Well-Informed & Open-Minded

In this episode, we explore why monarchies continue to thrive in South-East Asia long after they have faded elsewhere. From Brunei to Thailand, some royal families have accumulated extraordinary power, presenting themselves as guardians of tradition, religion, and national identity. But this longevity comes with a risk: succession. As recent transitions show, an unpopular or controversial heir can quickly turn reverence into resentment and spark calls for reform. We look at how different monarchies manage this danger—and why the future of royal rule in the region may hinge less on history than on who wears the crown next.https://www.economist.com/asia/2022/09/15/south-east-asias-monarchies-struggle-with-succession

Moose are a beloved symbol of Newfoundland—and one of its deadliest hazards. In this episode, we explore how four calves imported a century ago multiplied into a vast population with no natural predators, turning highways into danger zones and forests into overgrazed landscapes. Because of their size and anatomy, moose collisions are unusually lethal, often crushing car roofs and killing drivers outright. Yet efforts to fence roads or use warning technology have largely failed, and culls remain controversial. How did an ecological success story become a public-safety crisis? And why does Newfoundland remain so attached to an animal that keeps injuring—and killing—its people?https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/05/world/canada/newfoundland-moose-car-accidents.html

Superman was once the simplest of heroes: sincere, hopeful, and unapologetically good. But in a cynical, polarized age that prizes flawed anti-heroes, that optimism has become a problem. In this episode, we trace Superman’s cultural journey from his comic-book origins through darker modern reboots to James Gunn’s latest attempt to restore his moral clarity. Why does kindness now seem naïve? And can an earnest hero still matter in a world that distrusts power and sincerity? We explore why Superman’s greatest strength today may be the very trait that once made him seem outdated.https://www.economist.com/united-states/2025/07/17/why-superman-is-the-least-relevant-superhero

Japan prides itself on safety and low crime—but behind that reputation lies a justice system critics call “hostage justice.” In this episode, we unpack how suspects can be held for weeks without charge, denied bail, and interrogated without lawyers until they confess—sometimes falsely. Through chilling cases like the Ohkawara Kakohki executives, one of whom died in custody, we explore why prosecutors wield such extraordinary power and why convictions are almost guaranteed. Does Japan’s system deliver order at the cost of rights? And can modest reforms fix a model many now argue is fundamentally broken?https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/11/07/why-suspects-in-japan-are-almost-never-acquitted

Air-conditioning was once dismissed as a gimmick that would never work in hot places. Instead, it has quietly reshaped the modern world. In this episode, we explore how cooling has transformed health, productivity and economic growth—from Singapore to the American South—by making cities, factories, data centres and hospitals viable in extreme heat. But the global spread of air-conditioning comes at a cost: soaring electricity demand and powerful refrigerant gases that accelerate climate change. Can the world keep its cool without overheating the planet?https://www.economist.com/international/2018/08/25/air-conditioners-do-great-good-but-at-a-high-environmental-cost

Whole-body deodorant is having a moment in America—and it’s changing how people think about smell. In this episode, we explore the rise of sprays and creams designed for everywhere from feet to groin, driven by aggressive marketing from big brands and a surge in anxiety about body odour. We unpack why most of these products mask scent rather than stop sweat, why doctors warn about irritation and overheating, and whether this trend reflects genuine hygiene needs or a growing discomfort with normal bodies. Is whole-body deodorant a smart innovation—or just insecurity in a can?https://www.economist.com/business/2024/05/23/americans-are-fretting-over-their-body-odour

China has always been obsessed with long life—from Qin Shi Huang’s doomed search for immortality to today’s biotech boom—and now that ancient dream is being rebooted with modern science. In this episode, we explore China’s fast-growing longevity industry, where state money, private startups and elite consumers are pouring into anti-ageing pills, clinics and research promising to slow, halt or even reverse ageing. A casual remark by Xi Jinping about living to 150 helped spark serious investment, but behind the hype lies a mix of cutting-edge biology, mouse studies that may not translate to humans, and a lingering tradition of quack cures. Is China on the brink of a longevity breakthrough—or just repackaging an old fantasy with new technology?https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/world/asia/china-aging-longevity-science.html

