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Better Future with Michael Mezz

Michael Mezzatesta
Capitalism
Climate Change
Degrowth
United States
Wealth Tax
Sunrise Movement
Post Growth Economics
Chevron
U.S. Politics
Inequality
Planetary Boundaries
Economic Democracy
Billionaires
Green New Deal
Conscious Citizens
Mutual Aid
Healthcare
Ecuador
Climate Justice
Democratic Party

Bringing you the people, projects and ideas helping steer the world toward a better future.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes19Foundeda year ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Better Future

Latest Episodes

My guest today is Maurice Mitchell, National Director of the Working Families Party – one of the leading progressive institutions in U.S. politics today. Their platform includes universal health care, “a home you can afford,” paid family leave, and a... more

My guest today is Dr. Gabriel Zucman, the world's leading expert on wealth taxes. He’s a professor at both the Paris School of Economics and UC Berkeley, and he’s the author of several books, including his most recent: We Need To Tax Billionaires. We... more

My guest today is Dr. Timothée Parrique – ecological economist and author of Slow Down or Die: The Economics of Degrowth. Tim is one of the clearest and most-cited academics in the degrowth movement. We recorded this conversation in Paris in the midd... more

My guest today is Dr. Jason Hickel – professor at the Institute for Environmental Science & Technology (ICTA) at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and author of The Divide and Less Is More. This is our second conversation on the podcast, and it... more

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Recent Guests

Gabriel Zucman
Professor of economics, expert on wealth taxes
Paris School of Economics; UC Berkeley
Episode: Why We Must Tax Billionaires | Gabriel Zucman on Inequality and the Wealth Tax (018)
Timothée Parrique
Ecological economist, author of Slow Down or Die
University/Independent Scholar
Episode: What Comes After Capitalism? | Timothée Parrique on Degrowth, Ecology, and the Future (017)
Jason Hickel
Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona; author of The Divide and Less Is More
Autonomous University of Barcelona
Episode: How to Overcome Capitalism – Jason Hickel on Socialism, China, and the West (016)
Johan Rockström
Renowned climate scientist and proponent of the Planetary Boundaries framework
Stockholm Resilience Centre (inferred)
Episode: How to Solve the Climate Crisis – Johan Rockström on Planetary Boundaries & the Path Forward (015)
Kate Raworth
Renegade economist and author of Doughnut Economics
Doughnut Economics Action Lab
Episode: How Economics Failed Us – Kate Raworth on Why We Need Doughnut Economics Instead (014)
Olivier De Schutter
United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
United Nations
Episode: 013 - Olivier De Schutter on Why the Economy Creates Poverty – and How To Fix It
Rob Hopkins
Co-founder of the Transition Network; author of How to Fall in Love with the Future
Transition Network
Episode: 012 - Rob Hopkins on Radical Imagination & Falling in Love with the Future
Butch Ware
Historian and Green Party gubernatorial candidate in California
Green Party of California
Episode: 011 - Dr. Butch Ware on Dismantling the US Empire and the Two-Party System
Greg Stoker
Former US Army Ranger, anti-imperialist activist, journalist and geopolitical commentator
Independent activist/analyst
Episode: 010 - Greg Stoker on Iran, U.S. Imperialism, and Why the Wars Never Stop

Host

Michael Mezz
Host of Better Future and related series; engages with leading thinkers on climate, economy, and social change.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 474 ratings
  • Intelligent and Hopeful

    Never thought I would enjoy an economics podcast so much! If you’ve ever wondered about potential solutions for building a livable and sustainable society, then this podcast is for you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sarahnock
    United Statesa month ago
  • A visionary blueprint

    I cannot think of a better “swing for the fences” big idea podcast. Thoroughly engaging and informative and entertaining. Cannot recommend it more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zombie6868
    United Statesa month ago
  • Dr. Jason Hickel

    Thank you for having Dr. Jason Hickel, who is probably the most intelligent & erudite person that I have ever heard speaking on capitalism, on your show twice. And for your excellent questions to him. The dialogue was everything we are not seeing anywhere else, especially in our institutions of power, even though it is EXACTLY the conversation that needs to be had right now. I have re-listened to the latest episode 3 times already, and will be sharing it with everyone I know. Compulsory listenin... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    westyv
    Australia2 months ago
  • Outstanding content

    Thank you Michael. The episode with Jason Hickel was brilliant.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Betsma
    Australia2 months ago
  • Fantastic, Erudite, & Accesible Content!

    I love the depth and comprehension of the interviews. Amazing content! I learn so much from top experts in their fields. I'm sharing.

    Audible
    5
    JD Green
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful, hopeful conversations with world-class guests.
Inspiring and accessible deep dives into systemic change without losing practicality.
Grounded, data-driven discussions that illuminate complex topics.
Consistently high-quality guests and challenging questions for big ideas.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Economics Failed Us – Kate Raworth on Why We Need Doughnut Economics Instead (014)
Q: How do you respond to the notion that growth is essential for economies to function?
She argues that endless growth is incompatible with planetary boundaries and that we can design economies around thriving and distributive principles, using the Doughnut as a guide to reframe success beyond GDP.
013 - Olivier De Schutter on Why the Economy Creates Poverty – and How To Fix It
Q: What is the progressive alternative to globalization?
The guest suggests reforming globalization with labor rights and environmental standards, guardrails in trade, and multilateral cooperation aimed at broader shared benefits rather than unregulated expansion, including conditionalities and smarter, rights-based trade rules.
010 - Greg Stoker on Iran, U.S. Imperialism, and Why the Wars Never Stop
Q: Why do billionaires and donors seem to support this foreign policy direction?
They are perceived as raw faces of imperialism, prioritizing power and profit over democratic processes or humanitarian concerns, and they influence policy through lobbying and funding.
010 - Greg Stoker on Iran, U.S. Imperialism, and Why the Wars Never Stop
Q: What is Israel's role in this regional/strategic dynamic, according to your view?
Israel is seen as a key regional actor whose long-term interests align with maintaining a unipolar order and pressuring Iran, while also serving broader imperial objectives in the region.
009 - Saikat Chakrabarti on Billionaires, AI, and How to Reclaim Democracy
Q: Would you vote to restrict funding to Israel?
Yes, I would vote to have no more funding go to Israel as they are committing genocide in Gaza.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Better Future

What is Better Future about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thought-provoking show exploring systemic change, climate action, and alternative economic models through conversations with leading researchers, activists, and policymakers. Episodes commonly tackle capitalism, imperialism, planetary boundaries, and post-growth ideas, often linking big theory with practical pathways for a sustainable, equitable future. Notable strengths include high-caliber guests, a rigorous yet accessible questioning style, and a consistent emphasis on mass-movement strategies and policy reform as levers for change.

Where can I find podcast stats for Better Future?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Better Future. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Better Future and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Better Future get?

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What are the audience demographics for Better Future?

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How many subscribers and views does Better Future have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Better Future?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Better Future:

1. Upstream
2. Planet: Critical
3. Novara Media
4. The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens
5. Jacobin Radio

How many episodes of Better Future are there?

Better Future launched a year ago and published 19 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Better Future?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Better Future?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Better Future from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Better Future?

Recent guests on Better Future include:

1. Gabriel Zucman
2. Timothée Parrique
3. Jason Hickel
4. Johan Rockström
5. Kate Raworth
6. Olivier De Schutter
7. Rob Hopkins
8. Butch Ware

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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