Thomas Ramge, co-author of "On the Brink of Utopia: Reinventing Innovation to Solve the World's Largest Problems" joins the podcast to discuss innovation, techno-optimism, and the precipass of a utopian-ish society.

In this episode, we review what past events and circumstances have led us to the recent cryptocurrency news plastering the headlines through the lens of author Zeke Faux's absurdist masterpiece titled "Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall." Together with Zeke, we cover a wide range of topics including the FTX fraud, the Sam Bankman-Fried trial, Tether, and the bizare culture within certain crypto communities.

S&P Global's Peter Gardett joins the podcasts to discuss the ongoing race for the wide-scale adaptation of renewable energy sources on a global scale.

Alexandra Dimitrijevic, Global Head of Research & Development at S&P Global Ratings joins the Essential Podcast to talk about conditions in the global credit market and the economic outlook in 2024 for regions around the world.

Leah Boustan of Princeton University and Ran Abramitzky of Stanford University join the Essential Podcast to discuss their book "Streets of Gold: America's Untold Story of Immigrant Success".

Gené Teare, Senior Data Editor at Crunchbase joins the podcast to discuss the seemingly ever-changing tides of Venture Capital in the tech-industry's startup scene.

Partner at Bain Capital Ventures Matt Harris joins the podcast to discuss the venture capital world that now exists in the wake of the so-called "halcyon days" of 2021.

Talal Rafi, Economist and Management Consultant at Deloitte, Expert Member of the World Economic Forum, and Regular Columnist for the International Monetary Fund returns to the podcast to give us an update on what's happening in Sri Lanka.

Author and Senior Economic Adviser at HSBC Holdings Stephen D. King joins the podcast to discuss his new book "We Need to Talk About Inflation: 14 Urgent Lessons from the Last 2,000 Years."

Quinn Slobodian, Marion Butler McLean Professor in the History of Ideas at Wellesley College joins the podcast to discuss his book "Crack-Up Capitalism: Market Radicals and the Dream of a World Without Democracy."