America’s war on drugs is starting to look a lot like its war on terror. In this episode, we examine Washington’s turn toward military force in Latin America—reviving old naval bases, deploying destroyers, fighter jets, and drones, and rebranding drug gangs as “narco-terrorists” to justify air strikes. Inspired by counter-terror playbooks from the post-9/11 era, the strategy promises toughness but raises serious questions: can billion-dollar military hardware actually stop fentanyl trafficking, most of which flows over land from Mexico? And at what cost—financially, diplomatically, and strategically—does this escalation come? We unpack whether this show of force is a serious solution or a familiar, expensive mistake.https://www.economist.com/united-states/2025/10/13/the-new-war-on-drugs

India’s skies are getting busier—while China’s are quietly emptying. In this episode, we explore a sharp reversal in Asia’s private jet market, where China’s fleet has shrunk amid a property crash, zero-COVID hangovers, and a political crackdown on flashy wealth, even as India sees a full-blown boom. A new class of super-rich Indians is buying jets not to show off, but to get things done—flying frequently to remote business hubs where commercial travel falls short. We unpack what this shift says about power, politics, and prosperity in Asia, and why India’s private jet surge looks set to keep climbing unless the economy hits serious turbulence.https://www.economist.com/asia/2025/07/24/the-new-private-jet-pecking-order

Tech hype has a familiar rhythm: wild excitement, inflated promises, and then a sharp comedown. In this episode, we unpack why every new innovation—from blockchain and NFTs to the metaverse and now artificial intelligence—seems destined to ride the same hype cycle. We explore how moments like the launch of ChatGPT ignite genuine breakthroughs but also tempt founders to overpromise, risking credibility when reality catches up. Hype, it turns out, is both fuel and poison: essential for attracting money and users, yet dangerous if expectations spiral out of control. So how do companies survive the crash after the buzz fades—and which technologies actually endure once the noise dies down?https://www.economist.com/business/2023/03/02/the-uses-and-abuses-of-hype

Evangelical Christianity is staging an unlikely comeback inside Britain’s most traditional church. In this episode, we explore how the Church of England is fighting decades of decline by “planting” new, youth-oriented congregations inspired by Holy Trinity Brompton—swapping organs and robes for live bands, casual dress, and even craft beer. These churches are drawing hundreds of young worshippers, but not without controversy. Critics argue they’re draining life from older parishes and quietly shifting Anglicanism toward a more socially conservative future. Is this bold reinvention a genuine revival—or a risky takeover reshaping the soul of the church?https://www.economist.com/britain/2018/10/27/trendy-new-churches-poach-worshippers-from-stuffy-ones

City grids may look boring, but they quietly shaped the modern world. In this episode, we trace the rise of the rectilinear grid—from Renaissance Italy and the Spanish Laws of the Indies to Manhattan, colonial capitals, and purpose-built cities like Brasília and New Delhi. We explore why straight lines, square blocks, and central plazas proved so irresistible to empires, planners, and real-estate developers alike, even as older European cities grew organically and chaotically. Behind the neat geometry lies politics, power, and control: grids made land easy to divide, tax, police, and govern. So are grids just practical urban tools—or the architecture of authority itself?Abbott, Carl, 'Streets and buildings', City Planning: A Very Short Introduction, Very Short Introductions (New York, 2020; online edn, Oxford Academic, 22 Oct. 2020), https://doi.org/10.1093/actrade/9780190944346.003.0002

More than 2,000 years ago, China’s first emperor set out to conquer death itself. In this episode, we explore the Terracotta Army—over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers buried to guard Qin Shi Huangdi in the afterlife. Discovered accidentally by farmers in 1974, the vast underground force reveals a ruler so obsessed with immortality that he recreated his empire beneath the earth, complete with generals, musicians, animals, and weapons. The tomb at the center remains sealed, too dangerous to open, preserving one of history’s greatest unfinished projects. What does this silent army tell us about power, fear, and humanity’s refusal to accept the end?https://youtu.be/mP5p4QbvPtc?si=7BzkwmqHkeNFQNCb

