Podcasts

In part one of two This is Money podcast specials, we tackle savings. When savings are mentioned, the first thought that springs to mind for many is: rates are low, what's the point? In the latest This is Money podcast, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost are joined by James Blower, the Savings Guru to explain why savings are important. James has inside knowledge of the industry, having helped a number of challenger banks set up their savings business. We talk about what the point of saving is and what you need to consider at different stages - and ages - of your life. How do you save for your children, what about Isas, does higher risk equal higher reward and how do you save for a house? We also talk about why the Financial Services Compensation Scheme is important and whether saving in cash over investing is ever a worthwhile exercise. James takes us behind the scenes at how rates are set and reveals why he believes better deals are on the horizon for savers.

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: Is the recent stock market volatility par for the course or an aberration? Is it better for investors to be paranoid or complacent? On this week’s show, award-winning financial columnist Morgan Housel tackles those questions and talks stock market history and psychology. Plus, analysts Aaron Bush, Ron Gross, and Jason Moser dig into earnings from Comcast, Intuitive Surgical, McCormick, and Starbucks. And we discuss the latest news on eBay, Mastercard, and Papa John’s.

Alistair McQueen is head of Savings and Retirement for Aviva plc. He's been with the organisation in its various incarnations since joining the then Commercial Union as a graduate trainee. He's a self-confessed savings geek, and urges us all to start on a pension plan if we haven't already. He's happy to confess his big business bloopers in this edition (sending confidential information in 'all-staff' email by accident!). Away from the business, he's a keen singer and runner.

In this episode of Policy Matters, hosts Franz Buscha and Matt Dickson talk to Alex Bryson, Professor of Quantitative Social Science at University College London. Alex is one of the UK’s leading figures in sports economics and he firstly explains what sports economics is and how it can be used to draw policy inferences in other more familiar areas of economics. Franz, Matt and Alex then discuss the findings of Alex’s paper looking at whether people discriminate against black players when picking their ‘fantasty football’ team and what this might tell us about labour market discrimination. How football referees’ performances are impacted by their employment contract and how having 50,000 vocal fans scrutinising their decisions affects their decision-making are other topics under discussion. Finally, Alex explains how data from baseball can help us understand individual effort choices when working as part of a team.

Adam is joined by coach and speaker Palma Palmer about how definitions of masculinity and boundaries are changing directly as a result of the MeToo movement. Palma talks candidly about her early years and her need to deal with predatory men and what lessons can be learned by those who need help to make their boundaries clear. They also discuss whether men and being confused or diluting masculinity as a result of public opinion changing.

Political commentator, Mike Indian, Author of the Groucho Tendency Blog, tells Ed Bowsher how backbenchers from both parties are seizing power from the government as the Brexit crisis continues. Mike also discusses what the Labour Party’s next moves might be. And moving away from the UK, Mike explains the current US government shutdown, and suggests that Donald Trump might win the 2020 election.

As ever, James Cameron Wilson surveys the top ten films at the UK box office including ‘Glass’ at Number 1, and the new historical biopic, ‘Mary Queen of Scots.’ James is also very positive on his DVD of the Week – The Children Act starring Emma Thompson. And looking at the Oscar nominations, James is delighted that another Royal biopic – ‘The Favourite’ (on Queen Anne) - is up for ten awards.

Last week, the Prime Minister suffered a historic defeat, after the Withdrawal Agreement was voted down in Parliament by a margin of 230 votes. Today we're joined by Victoria Hewson and Dr Radomir Tylecote, of the IEA’s International Trade and Competition Unit. Interviewed by Madeline Grant, the pair examine what these developments mean and what renegotiation with the EU could hold, especially when it comes to securing the UK's ability to have an independent trade policy. They also discuss preparation for a 'no deal' Brexit or WTO departure, and the importance of timing and sequencing in trade negotiations. Finally, they assess the continued impasse around the Irish Border question.

Ed Bowsher chats to Melal Miah about the big stock market stories of the last week and looks ahead as well. Helal is quite impressed by Dixons Carphone’s latest results where online sales have held up well even though mobile phone sales did disappoint. Helal also explains Metro Bank’s share price tumbled 15% in just one day. Looking ahead, Shell will be issuing a fourth quarter update on January 31st – Helal explains how that update will have been affected by the falling oil price at the end of 2018.

Steve Caplin, although a fan of Amazon's Alexa, wonders if it's worth building into a bicycle or a piano! He also looks at self-tightening trainers using a smartphone, the most retweeted message ever, a way of finding lost keys, a double bass that fits in a small suitcase, a solar-powered yacht and a $350,000 Swiss watch with no numbers and no hands, which chimes and gongs to tell the time.