Macrodose

Planet B Productions

Your weekly fix of everything economics. Hosted by James Meadway.

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277 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes277

Newest first

Oct 6, 2025 · 30 min
[OVERSHOOT] Part 2: Carbon Suckers
Who’s going to clean up the mess? Dangerous amounts of carbon have been dumped in the atmosphere - so someone has to clean up the mess. Enter the dream - or delusion - of sucking carbon out of the sky. We trace how a backup plan for tackling climate change became plan A, why fossil fuel companies love it, and the staggering scale of the carbon sucking that must now be done - and whether it can even work. *** OVERSHOOT is a new four-part audio documentary hosted by climate researcher and policy advisor Laurie Laybourn. OVERSHOOT is produced by Planet B Productions and the Strategic Climate Risks Initiative. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. For essays and bonus content, sign up at overshootpod.com or follow @overshootpod on social media. *** Writer and presenter: Laurie Laybourn Researcher: Ben Shread-Hewitt Production coordination: Daniel Norman Script consulting: Daniel Trilling Sound design and mix: Ben Heyderman and James Fox Original music by Haniell With special thanks to Aaron Thierry, Mirte Boot, James Dyke, Henry Throp, Stephen Backhouse, Sophia Lennon
Oct 6, 2025 · 34 min
[OVERSHOOT] Part 1: Uncharted Territory
If the world didn’t win, then has it lost? The world is overshooting 1.5°C, a level of global heating long seen as the marker of climate safety. But does that mean we’re doomed? In this opening episode, we hear the extraordinary story of how the 1.5°C goal was set, and how it shapes the ways we think about climate change. We learn why some people are now turning to fatalism and what it might really mean to navigate a truly global climate crisis. *** OVERSHOOT is a new four-part audio documentary hosted by climate researcher and policy advisor Laurie Laybourn. OVERSHOOT is produced by Planet B Productions and the Strategic Climate Risks Initiative. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. For essays and bonus content, sign up at overshootpod.com or follow @overshootpod on social media. *** Writer and presenter: Laurie Laybourn Researcher: Ben Shread-Hewitt Production coordination: Daniel Norman Script consulting: Daniel Trilling Sound design and mix: Ben Heyderman and James Fox Original music by Haniell With special thanks to Aaron Thierry, Mirte Boot, James Dyke, Henry Throp, Stephen Backhouse, and Sophia Lennon
Oct 1, 2025 · 4 min
Overshoot: Navigating a world beyond 1.5°C – trailer
The world missed its goal for tackling climate change. What happens next? In 2015, the world agreed to limit global heating to 1.5°C. Ten years later, temperatures are spiralling beyond this and climate chaos is wreaking havoc across the globe. In a major four-part series, host Laurie Laybourn explores how the world ended up here and uncovers the huge misconceptions and the high-tech fantasies that hold us back. And we meet people with the ideas to navigate what comes next, from protesting pensioners to climate negotiators, Pacific islanders to pre-eminent scientists. Coming soon. Listen from Monday 6th October. *** OVERSHOOT is a new four-part audio documentary hosted by climate researcher and policy advisor Laurie Laybourn. OVERSHOOT is produced by Planet B Productions and the Strategic Climate Risks Initiative. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. For essays and bonus content, sign up at overshootpod.com or follow @overshootpod on social media. Writer and presenter: Laurie Laybourn Researcher: Ben Shread-Hewitt Production coordination: Daniel Norman Script consulting: Daniel Trilling Sound design and mix: Ben Heyderman and James Fox Original music by Haniell With special thanks to Aaron Thierry, Mirte Boot, James Dyke, Henry Throp, Stephen Backhouse
Oct 1, 2025 · 17 min
The Natural Economy
Returning from spending the summer writing his new book, James looks back at the key economic stories of the summer along with some important ones you may have missed. Plus: Javier Milei's economic experiment in Argentina has collapsed, leading to his government asking Trump’s United States for a $20 billion bailout. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support. Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠. To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.
Sep 24, 2025 · 1 hr 27 min
LIVE - The Policies and Politics We Need w/ Autonomy Institute