In parts of rural South Korea, the future of public transport costs just nine cents. In this episode, we look at the “100-won taxi”—a heavily subsidized ride service created to replace disappearing bus routes in aging, shrinking villages. As younger residents move to cities, elderly people are left isolated, struggling to reach clinics, markets, and community spaces. These ultra-cheap taxis have become a lifeline, restoring mobility, dignity, and social connection—while surprisingly costing the government less than running near-empty buses. It’s a small fare with big implications: what happens when transport policy is redesigned around the needs of the old, not the young?https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/11/world/asia/south-korea-100-won-taxis.html

Singapore is getting wilder—and that’s both a triumph and a test. In this episode, we explore the city-state’s unexpected urban wildlife renaissance, as otters, hornbills, parrots and even the occasional tapir reclaim spaces in one of the world’s densest cities. Fueled by decades of environmental cleanup, green corridors, and restored waterways, animals once threatened or gone are now thriving alongside people. But success brings friction: otters raid fish ponds, residents clash with wildlife, and “nature” no longer stays neatly in parks. How does a hyper-modern metropolis balance conservation pride with the messiness of wild animals living next door?https://www.economist.com/asia/2023/09/14/hornbills-otters-and-even-a-tapir-singapore-is-rewilding

Britain’s £3 bus-fare cap has been a rare political hit—popular with passengers and hailed as proof that public transport can be affordable again. But in this episode, we explore why the policy also exposes a contradiction at the heart of Labour’s promise to devolve power. By imposing a blunt national cap, the government undercuts local control just as cities like Manchester fight to rebuild their own bus networks. We unpack why London’s publicly run buses thrive while deregulated routes elsewhere collapse—and ask whether scrapping the cap and handing the money to local leaders might actually deliver better, fairer transport where it’s needed most.https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/10/10/labour-is-reluctant-to-get-off-the-bus

Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa is centuries old—but it’s having a very modern moment. In this episode, we trace how a traditional Chinese cough syrup first brewed in the 1600s has gone global, with sales surging thanks to TikTok “biohacking,” celebrity endorsements, and viral tutorials in the West. We explore why ancient remedies suddenly feel appealing in a digital wellness age—and how trade tariffs and geopolitics now threaten to make this sticky, herbal staple more expensive abroad. Is this a timeless cure reborn, or just another algorithm-powered health craze?https://www.economist.com/business/2025/08/14/a-400-year-old-chinese-cough-syrup-is-winning-over-westerners

Latin may be fading from most British classrooms, but its mystique is alive and well. In this episode, we explore why a language barely spoken for centuries still carries such powerful social prestige in England—from its history as a “smug social shibboleth” for the elite to its lingering aura of cleverness that novelist Evelyn Waugh once weaponized for snobbery. We trace how universities eventually dropped Latin requirements to make room for modern sciences, and why today’s efforts—like the Latin Excellence Programme and reforms at Cambridge—aim to open the subject beyond “posh white boys.” Ultimately, we ask: what keeps Latin’s glow alive? And why does mastering a dead language still feel like a ticket to status in modern Britain?https://www.economist.com/britain/2022/10/06/a-ps4m-scheme-to-bring-latin-into-british-state-schools-begins

In this episode, we step inside the quiet, intricate world of American death care—seen through the practiced hands of veteran embalmer Shawn’te Harvell. While his craft restores an “illusion of life” for grieving families, the industry around him is rapidly changing: cremation is now the norm, green burials are rising, and the chemical rituals that defined 20th-century funerals are losing ground. Yet beneath these shifts lies something universal and unchanging—the human need to honor the dead and make sense of the moment between life and whatever comes next. How do we say goodbye in an age when tradition is fading, ecology matters, and the body itself is becoming a battleground of meaning? We explore the future of funerals, and what it reveals about us.https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/01/science/embalming-funerals-death.html

