Mexico: The Podcast
Deep dives into Mexico's history, politics, and economics. Every two weeks by The Mexico Political Economist.
Episodes
The paths Mexico’s economy could take
In this episode, Tavo and Alex explore the origins nature of president Claudia Sheinbaum’s flagship industrial policy—and what’s keeping it from really taking off. Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this episode:Mexican HumanismPlan México
UNAM
In this episode, Tavo and Alex conclude our three part series on Mexican universities with the National Autonomous University of Mexico—UNAM.Missed the first two episodes? Start here!Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this episode:Gómez Mo
Mexican universities: Public colleges
In this episode, Tavo and Alex discuss Mexico’s private universities. If you missed part one, why not start there by clicking here?Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this episode:Project LagartoOn Guillermo OrtízBio-diversity in Mexican cu
Mexican universities: Private colleges
In this episode, Tavo and Alex discuss Mexico’s private universities.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this episode:Alex’s book on the Mexican right—and its universitiesOn political opposition from Mexico’s National University—UNAMMexico’
Axolotls
In this episode, Tavo and Alex discuss the origins of Mexico’s love affair with the ajolote.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this episode:The wonders of chile biodiversityAxolotls in Chapultepec park Get full access to The Mexico Politic
Mexican football
It’s Tavo and Alex we’re talking about here, so you know this episode will be about all the history, politics, and culture surrounding Mexican football rather than a deep dive into the sport itself. A fascinating ride!Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.or
The Mexican National Anthem
Its not just a song; its the essence of Mexican-ness (or so politicians would like you to think).In this episode, Tavo and Alex sing along to the tune of centuries of nationalism, nation building, and invented tradition.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe
Spice
One cannot even start to think of Mexican food without chillies. Whether they’re spicy or mild, dried or fresh, cooked or raw, Mexico and chile are synonymous. Join Tavo and Alex on this gastronomic exploration through the ages.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to w
Hidden gems of Mexican archeology
“A lot of these archeological sites are subject to politicisation. Like Teotihuacán.” Ominous words from Tavo, as this episode was recorded a few days before the tragic anti-tourist shooting at Teotihuacan.Mexico is full of archeological gems. In this episode, Tavo and Alex actually head to some of the country’s less known, but just as spectacular sites, that give Teotihuacan or Chichen Itzá a run
How Mexico's most famous park opened up to all
Continue down the leafy and historic paths with Tavo and Alex. But no longer just the well-known first section but the, until recently, wild second, third and fourth sections.This is part II of the past and present of Chapultepec park.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscri
Mexico's most famous park
This week Tavo and Alex take a stroll down Chapultepec park. Explore its greatest landmarks and historical moments—from a US invasion to a hidden piece of nineteenth century tech.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this episode:Our episode
The Mexico-China relationship today
In this episode, Tavo and Alex discuss current Mexican and Chinese relations. Missed part 1 of Mexico-China? Here’s the previous episode!Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this episode:How Mexico was “China’s first victim”Tavo explains inf
China in Mexico, a history
In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex look back at the mutual influence and relations between China and Mexico. Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this episode:Colonial Mexico and Imperial China’s early relationsMexico’s po
Mexico's first post-revolutionary technocrat
Manuel Gómez Morín was many things: A member of the government, an opponent of the government, a lawyer, a massive stick-in-the-mud, and the subject of today’s episode of Mexico: The Podcast. In it Tavo and Alex unpack the life of one of Mexico’s most influential men, and how his personal qualities have created the political situation the country is in to this day.Mexico: The Podcast is also avail
Mexico's anti-interventionist foreign policy
Long before Mark Carney declared the international rules-based system dead, Mexico was working to balance the global law of the jungle with its own principles. In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex look into over a century of Mexican foreign policy, as they seek to answer whether Mexico has been more principled or pragmatic.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Po
Mexico's economy in 2026
Mexico’s economy didn’t do all that well in 2025… Things could get much worse.In episode one of season two of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex dissect the factors that will affect Mexico’s economic growth, investment, and prosperity in 2026.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube! Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico,
Guadalupe-Reyes
In this yuletide episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Alex raises a glass to a time honoured tradition and toasts Tavo for being an integral part of it.The Guadalupe-Reyes “marathon” is a Christmas tradition like no other; here we explain what’s behind it.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and now on YouTube! Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insi
What it means to be right-wing in Mexico
How did Mexicans go from avoiding being called “conservative” to opposition figures coming to show off they’re on the extreme right?In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo grills Alex on his upcoming book—La derecha no existe (pero ahí está)—and about what it truly means to be on the right in Mexico.To buy the book click here or go to your favourite book shop soon. For international shipping
Markets
Take a tour around Mexico City’s most iconic markets. From the most humble street tianguis to one of the largest covered markets in the world.In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex explore the market capital of the world—or at least thats how we feel about Mexico City in our hearts. Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and now on YouTube! Leave us a revi
Why's no one investing in Mexico?
