Checks and Balance from The Economist

Donald Trump is going to war with his employees, assisted by Elon Musk and DOGE. How far can the president go? And who may slow him down?John Prideaux hosts with Idrees Kahloon and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by Eloise Pasachoff of Georgetown University Law School and The Economist’s Daniel Knowles.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 has chosen his nominees for key national security positions. Many are eyebrow-raising picks. Others have more conventional resumes. Just how radical is Trump’s national security team?John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Adam O’Neal. They’re joined by Matthew Kroenig from the Atlantic Council and The Economist’s Steve Coll and Shashank Joshi.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.

A sophisticated, predatory, multi-billion dollar industry is emerging from the shadows. It already rivals the size of 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?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.