Logic should be one of the two main drivers for politics, but it's sadly lacking in today's line-up. In 2026 we've experienced first-hand what climate change is doing to our world, but there has been a persistent move away from 'net zero' in favour of continued reliance on fossil fuels — not clever. The other main driver should be what it means to be human, but while politicians wring their hands over how to tackle excess welfare spending, there's very little targeting of real empowerment for the disadvantaged — particularly young people. Background music: 'Confliction & Catharsis' by Asher Fulero
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
With the summer holidays drawing to a close in the next few days, the new team at HM Treasury will be busy looking at fresh ideas for the Budget on 28th October. The challenging economic situation calls for a fresh look at some of the underlying strategies which have driven debt so high over the past half-century. The really big problem is the extent to which 'universal, free-at-the-point-use' health care has caused deep generational unfairness; that, combined with the triple lock and unfunded state pensions, place real burdens on young generations. It's time for a major change in the underlying logic. Background music: 'People Watching' by Sir Cubworth
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson missed #1 Other Mommy with Jessica Chastain. But he was smitten with #5 The Social Reckoning, written and directed by The West Wing's creator Aaron Sorkin. Starring Jeremy Strong this true story about a Facebook whistleblower is an intellectual workout with amazing dialogue. He was a fan, too, of #7 The Uprising, about The Peasants' Revolt. Directed by Paul Greengrass and with the likes of Andrew Garfield and Stephen Dillane, it is a medieval-set tale, based on real events, which feels very real and stirs indignation against unfairness in the audience. James also caught Unabomber, another of Netflix's true-crime thrillers, starring Russell Crowe and Shailene Woodley. The story is intriguing but the workmanlike approach means that it is not particularly gripping.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin thinks Apple's new Homeview gadget is too expensive for what it does. He is happy to celebrate Japan's Gboard Day, in which local Google engineers conjure up wacky keyboard ideas. Although the Mayor of Tirana is in prison, he is still running the city, using an AI avatar of himself. Hackers turned hundreds of French internet-connected supermarket fridges up to 50°C. Anthropic has warned that AI worms could infiltrate smart fridges, TVs and create an automomous AI that couldn't be shut down, yet it still bans users who are rude to its AI, Claude. If you want to let somebody hear what you're listening to on headphones, Neo's new phones will twist to become speakers, for a stiff price. Chinese scientists have developed microrobots with recharging batteries, but only if they walk over certain materials. And there's a crowd-funded computer monitor that many might think threatening rather than useful.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: This is Money
There were a number of ways Kemi Badenoch could have tackled the much-hated issue of inheritance tax. The Tory leader could have promised to cut the rate, remove gifting allowances from the deep freeze, raise thresholds, or stop pensions being pulled into the net. Instead, she decide to announce family homes would be completely exempt under a Conservative government — and couples would still get to give away £1 million tax-free on top of that. Was that a good idea, or has Kemi just promised to make a bad tax even more complicated? Georgie Frost and Simon Lambert talk inheritance tax and, as well as looking at Kemi's plan, they discuss what you need to do to beat IHT now. Plus, the Lifetime ISA is on the way out but savers are still being stung with penalties. Will the new first-time buyer ISA be an improvement? In the stock market story of the week, Simon reveals why Tesco says it will be a less boozy Christmas. We explain how to get a free will and what you should consider putting in it. And finally, the new electric Jaguar has finally been revealed. It's very big, very fast and £120,000 — would you want one? Time stages: 01:07 – Kemi Badenoch’s inheritance tax plans; 08:25 – What can you do now to reduce an inheritance tax bill? 12:13 – The £3,000 gifting allowance and other gift exemptions; 17:06 – Gifting out of surplus income; 21:53 – Lifetime ISA penalties and the new First Time Buyer ISA; 29:41 – Stock Market Story of the Week: Tesco, GLP-1s and alcohol; 32:30 – Free Wills Month: why you need a will and how to get one free; 38:39 – Jaguar’s £120,000 electric gamble; 46:00 – Stat of the Week: families £2,900 worse off.