Chinese youth are embracing xiexiu—a playful, “heretical” approach to life that swaps burnout culture for ingenious shortcuts. In this episode, we explore how these quirky hacks, now racking up billions of views on Douyin and Xiaohongshu, offer a middle path between the punishing 996 grind and the passive resistance of “lying flat.” Born from economic frustration, high housing costs, and stalled job prospects, xiexiu isn’t rebellion so much as cheerful improvisation, even earning a nod of approval from state media. What does it reveal about a generation trying to reclaim agency in a system that feels immovable—and why might rethinking the rules be its smartest move yet?https://www.economist.com/china/2025/09/04/the-weird-and-wacky-life-hacks-of-chinas-youth

Baby Boomers are aging—but not into the quiet, cardigan-wearing archetype many expect. This episode dives into the startling rise of risky, often reckless behavior among older adults in wealthy countries, from surging alcohol and drug misuse to unexpected spikes in STDs and even higher involvement in crime and political violence. While younger generations grow more cautious, Boomers—buoyed by financial comfort and fewer responsibilities—are partying harder than ever in retirement enclaves like Latitude Margaritaville. But behind the hedonism lies something darker: growing loneliness, dissatisfaction, and a cohort rewriting what it means to grow old, for better or worse.https://www.economist.com/international/2025/01/02/why-people-over-the-age-of-55-are-the-new-problem-generation

At first glance, the viral jokes about “naan Mandarin” on Chinese social media seem like harmless regional parody—but they reveal something deeper and far more fraught. In this episode, we unpack how memes mocking the Mandarin accents of Uyghurs, like the now-infamous “Apple U,” blur quickly into prejudice in a region already shaped by surveillance, suspicion, and cultural tension. We trace the linguistic history behind the trend, from Xinjiang’s formerly bilingual schools to the post-2017 push for Mandarin-only education, which many parents fear erodes their children’s native languages. And we hear why, for many minorities, being targeted with “naan Mandarin” isn’t just a joke—it’s another reminder of how easily everyday interactions can become tools of discrimination.https://www.economist.com/china/2025/11/13/the-way-uyghurs-speak-mandarin-is-now-a-joke

Professional tennis may glitter at the top, but most of the sport lives far from Wimbledon’s pristine lawns. In this episode, we dive into the brutally honest world described by former player Conor Niland, where competitors ranked outside the top 100 grind through lonely tournaments in obscure corners of the globe, chasing points they can barely afford to pursue. Prize money often doesn’t cover the cost of getting there, leaving even world-class athletes stuck in a financial purgatory held together by passion and hope. Why does a sport that celebrates elegance and wealth depend on a tier so punishing and invisible? And what does this say about who gets to rise—and who gets left behind—in modern tennis?https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/07/11/whoever-wins-at-wimbledon-many-of-tenniss-professionals-are-losers

At the world’s largest religious gathering—the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj—getting lost isn’t an anomaly, it’s an inevitability. In this episode, we step inside the festival’s vast, temporary lost-and-found center, a pop-up institution built to reunite thousands of separated pilgrims amid crowds that number in the hundreds of millions. Through stories like the disoriented Draupadi Devi and the emotional reunions that follow, we explore how volunteers, police, and even facial-recognition tech work together to navigate the chaos. Why do so many people go missing? And what does it take to stitch families back together inside a sea of humanity? We dive into the human side of a spiritual spectacle where getting lost—and found—is part of the pilgrimage itself.https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/15/world/asia/india-kumbh-mela.html

Meet the “High Earner, Not Rich Yet”—or Henry—the British six-figure worker who looks wealthy on paper but is quietly being squeezed by the tax system. In this episode, we dig into how earning just over £100,000 can trigger eye-watering marginal tax rates of 60–71%, wipe out allowances, and even leave some Henrys worse off than if they earned less. They’re excluded from perks like free childcare, pushed into odd tax-efficiency tactics, and largely ignored by every major political party—despite contributing nearly half of all income-tax revenue. What happens when a growing class of heavily taxed, politically homeless high earners starts to question a system that punishes upward mobility? https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/03/26/who-will-speak-for-henry

