Starbooked

Words & Numbers

Podcast · wordsandnumbers.org · EN
Hosted by Antony Davies, James R. Harrigan

Words & Numbers is an economics and policy podcast hosted by economist Antony Davies and political scientist James R. Harrigan, covering economics, political science and current events. The show has 532 episodes in its feed, released weekly, with a median length of about 52 minutes. Estimated downloads are 2,000 to 8,000 per episode, implying a rate of $40 to $200 per mid-roll spot.

Why brands sponsor Words & Numbers

Long-running economics podcast with a loyal, highly rated, engaged listener base

  • 532 episodes published weekly since 2017, with a deep back catalogue
  • 370 Apple Podcasts ratings averaging 4.8 out of 5
  • Hosts offer host-read pre-roll, mid-roll and community mention placements
Best forfinancial servicesbusiness softwareeducation and learning products
Watch forPolitical content may not suit every brand, and the show has no sponsorship history in the feed.

Brand fit report

Content

Topics, IAB taxonomy
Business40%
Politics35%
Science10%
Society15%
Formats
co-hosted discussion, explainer, guest interview
Tone
analytical, direct
Language
English
Production
Clean, edited audio
Typical length
35 to 60 minutes

Audience

Commercial intent15/100
Comments asking for links, prices or where to buy
Sentiment70/100
Estimated from titles, descriptions and engagement
Est. downloads per episode2k–8k
Estimated, confidence 50%: 370 Apple ratings places the show in the 50 to 200 band (2,000 to 8,000), with 532 episodes and a long run since 2017 supporting the middle of that band, plus the Podcast Index popularity of 9 and a Patreon and sponsorship page pointing upward.
Audience asks aboutHow does economic policy affect everyday householdsWhat is the evidence behind a current policy debateHow should economic principles apply to government intervention
Age
10%18-24
20%25-34
25%35-44
45%45+
Gender
35%women
65%men
Countries
🇺🇸 United States80%
LanguagesEnglish 100%

Commercial

0%of the last 20 episodes had a sponsor
None seenno sponsor mentions in the last 20 episodes
Brands seen
None yet
Categories promoted
None yet
Affiliate links
Yes

The show's website lists a Patreon support link and a Redbubble merch shop, and the website's Work With Us page offers pre-roll, mid-roll and community mention options, but no sponsor is named in the feed or the last 20 episode titles.

Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability

Profanitylow
Adultlow
Drugslow
Violencelow
Politicsmedium

The feed is flagged explicit, and recent titles such as 'Public Executions: Be Careful' and 'The Girlfriend Experience' touch on mature subjects, while the discussion is political analysis rather than graphic content.

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

Benchmark score: 87 / 100

Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.

Consistency Latest episode within the usual cadence50 / 50
Activity Episodes in the last 90 days, weekly is full marks30 / 30
Reach Estimated downloads per episode, 20k is full marks5 / 20

Recent episodes

Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 4 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.

Words & Numbers is one of the highest-rated economics podcasts in the world. Each episode, Antony Davies and James R. Harrigan dig into economics, political science, and current events to explain what’s actually happening and why it matters.
Words & Numbers's own show description from the podcast feed

Do you make Words & Numbers? Claim or remove this page.

About Words & Numbers

Words & Numbers is an economics and policy podcast hosted by economist Antony Davies and political scientist James R. Harrigan. According to the show's website, each episode explains economics, political science and current events in plain English, with the hosts in conversation and occasional guests. The feed lists 532 episodes released weekly, with a median length of about 52 minutes.

Apple Podcasts shows 370 ratings with an average of 4.8 out of 5. Listener figures are not published; based on the ratings count and show age, estimated downloads are 2,000 to 8,000 per episode. The website describes its audience as college-educated professionals and engaged adults, which is the host's own characterization and not verified data.

No sponsors are named in the feed or recent episodes. The website's Work With Us page offers pre-roll, mid-roll and community mention options, and the show is supported through Patreon. Based on the estimated audience, a host-read mid-roll would sit around $40 to $200 per episode, and the show suits brands in finance, business software and education.

Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Words & Numbers can edit or remove this page at any time.

Questions about Words & Numbers

How much does Words & Numbers charge for a podcast sponsorship?

Based on an estimated 2,000 to 8,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll spot is roughly $40 to $200 per episode on Starbooked's rate model. Actual pricing may differ and should be confirmed with the show.

What is Words & Numbers about?

Words & Numbers is an economics and policy podcast hosted by Antony Davies and James R. Harrigan. It explains economics, political science and current events in plain English, with new episodes released weekly.

How do I contact Words & Numbers about sponsoring an episode?

The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can also be booked through Starbooked.

Similar creators

Podcast and other creators in economics, ranked by score.

CreatorNichesEst. downloadsMedian viewsRateScore
economicsintellectual interviews50k–$360–200093
language learningspanish5.5k–$50–20089
language learningfrench5k–$40–20066
social changepolitics5k–$40–20056
historyeducation15k–$90–62024
Freakonomics Radiopodcast · US
economicsbusiness105k–$1080–3750100