Wake-up haul: an Ozempic moment for the brain

Wake-up haul: an Ozempic moment for the brain

Orexins are peptides involved in the body’s sleep-wake system—and are big pharma’s next big thing. Like multi-purpose GLPs, they may have far more uses [https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/08/11/the-brain-may-be-about-to-have-its-ozempic-moment?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] than just regulating shuteye. We ask why Japan’s post-war innovation boom petered out, and what must be done to breed more unicorns [https://www.economist.com/business/2026/08/13/japans-downbeat-startups-need-a-lift?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]. And why procrastination seems to be on the rise, and how to beat it [https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/07/31/how-to-stop-procrastinating?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]. Guests and host: * Shailesh Chitnis, global business correspondent * Ethan Wu, Asia business and finance editor * Benjamin Sutherland, science writer * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * orexins, peptides, sleep disorders, pharmaceuticals * Japan, innovation, startups * procrastination Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Settler bet: a West Bank flashpoint

Israeli settlers have been clashing more and more [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/08/17/violent-israeli-settlers-want-to-provoke-a-palestinian-uprising?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] with Palestinians in the West Bank, often with government backing. We examine the forces at play in what could soon be yet another battlefront. India’s proliferating civil codes [https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/08/12/should-every-indian-follow-the-same-rules?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] are creating insuperable legal contradictions for a multi-faith people. And answering some letters [https://www.economist.com/business/2026/08/06/the-return-of-max-flannel-our-workplace-agony-uncle?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] addressed to our “agony uncle” columnist.  Guests and host: * Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent * Kira Huju, Asia correspondent * Andrew Palmer, executive editor * Jason Palmer (no relation), co-host of “The Intelligence” * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * West Bank, Palestinians, Israeli settlers, Israel election * India, civil codes, Hindu nationalism * management, advice Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

It’s not easy being Green: Zack Polanski

To critics, the Green Party leader is dangerous, even a con man. To fans, he is a national saviour-in-waiting. Our correspondent meets him [https://www.economist.com/1843/2026/08/13/can-zack-polanski-do-a-mamdani?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] to see what is behind the hype. So-called SpudCells have just seven bespoke DNA loops, but represent a revolutionary step [https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/07/01/scientists-take-another-step-towards-lab-made-life?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] toward life made from scratch. And the many ways travel agents still beat [https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/08/13/travel-agents-are-in-demand-especially-for-luxury-trips?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] the bots. Guests and host: * Andrew Miller, special correspondent * Oliver Morton, planetary affairs editor * Caitlin Talbot, culture correspondent * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Zack Polanski, Green Party * SpudCells, synthetic biology * travel agents, luxury travel Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Afghanistan, five years on: our correspondent visits

Five years after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan [https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/08/13/the-taliban-are-vile-democracies-must-still-engage-with-them?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners], the Taliban show little sign of moderation. Our correspondent reports from the country on what life is like for ordinary people. A giant earthquake reveals two very different Colombias [https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2026/08/12/a-big-earthquake-reveals-two-very-different-colombias?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]. And celebrating the life of Gurkha climber, Nirmal Purja [https://www.economist.com/obituary/2026/08/13/nirmal-purja-performed-momentous-feats-in-the-death-zone?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners], who died in an avalanche. Watch extended clips from Insider here [https://www.economist.com/interactive/insider/previews?utm_campaign=a.brand_fy2627_q1_awareness-imp-tr_prospecting_global-global_direct_na&utm_medium=audio.podcast.pd&utm_source=economist&utm_content=discovery.awareness.anonymous.tr_nativeread_np-tiinsider-apr_na-na_web_na_na_na_na&utm_term=sa.arc-isi], plus the full Elon Musk interview.  Guests and host: * Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief * Claire McQue, Latin America writer * Ann Wroe, obituaries editor * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Afghanistan, Taliban, sanctions * Colombia, earthquake, Espriella * Nirmal Purja, mountaineer, Everest, avalanche Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Caracas under pressure: democracy in Venezuela

After American troops snatched Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a dawn raid in January, democracy did not seem like a priority. Yet this week, talks [https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/08/12/america-really-might-restore-democracy-to-venezuela?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] between the regime and opposition ended with small, positive steps. Why US consumers’ love of fast food [https://www.economist.com/business/2026/08/06/americans-are-losing-their-appetite-for-fast-food?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] may be slowing. And how many hours of Wagner opera [https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/08/05/why-you-should-sit-through-15-hours-of-opera?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] would you sit through?   Guests and host: * Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondent * Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent * Brook Unger, senior digital editor * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Venezuela, Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez, Machado * Fast food, McDonalds, burgers * Wagner, “Ring” cycle, classical music Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.