The Economist Radio (All audio)

Host Kenneth Cukier explores new research into light-based treatments for patients at high risk of fatal heartbeat irregularities. Also: a new crypto-currency promises greater privacy and how to blend wine via touch screen

Adrian Wooldridge talks about the political isolation of America’s business class. Ryan Avent assesses the future of the gig economy after a court rules against Uber in Britain. And finally: buy a pair of TOMS Shoes and the company will donate a pair to a child in need. But does it actually do good? Soumaya Keynes reports on the economics of this one-to-one scheme.

This week: a potential independent victory in Utah, how to crack Russian hacking, and Donald Trump’s unsettling fondness for Vladimir Putin

Zanny Minton Beddoes, our editor-in-chief, and James Harding, the BBC’s director of news, analyse the week’s stories. This week: Pascal Lamy on the ability of small groups to toppling free trade and the former Mexican Foreign Minister, Jorge Castañeda, on what needs to be done to tackle violence in Central America. Plus an audiograph on air pollution around the world.

The Economist Radio's election coverage continues as David Rennie reports from North Carolina on contrasting approaches to firing up supporters. Also: Washington pundit Andrew Sullivan weighs in on his reluctant support for Hillary Clinton. And an insurgent candidate's possible path from Utah to the Whitehouse. Anne McElvoy hosts.

Trailing in the polls, Donald Trump has kept up a drumbeat of warnings about a "rigged system" that's working against his chances of beating Hillary Clinton and winning the presidency. But is the U.S. election system really rigged — or riggable? Celeste and John pose the question to Dana Perino, White House press secretary under former President George W. Bush and now host of Fox News Channel's "The Five" and the "I'll Tell You What" podcast. Then we jump to Nairobi, Kenya, for a talk with Daniel Knowles, who covers the corrupt and sometimes violent politics of sub-Saharan Africa for The Economist, about what rigged elections actually look like. Our producer is Alan Haburchak. Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

To find what motivates Donald Trump, Anne McElvoy drops in at the opening of his new hotel, speaks to his biographer, Marc Fisher and investigates 'Trumpism' with sociologist, Arlie Russell Hochschild. Also on the show: linguistic expert Sharon Jarvis discusses the Republican candidate's communication style. And comedian Sage Boggs unveils the art of Trump parody.

In the second episode of Economist Radio specials running up to the presidential election, security expert Bruce Schneier examines vulnerabilities in electoral voting systems. We hear from Dr Darren Schreiber about whether our political inclinations are hardwired. Also: what impact is big data having in this year's election? Cheryl Brumley speaks to online campaigning expert Dr Matt Hindman

In the first of our Economist Radio specials from Washington, Money Talks examines the Wall Street versus Main Street argument playing out in the election. Our Buttonwood columnist dissects how markets might respond to a Trump win. And award-winning MIT economist, David Autor, dissects the negative consequences of free trade.

This week: Bhutan’s surprising success, experiments in automated consumption and why clowning is on the rise in Cuba

Host Josie Delap investigates whether Britain's vote to leave the EU will give Scottish Nationalist Party leader Nicola Sturgeon enough momentum to take Scotland out of the United Kingdom. Also: resurgent racism in South Africa and the battle to liberate Mosul

Host Anne McElvoy is joined by Peter Frankopan, historian and bestselling author of The Silk Roads, to discuss how reorienting how the history of the Middle East is viewed could have far reaching ramifications for diplomacy

Scientists in Japan grow artificial mouse pups from skin cells; could the same technique one day be used for humans? Planetary scientist Dr Claire Cousins explains where we might find life on Mars as the ExoMars satellite and probe arrive at the red planet. And we explore why virtual reality has taken a foothold in China

With the election looming and the final debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump dominating the headlines, Celeste and John step back to focus on one of the greatest challenges the next president must face: dealing with war-torn Syria. Celeste speaks with Christina Psarra of the humanitarian aid group Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieresabout her work helping refugees and educating the public about their experience through MSF's traveling exhibition "Forced From Home." Next, former Senate majority leader and special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell talks to John about if, how and when the wrenching conflict in Syria will end, potentially under the administration of a new president and United Nations secretary-general. This episode was produced by Alan Haburchak and Jon Marston.

Patrick Foulis joins host Simon Long to take a look at the financial gymnastics keeping Elon Musk's business empire afloat. Also: the shadow economies that need a fuse of transparency and private equity's socialist secret