Derek Thompson
Journalist and podcaster; co-author of Abundance with Ezra Klein; host of Plain English.
At a glance
Roles
The Argument (columnist (as of 2026))
See all 2Connections
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Derek Thompson is an American journalist and podcaster.
- He began writing at The Atlantic in 2009 and left his full-time role there in June 2025 to write independently on Substack; he remains a contributing writer.
- He wrote Hit Makers (2017) and co-wrote Abundance (2025) with Ezra Klein.
- He has hosted The Ringer's Plain English podcast from November 2021.
Key facts
- Born
- 18 May 1986, McLean, Virginia1
- The Atlantic
- Writer from 2009; left the full-time role in June 2025, then a contributing writer1
- Books
- Hit Makers (2017); On Work (2023); Abundance, with Ezra Klein (2025)1
- Podcasts
- Crazy/Genius (from 2018); Plain English, on The Ringer's network (from November 2021)1
- Education
- Northwestern University, 2008: journalism, political science and legal studies1
Roles
Part of
- The ArgumentOrganization
columnist (as of 2026) source on The Argument
Before
Part of until Jun 2025
The Atlantic (writer from 2009; left the full-time role in June 2025 and stayed a contributing writer) source on The Atlantic
Connections
Related
- Ezra KleinPerson
co-authors of Abundance (2025) 1
Links
Sources
Last checked against its sources today
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