At a dinner in 2010, physicist Sean Carroll is handed a phone. On the other end: A wealthy patron looking to potentially fund his research. Months later came an invite to a conference. It would take place on an island. The caller was Jeffrey Epstein. Sean declined. Many others didn’t.
On today’s show, why did so many academics say yes to Epstein’s invites and money? And what Epstein’s ability to ingratiate himself with them reveals about how science research is funded.
Come see Planet Money live on stage in April! Twelve cities. Details and tix here: https://tix.to/pm-book-tour.
Related episodes:
What an Epstein recording reveals about how elites get jobs
American science brain drain
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
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NPR's Book of the Day - ‘One of Us’ is a British political drama based on the Boris Johnson era
In today’s episode, Elizabeth Day describes the protagonist in her new novel One of Us as the “quintessential outsider.” Martin Gilmour came from a difficult background, but won a scholarship to an elite boarding school in England. There, he befriends an aristocratic boy named Ben who will later ask Martin to keep an important secret. One of Us follows the implosion of their friendship – and Martin’s discretion – as Ben strives for political power. In today’s episode, Day and NPR’s Scott Simon discuss the novel’s central rivalry and Day’s interest in the Boris Johnson era of British politics.
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Tech Won't Save Us - The Left Doesn’t Hate Technology w/ Gita Jackson
Paris Marx is joined by Gita Jackson to discuss why the left’s hatred of AI is justified, why a different approach to technology is necessary, and how they’re reassessing their own relationships with digital tech.
Gita Jackson is a co-founder of Aftermath.
Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.
The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Kyla Hewson.
Also mentioned in this episode:
-
Gita wrote about why the left doesn’t hate technology.
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Gita also wrote about downloading digital music onto a Snowksy Fiio Echo Mini.
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Chris Person wrote about the Boox Palma eReader as an alternative to Kindle.
-
Learn more about Mike Pondsmith and his Cyberpunk TTRPG.
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Gita will one day get Paris to watch Frieren.
Global News Podcast - UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks
At a meeting in New York, the UN Security Council has backed a resolution calling for Iran to stop its strikes on Arab Gulf states and Jordan, but making no mention of the US-Israeli bombardment of Iran. It also condemns the blockade of the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Iran's allies China and Russia abstained from the vote. We also hear why US Democrats are calling for a public hearing into the strikes on Iran - one of which is suspected to have hit a girls' school, causing major loss of life. Also, aid agencies are warning of worsening drought in East Africa, scientists discover that bumblebee queens can breathe underwater and, as the Oscars approach, BBC news correspondents talk about their picks for this year's awards.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
The Best One Yet - ⭐ “DC LIVE Show” — Cava’s secret club. Gen Z’s Mall-renaissance. F-35’s main character jet. +CIA’s spy investors
Live… from Washington… it’s The Best One Yet!
We performed live at DC’s wild Arlington Drafthouse. Some extra razzle dazzle & sprinkle dinkle — but our usual daily Takeaways you know & love.
#1. Despite a Slop Bowl Recession, Cava’s crushing Sweetgreen… And just launched a secret invite-only club.
#2. The F-35 fighter jet is the most expensive weapon in history… but disruption takes a lifetime.
#3. Gen Z is driving a Mall Renaissance… because they crave the bPhone era (“Before iPhone”).
Plus, the microwave, the robotaxi, GPS, even Silly Puddy… all funded by the government - DC’s CIA is the OG VC.
Want to see the LIVE show in action? Watch it on YouTube or check out the highlights on Instagram @tboypod.
Even better… want to go to our next LIVE show? Buy tickets to The IPO Tour (our In-Person Offering) TODAY
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Los Angeles, CA (6/3): SOLD OUT
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About Us: The daily pop-biz news show making today’s top stories your business. Formerly known as Robinhood Snacks, The Best One Yet is hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell.
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Engines of Our Ingenuity - The Engines of Our Ingenuity 2570: Celebrating Human Ingenuity
Episode: 2570 Celebrating Human Ingenuity. Today, a story in two parts.
It Could Happen Here - The Fake Crisis Behind Trump’s Tariffs
As Trump fakes a balance of payments crisis to implement more tariffs, Mia faces her demons to explain what any of that means.
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/10/senate-democrats-bill-small-businesses-trump-tariffs
https://archive.vn/E3fwh#selection-479.0-482.0
https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2026/feb/us-dollar-role-as-reserve-currency
https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2016/11/01/international-trade
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/bolivias-balance-payments-crisis-brings-back-bad-memories
https://www.elibrary.imf.org/display/book/9781557758286/ch02.xml
https://www.krwg.org/local-viewpoints/2026-03-10/scotus-decision-on-tariffs
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gov-healey-demands-refunds-mass-182527561.html
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5775500-businesses-sue-trump-tariffs/
https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2025/oct/what-is-the-balance-of-payments
https://www.investopedia.com/insights/what-is-the-balance-of-payments/
https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/house-bill/10710/text
https://www.rba.gov.au/education/resources/explainers/the-balance-of-payments.html
https://adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-434-back-to-the-1970s-again
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/files/docs/publications/frbslreview/rev_stls_196103.pdf
https://muse.jhu.edu/article/952314
https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/022/0003/003/article-A003-en.xml
https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3545&context=faculty_scholarship
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose to over $90 a barrel, despite the International Energy Agency announcing that it would release 400m barrels of oil from its reserves.
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The Source - As smart devices multiply, so do fears over digital surveillance
We are living in a time of extreme self surveillance. We carry with us devices that capture our every location, info about our health, and data about our private lives. This information can be saved, processed and used against us by the police, prosecutors and the political state. Digital technology exposes everyone, everywhere, all at once, and we have few laws to regulate it.array(3) {
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The Economics of Everyday Things - 21. Car Washes
Why are these sudsy roadside stops one of the fastest growing industries in America? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the hood. This episode was originally published on October 15th, 2023.
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