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In this episode of Policy Matters, hosts Matt Dickson and Franz Buscha talk to John Jerrim, Professor of Education and Social Statistics at the Institute of Education, University College London. Matt and Franz begin by asking John about his recent research into ‘overclaiming’ – otherwise known as ‘bullshitting’ (!) – amongst students, and how the findings give potential insights into some of the patterns of labour market outcomes we observe in the UK. John then discusses some of his cross-country comparative work and explains the “Great Gatsby Curve”; linking a country’s level of income inequality and degree of social mobility, and the role of education within the relationship. The programme ends with a discussion of the role of academic quantitative social scientists in informing public policy, how evidence can be mishandled, and how academic practice and the interface with policy might be improved to the benefit of all.

Steve Caplin discusses an artist with the handcart who caused traffic chaos via Google in Berlin, how alarms can harm our sleep, an AR contact lens with massive implications, how fingerprints can now be dated, a new app that can record from multiple iPhone cameras, a tiny reusable shopping bag, scratch’n’sniff patches for vegetarians missing bacon and how Fitbits could predict flu outbreaks.

Saving, spending, planning — you've got money questions and we've got answers. Every week host Alison Southwick and personal finance expert Robert Brokamp challenge the conventional wisdom on life's biggest financial issues to reveal what you really need to know to make smart money moves. In this week's show, the team is looking at how America compares to the rest of the world around issues of debt, college spending, retirement savings, and more.

Want to keep up with the latest earnings updates from the States? Well join Chris Hill and the Motley Fool Radio Show team here on Share Radio, direct from Washington DC, for news, views and analysis of the US stocks that matter. In this week's show: Alphabet breaks out its YouTube revenue for the first time; Activision Blizzard scores with “Call of Duty: Mobile”; Casper’s IPO turns into a snoozefest; Pinterest pops; And Chipotle serves up strong growth. Analysts Andy Cross, Ron Gross, and Jason Moser discuss those stories and weigh in on the latest from Disney, Take-Two Interactive, Twitter, and Yum! Brands. And we share three stocks on our radar: Empire State Realty Trust, Limelight Networks, and Moody’s.

Would you swap your car for an electric one? If the government gets it way, soon many more of us will have to. The proposed ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars was dragged forward by five years to 2035 this week – and hybrid cars were bundled into the showroom clear-out too. If that sticks, this means that by 2030 – just a decade from now – it’s highly likely the vast majority of cars being sold new will be pure electric. On this week’s podcast, we deliver an electric car special. Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce look at the logic behind banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars, whether the move can be pulled off and why hybrids are now also on the naughty list. Charging infrastructure, range anxiety and questions over their lifecycle environmental costs are issues flagged by electric car sceptics, are they right? Meanwhile, the thing holding many people back from buying them, argues Simon, is cost. Second hand supply of electric cars is thin and choice is limited; and while the pipeline of new models is picking up dramatically, they remain pricey compared to a standard petrol car. But there could be a game-changer in the form of a salary sacrifice perk combined with a change to benefit-in-kind rules, so should you be badgering your boss to sign the company up so that you can buy a new electric car at 32% or 42% off? Fittingly, this week the great Tesla adventure tale delivered another riveting chapter. In the first two days of the week, shares rocketed more than 35 per cent and have doubled since the start of 2020. Can Elon Musk’s stock heading for the moon be justified in any way?Also, on this week’s show we talk about the 5 per cent interest offered by Zeuk – and our exclusive on the Financial Conduct Authority hitting back at adverts. And finally, why did Lee Boyce take his wife and daughter out to lunch with a set of scales to eat a watermelon steak?

Political commentator Mike Indian looks across the pond, discussing Trump's State of the Union address, his impeachment acquittal and the Iowa caucuses. Back home, with Brexit now achieved, what can we expect from an EU trade deal and how are decisions such as that regarding Huawei likely to be received? With the SNP under pressure with another sex scandal, he looks at the Labour leadership election and asks if Emily Thornberry has run out of road?

Vicky Sayers is joined by film critic and broadcaster, James Cameron-Wilson, to talk all things quirky. They discuss what makes a “quirky” film, and Vicky reveals a particular favourite of hers. In this episode: O Lucky Man! (1973), How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989), The Truman Show (1998), Being John Malkovich (1999), Raising Arizona (1987), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), Amélie (2001), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Stranger Than Fiction (2006), The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).

Adam Cox is joined by branding expert Desislava Dobreva, also known as “The Branding Queen”. Des discusses exactly what branding is – and what it isn’t. They talk about why brands are so important, and how smaller companies and sole traders can use the principles of branding to build and establish a brand that is effective. Des offers some tips, and advises of the key pitfalls to avoid.

Tech guru Steve Capin discusses YouTube's ad revenues, reproducing the voice of a mummified Egyptian priest, the end to Blackberries, voice-based 3D-printed wheel nuts, an air-conditioned baseball cap, the BBC game Nightfall, a tech teacup for drawstring tea bags and the Dutch scientists who have developed a cyber heart with massive implications for the future.

James Cameron-Wilson looks at the UK box office, where 1917 reigns supreme for a 4th week. Queen & Slim enters at #7 with Tom Hanks in A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood at #8. The Lighthouse arrives at #10 and The Rhythm Section (establishing a US box office record) only manages #18. James recommends Judy for home release and discusses this and the other films receiving BAFTA awards.