It’s the most watched business in the world. And the least understood. Streamed by millions every day, porn is everywhere. It shapes our culture, our relationships and even technology. Yet, nobody seems to know who really controls the business. The power brokers tend to lurk in the shadows, while their performers remain quite literally exposed.

In the new audiobook The Kink Machine: The Hidden Business of Adult Entertainment, from Pushkin Industries and the Financial Times, Financial Times journalists Patricia Nilsson and Alex Barker start digging into the porn industry and following where the money flows. Their reporting uncovers a shadowy power structure that includes billionaires, tech geniuses and the most powerful finance companies in the world.

A gripping exposé of how power operates behind the most taboo corner of the internet, Nilsson and Barker unravel a story about control, influence and an industry with staggering cultural reach that no one really wants to talk about — until now.

Here’s a preview of The Kink Machine. If you like what you hear, get The Kink Machine on Audible, Spotify, Pushkin.fm, or wherever you get audiobooks.

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The Trump administration plans to roll back some tariffs, Schroders agrees to a US takeover, and Americans paid 90 per cent of the cost of US President Trump’s tariffs last year. Plus, Goldman Sachs’ top lawyer will depart the company over Epstein ties, and how to buy a law firm when you’re not really allowed to.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Trump plans to roll back tariffs on metal and aluminium goods

Schroders boss reassured UK Treasury ahead of £9.9bn US takeover

Alphaville’s annotated thoughts on the Schroders takeover

US businesses and consumers pay 90% of tariff costs, New York Fed says

Top Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathy Ruemmler to resign over Epstein links

How to buy a law firm if you’re not allowed to buy a law firm

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Fiona Symon and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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The US economy added 130,000 jobs in January, beating market expectations, and documents appear to contradict testimony Jes Staley gave about his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, Bangladesh is holding its first elections since 2024's mass uprising.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Epstein trustee document contradicts Jes Staley testimony

US economy far outstrips expectations to add 130,000 jobs in January

After 17 years in exile, dynastic heir looks to lead Bangladesh

Find the latest season of Tech Tonic here: https://www.ft.com/tech-tonic

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said he visited Jeffrey Epstein’s island with his family in late 2012, Cuba is struggling under the US fuel embargo, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planning for elections in the spring. Plus, the FT’s Camilla Paladino says oil major BP isn’t getting enough credit for its turnaround.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Howard Lutnick says he visited Jeffrey Epstein’s island in 2012

Zelenskyy plans spring elections alongside referendum on peace deal

BP isn’t getting enough credit for its turnaround

BP becomes first oil major to suspend share buyback plan

Cuba runs out of jet fuel as Donald Trump squeezes oil supplies

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Gilts rebounded from earlier losses on Monday afternoon, and Novo Nordisk is suing US telehealth company Hims & Hers over ‘knock-off’ versions of its weight-loss drugs. Plus, France’s central bank chief is stepping down early, and US senators are pushing proposals to lift bank deposit insurance limits to avoid another Silicon Valley Bank debacle.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Gilts stabilise after cabinet voices support for Keir Starmer

Novo Nordisk sues Hims & Hers over copycat weight-loss drugs

Novo Nordisk faces more gloom from price cuts in crowded anti-obesity drugs market

French central bank governor to step down early

Can the US crack the formula for ending bank runs?

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and produced by Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff resigned amid controversy over the Mandelson scandal, and Japan’s conservative governing party have won a landslide victory in snap elections. Plus, top academics have dismissed Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh’s claim that an AI-induced productivity boom will create room for interest rate cuts. And, Syria has struck a deal that would give them control over major oil and gas fields offering a potential boost to its fragile economy.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Starmer battles to stay in Number 10 after dramatic exit of McSweeney

Sanae Takaichi’s LDP wins supermajority in Japan election

Economists reject Kevin Warsh’s claim that AI boom will enable rate cuts

Syria courts energy majors as it takes control of oilfields

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Julia Webster. Our show was mixed by Alex Higgins. Additional help from Peter Barber. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Amazon’s new AI spending blitz sent shares tumbling, chipmakers got swept up in a wider tech equities sell-off, Sir Keir Starmer has apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the US, and American snack companies are lowering prices ahead of the Super Bowl. Plus, can Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi win this weekend’s election on star power alone?

Mentioned in this podcast:

Amazon stock slumps as it prepares $200bn AI spending blitz

Arm CEO says AI software sell-off is ‘micro-hysteria’

Nvidia AI chip sales to China stalled by US security review

Keir Starmer apologises to victims of Jeffrey Epstein

Food and drink companies suffer as US shopper sentiment sinks

Can Sanae Takaichi govern Japan on star power alone?

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Michael Lello. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Google said it plans to spend at least $55bn more on capital expenditure this year than Wall Street had forecast, US tech stocks were hit by a fresh wave of selling on Wednesday, and the FT’s Chris Cook talks about the challenges of unpacking millions of documents on Jefferey Epstein. Plus, OpenAI senior staff are leaving because the company is prioritising ChatGPT.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Google adds $55bn to capex plans as it boosts AI spending

US tech stocks hit with fresh wave of selling as chipmaker AMD tumbles

Police launch criminal investigation into Mandelson over Epstein scandal

OpenAI’s ChatGPT push triggers senior staff exits

Note: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts

Credit: NBC News

Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted and edited by Marc Filippino, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig and Sonja Hutson. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann, Michael Lello and David da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.