Plain English with Derek Thompson

Derek Thompson

Booking Overview

This is a twice-weekly news and ideas interview show focused on major developments in politics, economics, technology, culture, and public policy, typically featuring one or more external subject-matter experts, academics, journalists, or authors. Credible pitches include nationally relevant researchers, policy experts, technology and cybersecurity specialists, economists, academics, and authors with original analysis or a timely book or project; booking is likely high difficulty.

Metrics

Episodes: 404

Frequency: Multiple_weekly

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Estimated listeners: 10k-100k

Gender skew: Male

Location: USA

Instagram: 325.0k followers

Contact Information

Publicly listed emails

ringerfeed@spotify.com

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Host

Derek Thompson - Journalist and writer covering technology, culture, politics, and major economic and social trends.

Booking Intelligence

Booking Requirements

high

Typical Credentials:

Established academics, policy researchers, economists, journalists, authors, and technology or cybersecurity experts with recognized subject-matter expertise and a strong point of view on consequential public issues.

Required Achievements:

Published books or widely read essays, Leadership roles at respected research institutions, Academic or professional expertise in a nationally relevant field, Original research, reporting, or analysis on major economic, political, social, or technological trends

Recent Guest Discussions

Conor Sen - Interest Rates, Government And Corporate Debt, Borrowing Costs, And The Long-term Economic Outlook.

Tyler Austin Harper - Higher Education, DEI, Academic Freedom, Economic Justice, And Institutional Self-interest.

Alex Stamos - Ai-enabled Cyberattacks, AI Security Risks, Malicious Actors, And Protections For Governments, Companies, And Individuals.

Jasmine Sun - Data Centers, AI Infrastructure, Local Politics, And Public Opposition To Technology Development.

Beau Kilmer - Cannabis Legalization, Marijuana Use, Alcohol Consumption, And The Social Effects Of Changing Drug Policy.

Recent Topics

Economics, Politics, Technology, Public Policy

Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on

Plain English with Derek Thompson

The Truth About Mississippi's Education "Miracle"

September 18, 2026

Education outcomes have been getting worse across much of the world, with reading and math scores falling to historic lows. The U.S. has seen some of the steepest declines in decades. But, why does Mississippi look so different? Mississippi education reformer Rachel Canter has been at the forefront of the state’s dramatic improvement in reading and math over the past few decades. Today, Derek is joined by Rachel to discuss the so-called “Mississippi miracle” (a name she says misses the mar...

Why Experts Keep Getting the Economy So Wrong

September 15, 2026

Expert economists keep making predictions about America’s financial future, and those predictions keep being … wrong. Over the past few years, we’ve heard warnings about a recession, inflation, tariffs, wars, deficits, and an AI bubble, yet the economy continues chugging along. Today, Derek talks with economist Jason Furman about what economists and commentators might be missing and why exactly the U.S. economy has been so much more resilient than many expected.Subscribe to our YouTube channe...

What’s the Point of College?

September 11, 2026

Trust in American higher education is near a historic low. Tuition has soared, and the payoff for a college degree is now in question as graduates face a weird and challenging job market. Simultaneously, AI is transforming everything around them, from academic fraud to job applications. It all raises the question: What role does college play in the year 2026? Harvard is tackling this question by trying something … different. Instead of shunning new tech, Dean David Deming recently told stude...

Publicly listed emails

ringerfeed@spotify.com

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