Tamil Nadu is home to a political tradition unlike anywhere else in India—one where movie stardom is the surest path to power. In this episode, we explore how Kollywood’s “mass heroes,” from the legendary M.G. Ramachandran to today’s political dynasties, turned fan devotion into electoral machinery. These actors didn’t just entertain; their on-screen righteousness became a political identity, amplified by vast fan clubs that operate like grassroots organizations. And while their films promised revolution, the real story is how cinema became the state’s enduring finishing school for politics—where charisma, narrative, and mythmaking matter as much as policy.https://www.economist.com/christmas-specials/2023/12/20/why-tamil-movie-heroes-become-politicians

In this episode, we dive into the strange, high-stakes world of the global arowana trade—a market where a single shimmering “dragonfish” can sell for tens of thousands of dollars and inspire both obsession and danger. Once an endangered food fish, the arowana has become a Southeast Asian status symbol, propped up by superstition, luxury culture, and a booming breeding industry in places like West Kalimantan. But as prices fluctuate and security concerns escalate—with owners hiring guards and thieves willing to kill for a prized specimen—the business reveals a darker edge. We explore how this fish became a global fetish object, why its value is slipping even as demand holds strong, and what the rise of “arofanatics” says about luck, identity, and the risks people take for beauty.economist.com/asia/2018/09/13/economies-of-scale-why-asia-is-obsessed-with-arowanas

Intermittent fasting promises simplicity in a world of complicated diets—but does it actually deliver better health? In this episode, we look at the evidence behind time-restricted eating, from the popular “5–2” plan to daily fasting windows, and unpack why studies show it’s often no more effective for weight loss than old-fashioned calorie counting. Beyond the hype, we explore the tantalizing animal research on longevity and autophagy, and why human trials remain frustratingly mixed when it comes to insulin, cholesterol, and overall metabolic health. And we don’t shy away from the risks: strict fasting can cost you muscle and may even weaken immunity. So is intermittent fasting a metabolic reset—or just another diet dressed up in science? We break it down.https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/02/07/does-intermittent-fasting-work

American evangelicalism is facing a crisis of prophecy. In this episode, we look at the explosive rise of self-appointed Christian prophets—many of whom flourished online during the Trump years—and why their influence keeps growing despite a string of failed predictions. We follow the dramatic story of Jeremiah Johnson, a prominent figure who apologized for wrongly prophesying Trump’s 2020 victory and was met not with grace but with threats and fury from his own followers. Behind these controversies lies something deeper: a movement fueled by institutional distrust, conspiracy thinking, and a longing for supernatural certainty in chaotic times. What happens when prophecy becomes a digital free-for-all? And can a tradition built on accountability survive when its loudest voices refuse it?https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/us/christian-prophets-predictions.html

Venezuela’s latest “ghost election” tells a bleak story about a country caught between political theater and economic freefall. In this episode, we unpack how Nicolás Maduro’s regime claimed a sweeping victory amid record-low turnout, why the opposition sees abstention as both tactic and trap, and how expiring U.S. sanctions exemptions could plunge the nation back into deeper recession and renewed inflation. With oil production set to fall and Washington divided on strategy, Venezuela faces tightening pressure at home and abroad—even as dissidents continue their fight from exile, prison, or the shadows. What happens when a government wins elections no one shows up for—and an economy runs out of lifelines? Let’s dig into the fragile reality behind the headlines.https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/05/29/venezuelas-sound-of-silence

America’s prepping boom isn’t just about stockpiling beans in a bunker—it’s become a fully fledged industry powered by fear, politics, and profit. In this episode, we dig into how anxieties about everything from climate disasters to civil unrest have transformed doomsday preparation into a luxury marketplace, complete with high-end fallout shelters and premium freeze-dried meals. But the story isn’t just about right-wing survivalists anymore: scientists, suburban families, and left-leaning professionals are joining the prepper world too, each imagining a different version of collapse. And beneath the paranoia lies a surprising theme—many preppers believe that when society breaks, community, not isolation, will be their real lifeline. So what does this booming business of fear tell us about the American psyche—and what we think the future holds?https://www.economist.com/united-states/2019/10/19/how-to-await-the-apocalypse-in-style