As public dissatisfaction with the current government deepens & Reform UK lead in the polls, the need for a coherent, credible alternative has become increasingly urgent. To meet this moment, leading think tank the Autonomy Institute and Macrodose hosted some of the UK’s leading, activists, academics and campaigners from across the progressive spectrum, to chart the ideas and strategies needed for a transformative agenda fit for the challenges of the present and the next general election. Speakers: - Asad Rehman (War on Want) - James Schneider (Progressive International) - Ayeisha Thomas-Smith (NEON) - John McTernan (Political strategist & commentator) - Antonia Jennings (Centre for London)
Sep 17, 2025 · 23 min
Hayek's Bastards w/ Quinn Slobodian
Our final guest hosted episode of the summer comes from Quinn Slobodian - author of Hayek's Bastards. Reading an extract from his book, he explains some of the surprising connections between the neoliberal intellectual movement and the so-called populist right that we’ve seen on the rise over the past decade.
Sep 10, 2025 · 21 min
Trump's Second State Visit w/ Nick Dearden & Sarah Jaffe
This week on The Curve, Nick Dearden from Global Justice Now is in the hosting chair, joined by journalist and author Sarah Jaffe. They discuss the upcoming second state visit of US President Donald Trump and the tech bosses that are accompanying him. In the extended episode, available to Macrodose members on Patreon, Nick and Sarah discuss the massive immigration raid at a Hyundai factory in Georgia. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.
Sep 3, 2025 · 14 min
The Decline of the Bandung Spirit w/ Kevin Ochieng Okoth
Our third guest hosted episode of the summer comes from Kevin O'Koth - author of Red Africa: Reclaiming Revolutionary Black Politics. Reading an extract from his book, he takes a look at the Bandung Conference – a pivotal 1955 gathering of leaders from Asia and Africa, united in their resistance to colonialism and their vision for a new, non-aligned world.
Aug 27, 2025 · 24 min
Unemployment Peak w/ Faiza Shaheen & Laurie Macfarlane
This week on The Curve, Faiza Shaheen is in the hosting chair and is joined by Laurie Macfarlane - co-director of Future Economy Scotland. They discuss the latest research on UK unemployment and whether or not we can confidently trust the figures coming out of the Office for National Statistics. In the extended episode, available to Macrodose members on Patreon, Faiza and Laurie discuss Trump's brand of authoritarian capitalism and it's implications for other economies. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.
Aug 20, 2025 · 21 min
Reeves Considers New Taxes w/ Grace Blakeley and Faiza Shaheen
This week on The Curve, Grace Blakeley is hosting chair and is joined by Faiza Shaheen - executive director of Tax Justice UK and visiting Professor in practice at the London School Of Economics. They discuss the latest rumours of new tax rises being considered by the chancellor Rachel Reeves and what they would mean for the UK economy In the extended episode, available to Macrodose members on Patreon, Grace and Faiza also discuss whether or not the recent boom in artificial intelligence is actually just a bubble. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.
Aug 13, 2025 · 15 min
Ricardo's Dream w/ Nat Dyer
Our second guest hosted episode of the summer comes from Nat Dyer - author of Ricardo’s Dream: How Economists Forgot the Real World and Led Us Astray. Reading an extract from his book, he takes a look at how conventional economics developed, and why many of its ideas have wrecked such havoc on society and the living world. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support. Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠. To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.
Aug 6, 2025 · 15 min
Who Cares? w/ Emily Kenway
Our first guest hosted episode of the summer comes from Emily Kenway, former carer, doctoral researcher and author of 'Who Cares: The Hidden Crisis of Caregiving And How We Solve It', Today she is reading an abridged excerpt from her book which explores why conventional assumptions about solving the so-called ‘care crisis’ are founded on deep misunderstandings. She invites you to rethink your assumptions around care - what kind of care counts, the solutions which are appropriate and how it is organised. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support. Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠. To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.
Aug 1, 2025 · 11 min
LIVE: State Of The Nation w/ Kwajo Tweneboa & Dalia Gebrial
With James Meadway away this week, we're bringing you another conversation from our State Of The Nation live event earlier this month. Kwajo Tweneboa is a housing activist confronting the worst living conditions people are having to experience in the UK, who sat down with Dalia Gebrial - Lecturer in Geography and Social Justice at Kings College London. Together, Tweneboa & Gebrial explore what's at the heart of Britain's housing crisis, what falsehoods explanations are being peddled by the right, and what change is required to create safe & healthy living conditions for all. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. As a thank you, patreon supporting will gain access to the full episode. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.
