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The Econoclasts

UnHerd
Ukraine
Russia
European Union
NATO
Iran
United States
Net Zero
Red Sea
China
Crimea
Geopolitics
British Economy
Living Standards
COP28
Europe
Israel
Yemen
Suez Canal
Saudi Arabia
Private Investment

The Econoclasts is a new podcast from UnHerd hosted by economist Yanis Varoufakis and journalist Wolfgang Munchau. While they don't always agree politically, they are united in one conviction: the consensus is rotten. Mainstream economics has consistently failed to predict the events that shape our world, yet this broken orthodoxy still dominates policy and media. Each week, they choose two pillar... more

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Latest Episodes

In the week when the Trump administration threatened criminal charges against Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau expose the high-stakes power struggle to dismantle central bank independence and privatise the U.... more

In today’s Venezuela special, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau expose the reality behind the abduction of Nicolás Maduro and the dawn of a ‘Donroe Doctrine’ that signals the end of international law. As the first days of 2026 unfold, could Trump... more

In this special year-end edition of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau dissect 2025 - a pivotal year and annus horribilis for the European Union in a world reshaped by a G2 power structure, where a resurgent Russia, a technologica... more

This week on a special Q&A edition of The Econoclasts, Yanis Varoufakis and Wolfgang Munchau confront the uncomfortable truths of 2025. From the economic death trap currently paralysing German society, to why nationalist parties like the AfD are symp... more

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Recent Guests

James Marriot
The Times columnist
The Times
Episode: These Times - Is Pop Culture Right Wing?
Tom Tugendhat
British politician and member of the Conservative Party
Member of Parliament
Episode: These Times - Tom Tugendhat: The Outside Bet?
Dan Carden
MP for Liverpool-Walton
UK Parliament
Episode: These Times - Labour's Crisis Conference?
Andrew Roberts
Esteemed historian known for biographies of Churchill and Napoleon
Episode: These Times - The Truth About Churchill and WWII: Rebuking Tucker Carlson and Darryl Cooper
Dr. Paul Morland
Demographer and author
Former senior member of St. Anthony's College, Oxford
Episode: These Times - Paul Morland: The Power of Population
Ali Ansari
Director of Iranian Studies at St Andrews
St Andrews University
Episode: These Times - Iran Lashes Out, with Ali Ansari
Hans Kundnani
Associate fellow at Chatham House, author of "Euro Whiteness"
Chatham House
Episode: These Times - Europe’s Civilisational Turn?
Shashank Joshi
Defense and foreign affairs expert
The Economist
Episode: These Times - Ukraine's Dark Winter Ahead
Torsten Bell
Chief executive of the Resolution Foundation
Resolution Foundation
Episode: These Times - Can British Growth Ever Recover?

Hosts

Tom McTague
Co-Host and Political Editor at UnHerd.
Helen Thompson
Co-Host and Cambridge Professor.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Badly informed experts on everything under the sun

    When they talk about monetary policy I listen. They know their stuff and have an unconventional take. But why oh why do they talk about everything- and that invariably turns into a bitter rambling rant (especially Munchau) on why nobody is as intelligent as the two podcasters.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    kowaikawai
    Germanya month ago
  • Engaging

    Whenever Yanis and Wolfgang sit down for discussion, it is sure to reveal insightful perspectives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Walt Robertson
    Germany2 months ago
  • Refreshing and authentic

    Thank you for bringing forward much needed critiques of the fundamental causes behind the economic and geopolitical issues of our time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mike_2020
    United States2 months ago
  • Econoclast

    Really enjoyed These Times podcast with Helen Thompson. Thoughtful and argumentative. The new Econoclast podcast feels nothing like this.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Sergii Med
    Switzerland3 months ago
  • Come back

    Bring back the show! What happened?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wilfred Abernathy
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast is praised for its depth of analysis and its ability to challenge mainstream thinking, making it a valuable resource for those interested in economics and politics.
Some listeners express concerns about the complexity of the material, indicating that a foundational understanding of economics may be necessary to fully engage with the content.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful critique of established economic narratives and the insightful discussions between the hosts.
The chemistry between the hosts is often noted, with many appreciating their differing viewpoints as adding richness to the discussion.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#157
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#37
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#81
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#97
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#60
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#82
Italy/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Q&A: Germany’s economic death trap & the truth about BRICS
Q: How sustainable is a system where social security depends on perpetual credit expansion?
Wolfgang states that it is not sustainable and warns of potential defaults on promises made by politicians.
Q&A: Germany’s economic death trap & the truth about BRICS
Q: Why are far-right parties in Europe sympathetic to Russia?
Wolfgang addresses the financial support from Russia to these parties and the shared ideology based on nationalism and anti-immigration sentiments.
Q&A: Germany’s economic death trap & the truth about BRICS
Q: Is it fundamentally possible to recover and restart fast growth?
Yanis explains that the demographic changes make it difficult for Europe, including Germany, to rejuvenate politically and economically.
Q&A: Germany’s economic death trap & the truth about BRICS
Q: What will it take to truly fix Germany?
Yanis discusses the need for a fundamental shift in Germany's economic growth model and societal attitudes.
These Times - Ukraine's Dark Winter Ahead
Q: How important is this European aid package for Ukraine?
Shashank states that the European aid package is essential to keep the Ukrainian government solvent and prevent a sovereign default.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Econoclasts

What is The Econoclasts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast provides a critical examination of mainstream economic theories and policies that have shaped global affairs, often highlighting their shortcomings and failures. Hosted by economist Yanis Varoufakis and journalist Wolfgang Munchau, episodes focus on dissecting widely accepted economic narratives, questioning the validity of established 'facts', and exploring their implications for geopolitics and society. The engaging dialogue between the hosts—who may not always see eye-to-eye—encourages nuanced discussions that appeal to listeners eager for alternative insights in a landscape often dominated by consensus thinking.

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How many listeners does The Econoclasts get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Econoclasts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Econoclasts:

1. Past Present Future
2. Ones and Tooze
3. Political Fix
4. Daily Politics from the New Statesman
5. The LRB Podcast

How many episodes of The Econoclasts are there?

The Econoclasts launched 3 years ago and published 144 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 The Econoclasts?

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What guests have appeared on The Econoclasts?

Recent guests on The Econoclasts include:

1. James Marriot
2. Tom Tugendhat
3. Dan Carden
4. Andrew Roberts
5. Dr. Paul Morland
6. Ali Ansari
7. Hans Kundnani
8. Shashank Joshi

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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