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Slate Money

Slate Podcastsslate.com
A weekly roundup of the most important stories from the worlds of business and finance, hosted by Felix Salmon. Want more Slate Money? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Or, visit https://slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen.

Episodes

Optimal Illusions: The False Promise of Optimization

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Coco Krumme to discuss her book Optimal Illusions: The False Promise of Optimization. In the Plus segment: The story in Felix’s newsletter today on why the city of Birmingham in the UK has gone bankrupt. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 09, 202341 min

Slate Money Criminals: The $5 Billion Fraud

Felix Salmon and Elizabeth Spiers speak with Tom Wright, the author of Billion Dollar Whale to discuss Malaysian fraudster Jho Low. They talk about how he used political connections to live a lavish lifestyle and buy Leonardo DiCaprio an Oscar. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now ...

Sep 04, 202342 min

You Better Not Be Working

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers talk about the state of working in the United States three years after the COVID pandemic began. They discuss the latest in the efforts in the SEC’s attempts to litigate cryptocurrencies. And finally, can you be a guilt-free investor? If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we...

Sep 02, 202353 min

Twelve Ways to Help Fix the World

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers speak with author and academic Bjorn Lomborg about his latest book, “Best Things First”. How does Bjorn’s advice differ from effective altruism? And where should you donate your own money? If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now at slate....

Aug 26, 202350 min

Slate Money Criminals: John Ackah Blay-Miezah

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers speak with Yepoka Yeebo, author of Anansi’s Gold: The Man Who Looted the West, Outfoxed Washington, and Swindled the World. Yeebo explains how John Ackah Bley-Miezah convinced people that he held the keys to a large fortune. All they needed to do was help him access it. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. Y...

Aug 21, 202346 min

Rao’s Pasta Sauce is the Zoom of Food

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss FDIC chair Martin Guenberg’s proposal to let big bank debt holders lose money before the uninsured depositors. Also, Rao’s upscale cornering of the red sauce market leads to its $2.7 billion sale to Campbell’s. Finally “The Wig”: Argentina’s right-wing primary winner Javier Milei’s arresting mop and his plan to toss out the currency. In the Plus segment: Why can’t it be Halloween all year round? If you enjoy this show, please consider signin...

Aug 19, 202353 min

ESPN Bets on Sports Betting

Felix Salmon and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Cardiff Garcia (host of The New Bazaar) to discuss ESPN’s big new investment in sports betting. They break down the state of a lawsuit over how much UFC fighters get paid. Finally, they talk about the increasing allure of private credit. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the wor...

Aug 12, 202348 min

Slate Money Criminals: Bernie Madoff

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers kick off Slate Money’s series on some of the biggest financial scandals in recent history. This week they are joined by Joe Berlinger, director of “Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street”. Berlinger tells the Slate Money crew about Madoff and how his infamous Ponzi scheme ultimately came tumbling down. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segm...

Aug 07, 202345 min

America’s Credit Rating Went Down. So What?

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers talk about the recent downgrade of America’s credit rating by one agency. They also cover how Taylor Swift and Beyonce are changing concert tours, and figure out whether or not anyone is judging you during a business lunch. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on...

Aug 05, 202353 min

Will The UPS Union Deal Deliver?

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers talk about the tentative agreement between UPS and their unionized workers. They discuss how Goldman Sachs’ Apple credit card went bad, and a new study reveals how household income influences Ivy League admission rates. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Sla...

Jul 29, 202357 min

Wal-Mart v. Amazon: The Battle for Retail’s Soul

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by author Jason Del Rey to talk physical retail’s woes. They discuss Jason’s new book, Winner Sells All: Amazon, Walmart and the Battle for Our Wallets. Then they dig into what is going on with physical retail space and how looting can help Amazon and other resalers. And finally, why the IRS is investigating crypto bros in Puerto Rico. In the Plus segment: What happened to Taco Tuesday? If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up f...

Jul 22, 202357 min

Trouble in the House of Mouse

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers talk about Disney’s challenges especially now that writers and actors are both on strike. They discuss the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on student loans. And finally, what to do if your bank suddenly closes your account. In the Plus segment: Giant cruise ship! If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every...

Jul 15, 20231 hr 4 min

Can Threads Take Down Twitter?

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers talk about Threads, the new competitor to Twitter. They also discuss Janet Yellen’s trip to China and what it means for American foreign policy. Finally, have tipping and service charges gone too far? In the plus segment: Pregnant workers now have more workplace rights. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. Y...

Jul 08, 202355 min

How The Affirmative Action Ruling Changes Corporate America

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck and Elizabeth Spiers take on the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action. They also talk about the (very good!) marketing campaign behind the upcoming Barbie movie, and the (less good) influencer campaign for SHEIN. In the Plus segment: Vanna White needs a raise! If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporti...

