Original Broadcast: This is Money
ISA season is in full swing as savers and investors race to beat the clock to fill up their allowance — but where are people putting their money? Simon Lambert, Lee Boyce and Georgie Frost take a look and reveal stocks and shares Isa bestsellers of 2026. And even before the current markets turmoil caused by the Iran conflict, Lee reveals just how much is pouring into cash. There are fresh warnings sounded over Britain's mid-life pensions crisis — but it's not too late to build a healthy retirement pot. We reveal how and some of the rules of thumb it is worth remembering when it comes to building your retirement nest egg. McDonald's launches trading cards with selected meals - and some of the rarest are already listed on eBay for HUGE sums. Lee does a live opening of three packs — can he bag a £10,000 gold Ronald card? And just what is the fastest way to make £10k: Five experts — including Simon — have been given £500 each to put into betting, crypto, stocks, furniture and Vinted, alongside a share-picking monkey with a pin. Who will come out on top?
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
The war in Iran doesn’t seem to be slowing down and that’s impacting oil prices today, but that’s just the beginning. Economic spending is next and higher costs could hit many industries, which will have lasting impacts for years. We discuss what we can learn about the history of oil prices and war and how we’re investing through it all. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast discuss the Iran war and how it impacts markets — are there safe havens? Picking a stock market 'Final 4', an stocks on our radar. Companies discussed: Alphabet, NVIDIA (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), Tesla (TSLA), Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), Amazon (AMZN), Palantir (PTLR), Micron (MU), Disney (DIS), Chipotle (CMG), RocketLab (RKLB), Waste Management (WM), Costco (COST), Vistra (VST), Tractor Supply (TSCO). Host — Travis Hoium; Guests — Lou Whiteman, Jon Quast.
Guests: Lou Whiteman,Jon Quast
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Original Broadcast: Motley Fool Show
OpenAI is moving away from side quests as it prepares the business and financials for an IPO. To make matters more complicated, Microsoft is upset about a deal OpenAI made with Amazon. Plus, why short sellers are important. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss OpenAI’s strategy shift— Microsoft’s warning to Amazon — and why short sellers are important. Companies discussed: SoFi (SOFI), Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT). Host — Travis Hoium; Guests — Lou Whiteman, Rachel Warren.
Guests: Lou Whiteman,Rachel Warren
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The UK’s tax system is set for a major shake-up as the Government rolls out 'Making Tax Digital'. From the 6th April 2026, around 850,000 sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000 will move away from annual selfassessment and instead keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. New research suggests awareness of the reforms remains mixed ahead of the rollout. Joining Rory McGowan to discuss this is Stuart Miller, Director of Public Policy & Tech Research.
Guests: Stuart Miller
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Original Broadcast: The Hypnotist
Medication makes few inroads into the anxiety that people can experience with flying. This episode seeks to banish the fear by expanding and contracting the comfort zone, aiming particularly to settle the mind for long-distance flights. Adam Cox even uses video game metaphors for this very different approach.
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Original Broadcast: The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors
Russ Mould of A J Bell says that in the past five years, banks have been the second best UK performers after Aerospace & Defence. The five in the FTSE are forecast to generate almost a quarter of its profits for 2026 and pay out a fifth of its dividends. This year, though, the banks are in the middle of the pack and down for the year. They certainly earned their run, making record profits when, half a decade ago, you could barely give them away. But the valuations now aren't as compelling as they were, buybacks are being withdrawn, US and European banks have been weak and there are worries about exposure to private equity. As a result, markets are not taking any chances and investors must balance valuation and returns against potential risks.
Guests: Russ Mould
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Original Broadcast: The Bigger Picture
Political commentator Mike Indian says that in the light of the Iran war, the interests of Western nations are diverging sharply, with increasingly erratic American foreign policy – "muscular isolationism" – straining UK-US relations. The US President doesn't seem to see a need to keep allies onside and looks increasingly out of touch. The huge increase in the price of oil and gas is having an effect worldwide, but particularly in the UK, where we rely on natural gas for heating but have little storage and rely on imports, posing problems for Ed Miliband. However, if Starmer's government could show strong leadership in an economic emergency, it could be the making of him. A sharp rise in inflation, though, could put the government under incredible pressure, as could more Mandelson files and low pay growth. Mike feels Angela Rayner will return to the Cabinet after the May elections but what role could she be offered and what would she be willing to accept?
Guests: Mike Indian
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Original Broadcast: Gadgets and Gizmos
Steve Caplin tells Simon Rose that AI agents can now rent human beings to carry out tasks they can't manage themselves. Brain cells in a petri dish have been taught to play the 90s shooter game Doom. BYD's Dena Z9GT can charge from 10% to 70% in just 5 minutes; unfortunately the UK doesn't have any of the required chargers. Tesco is experimenting with replacing bar codes with QR codes; Steve isn't convinced it will work. Pager sales have leapt in Russia after the internet was turned off. There's a collapsible cool box, a laundry chair with arms and a computer mouse that splits into half to become a game controller for your phone. And scientists in Edinburgh have genetically engineered bacteria to break down plastic bottles into a medicine for Parkinson's Disease.
Guests: Steve Caplin
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Original Broadcast: The Business Of Film
James Cameron-Wilson laments box office down 32%. #2 Reminders of Him, a Colleen Hoover adaptation, is complete trash and yet, predictable though it is, it has relatable characters and is hard to dislike. #3 How to Make a Killing is an adaptation of the famous Ealing comedy, Kind Hearts and Coronets. Sadly, this lacks the wit or appeal of the original and is to be avoided at all cost. As ever, James was excited by the Oscars, with most of his predictions coming good. It was, he says, the most predictable ceremony for a long time. Although One Battle After Another won Best Picture, it was really the year of the horror film, which has perhaps become respectable again. One of the highlights was the great speech given by Jessie Buckley.
Guests: James Cameron-Wilson
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
For the past fifty years the world's conflicts have been powered by our addiction to oil, while the climate has continued to suffer. If concern about our environment is insufficient to break this addiction, perhaps the straw that breaks the camel's back is more likely to be the immense geopolitical and economic instability which results from relying on regions such as Russia and the Middle East. Could the current conflicts be the birth pangs of a new world order without fossil fuels? Background music: 'Addicted' by VYEN
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