Plain English with Derek Thompson - Podcast Rankings and reviews

I regularly listen to at least 20 podcasts, and this one is hands-down the smartest podcast out there in terms of conveying the key information about issues and trends in a digestible and enjoyable manner. Keep up the excellent work!

Excellently curated topics, content, and guests. The host is concise and leans into what he knows; and acknowledges what he may not. Overall, just a great show.

Well researched and intelligent content. He deals with topical subjects and goes deep. Derek also has a great speaking voice.

Such a smart and insightful dude. Always brings experts into the show, but he does his research before. Couldn’t recommend it enough.

Used to be my favorite podcast until this fall with politics - very biased, hateful, dismissive, and plainly rude regarding anything center or center/right. I don’t trust his objectivity or rationality on any topic anymore. Plus, the pretentious rants are annoying. He barely lets his guests speak. How can a person hosting a podcast talk too much?? Not sure how it’s possible but he does. Very sad to be unsubscribing. Hopefully he’ll get the show back on track in the future.

I have to admit to finally dropping this podcast after hearing the Burkeman “interview.” Three BIG reasons: Johnson barely interviews Burkeman, instead talking a lot about himself and how much he knows. Second, he is not self-aware enough to realize that he is not the first overwhelmed/enamored new parent in the planet. Ad nauseum kid talk is alienating. Third, Burkeman barely gets a word in, unless it to be made to forcibly agree with Johnson.
Burkeman’s writing is wonderful, gently insightful, full of practical and thoughtful wisdom. It’s a shame Johnson failed to share that and actively squashed every opportunity for the listener to be engaged.