As people learn more about Donald Trump's pick for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, one story comes up over and over: a legendary trade that he played a small part in while he worked at George Soros' hedge fund in the 1990s.
In 1992, Soros' fund set its sights on the British pound, betting that some time in the fall of that year, the pound would plummet in value. Opposing them in this trade was the Bank of England, which was determined to keep its currency stable. The financial battle that followed was intense and proved to be a watershed moment in the balance of power between markets and governments.
On today's show, we speak to Robert Johnson, a former managing director at Soros' fund, for a blow-by-blow account of those fateful days in 1992.
This episode was hosted by Keith Romer and Alex Goldmark. It was produced by Willa Rubin and edited by Martina Castro. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and engineered by Cena Loffredo. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.
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The Indicator from Planet Money - What a difference a one-day strike makes
From retail to fast food to nursing, one-day strikes have been a growing trend over the last decade.
But what makes one-day strikes more or less effective than longer strikes? Do they achieve the same goals?
On today's show, what do short strikes say about union power in the US and what can you accomplish with only 24 hours on the picket line.
Related Episodes:
What the data reveal about U.S. labor unrest
The Indicator Quiz: Labor Edition
The never-ending strike
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But what makes one-day strikes more or less effective than longer strikes? Do they achieve the same goals?
On today's show, what do short strikes say about union power in the US and what can you accomplish with only 24 hours on the picket line.
Related Episodes:
What the data reveal about U.S. labor unrest
The Indicator Quiz: Labor Edition
The never-ending strike
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Slate Books - Outward: Masculinity and Muscles with Michael Andor Brodeur
This week, Bryan Lowder chats with Michael Andor Brodeur, author of Swole: The Making of Men and the Meaning of Muscle, to unpack the complex intersections of fitness, masculinity, and queer identity. From the sweaty intimacy of the gym to the charged symbolism of muscle, Brodeur examines how bodies become sites of desire, power, and transformation.
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What Next | Daily News and Analysis - Martial Law (Briefly) in South Korea
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday, leading South Korea’s parliament to cross barricades to convene and vote it down.
Though this episode resolved quickly and peacefully for the moment, where is the country’s government heading?
Guest: Terence Roehrig, professor of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College specializing in Korean and East Asian security issues.
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Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther.
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What Could Go Right? - Looking Back and Moving Forward
How many U.S. states have increased their minimum wage in 2024? Have greenhouse gas emissions gone down in the EU this year? Has the ozone layer begun to heal itself? Zachary and Emma wrap up 2024 by reflecting on positive developments around the world in the past year, one that many consider a year to forget. They revisit conversations with memorable guests and discuss their favorite conversations from this season, ranging from climate change to immigration to the many impacts of social media.
What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.
For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org
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Engines of Our Ingenuity - The Engines of Our Ingenuity 2768: Cooking By Radio
Episode: 2768 Percy Spencer and the microwave oven. Today, our guest, NASA engineer Fitz Walker considers the Microwave Oven.
Amarica's Constitution - The Obsequious Instruments of His Pleasure
The presidential transition is always a bit fraught, as we have discussed in past episodes, but this one seems to be boundary-pushing, even for Trump. He intends to fire the FBI director, whom he appointed, (can he do that? - we explain) and replace him with a singularly problematic bomb thrower. He had pardoned a family criminal, and now appoints him to be ambassador to France. He prizes loyalty to him above all, it seems, but is there a place for competence? And we have more on the withdrawal of Gaetz and his strange resignations. Speaking of resignations, a judge in Ohio has thrown yet another resigning twist our way. This episode was recorded prior to the Hunter Biden pardon, which will be discussed in a later episode. CLE credit is available from podcast.njsba.com.
It Could Happen Here - What’s Happening in Syria
James speaks to Wladimir van Wilgenburg about recent changes in the Syrian Civil war, what this means for the democratic project in North East Syria and how to find good information on the conflict online.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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After declaring martial law, South Korean President rescinds the order. Chinese national arrested in California for allegedly supplying military equipment and more to North Korea. President-elect Trump's pick for Defense Secretary continues making rounds among Senators on Capitol Hill. CBS News Correspondent Jennifer Keiper with tonight's World News Roundup.
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This Machine Kills - Patreon Preview – 382. Don’t Fetishize the AI Hype
We chat about Ed’s brilliant critical review of the new book AI Snake Oil and talk about the shortcomings of analysis that are so focused on demystifying the hype about what AI can do that the hype becomes the only thing that matters. We sharpen our own critique by sparring with this interesting and thoughtful — but also limited and naive — critique of AI. Rather than treating hype as the root of all evil in tech — and thus framing our solutions to AI harms as a technical exercise of discerning snake oil from real cures — we must push further to attack the material foundations of the AI industry.
Pre-order Jathan’s new book! https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite
••• AI Scams Are the Point https://newrepublic.com/article/188313/artifical-intelligence-scams-propaganda-deceit
Subscribe to hear more analysis and commentary in our premium episodes every week! https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills
Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (www.x.com/jathansadowski) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (www.x.com/braunestahl)