Checks and Balance from The Economist

A sophisticated, predatory, multi-billion dollar industry is emerging from the shadows. It is already more lucrative than the illicit drug trade. And it’s about to get bigger and much more powerful. The Economist’s Sue-Lin Wong follows a trail that starts with the collapse of a bank in rural Kansas to uncover a global, underground scam economy built around human trafficking, corruption and money laundering. Can it be stopped?Coming soon.To listen to the full series subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.

Donald Trump re-enters the White House more confident, radical and accepted than ever before. The president is likely at the peak of his power: what is he going to do next?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by The Economist’s James Bennet, and Yuval Levin from the American Enterprise Institute.Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+  For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

The flames are still burning in Los Angeles, as Angelenos start to think about how to rebuild their city. How will the tragedy change LA?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard, Adam O’Neal and Aryn Braun. They’re joined by The Economist’s Henry Tricks and professor of architecture Sarah Lorenzen. Our email is podcasts@economist.comTranscripts 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 Economist Podcasts+  For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Joe Biden enters the last days of his presidency widely considered a political failure. But his policy record is more impressive. How much of this can survive Donald Trump’s return? And how will history judge Joe Biden’s time in office? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by The Economist’s Simon Rabinovitch and David Rennie, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. 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 Economist Podcasts+  For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Donald Trump is weeks away from returning to the White House. He’ll inherit a strong economy at home, but will also face several foreign policy crises. Meanwhile, as Joe Biden finally exits the political stage, Democrats need to regroup and find a new path forward. What should we expect from the year ahead in American politics?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by The Economist correspondents Aryn Braun, Steve Mazie and Simon Rabinovitch. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+  For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

For our Christmas episode we’re convening the Checks and Balance film club. The hosts put on their movie-critic hats and discuss our selection of classic films.John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard, Idrees Kahloon and James Bennet.This episode includes clips from The Searchers, West Side Story and The Godfather Parts 1 and 2. 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 Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Over a million Americans have died from overdoses since the turn of the century. Now, at last, the crisis might be getting better–data suggest that overdose deaths peaked last year. The turn seems to be rapid and widespread. What’s behind the change–and what’s next for the opioid epidemic?Charlotte Howard hosts with Stevie Hertz and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by The Economist’s Daniel Knowles and Keith Humphreys, drug policy advisor to George W Bush and Barack Obama.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 Economist Podcasts+  For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

The prospect of an anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist heading up American health policy understandably fills many Americans with horror. But Robert F. Kennedy junior, Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of health, advocates some policies that liberals have long favoured. How damaging would his appointment be? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by The Economist’s Sacha Nauta, and former CDC official William Dietz. This episode uses audio from The Liz Wheeler ShowTranscripts 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 Economist Podcasts+  For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

The president-elect has proposed blanket tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China. Donald Trump says he wants America's neighbours to clamp down on drugs and migrant crossings and protect American interests. Some foreign countries hope the tariffs are just a negotiating ploy. But how might they respond? And what would this all mean for American consumers?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. They’re joined by Kathleen Claussen of Georgetown Law and The Economist’s Sarah Birke.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 Economist Podcasts+  For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.