Fatherhood hasn’t always looked like bedtime stories and school runs. In this episode, we trace its astonishing evolution—from ancient societies where fathers held near-absolute power, to medieval and early modern theories that ranged from philosophical to outright strange, to colonial laws that entrenched cruelty for male advantage. Today, DNA testing, shifting gender roles, and hands-on parenting have reshaped fatherhood into something more nurturing and egalitarian—at least for some. Yet a widening class divide means many less-educated men are increasingly absent from family life, fueling frustration and social fallout. What does the long arc of fatherhood tell us about power, gender, and the changing shape of modern family life?https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/05/15/why-the-best-time-to-be-a-dad-is-now

Japan’s toilets aren’t just utilities—they’re a cultural marvel. In this episode, we explore how everything from heated seats and cleansing washlets to architect-designed public restrooms turned Tokyo’s lavatories into icons of comfort, beauty, and hospitality. Drawing on Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days and a century of design evolution, we trace how spiritual notions of purity, Western modernization, and modern tech fused into the world’s most celebrated bathroom culture. Why did Japan make toilets an art form—and what does that reveal about how a society cares for people in their most private moments?https://www.economist.com/asia/2023/09/28/the-worlds-greatest-toilet-culture

Taiwan’s Indigenous hunting traditions are colliding with modern law, and one 70-year-old Bunun hunter stands at the heart of the conflict. In this episode, we explore how communities whose identities are rooted in sacred hunting rituals now face firearm regulations, protected-species laws, and court cases that could redefine their rights. Conservationists argue the old taboos protected the land; the state says the rules must apply to everyone. As landmark cases like Talum Suqluman head toward decisive rulings, the future of Indigenous self-governance—and the survival of centuries-old ways of life—hangs in the balance.https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/13/world/asia/taiwan-Indigenous-hunters.html

The sudden end of the “12-Day War” between Israel and Iran came not through diplomacy in Geneva, but through a surprise social-media proclamation from Donald Trump—an announcement so abrupt it seemed to stun all three players. In this episode, we unpack what each side claims as victory: Israel’s crippling strikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile sites, Iran’s vow of defiance, and Washington’s insistence it averted a wider regional firestorm. But beneath the celebratory statements lies a far darker question: is this a breakthrough or merely a pause? Analysts warn the ceasefire may simply buy time for a humiliated Iran to rebuild, setting up Israel and the U.S. for years of containment in a region exhausted by conflict. We explore what this uneasy quiet really means—and why the next escalation may already be taking shape.https://www.economist.com/briefing/2025/06/26/israels-war-with-iran-is-over

Once untouchable at the box office, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is suddenly looking mortal. In this episode, we dig into why the world’s biggest film franchise is stumbling—from underperforming releases like The Marvels to the creative strain of producing too much, too fast. With beloved actors gone, key behind-the-scenes talent dispersed, and even China briefly closing its doors, the MCU’s once unstoppable momentum has cracked. Yet amid the slump, glimmers of hope remain in films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, raising a bigger question: is this just franchise fatigue—or the moment Marvel finally learns that quality, not quantity, is its only path back to greatness?https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/01/11/marvel-seems-to-be-losing-its-powers

Sitting all day isn’t what the human body was built for—but can a sit-stand desk really make a difference? In this episode, we sift through the research behind the trend, from mixed findings on cardiovascular and metabolic benefits to small signs of improved mood and reduced anxiety among students. The strongest evidence points elsewhere: sit-stand desks consistently help ease lower-back pain, a major complaint in an increasingly sedentary world. With experts warning that the science is still thin—and that many claimed benefits remain unproven—we explore why these desks have captured the public imagination, what they genuinely offer, and whether simply standing up more can meaningfully reshape our health.https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/08/15/should-you-use-a-standing-desk

