Derek Thompson
Mentioned in 32 analyzed podcast episodes across 10 shows
A journalist and writer at The Atlantic who co-authored the "Abundance" book, a policy framework addressing economic affordability and supply-side challenges. Known for his critical perspective on AI discourse, characterizing it as oscillating between "science fiction" and extreme positions rather than grounded analysis. Frequently cited across podcasts for commentary on technology, economics, governance, and cultural trends in American society.
Appears On
Episode Appearances
Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar · May 13, 2026
5/13/26: Trump Says He Doesn't Care About Americans Finances, Male Employment Craters, Israel Most Hated Country On Earth In New Poll
“Previously interviewed about 'terrible 20s' economic trends and AI billionaire wealth concentration”
Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar · May 12, 2026
5/12/26: Trump Says Ceasefire On Life Support, Trump Desperate Gambit On Gas Prices, UFO Files Breakdown
“Scheduled guest to discuss AI bubble concerns and data center buildout implications”
Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar · May 12, 2026
5/12/26: Bibi Blames Social Media For Anti-Israel Criticism, Derek Thompson On Billionaire AI Takeover
“Guest discussing AI bubble risk, billionaire wealth concentration, and why Americans feel miserable despite economic growth”
Prof G Markets · May 12, 2026
AI Is Making Us All Dumber
“Guest expert discussing how AI cheating deprives students of cognitive time under tension needed for long-term success”
The Briefing with Jen Psaki · May 6, 2026
Life after Trump: Elections show political adjustments as Trump fades from relevance
“Featured in Chris Hayes' AI Endgame miniseries discussing artificial intelligence implications”
All In with Chris Hayes · May 6, 2026
Republicans demand $1B in taxpayer cash for Trump's ballroom
“Guest on Why Is This Happening podcast special series on AI discussing AI industry and existential risks”
TBPN · May 6, 2026
Sam vs Elon Trial, Coinbase Cuts 14% in AI Pivot, Digesting Meta Earnings | Diet TBPN
“Analyzed Coinbase and Salesforce layoffs; criticized AI-washing of workforce reductions; examined stock performance trends”
Deadline: White House · May 5, 2026
"Americans are feeling the squeeze”
“Guest on Why Is This Happening? AI Endgame miniseries discussing AI risks and uncertainty”
The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis · Apr 28, 2026
The AI Subsidy Era is Over
“Coined term 'millennial lifestyle subsidy' for 2010s; analyzed current AI subsidy shift”
The Ezra Klein Show · Apr 28, 2026
What We Got Right — and Wrong — in ‘Abundance’
“Co-author of 'Abundance'; discusses legislative outcomes, housing data, and AI policy implications”
Grumpy Old Geeks · Apr 24, 2026
743: Category Five Dystopia
“Author of article analyzing why America feels sad despite positive economic indicators”
Galaxy Brain · Apr 24, 2026
How Short-Form Clips Took Over the Internet
“Previously appeared on Galaxy Brain discussing 'Everything is Television' thesis about content consumption”
Runaway Country with Alex Wagner · Apr 23, 2026
The Gas Prices Are Too Damn High
“Guest expert providing macro analysis of inflation, institutional collapse, and permacrisis effects on American psychology”
Animal Spirits Podcast · Apr 15, 2026
Everyone Back in the Boat (EP. 460)
“Podcast on AI impact on young adult jobs; referenced Adam Ozimek research”
ImpactAlpha Podcasts · Mar 26, 2026
Pulling policy and financial levers for housing affordability with Carol Galante
“Referenced alongside Ezra Klein for abundance argument on housing supply and pricing”
Making Sense with Sam Harris · Mar 16, 2026
#464 — The Politics of Pragmatism and the Future of California
“Co-author of 'Abundance' book cited for research on government's struggle to convert tax dollars into impact”
Pablo Torre Finds Out · Mar 5, 2026
Share & Bubble & Tell with Mina Kimes and Derek Thompson
“Journalist at New York Times; argues AI is transformative despite bubble risk; synthesizes AI research and economics”
All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg · Feb 28, 2026
Software Stocks Implode, Claude's Hit List, State of the Union Reactions, Trump's Tariff Pivot
“Writer who criticized AI predictions as 'science fiction masquerading as analysis'”
TBPN · Feb 24, 2026
Kim K's New Energy Drink, Citrini Discourse Rages On, the $100B Meta-AMD Deal | Diet TBPN
“Described AI conversations as marketplace of competing science fiction narratives”
TBPN · Feb 24, 2026
Citrini Memo Reactions, Kim K Enters Energy Drinks, Jane Street Sued | Patrick & John Collison, Bill Gurley, James Cadwallader, Scott Wu, Ivan Zhao, Stefano Ermon, Rune Kvist, Reiner Pope, Devansh Pandey
“Journalist quoted on AI discourse being 'marketplace of competing science fiction narratives'”
Diabolical Lies · Feb 22, 2026
The Myth of Centrism
“Atlantic writer and co-author of 'Abundance' agenda; criticized for paternity leave post framing work as more important than caregiving”
Animal Spirits Podcast · Feb 18, 2026
Is AI a Mistake? (EP. 452)
“Newsletter and podcast host who framed AI discourse divide between 'vaporware' and 'world-ending' extremes”
KCRW's Left, Right & Center · Feb 13, 2026
Texas Dems are stuck on identity politics with Senate race at stake
“Journalist discussing 'abundance' economic framework for addressing affordability and supply-side challenges”
Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov · Feb 11, 2026
Trump’s Sparking Culture War Fights to Bury the Epstein Scandal
“Referenced for analogy about human adaptation to technological change and information overload”
Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer · Feb 10, 2026
LIVE FROM DC: Abundance and Social Democracy: Enemies or Allies?
“Co-author of 'Abundance' book; contributed to framing abundance as policy lens for Democratic Party renewal”
The AI Policy Podcast · Feb 5, 2026
Jennifer Pahlka on Reforming Government for the AI Era
“Co-author of Abundance, praised Pahlka's Recoding America book”
The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast · Jan 26, 2026
1KHO 691: The Universal Need to Matter | Jennifer Breheny Wallace, Mattering
“Quoted on self-imposed solitude as most important social fact of 21st century”
Hard Fork · Jan 2, 2026
Our 2026 Tech Resolutions + We Answer Your Questions
“Author of post about shift toward video-first content on all social media platforms”
The Last Invention · Dec 19, 2025
Ezra Klein on the Uncertain Politics of A.I.
“Co-author with Klein of 'Abundance' book critiquing Democratic governance failures”
Galaxy Brain · Dec 12, 2025
How YouTube Ate Podcasts and TV, With Rachel Martin, Ashley Carman, and Derek Thompson
“The Atlantic contributor and Plain English podcast host; theorizes that 'everything is television'”
Expert Intelligence with Paul Estes · Nov 11, 2025
Writing Is Thinking: AI Slop Is Killing Your Credibility — with Joe Lazer
“Host of Plain English podcast where Jake Auchincloss discussed tech taxation proposal”
How to Age Up · May 12, 2025
How to Age Up on a Warming Planet
“Atlantic writer whose piece 'The Antisocial Century' examines American society's withdrawal and solitude marketing”