The Best New Business Podcast Right Now – April 2025
Dive into the world of business with this podcast series, exploring everything from the unexpected rise of the Peruvian blueberry industry to the complexities of trade wars and the role of the Federal Reserve. Each episode features insightful conversations with experts and thought leaders, offering a unique perspective on current economic issues and the forces shaping our global economy. From the impact of tariffs on small businesses to the ethical implications of panpsychism, this podcast provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the business world. Listen now to gain valuable insights and expand your understanding of the economic landscape.
The 10 Best Business episodes
How the War on Drugs got us… blueberries
This podcast explores the unexpected connection between the war on drugs and the rise of the Peruvian blueberry industry, highlighting the US government's efforts to incentivize alternative crops and the impact of trade policies on global markets.
This podcast tells the story of how the US government's war on drugs, specifically its efforts to curb cocaine production in South America, led to the unexpected rise of the Peruvian blueberry industry. The episode begins with a personal anecdote about the narrator's love for blueberries, setting the stage for exploring the surprising connection between blueberries and the war on drugs. The episode delves into the history of the war on drugs, focusing on the US government's multi-pronged strategy involving military intervention, development aid, and free trade initiatives. The episode highlights the importance of providing farmers with incentives to grow alternative crops instead of coca, and the US government's implementation of aid for trade programs to encourage legitimate trade and economic development. The episode explores the challenges of convincing coca farmers to switch to other crops, including the high profitability of coca and the presence of militant groups. The episode describes the US government's efforts to promote asparagus cultivation on the dry sandy coast of Peru, which led to a boom in the asparagus industry. However, the episode discusses the challenges faced by Peruvian asparagus farmers as the market became oversaturated due to competition from Mexico and China, prompting them to seek a new export crop. The episode introduces Jose Antonio Gomez Basan, a Peruvian businessman who returned to his country after gaining experience in the fruit industry abroad and recognized the potential for blueberries in Peru. The episode details Jose Antonio's efforts to establish a blueberry supply chain, from securing contracts with major supermarkets like Costco to overcoming challenges like skepticism about the Biloxi blueberry variety. The episode highlights the role of Oprah Winfrey's endorsement of blueberries in driving consumer demand, which, combined with Peru's favorable growing conditions, led to a surge in blueberry exports and consumption in the US. The episode concludes by assessing the impact of the aid for trade program on Peru. While the program faced criticism for its cost and unintended consequences, it significantly boosted Peru's agricultural exports and contributed to economic development.
Tariffs: What are they good for?
This podcast explores the historical and economic arguments for and against tariffs, examining the concept of "infant industry protection" and the impact of the "China shock" on the US economy.
This podcast episode delves into the complex world of tariffs, examining both historical and contemporary arguments for and against their use. The episode begins by introducing the topic of tariffs, focusing on the day the Trump administration was expected to impose new tariffs on goods from various countries. The podcast then explores the historical and economic arguments for tariffs, highlighting the perspective of economists who have long advocated for protectionist policies. The example of Hyundai's development in South Korea is used to illustrate the concept of "infant industry protection," where governments protect young industries from foreign competition until they can compete globally. The episode then moves beyond infant industry protection, exploring additional arguments for tariffs, including national security interests and combating unfair trade practices. The podcast discusses the "China shock" and its impact on the US economy, highlighting the perspective of economists who believe tariffs can help address trade imbalances and bring back manufacturing jobs. The episode concludes by examining the potential benefits and drawbacks of tariffs, acknowledging that while they can potentially stimulate domestic production and create jobs, they can also lead to higher prices for consumers, reduced economic growth, and retaliatory measures from other countries.
Trade war dispatch from Canada
This podcast explores the impact of the US-Canada trade war on a small business owner in Vancouver, Canada, who imports nuts from the US, highlighting the challenges of navigating tariffs and the growing "Buy Canadian" movement.
This podcast delves into the challenges faced by Alex, the owner of "Nut Hut," a specialty nut shop in Vancouver, Canada, as she navigates the complexities of the US-Canada trade war. The episode begins with Alex's passion for sourcing high-quality nuts from sustainable farms, particularly her discovery of native pecans from Shirley Rallo in Arkansas. However, the trade war throws a wrench into their partnership, creating uncertainty and potential barriers to importing and exporting. The podcast explores the impact of tariffs on Alex's business, highlighting the challenges faced by small business owners caught in the middle of a global conflict. It also examines the broader context of the trade war, including Canada's retaliatory tariffs and the growing "Buy Canadian" movement. Alex shares her strategies for navigating the trade war, including stockpiling nuts and working with her customs broker to stay informed about the latest regulations. The episode concludes with Alex's efforts to balance her support for the Buy Canadian movement with her business needs, emphasizing the importance of understanding and empathy in a complex global landscape.