Life in some British cities has been transformed by international students—and now hangs in the balance. In this episode, we look at how areas like Middlesbrough’s Linthorpe Road blossomed into hubs of bubble-tea shops, global grocers, and student-focused services after universities embraced more open visa policies. But with Westminster now pulling back—restricting dependents and reconsidering post-study visas—applications are slowing, and the high streets built around these students suddenly look vulnerable. Are these vibrant mini-economies a temporary boom, or a preview of what happens when immigration policy shifts overnight? We explore how one street became a barometer for the UK’s uneasy tension between growth and control.https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/01/28/what-the-rise-of-bubble-tea-says-about-british-high-streets

Hostels were once for backpackers—now they’re lifelines for China’s jobless youth. In this episode, we follow young graduates pouring into megacities like Shanghai, sleeping in cheap bunks while hunting for work that often pays far less than their degrees promised. As China’s economy slows and competition intensifies, youth unemployment has turned these hostels into waiting rooms for delayed adulthood, filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and stalled ambition. Through personal stories, we ask what happens when a generation does everything right—studies hard, moves to the big city—and still can’t find a foothold. What does prolonged joblessness do to hopes, identities, and China’s future?https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/01/world/asia/china-unemployment-youth-hostels.html

Japan’s once-invincible ruling party is suddenly looking old, awkward, and out of touch. In this episode, we examine the mounting troubles of the Liberal Democratic Party, which has dominated Japanese politics for decades but now faces scandals, internal fractures, and a growing inability to connect with younger voters—even as it fumbles onto TikTok. With its parliamentary majority weakened and more agile opposition parties gaining ground through clearer messages and smarter use of social media, Japan is entering a more competitive and unpredictable political era. Does this signal the long-overdue renewal of Japanese democracy—or the start of chronic instability and gridlock after decades of one-party rule?https://www.economist.com/asia/2025/07/14/japans-politics-is-entering-a-messy-new-era

Language has always evolved—but TikTok put it on fast-forward. In this episode, we explore how the platform’s young users are reshaping English in real time, recycling old words like “demure” with ironic new meanings while inventing viral terms such as “yapping” and “skibidi.” TikTok’s endless scroll, remix culture, and algorithm-driven communities supercharge linguistic creativity, turning slang into identity work at unprecedented speed. We also look at “algospeak”—deliberate misspellings and euphemisms designed to dodge moderation—and why even institutions like the Oxford English Dictionary are struggling to keep up. What happens when a language evolves faster than the people trying to record it?https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/10/21/tiktok-is-changing-how-gen-z-speaks

Contract killings are becoming a business in South Africa. In this episode, we investigate the rise of what some call an “assassination economy,” where teachers, civil servants, police officers, and politicians are gunned down by hired killers known as izinkabi. Once limited to gang rivalries, these murders now stem from corruption, political infighting, and organized crime—fueled by poverty that makes killing for pay an option for desperate young men, and by deep impunity worsened by police complicity. Arrests do happen, but rarely enough to stop the spread. What happens to a state when people are murdered simply for doing their jobs—and killing becomes just another line of work?https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2025/07/10/got-an-enemy-hire-a-killer

Basic skills are quietly eroding across the rich world. In this episode, we unpack alarming findings from the OECD showing that large numbers of adults in wealthy nations now read, count, and reason at levels no higher than a primary school student. While countries like Finland and Japan still perform well, others—including the United States—are slipping, widening the gap between the highly skilled and everyone else. Aging populations and migration play a role, but researchers suspect something deeper: fewer people practicing sustained reading and complex thinking at all. Because these skills shape wages, health, and even happiness, the decline raises an uncomfortable question—what happens to a society that slowly forgets how to think well?https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/12/10/are-adults-forgetting-how-to-read

China isn’t just skiing for sport—it’s skiing for strength. In this episode, we explore how winter sports have become a strategic national project, turbocharged by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and backed by massive state investment. Nearly 700 ski centers have sprung up across the country, including enormous indoor slopes that run year-round, helping China win medals, boost public fitness, and spark domestic tourism in unexpected places. From the naturalization of star athletes like Eileen Gu to ski resorts rising in politically sensitive regions such as Xinjiang, winter sports have become tools of prestige, health policy, and economic ambition. What looks like leisure on snow is, in China, a carefully groomed vision of national power.https://www.economist.com/china/2024/01/04/millions-of-chinese-have-embraced-skiing