In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex try to explain why the Mexican government can’t get the resources to invest in the economy and why business is too scared to invest either.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and now on YouTube! Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this
Corruption
How corrupt is Mexico? What are the origins of corruption there? Why is Tavo always getting himself into sticky situations?Find all about that and more in this episode of Mexico: The Podcast!Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and now on YouTube! Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this e
Do Mexicans hate the US?
Alex gets it wrong! In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast he says that Mexico was invaded by the US in 1917—it was actually in 1914. But does he love or loathe the US any more for it?Find out in this episode, in which Tavo and Alex delve into whether Mexicans hate the US, whether left or right think differently about Americans, and whether Trump shifts the needle at all on this front.Mexico: The
Tequila
The word “ancestral” comes to mind when people talk about tequila, but what one finds on the shelves has nothing to do with what you’d see just a few decades ago.In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex dive into the delights, history, and economics of Mexico’s most famous tipple.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and now on YouTube! Leave us a review an
Who gets to own Mexican culture?
Culture is a massive subject and in a world where globalisation is being questioned and challenged, how do Mexicans assert their ownership over their own culture and how do they share it with the world? In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex ask who gets to wear Mexican clothes but also why people might get offended when you stick to your own traditional garb.Mexico: The Podcast is
One company could sink Mexico
The future of Mexico’s economy and the credibility of Claudia Sheinbaum’s government lies almost entirely on how she deals with Pemex, Mexico’s State-run oil company.This is part two of a two part series on Pemex. If you haven’t listened to part one, here it is!In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex sally forth to discuss where the Pemex crisis stands now and what dark (or even prom
Mexico's oil company is in trouble. Here's what happened
Pemex is a microcosm of Mexico’s history and fortunes. But don’t be fooled by the “micro” part, it is an enormous company with a history that has defined what being Mexican means. In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex delve into the past and present of Mexico’s most important company. Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and now on YouTube! Leave us a r
Earthquakes built Mexico
In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex remember the greatest seismic moments in Mexican history. From the creation of an ancient superpower to the emergence from the rubble of Mexico City’s most unlikely superhero.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and now on YouTube! Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights on Mexico, subscr
Mexico has built police states before
The recent reforms approved by the Sheinbaum administration have caused controversy that her government is creating a surveillance apparatus to spy on everyday Mexicans.We’ve been here before…In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex compare and contrast Sheinbaum’s intel initiatives to the police state set up by the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. A regime whose powers of espionage fai
Mexico's 5 most famous people
This episode of Mexico: The Podcast is a who’s who of Mexican fame, culture, and influence on the world stage. Tavo and Alex have a romp through a list of Mexico’s most famous and infamous personages. What you might not expect is not only who’s on this list but also why they’ve ended up there. Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and now on YouTube! Leave us a review a
Is Mexico a democracy anymore?