Do trade deficits matter?
This podcast explores the concept of trade deficits, examining their causes, implications, and potential solutions, while also discussing the Trump administration's approach to trade policy.
This podcast delves into the complex world of trade deficits, starting with a basic explanation of the concept and its implications for the US economy. The hosts, Jeff Guo and Mary Childs, answer listener questions about trade deficits, explaining how they arise and why they matter. They use a hypothetical example to illustrate the concept and discuss the role of foreign investment in the US economy. The podcast also features an interview with Kenneth Rogoff, a Harvard economics professor, who provides expert insights on the significance of trade deficits. The hosts explore the global perspective on trade deficits, discussing the US's large global trade deficit and its impact on the economy. They examine the question of whether trade deficits are harmful to the US economy, considering the potential downsides of foreign investment but highlighting the overall positive impact on growth. The podcast concludes by acknowledging the complexities of trade deficits, recognizing their potential downsides but emphasizing their value as a diagnostic tool for understanding underlying economic trends.
How much for that egg
Planet Money uses a survey and a game show to determine who values farm-fresh eggs the most, revealing the power of economic methods in understanding consumer preferences.
This episode of Planet Money explores the challenge of fairly allocating a surplus of farm-fresh eggs from NPR colleague Sam's backyard chickens. The podcast team uses a blinded survey, forcing participants to make trade-offs between breakfast items, to identify those who value eggs the most. However, this method is only effective once. To find a more sustainable solution, Planet Money introduces the Becker De Groot Marshaq (BDM) method, a technique used by economists to determine true willingness to pay. They apply this method through a game show, where participants have to state their maximum willingness to pay for a single egg. The game show reveals Valentina Rodriguez Sanchez as the person with the highest willingness to pay, even exceeding the price of a dozen eggs. This episode highlights the power of economic methods in understanding consumer preferences and the importance of finding fair and efficient ways to allocate resources.
OIRA: The tiny office that's about to remake the federal government
This episode explores the power struggle between the White House and independent regulatory agencies, focusing on President Trump's executive order that aims to expand the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and potentially undermine the independence of agencies like the SEC, FTC, and FCC.
This episode of Planet Money delves into the complex relationship between the White House and independent regulatory agencies, specifically focusing on the impact of President Trump's Executive Order 14215. The episode begins by introducing the concept of OIRA, a small office within the Office of Management and Budget responsible for reviewing and coordinating federal regulations. It then explores the history and importance of independent regulatory agencies, such as the SEC, FTC, and FCC, which are designed to operate independently from the White House, making decisions based on technical expertise and avoiding political influence. The episode highlights the potential consequences of President Trump's executive order, which aims to expand OIRA's power and subject independent agencies to its review process. This move has sparked legal challenges and raised concerns about the Unitary Executive Theory, which asserts the president's complete control over the executive branch, including independent agencies. The episode examines the historical context of this theory and its potential implications for the balance of power within the government. The episode concludes by expressing concerns about the potential for autocracy and government malfunction if the Trump administration's actions are not checked. It highlights contrasting interpretations of the executive order, with some viewing it as a step towards autocracy and others seeing it as a means to improve regulations.
How 23andMe's bankruptcy led to a run on the gene bank
This podcast explores the potential consequences of 23andMe's bankruptcy for its customers' genetic data, including the role of the Consumer Privacy Ombudsman and the legal protections that might apply.
This podcast delves into the implications of 23andMe's bankruptcy for its customers' genetic data. The episode begins with a conversation between the host and his aunt, Vovy, about her experience with the genetics testing company 23andMe. Vovy was curious about her ancestry and hoped the test would reveal her migration route out of Africa. The episode then explores the bankruptcy of 23andMe and the potential implications for the genetic data of millions of customers. The host discusses the legal framework surrounding the sale of consumer data in bankruptcy, including the role of the Consumer Privacy Ombudsman (CPO). The episode examines potential buyers for 23andMe's genetic database, including other genetic testing companies, a crypto nonprofit, and even foreign-owned tech companies. The host also discusses the legal protections that might apply to the use of this data, including the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). The host shares his conversation with Vovy about the risks and potential consequences of her genetic data being sold. Vovy ultimately decides to delete her data from 23andMe, highlighting the importance of understanding privacy agreements and the potential risks associated with sharing personal information with companies.
