The Library of Mistakes
Based in Edinburgh, the Library of Mistakes is a free public library dedicated to improving understanding of finance by learning from past errors. In this podcast series, the Library's Keeper, Professor Russell Napier, interviews leading financial history authors from around the world. Additionally, Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston present a supplementary thread of episodes called Shelf Life. The series is produced by Fraser Allen.
Episodes
EP 69: The Weekend of AI – part two (with Eve Poole and Vladimir Maltsev)
Join Robbie Mochrie, organiser of our upcoming Weekend Of AI, in conversation with Eve Poole (author of Robot Souls) and Vladimir Maltsev (an ecomomist at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow). Eve and Vladimir are two of the expert speakers taking part in this exciting three-day event. In this episode, they offer provocative insights into what the rapid advance of AI may mean for
EP 68: A Fabulous Debt (with Robin Wigglesworth)
Join Russell Napier in conversation with FT journalist Robin Wigglesworth discussing his fascinating new book on the history of bonds – A Fabulous Debt: The Epic Story of How Bonds Built the Modern World.Enjoy an entertaining and fact-packed gallop through the 400-year history of 'tradeable loans' – and hear about Robin's 'rock star' moment when he got to hold the world's oldest performing bond. M
EP 67 The Weekend of AI – part one (with Chris Stokel-Walker and Ellie Howard) Shelf Life#19
Join Robbie Mochrie, organiser of our upcoming Weekend Of AI, in conversation with Chris Stokel-Walker (tech journalist and author of several books, including How AI Ate The World) and Ellie Howard (a commercial and financial operator who specialises in building and scaling technology businesse). Chris and Ellie are two of the expert speakers taking part in this exciting three-day event. In this e
EP 66 Meet our new Librarian! (with Emily Holmes) Shelf Life #18
It's back-to-school time for everyone at Library of Mistakes, Future Asset and Leavers' Money Skills. David Clarke, CEO of Didasko (which runs these three wonderful charities) is back from his summer holidays and brimming with enthusiasm as he looks forward to our autumn events. But first, we're excited to introduce you to our new Librarian, Emily Holmes. Discover what's already caught Emily's eye
EP 65: What Does Shareholder Wealth Creation Tell Investors? (with Sandy Nairn & Michael O'Connell)
Many of our listeners are interested in what financial history can tell us about the returns of financial assets – and particularly of equities. We are therefore delighted as Sandy Nairn and Michael O’Connell join Russell Napier to discuss their new paper for the University of Strathclyde – ‘What Does Shareholder Wealth Creation Tell Investors?’.Michael is an Accountancy and Finance Researcher at
EP 64: The Unanchored Central Banker (with Manoj Pradhan and Charles Goodhart)
Manoj and Charles join Russell Napier to discuss their view that "real interest rates will rise because increasingly ageing societies will create a persistent and still-underappreciated deterioration in the government’s fiscal position". Can AI offset these demographic headwinds? The pair aren't convinced – suggesting that the glory days of central banks may be behind us. Lauded by Russell for onc
EP 63: Mistakes On Maps (with Tom Paper) Shelf Life #17
As the Library of Mistakes prepares to host its first Edinburgh Fringe performance, we speak to the show's creator, Tom Paper. Mistakes On Maps is a witty, visually immersive journey through 20 historical maps, each featuring a fascinating flaw. Encounter sea monsters in the 1539 Carta Marina, the phantom continent of Terra Australis, California drawn as an island, the Open Polar Sea, canals on Ma
EP 62: Kaboom! Does history show that market valuations for AI are nuts?
