Swamp Notes

Introducing Opus Dei, a new season of Untold from the Financial Times. Host Antonia Cundy uncovers the cultural and political influence of a controversial Catholic organisation in America. Opus Dei exists to help people get closer to God, but some members say they found other agendas – and unexpected harm – entangled in that spiritual mission. The first episode of Untold: Opus Dei launches March 25.

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The US and Israeli war with Iran has expanded across the Gulf. Iran has effectively shuttered the Strait of Hormuz, sending the prices of oil and liquefied natural gas way up. The economic realities of the conflict could pose a problem for President Donald Trump, who was elected in part because of his promise to make life more affordable for Americans. The FT’s Myles McCormick and Sam Fleming explain what consequences the war against Iran will have for the global economy.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Donald Trump’s Iran war tests US voters’ patience as petrol prices rise
Which leading economies will pay the biggest price for the Iran war?
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Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino and produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz and the FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: Reuters, Associated Press, CNBC, CNN

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump started a war with Iran last week. The American and Israeli bombing campaign has killed more than a thousand people, according to Iranian state media. Iran’s retaliatory strikes threaten to cut off all energy exports in the coming days.The FT’s US national editor Edward Luce and US foreign affairs correspondent Abigail Hauslohner explain how that war is changing Washington and America’s allies.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Donald Trump has no ‘phase two’ plan for Iran war, says US senator
Donald Trump’s dangerous ‘war of whim’
US holds talks with Iranian Kurdish militants over anti-regime operations
Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here

Swamp Notes is produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz and the FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: CBC, US Central Command on X

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump gave what is likely to be his most viewed remarks of the year. He spent little time on his most controversial decisions, instead focusing on economic issues and immigration that have appealed to voters in the past. But, at a point when Trump’s approval ratings are dropping, what does his speech mean for the looming midterm elections? The FT’s deputy Washington bureau chief Lauren Fedor and Jon McHenry, vice-president of the polling firm North Star Opinion Research, explain.

Mentioned in this podcast:
State of the Union as it happened
Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here

Swamp Notes is produced by Henry Larson. This week’s show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz and the FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: Roll Call

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US Food and Drug Administration last week said it would not consider a new flu vaccine for public distribution. But a few days later, it changed course. Is that reversal part of a larger change in the Trump administration’s efforts to ‘Make America Healthy Again’? The FT’s US Pharmaceuticals Correspondent Patrick Temple-West and US Managing Editor Brooke Masters explain. Plus, the FT’s James Politi decodes the Supreme Court’s decision on Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Trump administration reverses move to block Moderna flu vaccine trial
White House launches TrumpRx as drug companies warn of sales hit
Sign up for the FT’s Swamp Notes newsletter here

Swamp Notes is hosted by Marc Filippino and produced by Henry Larson. We had help this week from Lauren Fedor and Maneula Saragosa. This week’s show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz and the FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts.

CREDIT: MS NOW, CNN, Forbes, @SecKennedy on X, Associated Press

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.