A primer on the Federal Reserve's independence
This podcast examines the Federal Reserve's independence and its dual mandate of price stability and full employment, exploring how political influence could undermine its effectiveness.
This episode delves into the crucial role of the Federal Reserve (Fed) in the US economy, focusing on its independence from political pressure and its dual mandate of maintaining price stability and full employment. The podcast highlights the potential consequences of political interference in the Fed's decision-making process, emphasizing how such interference could undermine the Fed's ability to effectively manage the economy. The episode explains the Fed's two primary objectives: keeping prices stable and ensuring full employment. It discusses how the Fed uses tools like interest rate adjustments to address inflation and unemployment, acknowledging the potential for unpopular decisions that could impact the economy. The podcast emphasizes the importance of the Fed's independence, arguing that it allows the Fed to make decisions based on economic data and analysis rather than political pressure. This independence ensures that the Fed can prioritize the long-term health of the economy, even if those decisions are unpopular in the short term.
#804: Robert Rodriguez, The Wizard of Cinema Returns — The "Fear-Forward" Way of Life, How to Overcome Self-Doubt, Learning to Love Limitations, and Counter-Intuitive Parenting That Works
This podcast episode features a conversation with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, exploring his unconventional approach to filmmaking, parenting, and life, emphasizing the importance of action, creativity, and embracing limitations.
This podcast episode features a conversation with renowned filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, known for his independent spirit and diverse talents. The episode delves into Rodriguez's remarkable career, starting with his low-budget film "El Mariachi" and his subsequent success with films like "Desperado," "From Dusk Till Dawn," and the "Spy Kids" franchise. The conversation explores the impact of his book "Rebel Without a Crew," which chronicles his early filmmaking experiences and offers valuable insights into independent filmmaking and entrepreneurship. Rodriguez shares his unconventional approach to coaching his children, emphasizing the importance of challenging them and fostering their confidence and resilience. He also discusses the launch of Brass Knuckle Films, a new action film slate that aims to empower fans by giving them the opportunity to invest in the films and even pitch their own action movie ideas. The episode delves into the art of pitching film ideas, emphasizing the importance of concise storytelling and capturing the essence of a story in a short format. Rodriguez shares his insights on the power of labels and how they can shape our identities and actions, emphasizing the importance of choosing labels that align with our aspirations and goals. The conversation explores the importance of embracing uncertainty and overcoming human doubts, with Rodriguez sharing his perspective on how doubts can be overcome by focusing on the process, taking action, and trusting in the unknown. The episode also discusses the concept of "fear forward," encouraging individuals to embrace fear as a natural part of stepping outside their comfort zone and pushing towards growth and new experiences. Rodriguez advocates for working with your kids on projects as a valuable life lesson, emphasizing that it's not about nepotism but about mentorship and building confidence. He also shares his passion for journaling as a way to relive life and preserve memories, and discusses the importance of documenting your children's lives through video and journaling. The episode concludes with Rodriguez sharing his favorite life hack, the "rock walk," which combines guitar practice with exercise, and promoting Brass Knuckle Films as a community for film lovers and filmmakers.
#805: Philip Goff — Exploring Consciousness and Non-Ordinary Religion, Galileo's Error, Panpsychism, Heretical Ideas, and Therapeutic Belief
This podcast explores panpsychism, the idea that consciousness is fundamental to the universe, and its implications for understanding reality, ethics, and the nature of our own existence.
This podcast features a conversation with Philip Goff, a professor of philosophy at Durham University, who is known for his work on panpsychism. The episode delves into the concept of panpsychism, exploring its history, its scientific support, and its ethical implications. Goff argues that consciousness is a fundamental feature of reality, present even in basic particles like electrons and quarks. He discusses the integrated information theory (IIT), a neuroscientific theory that aligns with panpsychism, and explores the challenge of explaining the subjective qualities of conscious experience (qualia) within a purely quantitative framework of physical science. The conversation also touches on the role of philosophy in understanding consciousness, the potential payoff of understanding consciousness, and the ethical implications of panpsychism for animal welfare and the treatment of individuals in comas. Goff shares his own journey from atheism to a form of heretical Christianity, highlighting the value of religious community and tradition. He discusses the evolution of belief in religion, the role of experience in religious origins, and the potential future of religion and spirituality. The episode concludes with Goff contemplating a message to convey to a large audience, ultimately choosing to focus on the importance of contribution over self-interest.
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