LIVE RECORDINGWelcome to a special episode of the podcast recorded live at the Library of Mistakes and featuring a debate between two distinguished former investment practitioners – Andrew Milligan and Sandy Nairn.The question they debate is: 'Does history shows that current market valuations for AI are nuts?'Andrew, with his experience as a global strategist over many years, believes their value
EP 61: We Know You Can Pay a Million (with Anja Shortland) Shelf Life #16
We have a real treat for you this time as we speak to financial crime expert Anja Shortland. After books on art theft and kidnapping, Anja has now turned her attention to ransomware, with her latest title We Know You Can Pay a Million – and offers fascinating glimpses into the business practices of the international criminals involved.Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston also hear from Future Asset's J
EP 60: Blue Blood (with Robert Pickering)
Blue Blood tells the story of Cazenove & Co., the prestigious stockbroking firm founded in 1823. Former CEO Robert Pickering reveals what happened in 2000 when the firm decided to abandon its traditional partnership structure, raise external capital and prepare for a stock market flotation. He then describes to Russell Napier the difficult years that followed as the firm reshaped its business,
EP 59: How to Get Rich the American Way (with Joseph S. Moore)
There are plenty of books suggesting ways in which wealthy people can invest their money, but very few for people who lack the investment funds in the first place. After suffering his own financial challenges, US academic Joseph S. Moore dipped into history to conduct a series of experiments in how to get the rich 'the American way'. That resulted in a funny, eye-opening and optimistic book, spark
EP 58: Observatoire des Erreurs (with François Boutin-Dufresne) Shelf Life #15
Join us in Montreal as we speak with François Boutin-Dufresne who, together with Karl Gauvin, is co-founder of the Observatoire des Erreurs – Canada's very own version of the Library of Mistakes. Inspired by a trip to Edinburgh, the Observatoire embraces the same ethos as the Library of Mistakes, and joins other extensions of our activity in Pune (India) and Lausanne (Switzerland). The Observatoir
EP 57: The Future Asset Takeover! (with Grace London) Shelf Life #14
Welcome to a very special episode in which the talented young women of Future Asset stage a takeover of the podcast. Recorded at the annual Future Asset finals in Edinburgh (at which teams of girls from Scottish schools compete to present the most effective investment pitch), we discover why Future Asset is so valuable in encouraging young women to consider a career in investment and finance.This
EP 56: Money Beyond Borders (with Barry Eichengreen)
Welcome to a very special episode of the podcast, as we hear from eminent economic historian and prolific author Barry Eichengreen. Barry is the man who inspired our very own Russell Napier to realise that he could learn much more from the history of finance than he could from books on economic theory. That 'eureka' moment was inspired by Barry's first book, Golden Fetters – The Gold Standard and
EP 55: The Swiss Franc, 1798 to 2055 (with Costa Vayenas)
Join Russell Napier and Costa Vayenas as they explore a currency with a cult following – the Swiss Franc. Costa is author of The Swiss Franc, from 1798 to 2055 – and yes, that's not a typo. The book promises a treasure trove of deep data and insights, and explains how Switzerland manages with an ever-appreciating exchange rate. Looking ahead, it also discusses what long-term bond yield differentia
EP 54: The Weekend Of Mistakes (with Leila Johnston) Shelf Life #13
The much-anticipated Weekend of Mistakes 2026 took place on 20-22 March, with leading investment and ecomonic thinkers such as Russell Napier, Merryn Somerset Webb and Professor Helen Thompson entertaining an enthusiastic audience gathered from across the UK and far beyond. Topics included football finance, the water industry, a guide for countries hoping to avoid going bust, and the mafia's unlik
EP 53: A Practical History of Financial Markets (with Russell Napier) Shelf Life #12
Russell Napier, founder of the Library of Mistakes, joins Fraser Allen & Leila Johnston to discuss the Library’s Practical History of Financial Markets, which has been running for almost two decades. What does it cover? Who is it for? And what are the benefits of taking part?Didasko CEO David Clarke is also on hand to offer his perspective on the course, while our Librarian Helen Williams reco
EP 52: The Smith Conversations (with Robbie Mochrie) Shelf Life #11
In this episode, Robbie Mochrie catches up with Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen to discuss a series of events he has organised to celebrate the 250-year anniversary of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations. Called The Smith Conversations, the programme begins on 9 March as a distinguished panel of guests assemble at the Library of Mistakes to discuss Smith on Equality. Further events explore Smith's thou
EP 51: The Business of History (with Tom Levitt)
Tom Levitt was exploring a course on 19th century history during the pandemic crisis when he stumbled upon WH Beable’s 'Romance of Great Businesses', a 1926 book exploring 32 iconic British companies. He was intrigued by the realisation that many of them still exist today (although mostly as brand names rather than intact corporations). It inspired the former teacher, MP and business advisor to de
EP 50: The Weekend Of Mistakes (with Alice Sherwood & Paul Greatbatch) Shelf Life #10
