{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/d556eb54-6160-4c85-95f4-47d9f5216c49/69131043c1ed8717c5dce1cd?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Home alone: the relationship recession","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a934d4d93d6587424a/1762856745037-568d34d6-505d-4b3e-b88c-cb0fdc450e67.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>People are <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/11/06/the-rise-of-singlehood-is-reshaping-the-world?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">spurning marriage</a> and any other kind of romantic relationship in record numbers. Our correspondents explore the non-dating market. The rise of <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/international/2025/11/06/a-new-industry-of-ai-companions-is-emerging?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">AI companions</a> could also have profound implications for society. And why <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2025/10/26/the-counterintuitive-economics-of-smoking?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">tobacco companies</a> are thriving.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href=\"https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</em></a></p><p><br></p><p><em>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our </em><a href=\"https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch </em><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>our video</em></a><em> explaining how to link your account.</em></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}