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast debate whether the AI boom is becoming a bubble and what could eventually cause it to burst. They also look at how investors can position portfolios when AI valuations look stretched and massive spending continues. Then, the team breaks down Google’s multibillion-dollar nuclear power deal with Constellation Energy and the enormous energy demands coming from data centers. Finally, they discuss Apple’s latest push into the smart home and whether doorbells, cameras, and a new home hub can move the needle. They discuss AI bubble risks, investing beyond AI, Google’s nuclear deal, nuclear power constraints, Apple’s smart home, and LG’s end game. Companies discussed: Micron Technology (MU), Alphabet (GOOGL), Constellation Energy (CEG), Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL), LG Electronics (066570.KS), Amazon (AMZN), ADT (ADT). Host — Travis Hoium; Guests — Lou Whiteman, Jon Quast
Guests: Lou Whiteman,Jon Quast
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have officially joined forces in a $110 billion deal, creating a streaming heavyweight with more than 200 million subscribers — and $80 billion in debt. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel break down whether the combined company can compete with Netflix, Disney, and YouTube, and why debt could define its future. They also look at potential winners like movie theaters and live sports, while debating whether Peacock needs a partner or buyer. Plus, Lou pitches a radical Disney-Netflix combination. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel discuss Paramount-Warner Bros. deal, bundling Paramount+ and HBO Max, biggest winners, future of streaming sports, Peacock’s tough spot, and how Disney/Netflix Win. Companies discussed: Skydance (SKYD), Netflix (NFLX), Walt Disney (DIS), Alphabet (GOOGL, GOOG), TKO Group Holdings (TKO), Apple (AAPL), AT&T (T), Comcast (CMCSA). Host — Travis Hoium; Guests — Lou Whiteman, Matt Frankel
Guests: Lou Whiteman,Matt Frankel
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Making Tax Digital is now well underway for the first wave of sole traders and landlords, but new research suggests many are finding it more demanding than they expected. The findings come as HMRC prepares to bring in more than a million more sole traders and landlords from next April, and the second quarterly update deadline approaches on 7th November. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss the findings, and what listeners can do to prepare, is Rob Thomson, Head of Tax and Planning at Affinia.
Guests: Rob Thomson
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A high level of dependency on any substance can be both emotionally and financially destructive, and normally become entrenched as a coping strategy rather than any kind of pleasure. This episode helps to chart a withdrawal path — not easy, but manageable — in order to build a clear version of the future, where you're no longer trapped in that dependency.
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson found #1 Verity ridiculously enjoyable but for all the wrong reasons. Yet another Colleen Hoover adaptation, staring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, he found himself laughing at the ridiculous plot while others simply left the cinema. A thriller without a shred of credibility, be warned that all the twists are in the trailer. James approached #4, Alejandro Inarritu's Digger, with trepidation, having disliked his multi-award-winning Birdman. But he found it a brilliant film with important things to say. Imagine Dr. Strangelove but in the age of climate change and you get some idea of what you might expect. Although it stars Tom Cruise, his makeup is so good you forget it's him. Be aware, though, that it will polarise audiences. James wanted to see #35, Her Private Hell, as it's directed by Drive's Nicolas Winding Refn. But there is nothing remotely real about this ostensible thriller, which is spectacularly violent at times and constantly shifts tone. Whatever Refn wanted to achieve was lost on James.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin says that Google Maps will now guide you to find the cheapest – well, less expensive – petrol. With AI prompts often going wrong, scientists in Korea have developed a mind-reading AI which monitors brainwaves to realise when it's made a boo-boo. Starship Technologies' delivery robot has finished its trial in Sheffield, but not all its robots emerged unscathed. Barnsley, however, now has a two-legged delivery robot which is proving very popular. There's an e-ink Kindle display for the back of your phone to avoid distracting notifications. IKEA has set up a secondhand marketplace for buying or selling its used products. And the University of Glasgow is to send whisky into space to see if the rapid heating and cooling of space will speed up the maturation process.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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There are many different interpretations of 'authority', but the sharpest distinction is between a top-down, dictatorial style and an understanding of what 'servant leadership' means. The former disregards the need for empathy, while the latter invites real participation. But for participation to be effective it requires empowerment, which itself relies on knowledge, awareness and a sense of conscience. This is a good way forward for Artificial Intelligence, and the Bundesliga's 50+1 ownership rule shows how it can be achieved! Background music: 'Leaders' by Text Me Records, Jorge Hernandez
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