In the latest Shelf Life, we begin with a clip of Russell Napier speaking at this year's Mistake Of The Year awards at the Library of Mistakes - you can see the whole thing on YouTube (link below). We then discover the wonderful Weekend Of Mistakes, held every year in Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh/English border. Inspired by the Library of Mistakes, the event shares the Library's mission of encouraging
EP 49: Good Money (with George Selgin)
Join Russell Napier and American economist George Selgin as they discuss George’s book, ‘Good Money – Birmingham Button Makers, the Royal Mint and the Beginnings of Modern Coinage 1775-1821’. George’s colourful and impeccably researched insights into what served as money more than two hundred years ago remain every bit as relevant today.Produced by Fraser Allen.www.libraryofmistakes.com
EP 48: A Long Time In Finance (with Jonathan Ford & Neil Collins) Shelf Life #9
There's a festive feeling in the air for the last Shelf Life episode of the year, in which our guests are Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins. The pair are co-presenters of A Long Time In Finance, a history of finance podcast, which is now part of the Library of Mistakes family.Jonathan and Neil talked to us about their background as financial journalists, the thinking behind the podcast, and memorable
EP 47: Money and Empire (with Perry Mehrling)
Join Russell Napier in discussion with author Perry Mehrling about the extraordinary life of Charles P. Kindleberger – central banker, US Department of State representative steering post-war German reconstruction, leading academic, and author of Manias, Panics And Crashes. Kindleberger was driven by the hope that, if he helped people understand how the dollar system really works, they would stop t
EP 46: Future Asset (with Jen Mair) Shelf Life #8
There's a student takeover for this episode of Shelf Life as the talented duo of Megan Day and Emilie Stewart interview Jen Mair. Jen is Chair of Future Asset, the charity which encourages young women to consider a career in finance. She is also Strategic Initiative Lead at Franklin Templeton and has wonderful insights about working in the sector, ably quizzed by Megan and Emilie, who are both Fut
EP 45: Errorist In Residence (with Robbie Mochrie) Shelf Life #7
Once again, Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen are backstage at the Library of Mistakes, sampling highlights from the book collection, hearing about the many events and activities coming up, and meeting members of the team. In this episode we have an in-depth chat with the newest member of the gang, economist and author Robbie Mochrie, who has taken on the mantle of 'Errorist In Residence'. Among oth
EP 44: Cents and Sensibility (with Gary Saul Morson & Morton Schapiro)
What happens when an experienced economist and an English literature expert have a proper conversation? Quite a lot as it turns out. Morton Schapiro and Saul Morson have written an outstanding book on what economists can learn from the humanities. They argue that Adam Smith’s heirs include Jane Austen, Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy – and that economists need a richer appreciation of behaviour, eth
EP 43: Financial inclusion (with Iona Bain & Michael Gilmore) Shelf Life #6
Personal finance is the theme of this episode as we hear from two friends of the Library of Mistakes deeply committed to making financial understanding more accessible – particularly to younger people.Iona Bain has made her name as a supporter of millennials striving to make the most of their finances, and is the resident money expert on BBC One's Morning Live. Originally from Edinburgh, she has a
EP 42: The CEO (with Michael Aldous & John Turner)
The CEOs of Britain's largest companies wield immense power, but we know very little about them. How did they get to the top? And how have they changed over the past 100+ years? Join Russell Napier in a fascinating conversation with Michael Aldous & John Turner, authors of The CEO: The Rise and Fall of Britain's Captains of Industry.Produced by Fraser Allen.www.libraryofmistakes.com
EP 41: The Library of Mistakes in Lausanne (with Boris Zhilin) Shelf Life #5
Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston are back with a summer episode exploring life behind the scenes at the Library of Mistakes.Looking to the northern shores of Lake Geneva, Fraser interviews Boris Zhilin, the investment expert who has established a Library of Mistakes in Lausanne. Boris tells us about his career journey from growing up in the former Soviet Union to Syrcuse University, Bear Sterns and
EP 40: The Irish Bank Strike (with Emma Horgan)
In conversation with Emma Horgan, Russell Napier explores the Irish Bank Strike of 1966, which resulted in shopkeepers and publicans stepping in to keep the economy ticking over as unofficial bankers. What can this extraordinary episode teach us about economics, human resilience – and how we might be able to cope in the event of a huge fintech failure? Emma is the co-author of a paper on the strik
EP 39: A walk through Edinburgh's financial history (with Ray Perman) Shelf Life #4
In our latest, behind-the-scenes look at the Library of Mistakes, Leila Johnston joins author and journalist Ray Perman on the streets of Edinburgh, as they explore the Library of Mistakes walking tour, Money Talks, Money Walks. Join them to discover lots of fascinating nuggets about the financial history of Scotland's capital city. Meanwhile, Fraser Allen catches up with David Clarke and Helen Wi
EP 38: Meltdown – Scandal, Sleaze And The Collapse of Credit Suisse (with Duncan Mavin)
