The French pioneer of European integration Jean Monnet believed that Europe would be ‘built in crisis’. The war in Ukraine is putting this theory to the test, once again. Gideon discusses with historian Timothy Garton Ash how European leaders are responding to this latest crisis after the brief ‘holiday from history’ that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. 

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Clip: ITV

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This is a repeat of an episode published on The Rachman Review, a sister podcast of the FT News Briefing, on Nov. 20, 2025

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When international private equity groups first entered Japan at the turn of the 21st century, newspapers criticised them as vulture funds and politicians steered clear of public contact. Today, it’s a different story. Dozens of buyout groups have set up in the country and the establishment is courting them. The FT’s Tokyo correspondent David Keohane and Tokyo bureau chief Leo Lewis explain why there’s been a shift, and how private equity’s presence may rejuvenate Japanese corporates.

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The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

This is a repeat of an episode published on Behind The Money, a sister podcast of FT News Briefing, on November 26, 2025. Follow Behind the Money on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts or Spotify.

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This is an episode of Political Fix, the FT weekly podcast that takes you into the corridors of Westminster to unwrap, analyse and debate British politics with a regular panel of FT correspondents.

It’s been another turbulent year in UK politics. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced down rebellions from within his own party, overseen scandals and sackings, and delivered a constant barrage of bad news from health and housing to small boats and the Budget. He’s fared a little better on the world stage – with successful state visits, securing a comparatively competitive trade deal with Trump, as well as a tentative rapprochement with Europe. But with every international success, Starmer’s standing domestically seems to diminish: he ends the year, on some measures, as the most unpopular PM ever. In this special live episode of Political Fix, host George Parker is joined by Anna Gross, Stephen Bush and Chris Giles to analyse how the Labour party got here – and where it goes next.

This is a repeat of an episode published on Political Fix, a sister podcast of FT News Briefing, on December 12, 2025

To listen and subscribe to more episodes, find Political Fix on your favourite platform by clicking here!

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How much do we really know about ageing? For decades, scientists have been trying to understand the biology of the ageing process - what happens to our bodies as we get older? And is it possible to slow that process down or even stop it all together?

In this series of Tech Tonic, the FT’s Hannah Kuchler and Michael Peel look into the past, present and future of longevity - the wellness movement focused on extending and bettering your quality of life. Episode 1 follows Hannah as she speaks with UCL professor David Gems about the history of ageing research, and then with longevity researcher Matt Kaeberlein to discuss how the industry has developed - including current drugs that could have anti-ageing effects. Plus, Michael visits the Reviv clinic in London where he experiences, first hand, the growing consumer interest in the longevity craze. 

To listen to the rest of the series, find Tech Tonic on your favourite podcast platform by clicking here!

Clips: @DaveAspreyBPR, @drjoshaxe, @HealthCoachKait, Hevolution, Pom, Purina, Garnier, 4G antioxidants, @ChrisWillx, @lexfridman, ABC News, C-Span, CBS, ITV This Morning, Wired UK, The Dissenter, Will Tennyson

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In this final episode of their series for the FT's The Economics Show, FT chief economics commentator Martin Wolf and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman consider listeners’ questions and comments ranging from a critique of globalisation, increasing inequality and plutocracy, the global appetite for US federal debt, China’s economic future and much more.

This is a repeat of an episode published on The Economics Show, a sister podcast of FT News Briefing, on December 17, 2025

Subscribe and listen to this series of The Economics Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Read Martin’s column here 

Subscribe to Paul’s substack here

Find Paul’s cultural coda here.

Find Martin’s cultural coda here.

Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval and Josh Gabert-Doyon. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Tom Hannen is the video editor. Sound design and original music by Breen Turner.

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The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also the most expensive. Between gifts, food and travel, people can end up spending a lot of money this year. The Financial Times’ consumer editor Claer Barrett explains why people are feeling the pinch this season and what they can do about it. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Economists warn of flaws in US inflation report

FT Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign

Find Claer Barrett on TikTok and Instagram 

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Michael Lello. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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BP chief executive Murray Auchincloss has said he will step down after less than two years in the role, India’s central bank governor expects the country’s interest rates to remain low for a ‘long period’, and UK inflation fell more than expected to an eight-month low of 3.2 per cent. Plus, global companies are seeking private equity partners in China to take on their local operations as they grapple with an increasingly competitive local market.

Mentioned in this podcast:

BP picks Woodside boss Meg O’Neill as new chief executive

India’s central bank governor signals rates to stay low for ‘long period’

UK inflation falls more than expected to 3.2% in November

Global brands seek private equity partners to save their China businesses

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Investors are snapping up Venezuela’s defaulted debt, JPMorgan Chase has withdrawn almost $350bn in cash from its account at the Federal Reserve since 2023, and the US unemployment rate rose to its highest level in more than four years. Plus, global asset managers’ cash holdings have fallen to a record low in a sign of investors’ bullishness about the AI-fuelled stock market rally. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Investors pile into Venezuelan debt in regime change bet

JPMorgan pulls $350bn from Federal Reserve to buy up Treasuries

Bullish investors pile into stocks as cash levels sink to record low

US unemployment rate hits four-year high of 4.6%

Fifa offers cheaper World Cup tickets in response to outcry

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Shell’s merger chief departed after a bid to acquire rival BP was quashed internally, and the EU’s top trade official warns the bloc would lose global credibility if it fails to approve its trade deal with the Mercosur group of South American countries. Plus, Brussels plans to scrap the EU’s 2035 combustion engine ban, and hedge funds and trading firms are piling into physical commodities markets in search of new sources of returns.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Shell mergers chief departed after CEO blocked bid for BP

EU will lose face if it rejects Mercosur deal, warns trade commissioner

Brussels plans to scrap 2035 combustion engine ban

Hedge funds pile into commodities in search of fresh source of returns

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and produced by Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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A terror attack on a Jewish event in Sydney kills more than a dozen people. Plus, investors are increasingly concerned about how much debt is funding the AI boom, world leaders meet to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine, and it’s a big week for US economic data. And: The FT’s ‘Behind the Money’ podcast looks into whistleblowing in the UK. 

Mentioned in this podcast:

Gunmen who killed 15 in Sydney attack on Jewish festival were father and son

Investors seek protection from risk of AI debt bust

Ukraine offers to drop Nato membership demands

Behind the Money podcast

Investors will have to wait until new year for clear data on US economy

Bank of England set to cut rates to 3.75% as economic data eases inflation concerns

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Persis Love and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Do Kwon is sentenced to 15 years in prison on two counts of fraud, and the Walt Disney Company will allow OpenAI to use its characters in its flagship products. Plus, football fans are outraged over ticket prices for next year’s World Cup. And, you’ll meet the hardliner who wants to make Chile great again.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Crypto founder Do Kwon sentenced to 15 years in prison

Disney to invest $1bn in OpenAI

Football fans condemn ‘betrayal’ over ‘extortionate’ World Cup ticket prices

The hardliner who wants to make Chile great again

Friedrich Merz offers to host Ukraine talks so deal not done ‘above Europe’s head’

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts 

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Victoria Craig, and produced by Fiona Symon and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. The FT’s acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.