined in the studio by James Marriott to discuss the decline of liberal dominance in the world of popular culture, from The Rest is History, to Batman the Dark Knight... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What awaits Europe after Donald Trump's second coming? Will it mark the end of the war in Ukraine or the end of America's defence of Europe? What role does Elon Musk have to play? From the China trade war to space travel, Tom and Helen bring it all into focus... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the dust begins to settle in the US, Tom is is joined by Emily Jashinsky, host of Undercurrents, to discuss Trump's great American triumph and the existential disaster facing the Democrats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the US goes to the polls, Tom and Helen look back at the last decades of US politics and ask why the current moment, of Trump vs Harris, feels so much more polarised than ever... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom McTague sits down with the controversial Tory firebrand Kemi Badenoch to talk about immigration, being a black Tory politician and why she is the right person to lead the opposition... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After four weeks, Israel's anticipated revenge attack on Iran was complete. Missiles launched at Iranian missile targets from Israel threatened even more escalation. Tom and Helen dive into the details of what occurred and what the ramifications might be for the region and the wider world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 5 November, the American people will go to the polls in what may prove to be the most important election in modern history. From Ukraine to Taiwan, the world is watching with bated breath. Tom and Helen explore these topics in a special These Times live recording, and analyse how both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump could redefine the geopolitical fault lines shaping our world... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With soaring deficits, immigration debates, and a flock of North Korean soldiers arriving in Ukraine to fight alongside Russia, the continent feels adrift. Tom and Helen explore who can really lead Europe out of crisis... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Keir Starmer's approval ratings at an all-time low and the Tory leadership race staggering to an exhaustive conclusion, Tom and Helen ask why Britain's two main political parties are so useless without any apparent political strategy. Does the ghost of Margaret Thatcher have anything to do with it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our 100th episode, we remain in the Middle East. Israel has just relocated a battalion from Gaza to Lebanon. The anniversary of October 7th has heightened the already feverish tension in the region. Lebanon endures heavy assault, and Israel prepares its retaliation against Iran; Helen Thompson and Tom McTage delve into the developing crisis and explore why oil is so essential…Please join us for our live show in Westminster. Tickets belowhttps://club.unherd.com/event/these-times-us-election/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hezbollah are in disarray. Their leadership is decapitated, and Israeli troops amass at the border. Iran has vowed revenge. In this week's episode, Tom and Helen explore what the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah means for the crisis in the Middle East... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom chats with Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat about his personal and political philosophies and what is so egregious about Keir Starmer as PM... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, These Times heads to Liverpool to delve into Starmer's reset of the Labour Party. Are Labour in crisis, or is Kier just getting started? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an astonishing week in the Middle East, Tom and Helen delve into the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Why has Netanyahu chosen to intensify Israel's attacks on Hezbollah, and what happens to Lebanon now? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom chats to Robert Jenrick, the supposed front-runner in the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, about his leadership credentials, Margaret Thatcher, and the issue of immigration... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After former central bank president Mario Draghi reported that the EU has to invest 800 billion euros a year to compete with the US and China, Tom and Helen, turn to the crises in France and Germany and explore why politics has become so much harder for the two European powerhouses… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a controversial interview between Tucker Carlson and Darryl Cooper, in which Cooper claimed Churchill was, in fact, the villain of WWII, Tom talked to Churchill expert Andrew Roberts to explore the true political and personal history of Sir Winston Churchill from the British Empire to the beaches of Normandy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shashank Joshi joins Tom and Helen to discuss Ukraine's recent shock incursion into Russian soil and whether there are still conditions in Western democracies to provide military and economic support for Ukraine...and would a Trump presidency spell the end for Ukraine? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the AfD's dominant election victory in East Germany, Tom and Helen explore Keir Starmer's plans to reset relations with the EU, and whether his goals are realistic in a drastically changing geopolitical world... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After The European elections in June, the French and British elections in early July, and a recent speech by Viktor Orban calling into question the entire future direction of the EU, Tom and Helen explore the fragmentation of the European project... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Israel's double assassination, first Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah military commander in Beirut, and then Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Tom and Helen explore what the history of Israel's political assassinations reveals about the present dangers around a regional war in the Middle East... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen turn to the desperately volatile situation in the Middle East, where Israel stands on the Brink of war with Hezbollah following the attack on the Golan Heights on Saturday. Is the Israel-Hamas war moving towards a wider Middle East conflagration, and how does the politics of the American election impact everybody's choices?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Tom and Helen discuss Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race to be the next U.S President and what this means for the Democratic Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen discuss the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and what this says about not only America, but violence in politics, where it comes from, and what we can learn from previous points in history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Tom and Helen turn to the three largest political stories in the world right now - the last-minute surge by France's left-wing coalition, the increasing pressure on Joe Biden to step down, and Starmer's first few days in government in the weeks to come... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UnHerd's Freddie Sayers chats to These Times' Tom McTague about an extraordinary night in British politics - take a closer look at the numbers, and there's another story under the surface... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this emergency election episode, Tom and Helen reflect on the scale of the Conservative's defeat and what Labour's landslide triumph on just 33. 7 percent of the vote means for British politics... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.