

John Burn-Murdoch
Financial Times writer and data journalist, known for analysis on social and demographic trends, including personality changes in America.
Top 10 podcasts with John Burn-Murdoch
Ranked by the Snipd community

303 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 47min
The Modern World Is Changing America’s Personality For the Worse
John Burn-Murdoch, a data journalist at the Financial Times, delves into the alarming shifts in American personalities over the last decade. He reveals a decline in extroversion and conscientiousness among young adults, alongside a rise in neuroticism. Their conversation explores how technology and societal changes contribute to these trends, making people more absorbed in their own internal struggles rather than connecting with others. They also touch on the impact of personal fitness routines versus team sports on societal bonds and individual well-being.

50 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 47min
Plain English BEST OF: The Modern World Is Changing America’s Personality for the Worse
In this insightful discussion, John Burn-Murdoch, a savvy data journalist known for his sharp analysis on social trends, dives into the alarming shifts in American personality traits. He presents compelling data indicating declining conscientiousness and rising neuroticism, connecting these trends to smartphone distractions. John explores how changing social dynamics, especially the decline of team sports and the rise of individualism, contribute to growing anxiety and loneliness. He also speculates on how future tech could reshape these challenges.

50 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 46min
What is Radical Politics?
John Burn-Murdoch, a data journalist at the Financial Times, delves into the intriguing intersection of culture and politics. He reveals that while traditional economic views align between the public and politicians, a significant cultural gap persists, particularly on immigration issues. John presents startling statistics showcasing that a vast majority of the public supports assimilation, contrasting sharply with politicians’ stances. The discussion extends to Denmark's authentic political engagement and how misalignment could fuel populism, reshaping the landscape of radical politics.

43 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 27min
Is AI (finally) making us more productive? With John Burn-Murdoch and Sarah O’Connor
Sarah O’Connor, labour market journalist tracking AI’s effects on work and productivity. John Burn-Murdoch, data journalist who mines economic trends. They probe where AI is showing up in productivity data. They compare firm-level anecdotes with weak macro signals. They debate which professions are exposed, whether perceived time-savings match measured gains, and if we’re at a real inflection point.

19 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 42min
How Reading Made Us: 1. How Reading Made Our Brains
Joseph Henrich, Harvard anthropologist linking literacy to cultural shifts; Naomi Alderman, novelist on digital culture and early literacy; John Burn-Murdoch, FT data reporter tracking reading trends; Maryanne Wolf, UCLA neuroscientist on reading’s brain circuits. They explore how learning to read rewires brains, the decline in long-form reading, technology’s impact on attention, and why early literacy and deep reading matter.

19 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 56min
Is It Time To Freak Out About AI?
John Burn-Murdoch, Financial Times data reporter who tracks AI's effects and democratic backsliding. He discusses why AI anxiety feels different now. He explains how agentic tools are boosting software output and which jobs are most exposed. He also maps democratic erosion in the U.S. and considers links between AI-driven inequality and political decline.

13 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 29min
Why is youth unemployment in the UK so high?
John Burn-Murdoch, FT data reporter, gives international data context. Lindsay Judge, Resolution Foundation researcher, focuses on policy and who is most at risk. Jack Kennedy, Indeed economist, maps the graduate and entry‑level hiring slump. Xiaowei Xu, IFS economist, explains payroll versus survey trends. They discuss NEET diversity, sector and pay pressures, mental health and education pipelines, and policy gaps in short, sharp strokes.

10 snips
Apr 11, 2023 • 55min
Americans Die Younger Than People in Any Other Rich Country. Why?
John Burn-Murdoch, a data journalist at the Financial Times, unveils why Americans face a troubling mortality crisis, despite rising wealth. He explores the impact of guns, drugs, and healthcare disparities contributing to the alarming death gap. The conversation delves into cultural attitudes that pit freedom against safety, highlighting the unique American challenges in public health. Burn-Murdoch also contrasts U.S. capitalism with European models, discussing how these economic structures influence life expectancy and innovation.

7 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 54min
The Data Trends That Define This Moment
John Burn-Murdoch, chief data reporter at the Financial Times, dives deep into the latest societal trends and their political implications. He highlights critical data like the plummet in European tourism to the U.S. and its economic uncertainty. The conversation also touches on the rising class stratification, shifting views on free trade and immigration, and the growing skepticism among young voters towards democracy. Additionally, they explore the widening digital divide and its impact on socioeconomic disparities, offering a nuanced view of modern challenges.

Mar 28, 2024 • 55min
Are US Politics Undergoing A Racial Realignment?
Data reporter John Burn-Murdoch and politics professor Chryl Laird discuss the racial realignment in US politics, with voters of color shifting right and challenging traditional alliances. They explore the impact on Democrats and the potential reasons for this shift.


