Against the Rules with Michael Lewis - Podcast Rankings and reviews

I’m a researcher at the intersection of business, economics, and society and work on a podcast and I have to say that:

(1) Lewis’ overall societal commentary is a razor-sharp take which is incredibly on-point and well-supported
(2) the podcast is well researched and provides tons of interesting information, not only feeding us the broccoli but also the ice cream in a way that doesn’t take away from the serious issues
(3) complicated ideas are communicated incredibly effectively, I cannot emphasize how difficult this is and how well it is done here while also preserving human elements in sometimes esoteric topics
(4) the podcast is well written and interesting to listen to
(5) great thesis for a book so people can cite it, plus I wonder if they will run out of possible episodes - though maybe I underestimate how many examples of this there are out there

Really enjoyable listen. A unique take on the hidden role of “referees” in our society, and how the decline of the same is leading to profound effects. Podcast flows well, and is easy on the ears too.

Insightful, poignant, and digestible!!

Against the Rules is hands down one of my favorite podcasts. I am actually a sports official. Listening the this podcast help me evaluate how and why I do what I do, both on the field and off the field. It also help me evaluate why people view “referees” they way they do.

Such a timely topic. Michael Lewis brings new talents to the realm of the podcast. He's a great storyteller in any format. These episodes sparked numerous conversations - he comes at the concept of fairness and 'referees' in such an interesting and entertaining manner. Great perspective for today's political and social environment. Please release Season 2 soon!

I have listened to many, many white collar crime podcasts. I followed the story of Theranos from the very beginning. And as someone who is deeply familiar with this genre - don’t burn your time on this podcast.

The main host/book author seems sympathetic to SBF in a way that hinders an objective reporting. For example, the host actually tried to say SBF borrowed and gambled customer money without permission which is not, apparently, the same thing as stealing. Which … interesting.

Ultimately, this podcast sounds like a privileged man defending another privileged man as a quirky guy who just made some big mistakes. I’m not calling for SBF to be painted as some devil - he is a nuanced human like anyone else. But we live in a deeply hurting world where people are fighting to have basic rights, food, heating, safety. And there is something absolutely intolerable about hearing sympathetic arguments for a reckless billionaire whose companies destroyed the savings and livelihoods of so many people.

This podcast was interesting the first season, but the start of season 2 is too much for me to handle. Michael makes outrageous assumptions that fit his argument and then interviews like-minded people to confirm his ludicrous ideas. In season 2 episode 1, he claims that the richest get the most coaching and that it's unnecessary because they are already the most talented. Umm...did it ever occur to him to explore the idea that the richest are the most talented BECAUSE they get the most coaching? He doesn't even bother considering that potential. And in the same episode a person he interviews makes the tidy assumption that whoever is working at the bank never experienced hardships in their life so they don't know the feeling of it. Michael sums up that naive thought by saying that people that have money are people that come from money and people in debt are "martians" to them. Michael is either extremely stupid or extremely conceited. I'm betting the latter. Completely disregarding people that have come out of bad situations is firstly offensive and secondly just plain ignorant. This podcast is nothing more than a vain and cocky guy pushing out half-thought ideas as if they're indisputable fact.