Hump Day Recommendations, June 12, 2024

Listen: “Mania for Subjugation,” This latest episode of Hardcore History from podcaster Dan Carlin tries to get inside the heads of Alexander the Great and his very dramatic family to explore what we know about the psychology of the man responsible for spreading Hellenism from Cappadocia to the Khyber Pass. As always, a thoroughly entertaining and fascinating piece from the greatest podcaster in the game. – Matt

Listen: To the latest This American Life, “Come Retribution.” Donald Trump’s rhetoric has only intensified since his conviction in NYC. This podcast looks at what his retribution might look like from the people who have the most to lose if he’s reelected: the whistleblowers and ex-staffers who believe he may be coming for them. – Riley

Watch: “Ren Faire.” HBO's new docuseries has been described as “Game of Thrones meets Succession” but takes place at a Texas Renaissance festival, and that's about all I can do to describe it, other than to say you will not regret watching it. It’s produced by the Safdie brothers and is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. – Alex Gibson, senior producer of “GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Listen: “Empire.” Love podcasts? Love history? Then I would highly recommend checking this out. The hosts discuss the rise and fall of an array of different empires and the personalities and stories of key players along the way. It’s fascinating and will definitely keep you entertained. – John

More from GZERO Media

- YouTube

Artificial intelligence is transforming the global workforce, but its impact looks different across economies. Christine Qiang, Global Director in the World Bank’s Digital Vice Presidency, tells GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis that while “every single job will be reshaped,” developing countries are seeing faster growth in demand for AI skills than high-income nations.

Hamas militant stands guard, as heavy machinery operates at the site where searches are underway for the bodies of hostages killed after being seized by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 17, 2025.
REUTERS/Stringer

On Monday, Hamas freed the remaining 20 living hostages, while Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners — the first step in the ceasefire deal the two sides struck last week.

- YouTube

As the US economy continues to defy expectations, Eurasia Group Managing Director of Global Macro Robert Kahn says the key question is whether a slowdown has been avoided or merely delayed. “The headline here is the impressive resilience of the US, maybe also the global economy over the last six months,” Kahn tells GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank–IMF Annual Meetings.