Jul 01, 202344 min

The NCAA is…What, Exactly?

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck and Anna Szymanski break down the last two years of the college sports economy. Players can get paid for their name, image, and likeness. Is that a good thing? And how interest rate hikes have put private equity firms at risk. In the plus segment: Why college sports coaches make so much, and how that might be changing. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segme...

Jun 24, 20231 hr 5 min

Could Global Inequality Actually Be…Good?

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss what the decline in global economic inequality really means for our future, why you shouldn’t take luxury pictures right after you burn an industry to the ground, and why the Instant Pot couldn’t survive. In the Plus segment: Felix’s piece on why you shouldn’t stress about commercial real estate. Podcast production by Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 17, 202347 min

The SEC’s Crypto Crackdown

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers talk about the SEC lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase. Then they are joined by Slate’s own Henry Grabar for a chat about his new book, Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World. In the plus segment: More conversation with Henry Grabar If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the...

Jun 10, 202356 min

The Economic Tale of the Writers Strike

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers talk about the ongoing WGA strike, the latest news on the Fed’s fight against inflation, and how CEOs are courting Chinese business while staying in America’s good graces. In the Plus segment, movie theaters are trying everything to get you back into the cinema, including booze and gourmet food. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment...

Jun 03, 202355 min

Succession S4 Ep10: Fairly Explosive Mega-F***

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik to discuss the series finale of Succession. It all comes down to this; who wins, who loses, and, who gets ‘the kiss from Daddy’? The Tom/Greg Taylor Swift video. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do her...

May 29, 20231 hr 5 min

Rainbow Rage

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss the conservative backlash to corporate LGBTQIA+ Pride campaigns, Nvidia’s soaring stock and what it means for the future of AI, and what’s up with Germany’s economic slowdown. In the Plus segment: Elizabeth's piece on strivers and Succession. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Patrick Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 27, 202347 min

Succession S4 Ep9: Church and State

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by filmmaker, activist (and member of a real-life media dynasty) Abigail Disney to discuss the penultimate episode HBO’s Succession. At Logan’s funeral, speeches are made and power is brokered as the future of Waystar Royco hangs in the balance. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’...

May 22, 202354 min

The Debt Ceiling is Dumb

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss this big debate over the debt ceiling and why it’s so dumb, Sam Altman’s request for AI regulation, and the theory of “greedflation”. In the Plus segment: British accents! Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Patrick Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 20, 202351 min

Succession S4 Ep8: Election Night

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, Elizabeth Spiers, and guest Euan Rellie discuss the Election Night episode of Succession season 4. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now at slate.com/moneyplus to help support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

May 15, 202351 min

The Felix Wrote A Book Episode!

This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss Felix’s new book The Phoenix Economy: Work, Life, and Money in the New Not Normal. In the Plus segment: monkeys and immigration policy. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Patrick Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 13, 202349 min

Succession S4 Ep7: Two Indias (And Two Episode Directors)

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined this week by a star-studded lineup to discuss episode seven of HBO’s Succession. Author Taffy Brodesser-Akner, plus Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (the directors of this episode) join the gang to talk about the Roys’ election tailgate party. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll al...

May 08, 20231 hr 8 min

Why The First Republic Failure Is Different

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers talk about the failure of First Republic Bank, the (maybe) end of interest rate hikes, and how the shopping app Temu is shaking up e-commerce. Also, a more humane approach to chickens. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Slate Money. Sign up now at slate.com/...

May 06, 202350 min

Succession S4 Ep6: Living+

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Ed Lee of the New York Times for a spoilery recap of episode six of the final season of HBO’s Succession. They talk about Waystar’s investors meeting, Roman’s attempts to fire some people, and Tom and Shiv’s new game. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do ...

May 01, 202357 min

“Traffic”: Ben Smith and the Death of the Social Web

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Semafor editor-in-chief Ben Smith to discuss his new book. They also break down Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News and the end of Buzzfeed News. In the Plus: A throwback to the olden days of blogging. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Sla...

Apr 29, 202349 min

Succession S4 Ep5: Bleed The Swede

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Peter Kafka of Vox. They discuss episode five of the final season of HBO’s Succession, including a drug-fueled party, a very normal trip to Norway, and why the baguette may in fact be mightier than the bagel. Also, bags of blood. Really. Check out how the Succession timeline (kind of) works. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an addition...

Apr 24, 202348 min

Elon’s Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly

Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss the biggest business, tech and finance stories of the week. This week, Fox News settles with Dominion, Elon’s rocketship blows up, and Apple has a savings account now. In the plus: Quantifying the value of domestic labor. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and an additional segment of our show every week. You’ll also be supporting the work we do h...

Apr 22, 202355 min
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