Let's Know Things

Oct 06, 2026 — This week we talk about Egypt, Eritrea, and Sudan. We also discuss the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, ports, and journalism. Recommended Book: The Infinity Machine by Sebastian Mallaby Transcript In 2018, Ethiopia reopened its embassy in Eritrea. The...

Sep 29, 2026 — This week we talk about EU membership, trade deals, and association. We also discuss Australia, Ursula von der Leyen, and Brussels. Recommended Book: Being You by Anil Seth Transcript Just off the coast of Newfoundland, there’s a small group of islands...

Sep 22, 2026 — This week we talk about lobbying, renewables, and the NRA. We also discuss implied threats, midterm elections, and political action committees. Recommended Book: Sunward by William Alexander Transcript For much of the late 20th century and the first...

Sep 15, 2026 — This week we talk about AI agents, cyberattacks, and insurance claims. We also discuss OpenAI, Hugging Face, and policy language. Recommended Book: The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester Transcript Two broad categories of cyberattack have become...

Sep 08, 2026 — This week we talk about money policies, yield curves, and government bonds. We also discuss the Fed, the Treasury Department, and a WWII accord between them. Recommended Book: Paved Paradise by Henry Grabar Transcript In April of 1942, a few months...

Sep 01, 2026 — This week we talk about peaker plants, blackouts, and at-home battery backups. We also discuss energy resiliency, solar panels, and hydro. Recommended Book: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett Transcript Peaking power plants, often just called...

Aug 25, 2026 — This week we talk about borders, trade wars, and belligerence. We also discuss Trump’s tariffs, inflation, and nationalism. Recommended Book: Vulture Capitalism by Grace Blakeley Transcript The US and Canada share the longest international border in...

Aug 18, 2026 — This week we talk about the liver, viral infections, and the NHS. We also discuss blood scandals, needle usage, and Nobel Prizes. Recommended Book: A World Appears by Michael Pollan Transcript The term “hepatitis” refers to the inflammation of the...

Aug 11, 2026 — This week we talk about Evo 2, bacteriophages, and antibiotics. We also discuss AI models, medical innovations, and the Red Army. Recommended Book: The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman Transcript A bacteriophage, sometimes just called a...

Aug 04, 2026 — This week we talk about Melilla, hybrid warfare, and migration. We also discuss Morocco, civil conflict, and immigration politics. Recommended Book: Playground by Richard Powers Transcript Ceuta is a Spanish-owned territory located in northwestern...