The News Agents

The News Agents

Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – three of the UK’s top journalists – host an award-winning daily news podcast: The News Agents. They’re not just here to tell you what's happening, but why. Expect astute analysis and explanation of the day's news – and a healthy dose of scepticism and the ability to laugh at it all when needed. Episodes are available every weekday afternoon. You can listen to The News Agents on Alexa, just say "Alexa ask Global Player to play The News Agents" The News Agents is a Global Player Original podcast. For advertising opportunities on this podcast, email: GlobalStudiosSales@global.com You can visit our website here https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/
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Episode's summary

Andrew Ross Sorkin discusses his book on the 1929 Wall Street crash, drawing striking parallels between the economic culture of the 1920s and today. He explores how debt, celebrity CEOs, and a pervasive 'fear of missing out' drove market mania then, much like the current interest in AI and crypto. The episode further examines the causes and consequences of the 1929 crash, including the role of margin trading and the political responses of President Hoover. The discussion also compares the institutional stability of the Great Depression to the 2008 financial crisis and reflects on the regulatory knowledge gap regarding emerging technologies like AI.

Chapters

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Highlights

The match that lit the fire then and that has lit the fire ever since is debt.

00:00:07 · The speaker identifies debt as the fundamental driver of both the 1929 crash and modern economic instability.

This is not really a story about 1929. To some degree, this is a story about today.

00:05:06 · Sorkin explains that the human motivations and economic patterns found in his historical research are remarkably similar to current events.

It doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes.

00:16:56 · This phrase is used to suggest that while historical events are not identical, they share striking patterns and parallels with the present.

And I've always thought that that moment sort of crystallized this idea of a disbelief in experts, in expertise, in institutions.

00:27:20 · The speaker explains how the selective nature of bank bailouts during the 2008 crisis led to a widespread loss of faith in institutional authority.

Who's the AI guy in the Trump cabinet or the British cabinet who actually has a clue, frankly, about what's happening at the moment? They don't exist because they can't afford them.

00:39:24 · The speaker expresses concern that government leadership lacks the necessary technical expertise to regulate emerging AI technologies.

Episodes

1183-

Is a financial collapse coming worse than the Wall St crash?

Andrew Ross Sorkin discusses his book on the 1929 Wall Street crash, drawing striking parallels between the economic culture of the 1920s and today. He explores how debt, celebrity CEOs, and a pervasive 'fear of missing out' drove market mania then, much like the current interest in AI and crypto. The episode further examines the causes and consequences of the 1929 crash, including the role of margin trading and the political responses of President Hoover. The discussion also compares the institutional stability of the Great Depression to the 2008 financial crisis and reflects on the regulatory knowledge gap regarding emerging technologies like AI.

31 Jul 2026
1182-

Eddie Howe quits Newcastle... Why now? - The Sports Agents

This episode examines the dramatic departure of Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and the club's subsequent shift toward a developmental transfer model. The discussion explores how Newcastle's new direction is shaped by significant financial and regulatory pressures, including the impact of not participating in European competition. The conversation further delves into the complexities of the Premier League's Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) and its disproportionate effect on smaller clubs with limited revenue streams. Experts analyze the evolving landscape of football finance, the legal challenges facing league enforcement, and the increasing multidisciplinary expertise required to lead modern football clubs.

30 Jul 2026
1181-

Why is MAGA trying to jail America's top doctor?

This episode examines the intersection of political identity and institutional trust, beginning with a look at Dr. Anthony Fauci's Senate hearing and the ideological divide in America regarding scientific expertise and technocracy. The discussion explores how the pandemic era challenged fundamental assumptions about public institutions and shared national visions. The conversation then shifts to Baroness Louise Casey’s insights on social care reform and the complexities of modern governance. She discusses the urgent need for structural changes in public services due to demographic shifts, the importance of public involvement in welfare decisions, and reflections on institutional challenges within policing and the civil service.

30 Jul 2026
1180-

Is Andy Burnham betting his premiership on fixing social care?

This episode explores Andy Burnham's plans to reform social care in England, drawing parallels between the UK's current crisis and the political challenges faced by Barack Obama with Obamacare. The discussion analyzes the immense political risks of attempting fundamental reforms, noting how previous attempts have failed due to opposition and the fear of implementing unpopular taxes. The conversation further examines the economic difficulties of funding social care within an aging population and the fiscal constraints facing the UK government regarding technical education and defense spending. The speakers also touch upon the trade-offs between re-industrialization and cheap imports, as well as recent developments in US-Iran tensions.

29 Jul 2026
1179-

Should Polanski be arrested for his Farage Insta post?

The episode examines the controversy surrounding Green Party leader Zach Polanski and his social media post featuring imagery suggesting violence against Nigel Farage, debating whether it was a political tactic or a blunder while highlighting the Reform Party's perceived hypocrisy regarding free speech. The discussion then moves to Andy Burnham's new educational proposals for technical training routes for 14-year-olds and the broader debate over higher education, social mobility, and regional inequality in the UK. The conversation concludes with a report on an incident in the English Channel involving a French warship firing warning shots near Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp during a fishing boat interview.

28 Jul 2026