Public

We're living in unusual times, with political history being made every week and the seemingly imminent collapse of a certain global super power on the horizon. "Once you pull on the thread of collapse, the entire tapestry of history begins to unravel," writes Luke Kemp. What can we learn from looking at the collapse of past societies?

• Guest: Luke Kemp, research affiliate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge. His first book is 'Goliath’s Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse'.

Originally broadcast on 21 May, 2025

Dan Brown is the bestselling author of the Robert Langdon thriller series, including The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, The Lost Symbol, Inferno, and Origin. His novels have sold 250 million copies worldwide. Brown’s work has defined a modern genre of high-concept, research-driven thrillers that fuse art, history, religion, and science, and several of his books have been adapted into major feature films. His latest book, The Secret of Secrets, released in September 2025, returns to the Robert Langdon character in a new contemporary thriller.

------

Thank you to the sponsors that fuel our podcast and our team:

Squarespace

https://squarespace.com/tetra

Use code 'TETRA'

------

LMNT Electrolytes

https://drinklmnt.com/tetra

Use code 'TETRA'

------

Athletic Nicotine

https://www.athleticnicotine.com/tetra

Use code 'TETRA'

------

Sign up to receive Tetragrammaton Transmissions

https://www.tetragrammaton.com/join-newsletter

The US last week released its new national security strategy – and it wasn’t good news for Europe. The document, which sets out US foreign policy priorities, blasted Europe for undermining “political liberty and sovereignty”, de-emphasised the threat from Russia, reframed America’s competition with China and put influence over the western hemisphere at the top of the US agenda. In this episode, FT chief economics commentator Martin Wolf and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman discuss what the impact of this new US strategy may be. How should Europe react to this sharp turn from its strongest historical ally? And is Trump handing China the world on a silver platter?

Email any questions for Martin and Paul to [email protected]

Subscribe and listen to this series of The Economics Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Read Martin’s column here 

Subscribe to Paul’s Substack here

Find Paul’s cultural coda here.

Find Martin’s cultural coda here.

Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Tom Hannen is the video editor. Sound design by Breen Turner. Original music by Breen Turner.

The Wolf-Krugman Exchange: America vs the world video

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dutch historian Rutger Bregman's 2025 Reith Lectures, called "Moral Revolution", explore the moral decay and un-seriousness of today's elites. He argues that small, committed groups can spark moral revolutions, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and long-term vision.

In this third of four lectures, Bregman argues for a new "realist utopia," calling for people to join what he labels" a conspiracy of decency." He says that in the face of rapid technological change, we need to promote ideas like Universal Basic Income, fairer taxation and responsible tech regulation.

The Reith Lectures are presented by Anita Anand who chairs a Q & A. The programme was recorded in front of an audience in Edinburgh.

The future of European thought

What is analytic philosophy and what is continental philosophy? And, perhaps most importantly, does this distinction make any sense?

The division between these two branches has divided Western philosophy for decades now, with the Anglo-Saxon world largely associated with the analytical school, and the European continent with the, well, continental one.

In this panel, our speakers discuss the future of thought for Western philosophy and Europe. Is the division between these schools obsolete? Are they both under threat? What can we expect?

Join our three philosophy professors, Christoph Schuringa, Genia Schönbaumsfeld, and Babette Babich to discuss these themes. Hosted by Danielle Sands.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Most of the time, diagnosis happens through routine screenings. This episode, we discuss risk factors for prostate cancer, how to get screened and what you can do if you are diagnosed.

Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit
Sign up for our newsletter here.
Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at [email protected]
Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Do You Feel Like an Employee of Your Former Self? Renowned novelist Ian McEwan makes a funny observation about book tours that’s applicable to many familiar situations.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Get in touch: [email protected]

Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app.

Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The boys of the NYPD choir are still singing Galway Bay, so pour yourself a measure of the Rare Old Mountain Dew and warm your toes on the following …

… Steve Lillywhite (in Bali!) remembers making Fairytale Of New York and how “a fiery redhead” kicked the Chrissie Hynde duet into touch

… the most recent singer-songwriter you could call “a ledge”?

… records we loved in our 20s but now feel a bit embarrassing  

… “discipline and economy, tension and release”: the immortal twangs and tweaks of Steve Cropper and how the MGs redefined the idea of a great record

… Green Onions, I Thank You by Sam & Dave and the white heat of Otis Blue’s 24-hour recording

... Tim Buckley’s Greatest Misses

... performative listening: the exquisite awkwardness of the album playback!

… the link between Imogen Heap and the Hissing of Summer Lawns

… Jon Bon Jovi’s version of Fairytale – “so bad they had to turn the YouTube comments off!”

… plus Gram Parsons, the cult of the Blues Brothers, the Monochrome Set and a quiz from birthday guest Peter Petyt: spot the Hepworth/Ellen reviews of yesteryear!

The new live version of Fairytale of New York: http://pogues.lnk.to/FONYLiveGlasgow1987

Josh Smith demonstrating Steve Cropper’s guitar parts: https://youtu.be/LJEIwggKAsg?si=29weA4tBQE6ccj1-

Help us to keep The Longest Conversation In Rock going: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.