Antique elevators in downtown Cairo are more than just a way to get upstairs—they’re relics of a city that refuses to let go of its past. In this episode, we step into the creaking, century-old lifts that still carry residents daily, celebrating their Art Deco beauty while enduring frequent breakdowns, manual fixes, and quirky safety features. Kept alive by original craftsmanship, landlords’ nostalgia, and rent controls that discourage replacement, these elevators embody Cairo’s tension between preservation and practicality. At what point does history become an inconvenience—and when does replacing it mean losing part of the city’s soul?https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/20/world/middleeast/cairo-egypt-elevators.html

Yemen’s war is no longer just a two-sided conflict—it’s a splintered battlefield with more than nine factions pulling the country apart, even as a failed ceasefire has unexpectedly strengthened the Houthis. In this episode, we unpack how a Saudi–Houthi truce meant to ease tensions instead tilted the balance, why rival Gulf ambitions—with the UAE backing southern secessionists and Saudi Arabia pushing the opposite direction—have deepened the chaos, and how Iran’s support has positioned the Houthis to potentially dominate a fractured nation. What happens when the Middle East’s most divided state edges toward becoming a single, Houthi-controlled entity? And what does that mean for the region’s future? Let’s break down the power struggle shaping Yemen’s fate.https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/08/09/can-yemen-hold-together

Not every great leader is a visionary showman—and the latest research suggests they probably shouldn’t be. In this episode, we look at why companies keep promoting charismatic narcissists, even though their ego-driven decisions often hurt morale, stability, and performance. Psychologists like Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic argue that the real backbone of healthy organizations is the “boring manager”: calm, dependable, emotionally mature, and quietly competent. But if these steady hands are so effective, why are they so often overlooked? And how can unflashy but capable people make themselves visible without becoming self-promoters? We explore the science of leadership, the hidden cost of charisma, and why the future might belong to the managers no one notices—until everything starts working.https://www.economist.com/business/2023/02/23/unshowy-competence-brings-drawbacks-as-well-as-benefits

Jet lag isn’t a moral failing—it’s your body’s ancient clock colliding with modern speed. In this episode, we break down why crossing time zones leaves you foggy, irritable, and wide-eyed at 3 a.m., and why no miracle cure exists despite decades of quirky tips (yes, even barefoot exercises and that infamous Viagra-in-rodents study). Instead, we zero in on what actually helps: well-timed melatonin, hydration, and smart sunlight exposure to coax your circadian rhythm back on track. Jet lag may be inevitable, but suffering through it isn’t—and with a little science, your next long-haul can feel a lot less brutal.https://www.economist.com/business/2024/10/31/how-to-beat-jet-lag

Cold plunges promise resilience—but what does the science really say? In this episode, we dive into the icy world of cold shock, a fast-growing wellness trend fueled by Wim Hof and his bold claims about immunity, inflammation, and mental well-being. Early studies show intriguing hints—fewer symptoms of illness, activated brain regions tied to positive mood, and that unmistakable dopamine surge after stepping into freezing water. But the evidence is far from settled. Larger trials suggest the benefits may be modest or even placebo-driven, and some recent research finds no broad physiological improvements at all. So why does cold exposure feel so good? And are we chasing genuine health effects or just the thrill of discomfort? Join us as we sort the chill facts from the frosty hype—and explore why millions keep returning to the cold anyway.https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/01/31/are-ice-baths-good-for-you

Flying in America didn’t just get stricter after 9/11—it became an entirely different emotional experience. In this episode, we look at how a once-humane, even charming system transformed into today’s anxiety-filled, hyper-securitized grind. From the end of small kindnesses—like pilots ordering pizza for stranded passengers—to the rise of cramped cabins, endless fees, and thinning staff, air travel has grown safer but far more isolating. What did we lose in the shift from human connection to maximum control? And is there any way back to an experience that feels less like endurance and more like travel?https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/09/travel/airline-travel-september-11.html