Plain English with Derek Thompson

David Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly and a leader steering GLP-1 drug development, discusses the science behind incretin drugs and how weight-loss effects were discovered. He explains why these medicines affect appetite, inflammation, and behavior. They cover business impacts on Lilly, R&D strategies, next-gen drug and delivery plans, public distrust of pharma, and AI’s role in drug discovery.

Jason Furman, Harvard economist and former Obama economic adviser, breaks down the Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s tariffs. He explains the legal reasoning, the likely macroeconomic effects on growth and inflation, and how trade leverage and congressional power could shift. Short takes on refunds, industry winners and losers, and the political durability of tariffs.

Joe Weisenthal, Bloomberg writer and cohost of Odd Lots, explains why communication is shifting back toward conversational, oral styles. He traces media theory from literacy’s rise to today’s digital orality. Short-form video, mutable archives, politics as rhetoric, and AI’s conversational role are explored in lively, concise discussion.

Josh Tyrangiel, staff writer at The Atlantic who reported on AI and employment, joins to unpack how artificial intelligence could reshape work. They survey scenarios from slow adoption to rapid displacement. They discuss which professions gain or lose most, why adoption might accelerate, and why politics may be lagging behind these risks.

Jim VandeHei, cofounder of Politico and Axios and former Washington Post reporter, discusses the Washington Post’s recent collapse and the long arc of news media change. He recounts building Politico, tech-driven shifts that reshaped journalism, cultural and strategic missteps at legacy papers, and how AI and identity-driven journalism will reshape what survives.

Julia Belluz, health and nutrition journalist who covers food policy and regulation history, and Kevin Hall, former NIH metabolism researcher who ran randomized trials on ultra-processed diets. They discuss how America’s food environment shapes eating and weight. Conversations cover ultra-processed versus unprocessed trials, food biology and overeating, regulatory loopholes, labeling and upstream policies, and the role of reformulation and tech.

Paul Kedrosky, investor and writer known for VC work and tech-economics analysis. He explains why AI data-center CapEx could form a historic bubble. He breaks down GPU-driven costs, short asset lifespans, opaque SPV financing, and grid and private-credit risks. He flags warning signs and sketches how AI could still yield practical, revenue-generating uses.

In this conversation, Dr. Sandra Weintraub, a neuropsychologist and leading researcher on aging at Northwestern University, delves into her groundbreaking studies on 'super-agers.' She reveals that these remarkable individuals maintain cognitive resilience despite aging and even Alzheimer's pathology. Key findings highlight the importance of social engagement in preserving memory and brain health, suggesting that our memories may evolve from social interactions. Weintraub also outlines future research directions, emphasizing personalized strategies for cognitive longevity.

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.

In this enlightening discussion, David D'Alessio, Chief of Endocrinology at Duke University, and Randy Seeley, Professor at the University of Michigan, dive deep into the world of GLP-1 drugs. They explore how these medications promote weight loss by increasing satiety and affecting brain-gut communication. The pair also discuss the surprising shift from diabetes treatments to weight-loss solutions and the potential benefits for cardiovascular health. Plus, they ponder the drugs' effects on cravings and the importance of personalizing treatment approaches.