Podcasts · The Intelligence from The Economist
It’s not easy being Green: Zack Polanski
· 24 min
Episode It’s not easy being Green: Zack Polanski
To critics, the Green Party leader is dangerous, even a con man. To fans, he is a national saviour-in-waiting. Our correspondent meets him to see what is behind the hype. So-called SpudCells have just seven bespoke DNA loops, but represent a revolutionary step toward life made from scratch. And the many ways travel agents still beat the bots.
Guests and host:
• Andrew Miller, special correspondent • Oliver Morton, planetary affairs editor • Caitlin Talbot, culture correspondent • Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
• Zack Polanski, Green Party • SpudCells, synthetic biology • travel agents, luxury travel
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Links in the notes 5
- https://www.economist.com/1843/2026/08/13/can-zack-polanski-do-a-mamdani?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners
- https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/07/01/scientists-take-another-step-towards-lab-made-life?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners
- https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/08/13/travel-agents-are-in-demand-especially-for-luxury-trips?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners
- https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus
- https://acast.com/privacy
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