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Century of Plenty

McKinsey Global Institute 2 Episodes Sep 15, 2026

The Century of Plenty podcast, from the McKinsey Global Institute, explores the question of what it will take to create universal prosperity for future generations. Hosted by authors Sven Smit, Chris Bradley, Nick Leung, and Marc Canal, it features conversations with experts, innovators, and business leaders. The show takes an optimistic view of the future, focusing on breakthroughs in innovation, technology, demographics, energy, investment, and financial markets. It is aimed at leaders, builders, and the intellectually curious.

Episodes

Andrew McAfee on AI, Jobs, and ‘Permissionless Innovation’ Sep 15, 2026 4423 What if the biggest risk isn’t too much technological progress—but too little? In this episode of the Century of Plenty podcast, Chris Bradley and Marc Canal speak with MIT’s Andrew McAfee about technological progress, AI, inequality, and the prospects for continued growth. McAfee reflects on AI’s accelerated progress, makes the case

Ed Conway: Why we won't run out of materials Sep 2, 2026 4174 From tomatoes and copper to data centers and steel, the modern economy depends on a material world hidden in plain sight. In this episode of the Century of Plenty podcast, Sven Smit and Chris Bradley are joined by Ed Conway, economics and data editor at Sky News and author of Material World, to explore the materials, energy, infrastructure, and trade that underpin modern prosperity—and what

Is it radical to believe in growth? Aug 19, 2026 3745 Plenty may be possible—but what would it take to make it probable? In this episode of the Century of Plenty podcast, Sven Smit, Chris Bradley, Nick Leung, and Marc Canal share reactions to their book from around the world and take on the hardest objections regarding demographics, climate change, energy, and AI. They discuss: ◼ How audiences from China to Africa to Europe accept that a world

Can every person live a plentiful life by 2100? Aug 3, 2026 3891 What would it take for everyone in the world to enjoy the living standards of Switzerland today by 2100? In this episode of the Century of Plenty podcast, Sven Smit, Chris Bradley, Nick Leung, and Marc Canal discuss the ideas behind their new book, A Century of Plenty: A story of progress for generations to come. They discuss: ◼ Why the past century’s sixfold increase in global pro

Century of Plenty

Episodes

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