Podcasts

In this episode of Track Record, Sue Dougan is joined by Ebony Gayle, a talented dancer who was one of the first intake at the BRIT School of Performing Arts in the 90s. Despite loving performance, a business module at the school fired her enthusiasm for public relations. Now a consultant, writer, presenter and volunteer with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, Ebony says we can all work on a freelance or consultative capacity – so long as we're prepared! She also discusses how easy it can be to become fearful in the workplace, questioning our own skills and experience – and how we can overcome that.

British Gas have revealed this week that more than four million households face a 5.5 per cent bill increase from the end of May thanks to changes to its standard variable tariff. Hot on its heels, EDF Energy announced it will be hiking the cost of energy bills by 1.4 per cent for 1.3 million customers. In this week’s podcast, Rachel Rickard Straus and Lee Boyce say it is time for people to fight back and switch. On the energy theme, we talk about our campaign to stop power firms using bullying tactics in order to force households into getting a smart meter – and why it is better to wait until the end of the year. We take a look at some of the methods to make your home more energy efficient, including insulation and wood burning stoves.

How much should we worry about inequality? With ongoing Corbyn-mania in UK politics, and the popularity of books like Thomas Piketty’s Capital in The 21st Century, it seems like we’ve never cared more about promoting equality of outcome. But is our concern justified? Is economic disparity a characteristic of modernity – or a persistent feature of human civilisation? On our podcast this week, Dr Steve Davies, Head of Education at the IEA, and News Editor Kate Andrews, examine this controversial topic.

Adam Cox is joined by Ionut Iulian Ungureanu – author of Live, Love, Dream – a man who was forced to be the breadwinner for his family at 10 years old, before being abandoned by his parents at the age of 14 with a younger sister to care for. Ionut shares how he was able to transform his life from being homeless and then living in an orphanage, to becoming a successful motivational speaker and author. A powerful and inspirational discussion on why it's important to live life to the full.

Steve Caplin looks at a Californian firm printing chicken and fois gras, at an exoskeleton for skiers, at a drone blood delivery service, a great scanning app, how autonomous cars will mean more compact car parks and a way of uploading your brain to the cloud that is "100% fatal"!

James Cameron-Wilson examines the continuing success of Peter Rabbit ("this year's Dunkirk") and reviews new releases A Quiet Place, Love Simon, Ghost Stories and Wonderstruck, failing to understand why the new Todd Haynes' film should be doing so badly at the UK box office.

Graham Spooner, Investment Research Analyst at The Share Centre, looks at the latest numbers from Tesco as well as recent movements in the price of oil and gold. He looks ahead to forthcoming results from Associated British Foods, RELX, Unilever and Reckitt's.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University discusses the reality of Russia's ailing economy and the possible future for Putin, why our top universities are not asking tougher questions about the EU and what a new centrist party in the UK would have to look like if it were to succeed.

Facebook deals with a growing crisis as Mark Zuckerberg prepares to testify before Congress. Spotify makes its Wall Street debut via a direct public offering. Our analysts discuss these stories, and share some stocks on their radar.

Adam Cox is joined by Alexandra Badita, author of Write Your Way To Happiness, to discuss how the simple act of writing can help with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression – as well as even helping to process relationship breakdowns. Plus, can writing be an effective tool for becoming more successful in finance and in business?