Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the recent election results and what its poor performance might mean for Labour. But he also points out problems for the Conservatives in some of its traditional heartland. He assesses the problems facing Keir Starmer after his botched reshuffle. And he reflects upon a very different Queen's Speech and laments some of the missed opportunities in its content.
Guests: Mike Indian
Published:
Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin discusses Elon Musk's changed attitude toward Bitcoin, the guilt felt by many towards buying from Amazon, how jazz encourages healthy eating, why the London Sinfonietta are going to be getting on their bikes, how cricket bats could be made of bamboo, Asda trialling insulated delivery boxes, a solar-powered cooler and why some in-game ads are so bloodthirsty. He also demonstrates his own guilt by receiving an Amazon delivery in the middle of the podcast!
Guests: Steve Caplin
Published:
Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Russ Mould, Investment Director of A J Bell, considers the reaction of equity markets to growing concerns about inflation. Having discussed this very possibility here for some time, Russ points out some of the advantages private investors have over fund managers. If they can conquer the Fear Of Missing Out then they not only don't have to follow the herd but don't have to be invested at all. He points out some areas investors could look at if they are concerned about inflation and even suggests one very bold call - commercial real estate.
Guests: Russ Mould
Published:
Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin worries about the vulnerabilities of pre-2018 routers. The latest NFT (non-fungible token) is for wine bottle pictures. The UK's first electric bus will arrive this year. The Swiss Army Knife not only has a "pharmaceutical spatula" but also a "Swiss Army for Her" perfume. Councils are trialling smart lighting to move commuters and the Co-op is issuing smart water to use against aggressive customers and shoplifters. Jeff Bezos is holding an auction for a space flight. Transparent wood may soon incorporate orange peel. And why you should hope your surgeon is playing hiphop or rap rather than classical music.
Guests: Steve Caplin
Published:
Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University asks what the future is for Labour, wondering whether the party needs a strategic refresh, possibly even linking up with the Libdems, if it's to avoid the fate of many left-wing parties in Europe. He discusses why, despite the common perception of the USA, America has always had a socialist side to it, dating back to its earliest European settlers. And he expresses concern about the way in which Iran and Venezuela appear to have become bedfellows, helping each other to avoid the effects of sanctions.
Guests: Professor Tim Evans
Published:
Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson looks ahead to the reopening of cinemas and the plans of the Vue and Odeon chains. He reviews new thriller Tom Clancy's Without Remorse which has been a long, long time in gestation. And he discusses Things Heard and Seen, a horror film with Amanda Seyfried and James Norton. For those wanting to explore the genre, he gives us what he considers to be the best supernatural films of all time, beginning with the British classic A Matter of Life and Death.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
Published:
Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
In the light of market reaction to Janet Yellen's comments about inflation, Russ Mould, Investment Director of A J Bell, asks if markets are at a major turning point. If inflation is making a comeback, what would the effect be for equities? Should investors be thinking about real assets rather than paper assets? With, apparently, 41% of US household assets now in the stock market, are equities exhibiting too much exuberence?
Guests: Russ Mould
Published:
Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson reflects on this year's Oscar ceremony and how well British talent did. He reviews the Netflix sci-fi film Stowaway from Joe Penna with Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette. And he also looks at the post-apocalyptic comedy drama Love And Monsters, also available on Netflix. Simon Rose chips in with a recommendation for the horror period TV drama The Terror, starring Jared Harris and Ciaran Hinds.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
Published:
Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian looks at the rumpus over who paid to redecorate Boris Johnson's Downing Street flat and at the allegations made against the Prime Minister by Dominic Cummings. He also looks at the complexity of Northern Irish politics in the wake of Arlene Foster's resignation. And he looks across the Atlantic to assess Joe Biden's first 100 days as President. He begins, though, with a look at Ed Balls Day.
Guests: Mike Indian
Published:
Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Tech expert Steve Caplin is bemused by the UK's go-ahead for self-driving cars only on motorways and no faster than 37 mph. He looks at Amazon's trials of contactless palm scanning, at their smart doorbell to deter porch package purloining, at Porton Down's new machine for training bomb-sniffing rats, at a smart bird feeder, at B&O speakers masquerading as books and at the development of paper-thin loudspeakers.
Guests: Steve Caplin
Published:
