Tom Standage

The editor of our annual “World Ahead” publication predicts the themes and events that will dominate the headlines in 2026, from geopolitics to tech. He also admits what we got wrong last year. And The Economist launched its first podcast 20 years ago. We chart the evolution of audio, from a basement broom cupboard to today’s bountiful offerings.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Standage, deputy editor and wine enthusiast, introduces blouge, a climate-resilient wine style. Tom Wainwright, media editor, examines the politics and pitfalls of banning under-16s from social media and suggests design-focused reforms. Dan Rosenheck, data editor, walks through the methodology and scope of analyzing Jeffrey Epstein’s email archive and what patterns the correspondence reveals.

John Priddo, the United States editor for The Economist, shares valuable insights on Jimmy Carter's presidency and lasting principles of empathy and human rights. Tom Standage, Editor of World Ahead 2025, discusses predictions on global trends, the unpredictable nature of future events, and the divergence in AI adoption. The conversation also examines how perceptions of Carter's leadership have evolved and highlights the complexities of forecasting in a rapidly changing world.

Join Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist and editor of The World Ahead, as he predicts the major headlines for 2026, covering everything from geopolitics to advancements in technology and energy. He candidly discusses past misjudgments and highlights upcoming events like a solar eclipse and the US's 250th anniversary. Daniel Franklin, Executive Editor, shares anecdotes from the podcasting journey at The Economist, reminiscing about early recording days in a cramped basement and the evolution to today's sophisticated production.

Tom Standage, deputy editor and wine aficionado, introduces blouge, a chillable red-white blend built for warmer vintages. Tom Wainwright, media editor, debates proposed bans on under-16s and design-focused alternatives. Dan Rosenheck, data editor, describes leading the large-scale analysis of Jeffrey Epstein’s email archive and how the team searched and prepared the data.