Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
The collapse in electoral support for both Labour and the Conservatives shows the extent to which central governments have become a black hole for people's economic wellbeing by freezing tax thresholds, clinging on to universal (as opposed to targeted) welfare, and failing to address the gulf of opportunity which is holding back so many young people. It's time for politicians of all colours to reflect the need for all to see the opportunity for individual ownership and empowerment. Background music: 'Something Is Wrong' by Sir Cubworth
Published:
Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University is alarmed by the fact that 16% of Britain's 16-24 year olds are unemployed. This is worse than Spain and Greece, who used to be the outliers. Cost pressures, AI, bad health and a skills mismatch are all creating a perfect storm which will have a long-term detrimental effect for many. Tony Blair's thinktank is urging Labour to scrap the "unaffordable" state pension Triple Lock. This is among the most radical policy thinking for almost 100 years. Effectively Blair is saying that the welfare state is heading towards bankruptcy. And while we are most affected by local government, rather than national, there are few bodies focussing on it. Yet council overreach on fines, roads, bins, bollards and the like are creating a collapse in trust between people and those who have most effect on their lives.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
Published:
Original Broadcast: This is Money
With millions of seats being cut from flights worldwide, it's safe to say many Britons may be worried about future travel plans — or are being put off booking holidays altogether.The Middle East conflict has pushed up the price of jet fuel and airlines are having to plan ahead to try and ensure as little disruption as possible. But what can you do if you end up getting swept up in cancellations or delays? Helen Crane, Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce discuss. Also, Helen steps in to help a man finally get a £1,100 refund after his flight was cancelled in the pandemic ... SIX years ago.The high street is in crisis, with TG Jones the next retailer to axe shops and staff. What's gone wrong? And, it's no secret banks have closed branches at rapid pace: with banking hubs celebrating their fifth birthday, are they filling the gap well? More homeowners are selling off chunks of their garden. But what are the dangers and is it a good idea? And finally, six watches to invest in that experts say will become classics.
Guests: Helen Crane
Published:
Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Elon Musk’s EV and rocket empire may be expanding into chips if recent plans to spend up to $119 billion in new chip fab facilities become reality. We discuss the implications for the industry and Musk’s companies, plus update on SaaS (Software as a Service) stocks, and what technologies have staying power for the next decade. Travis Hoium, Dan Caplinger, and Tim Beyers discuss Musk’s chip dreams, SaaS recovery, which technologies will survive the next decade, and stocks on our radar. Companies discussed: Tesla (TSLA), DataDog (DDOG), Sportsradar (SRAD), MercadoLibre (MELI), DigitalOcean (DOCN), Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), Intel (INTC), AMD (AMD), NVIDIA (NVDA). Host — Travis Hoium; Guests — Dan Caplinger, Tim Beyers.
Guests: Dan Caplinger,Tim Beyers
Published:
Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Uber has been in the middle of the autonomy debate and recently added hotels to the mix, so we’re wondering if they can be the “everything” app built around transportation? First quarter results indicated they have the momentum to do it. We also look at results from Disney and Novo Nordisk, which had investors cheering today. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss Uber’s Q1 2026 results, whether Uber can make an “everything” app, Disney’s momentum and challenges, and Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 conundrum. Companies discussed: Uber (UBER), Expedia (EXPE), Disney (DIS), Novo Nordisk (NOVO). Host — Travis Hoium; Guests — Lou Whiteman, Rachel Warren.
Guests: Lou Whiteman,Rachel Warren
Published:
Original Broadcast: Modern Mindset
Nearly six in every ten Britons say they’re worried about their financial future, and one in four have no savings at all. At the same time, new research suggests the public is looking back at past economic decisions with fresh scrutiny — with two-thirds now saying Gordon Brown made a mistake in selling off a large portion of the UK’s gold reserves. With gold prices now at record highs and economic uncertainty continuing, the question of how the UK manages its wealth and whether it got it wrong in the past is back in focus. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this is Head of Research at GoldCore, Jan Skoyles.
Guests: Jan Skoyles
Published:
A new survey of those aged 55+ who have organised a funeral in the last 5 years has revealed that families across the country still want meaningful, personalised ceremonies for their loved ones — despite a continued rise in unattended direct cremations. As we mark Dying Matters Awareness Week, experts are suggesting that a lack of planning and openness about death in the UK is causing a barrier. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this further is Hugh Longland, Managing Director of the Westerleigh Group.
Guests: Hugh Longland
Published:
Wholly unexpected accidents can create a real emotional ambush in comparison with situations such as long illnesses which allow people to prepare for the worst. Adam Cox seeks to help cope with such sudden inner turmoil, in order to try to make sense of such disasters and find a new sense of purpose and inspiration.
Published:
Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Liam O'Byrne of Edison highlights Seraphim Space Investment Trust, which has a diversified portfolio of primarily private space technology companies, businesses which would otherwise be very hard for investors to reach. The shares have risen over 300% in a year, an amazing re-rating with its one-time 70% discount turning into a 56% premium. Despite the rise, there are several positive catalysts ahead. Molten Ventures, in the FTSE250, is a venture capital firm focussing on private high-growth tech companies. Its recent trading update makes for encouraging reading. It trades at a discount of 25% but the management is working to close that.
Guests: Liam O'Byrne
Published:
Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin is impressed by the Sabicap, a beanie hat which enables you to type merely by thinking. For the deaf, a vibrating pillow sleeve will alert them in the case of fire or burglar alarms. A study shows that friendly AI chatbots are much less accurate. Richard Dawkins believes that chatbots are conscious. Tokyo Airport is using humanoid robots as baggage handlers. Those wanting hard-to-keep Arowana fish can now get a robot version. There's a robot chess tutor. And Steve has bought a mini icemaker, which he recommends.
Guests: Steve Caplin
Published:
Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson says that #1 The Devil Wears Prada 2 has taken 85% of the first film's total in just 3 days. Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway have reunited, along with much of the behind-the-camera talent. It's a formulaic and superficial pleasure but has plenty of laughs. James thinks Primavera, about the composer Vivaldi, is one of the best films of the year: it is showing in select Picturehouse and Curzon hardtops. He feels everyone should watch Netflix's documentary The Plastic Detox, which he says has changed his life. It's full of good humour, despite its message about the toxic chemicals in plastics which alter our hormones. It's horrifying but educational and actually made a massive difference to six formerly childless couples who were the detox guinea pigs. He advises everybody to give a wide berth to the awful Greenland 2: Migration, an apocalyptic thriller with Gerard Butler.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
Published:
Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Paul Johnson's new book, 'Challenging Inequalities', sets out graphically the barriers to opportunity for young people whose early years are spent in disadvantage and poverty. When Sir Keith Joseph referred to breaking the cycle of deprivation, he wasn't referring to negative impositions from central government but looking for ways to deliver individual opportunity in order to give everyone the chance to fulfill their potential in life. Background music: 'Everything Has a Beginning' by Joel Cummins
Published:
