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Plain English With Derek Thompson

Plain English With Derek Thompson
Plain English
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About the show

Longtime tech, culture, and political writer Derek Thompson cuts through all the noise surrounding the big questions and headlines that matter to you in his podcast Plain English. Hear Derek and guests engage the news with clear viewpoints and memorable takeaways. New episodes drop weekly, and if you’ve got a topic you want discussed, shoot us an email at plainenglish@spotify.com.

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Derek Thompson

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U.S. Casino-ification

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Episode Breakdown

Gambling hasn’t just taken over sports. It’s invaded culture, politics, and even international warfare. McKay Coppins, a staff writer at The Atlantic, joins the show to discuss his new cover story on how gambling conquered sports … and everything else.

On the State of AI

Health and Wellness ... and Their Politics

All Episodes

Plain History: The Full Series

Abundance

Abundance
By Derek Thompson and Ezra Klein • March 18, 2025
‘Abundance’ is Plain English host Derek Thompson and New York Times journalist Ezra Klein’s call to renew a politics of plenty, face up to the failures of liberal governance, and abandon the chosen scarcities that have deformed American life.More info

Abundance

Abundance
Derek Thompson and Ezra Klein • Mar 18, 2025

‘Abundance’ is Plain English host Derek Thompson and New York Times journalist Ezra Klein’s call to renew a politics of plenty, face up to the failures of liberal governance, and abandon the chosen scarcities that have deformed American life.

‘Abundance’ is Plain English host Derek Thompson and New York Times journalist Ezra Klein’s call to renew a politics of plenty, face up to the failures of liberal governance, and abandon the chosen scarcities that have deformed American life.
More info