Tavo and Alex pull no punches in criticising the Mexican government and the opposition for their involvement (or lack thereof) in the recent judicial election. But do these failings mean Mexico is no longer a democratic country? Find out in this episode of Mexico: The Podcast. Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more in
Political violence in Mexico
In the wake of a tragic double murder of top political figures, Tavo and Alex ask what causes political violence in Mexico and why it is so different to all the other sorts of violence in the country.Mexico: The Podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Leave us a review and a comment, and for even more insider insights into Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.orgMentioned in this episode
Fresas: Mexico’s insufferable republican aristocracy
“Close the door, darling, you’ll let the riffraff in.”The globetrotting elite are more or less the same everywhere, but Mexico’s fresas (literally, “strawberries” in English) have their own distinctive styles, norms, and accents. This all makes them unique… and often pretty deplorable.In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex plunge into the depths of Mexico’s most infamous social clas
Cinco de Mayo: What happened and why the US loves it
Mexicans love a good holiday, so it seems strange that the one the US chooses to celebrate as much as possible is one few care about south of the border.In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex go back to that fateful May 5th in 1862 and ask the important questions: Why does the US love this Mexican holiday so much? What is the significance of this holiday? And why are French generals
Why is Mexico so good at tackling inflation?
As folks in the US wrestle over cartons of eggs and brace themselves for price increases as Trump’s tariffs bite, the scene in Mexico looks completely different. The Mexican central bank’s inflation target has been consistently hit for decades now, and prices have remained pretty stable across a large array of goods.In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex debate whether Mexico is act
Why Mexicans are so good at partying
The party is a sacred event in Mexico. From before the arrival of the Spanish to the afterparties at Cancún’s all inclusive beach resorts.But how did Mexico get so good at them? That is what Tavo and Alex will be trying to answer in this episode of Mexico: The Podcast. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Leave us a review and a comment and for even more insider insights into Mexico, subs
Mexico confounds the left-right political spectrum
It’s Benito Juárez’s birthday tomorrow! And to celebrate, Tavo and Alex unveil how Mexico’s first indigenous, liberal president was a walking contradiction. Also, discussed is Mexico’s first 20th century culture war and the question of how left-wing the current Mexican government actually is.Listen to this episode of Mexico: The Podcast to discover the definitive answer as to whether Mexico is lef
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, explained
Mexico’s president from 2018-2024 is now the stuff of legend. He demolished the political system that dominated the country for decades and has left an enormously divisive legacy that will continue to transform it for decades to come.One cannot understand modern day Mexico without understanding Andrés Manuel López Obrador. For better or for worse, the founding father of current day Mexico.Also ava
Is Mexico poor?
Is Mexico poor or is its massive wealth poorly distributed? In this episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo and Alex delve into how a country with such an embarrassment of wealth and access to global markets has yet to pull tens of millions out of poverty. And all this broken down into five—often mind-bending—stats.Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts—where you should definitely leave us a re
How Mexico got so violent
News readers have become numb to daily reports of cartel violence, drug seizures, and killings across Mexico. Precious few understand how the country got here and how the different governments and society as a whole have tried to deal with organised crime. US listeners, be advised, the United States does not come out looking great in this episode of Mexico: The Podcast.Available on Spotify and App
Mexico's industrial policy is destined to fail
Over three decades since the end of the Cold War, the debate rages on: Is State intervention in the economy essential for a country’s growth or is it a disaster waiting to happen?Mexico is about to embark in a bold new experiment in government-run industry with the Plan México, but it isn’t the first time it has dabbled in industrial policy. This time, in Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo Figueroa and Ale
Mexico does not matter
Once the beating heart of a global empire, how important has Mexico been on the world stage? Join Tavo Figueroa and Alex González Ormerod to find out in episode one of Mexico: The Podcast. Available on Spotify and Apple Music.For more insider insights into Mexico, subscribe to www.mxpe.org Get full access to The Mexico Political Economist at www.mxpe.org/subscribe
Mexico: The Podcast Trailer
Season’s greetings! Here’s a small present from The Mexico Political Economist: A trailer for a brand new podcast. It will feature the analysis and insights of Mexican politics, policy, and markets you’ve come to expect—only this time with a historical perspective.Join Tavo Figueroa and Alex González Ormerod, starting January 9th and then every two weeks, for a jaunt through Mexico like you’ve nev
