Plain English with Derek Thompson, published by The Ringer, is hosted by longtime Atlantic writer Derek Thompson, who discusses tech, culture and politics with guests. The show has 409 episodes released about every four days, typically about 62 minutes long. Estimated downloads are 20,000 to 80,000 per episode (estimated), with host-read rates of roughly $360 to $2,000 per episode.
Weekly news commentary from a Ringer show with strong listener ratings
- Apple Podcasts shows 2,162 ratings averaging 4.7 out of 5, with about 89 percent five-star.
- Episodes run about an hour and release every four days, giving steady placements.
- Sponsor-free feed with a high-engagement analytical audience suits premium brands.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- interview, co-hosted discussion, solo commentary
- Tone
- analytical, conversational
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 55 to 65 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- The Ringer
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- No
No sponsor mentions found in the feed; the description names only The Ringer network and a YouTube channel and no funding links appear.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Explicit flag is 0 and recent titles cover politics, AI and higher education with no adult or drug content; political coverage is frequent, as in 'Why the Midterms Suddenly Look So Bad for Republicans'.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | www.theringer.com/ |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1594471023 |
| RSS feed | feeds.megaphone.fm/plain-english |
| YouTube | www.youtube.com/@PlainEnglishwithDerekThompson |
Benchmark score: 100 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| How Abundance Has Failed and Succeeded | 2026-10-16 | 1 h 3 min |
| America’s Crisis of Social Connection, With Adam Grant | 2026-10-13 | 1 h 3 min |
| Russia’s Plague Mystery and the Coming Age of Bioweapons | 2026-10-09 | 1 h 6 min |
| The Bitter Rivalries Behind the Race to Build Superintelligence | 2026-10-06 | 1 h 6 min |
| Why the Midterms Suddenly Look So Bad for Republicans | 2026-10-02 | 1 h 1 min |
| Why Things Become Popular, with Chuck Klosterman | 2026-09-29 | 1 h 29 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 3 days ago, a new one about every 4 days.
Longtime Atlantic tech, culture and political writer Derek Thompson cuts through all the noise surrounding the big questions and headlines that matter to you in his new podcast Plain English. Watch Derek and guests engage the news with clear viewpoints and memorable takeaways. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday, and if you've got a topic you want discussed, shoot us an email at…
Do you make Plain English with Derek Thompson? Claim or remove this page.
About Plain English with Derek Thompson
Plain English with Derek Thompson is a news commentary podcast from The Ringer in which longtime Atlantic writer Derek Thompson discusses technology, culture and politics with guests. The feed lists 409 episodes released roughly every four days, with a median running time of about 62 minutes. The show's YouTube channel carries video versions of the conversations.
Apple Podcasts shows 2,162 ratings averaging 4.7 out of 5, with about 89 percent of ratings at five stars. Listeners are estimated to be mostly American adults aged 25 to 44, with an estimated 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode. These figures are estimates derived from rating counts and show metrics rather than published download numbers.
No sponsors were seen in the feed, so the show is a fit for a first host-read placement. Estimated rates run about $360 to $2,000 per episode. Brands in productivity software, financial services and books are likely to fit the audience.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Plain English with Derek Thompson can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Plain English with Derek Thompson
How much does Plain English with Derek Thompson charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Estimated host-read mid-roll rates are roughly $360 to $2,000 per episode, based on an estimated 20,000 to 80,000 downloads at $18 to $25 per 1,000. Final pricing depends on the show's current terms.
What is Plain English with Derek Thompson about?
The show features Derek Thompson and guests discussing technology, culture, politics and the news, with analytical episodes about 60 minutes long released about every four days.
How do I contact Plain English with Derek Thompson about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80, and boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked.
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