How Money Really Works
Peter Oliver & Stephen Hope 11 episodes Jun 22, 2026
How Money Really Works is a personal finance podcast hosted by journalist Peter Oliver and wealth manager Stephen Hope. Each episode explains the practical side of money, covering savings, pensions, tax, investing, property, risk and other financial decisions. The show aims to make these topics clear and jargon-free, without hype or get-rich-quick promises. It is designed to help listeners better understand their finances and make more informed decisions.
Episodes
S2 E3 - SpaceX, Defence Budgets and Difficult Choices
How Money Really Works | Season 2 Episode 3Peter has finally bought his first shares in SpaceX.But is the world's most talked-about company actually worth its eye-watering valuation? And what does a two trillion dollar company tell us about the state of Britain, global markets and modern capitalism?This week Peter and Stephen discuss:• Peter's new SpaceX investment.• Why investors are so fascinate
S2 E2 - Tony Blair, Tax Traps and Torn on Karaoke
Peter and Stephen are back after Sunderland’s European dream became reality… and somehow that led to a pub conversation about capital gains tax.This week on How Money Really Works:• Why political promises always sound simpler than reality• Reform UK’s “tax-free overtime” idea• Wes Streeting, wealth taxes and unrealised capital gains• Why politicians are all a bit weird• Tony Blair’s dramatic warni
S2 E1 - Freddos, Fuel Prices and Falling Governments
TitleSeason 2 Episode 1: Iran, Inflation, Bonds and Britain’s Political MeltdownDescriptionHow Money Really Works is back for Season 2.Hosted by journalist and foreign correspondent Peter Oliver alongside financial adviser Stephen Hope, the podcast breaks down the biggest economic and political stories in plain English and explains what they actually mean for your money, your mortgage and your fut
S1 E7 - Gong Xi Fa Cai, End of Season One
This week’s episode is… slightly stitched together.Peter is in Macau for Chinese New Year. Stephen is in Tenerife on half term. The tech did not cooperate. We move.Despite the “funk on the line”, this emergency episode still tackles some big themes:• Why every new AI launch seems to shake markets• What volatility actually means and why it is not the enemy• The behavioural mistakes investors make d
S1 E6 - Politics, Power & Money.
Season 1, Episode 6 - Politics, Power & Money. Politics, power and money collide this week as we unpack three big themes shaping confidence, behaviour and markets.First, the renewed political noise around the Epstein-linked revelations in the UK, the spotlight on Peter Mandelson, and what this means for Keir Starmer’s authority. We look at why markets hate uncertainty, how leadership risk feed
How Money Really Works. Season 1, Episode 5
In this episode, Peter Oliver is joined by Frankie Francis, musician, venue operator and one of the people behind Sunderland Music City.They talk about the real economics of live music in the UK. This includes the impact of 20 percent VAT on venues, what government support helped after Covid, where it fell short, and how Brexit has changed touring for UK bands nearly ten years on.A practical, firs
S1 E4 – Prices Up, China Reset & Tax Pressure
How Money Really Works – Season 1, Episode 4This week, we start with the pressure people are actually feeling at the checkout.UK shop prices are rising at their fastest pace in almost two years, even as headline inflation is supposed to be easing. We look at why everyday essentials still feel more expensive, what that means for household budgets, and how rising costs quietly change behaviour and f
S1 E3 - Uncertainty, Tariffs, Trusts & the £100k Tax Trap
Why does earning more money in Britain increasingly not feel like getting richer?In this episode, Peter and Stephen look at how geopolitical uncertainty, tariffs, and quiet tax changes shape markets, confidence, and everyday financial decisions. From global politics feeding directly into household costs, to why uncertainty changes behaviour more than bad news, we break down what’s really going on
S1E2 - Business Rates, Pubs and Public Spending
How Money Really WorksSeason 1, Episode 2Business Rates, Pubs and Public SpendingPublished: 15 January 2026Episode summaryIn this episode of How Money Really Works, Peter Oliver and Stephen Hope examine how political decisions filter through to everyday finances, from household bills to local businesses.We begin with the global backdrop. Rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Venezuela, and
Episode 1: How Money Really Works
In our first episode of How Money Really Works, we look at the gap between the headlines you see in the news and what actually happens to people’s money afterwards.We start with global politics and oil, looking at why events involving the United States, Venezuela and Greenland matter to markets, even if they don’t hit household finances immediately. From there, we bring it back to the UK and unpac
Trailer – How Money Really Works
This is the trailer for How Money Really Works.A new podcast about the gap between what gets announced in Westminster and what actually shows up in real life.Taxes. Pensions. Mortgages. Markets.Peter Oliver and Stephen Hope have known each other since they were teenagers.One spent his career covering politics.The other works every day with money.This show connects those two worlds.No hype.No panic
