India's ruling BJP and opposition Congress parties have been showering gifts on farmers ahead of parliamentary elections this year. But economists are worried about the long term impact of this competitive populism and suggest it won't do much to improve the lot of India's farmers. Amy Kazmin discusses the pre-election giveaways with Jyotsna Singh.

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Amy Kazmin, South Asia bureau chief, Jyotsna Singh, Delhi reporter. Producers: Jyotsna Singh and Fiona Symon

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How much sleep do we need and can we have too much of it? Darren Dodd discusses why sleep is now being seen as an acute health issue in developed societies with the FT’s science editor Clive Cookson and neuroscientist Matthew Walker, author of Why we sleep

Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, FT Live reporter, Darren Dodd editor of FT Health, Clive Cookson, science editor, and Matthew Walker, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology and the director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Which companies made the biggest headlines in 2018 and what's the outlook for 2019? Tom Braithwaite, FT companies editor, discusses the big corporate themes of this year and next with Katie Martin, capital markets editor.

Contributors: Josh Noble, weekend news editor, Tom Braithwaite, companies editor and Katie Martin, capital markets editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Gender pay gap reporting became compulsory for UK companies with 250 or more employees last year. But those hoping to see swift action from employers to narrow the gap will be disappointed. Financial Times analysis of the data lodged in April 2018 reveals that the gap has barely shifted from the previous year. Sarah O’Connor discusses the findings with Sarah Gordon and Aleksandra Wisniewska

Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, FT Live reporter; Sarah O'Connor, investigations correspondent, Sarah Gordon, business editor and Aleksandra Wisniewska, data journalist. Producer: Fiona Symon

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GlaxoSmithKline is combining its consumer health business with that of US rival Pfizer, paving the way for a separation of its core consumer and pharmaceuticals businesses within three years. Chief executive Emma Walmsley is betting the cash generated by the enlarged consumer unit will fund further investment in the pharmaceutical business ahead of the demerger. Matthew Vincent is joined by Sarah Neville and Arash Massoudi to discuss the merits of the deal and its implications for the health and pharmaceuticals markets.

Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, FT Live reporter, Matthew Vincent, Lombard columnist, Sarah Neville, global pharmaceuticals editor and Arash Massoudi, corporate finance and deals editor. Producer: Sam Westran

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The Financial Times’s choice of Person of the Year is usually a reflection of their achievements. In the case of George Soros this year, his selection is also about the values he represents. Robert Shrimsley discusses the FT's choice with Lionel Barber and Roula Khalaf. 

This podcast was first published as a Big Read podcast. Read Roula Khalaf's interview with the billionaire philanthropist here

Contributors: Robert Shrimsley, columnist, Lionel Barber, editor, and Roula Khalaf, deputy editor. Producers: Anna Dedhar and Fiona Symon

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Congo’s elections on Sunday were set to herald the country’s first transition of power by the ballot box, with President Joseph Kabila stepping down after 17 years in office. But an explosion of violence has caused the polls to be postponed. Orla Ryan discusses what happened with the FT’s Africa editor David Pilling

Contributors: Joshua Noble, weekend news editor, Orla Ryan, journalist, David Pilling, Africa editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Big tech companies are under fire again for failing to disclose key information about how Russia used their services to promote a pro-Trump agenda both before and after the 2016 election. Kiran Stacey, FT Washington correspondent, talks to Fiona Symon about the allegations, contained in two reports written for the Senate intelligence committee, and their likely repercussions.

Contributors: Katie Martin, capital markets editor, Kiran Stacey, Washington Correspondent and Fiona Symon, audio editor.  Producer: Fiona Symon

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Malaysian prosecutors are seeking fines of over $3bn from Goldman Sachs and prison terms for two of its bankers for their alleged role in the country’s long running 1MDB scandal. Stefania Palma has been covering the story for the FT and she spoke to Tom Braithwaite about the latest developments.

Contributors: Naomi Rovnick, FT Live reporter, Stefania Palma, south-east Asia correspondent and Tom Braithwaite, companies editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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