Jul 30, 2025 · 13 min
LIVE: State Of The Nation w/ Gary Stevenson & Kojo Koram
James Meadway is away this week, so in place of THE CURVE we're bringing you this exclusive conversation. Earlier this month, former trader Gary Stevenson joined Orwell Prize nominee Kojo Koram for a discussion on the state of British politics, rising inequality, and how economic decline is reshaping the public sphere. Together, Stevenson and Koram examined Britain’s offshore empire, the roots of global inequality, and the prospects for building real alternatives in a failing system. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. As a thank you, patreon supporting will gain access to the full episode. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.
Jul 23, 2025 · 18 min
John Maynard Keynes: Saving Capitalism From Itself
On this week's MACRODOSE, James continues our economics history series with a look at the life and legacy of one of the most famous economists of the 20th century - John Maynard Keynes. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support. Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠. To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.
Jul 16, 2025 · 14 min
China's Economic Future w/ Jane Hayward
This week on The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Jane Hayward - lecturer in China and global affairs at the Lau China institute at King’s College London - to explore the political economy of China. Together James and Jane discuss: whether the supposed coming collapse of China is real; if China's economy can be considered socialist or capitalist; and will the Chinese be able to move their economic model away from relying on an export surplus and towards a domestic market. The extended version of this show is available to Macrodose Patreon members. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.
Jul 9, 2025 · 26 min
Rosa Luxemburg: Ecological Economist
On this week's MACRODOSE, James kicks off our economics history series with a look at the life and impact of the Jewish Polish-German revolutionary and Marxist theorist Rosa Luxembourg, and why her work has renewed relevance today (2:22). Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support. Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠. To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.
Jul 2, 2025 · 22 min
Zohranomics w/ Kate Aronoff
This week on The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Kate Aronoff - staff writer at The New Republic - to discuss Zohran Mamdani's resounding victory in the democratic primary for New York City Mayor (0.57). In the full episode, available to Macrodose patrons, James & Kate also break down: - Attempts by US republicans to take from the poor and give to the rich via Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, set to cut health insurance for those on lower incomes and hand massive tax cuts to the wealthy. - Starmer’s Labour government coming a cropper over cuts to disability benefits and facing a backlash from the backbenches. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.
Jun 25, 2025 · 21 min
After Peace
On this week's MACRODOSE, James unpacks the big news story of the week: the US’ direct entry into the war in the Middle East, the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites, and the potential long term geopolitical and economic fall outs (2:11). Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support. Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠. To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.
Jun 18, 2025 · 31 min
War on Iran w/ Laleh Khalili
This week on The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Laleh Khalili - Professor of Gulf Studies at the University of Exeter and author of Sinews of War and Trade and Extractive Capitalism. Together, James and Laleh discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, with Israel escalating it’s U.S.-backed war on Iran. What are the potential geopolitical and economic consequences of escalating tensions in the region? (1.57) In the full episode, available to Macrodose patrons, the team also breaks down: - Trump’s proposed 'Golden Share' deal to control U.S. Steel - and what it could mean for the future of corporate governance and national industrial policy. - A rare dose of optimism: the New York mayoral primary, where insurgent candidate Zohran Kwame Mamdani is mounting a progressive grassroots challenge to disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo. Subscribe to support the show at patreon.com/Macrodose. Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.