Russell Napier invites Duncan Mavin back for a second appearance on the podcast – this time to discuss his recent book on Credit Suisse. Their fascinating discussion explores how decades of a rotten corporate culture dating back to WWII developed into the scandals and reputational disasters that eventually brought the Swiss bank down.Produced by Fraser Allen.www.libraryofmistakes.com
EP 37: Behavioural Finance (with Herman Brodie) Shelf Life #3
Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston take you behind the scenes at the Library of Mistakes once more. This month we hear from the brilliant behavioural finance expert Herman Brodie, discover the colourful back story of Didasko CEO David Clarke, and find out more about the library itself with Lauren Hotson and Helen Williams.If you have any queries about hiring the Library as a venue, simply email Laure
EP 36: The Strange Tale of Gregor MacGregor (with Liam Rees) Shelf Life #2
Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen are back to take you behind the scenes at the Library of Mistakes. And in this packed episode we...•Hear from theatre director and actor Liam Rees about his show The Land That Never Was. It's based on the adventures of 19th century Scottish conman Gregor MacGregor, who sold bonds on behalf of a South American country that was a figment of his imagination!•Explore wh
EP 35: Lending To The Borrower From Hell (with Mauricio Drelichman)
Russell Napier enjoys a fascinating chat with Mauricio Drelichman who (together with Hans Joachim-Voth) is the author of Lending to the Borrower from Hell: Debt, Taxes, and Default in the Age of Philip II. Together, they explore how this account of the freely-defaulting 16th century King of Spain changes our perceptions of financial history.Produced by Fraser Allen.www.libraryofmistakes.com
EP 34: Meet our Founder (with Russell Napier) Shelf Life #1
In the first of a new thread of monthly episodes, we take you behind the scenes at the Library of Mistakes. Join us as we turn the tables on our resident interrogator Professor Russell Napier by putting the questions to him. We also interview David Clarke of Didasko, Helen Bradley of Future Asset and our librarian Helen Williams. And fear not, Russell's regular interviews with financial historians
EP 33: Money – The Unauthorised Biography (with Felix Martin)
Russell Napier quizzes Felix Martin about his book, Money – The Unauthorised Biography. A fascinating listen for anyone interested in the true nature of money, illuminated through entertaining examples such as the Irish Bank Strike of 1970, the Argentinian Crédito and the Bristol Pound.Produced by Fraser Allen.www.libraryofmistakes.com
EP 32: Gambling Man (with Lionel Barber)
Lionel Barber, the former editor of the Financial Times, discusses his fascinating biography of Masayoshi Son, one of the world's least-known but most consequential investors. Regarding himself as an 'empire builder' rather than a CEO, Son was briefly the world's richest man and has ruffled many feathers on his rise from a Korean slum in Japan to the modern-day temples of power. Russell Napier ask
EP 31: Money & Promises (Paolo Zannoni)
Money & Promises (Seven Deals That Changed World) is Paolo Zannoni's first book and one of Russell Napier's favourite books of the year. For as well as being President of the luxury Italian fashion group Prada, Paolo is a highly experienced banker who has combined his professional expertise with a passion for exploring ledger archives to create a ground-breaking work of financial history.Produ
EP 30: Money – A Story of Humanity (with David McWilliams)
"Despite being a fully paid-up member of the economist tribe for many years, I’ve concluded that most economists don’t really understand money," says David McWilliams, co-founder of Kilkenomics, (the world's first economics and comedy festival). David's new book, Money: A Story of Humanity, explains why he takes this entertainingly provocative position – and backs it up with powerful arguments. Th
EP 29: The Bankers' New Clothes (with Anat Admati)
In this lively episode, Anat Admati (Professor of Finance and Economics at Stanford) explains what she believes to be wrong about banking, and how it should be changed. Anat is co-author (with Martin Hellwig) of The Bankers' New Clothes, originally published in 2013, then expanded and re-published this year to encompass the era of increased regulation. Interviewer Russell Napier challenges Anat on
EP 28: The Twilight Before The Storm (with Viktor Shvets)
Technology is transforming our societies, promising a far deeper disruption than the industrial revolutions. As a result, humanity is at a major turning point, and how we respond to the merger of technology and financialisation will decide our future. Are we heading for "enlightened communism" or "despotic feudalism"? Russell Napier quizzes Viktor Shvets on his throught-provoking book The Twilight
EP 27: Seven Crashes (with Harold James)
Join Russell Napier for a fascinating discussion with Harold James, author of Seven Crashes: The Economic Crises That Shaped Globalisation. And unlike many of our episodes, brace yourself for a relatively optimistic conclusion!•The Library of Mistakes runs an outstanding course called the Practical History of Financial Markets. To find out more, go to: www.libraryofmistakes.com/courseProduced by F
EP 26: The Rise Of Carry (with Tim Lee & Kevin Coldiron)
Russell Napier revisits a book that slipped out during the pandemic crisis but does, he believe, deserve considerable attention. Listen to him quizzing Tim Lee and Kevin Coldiron, two of the authors of The Rise of Carry: The Dangerous Consequences of Volatility Suppression and the New Financial Order of Decaying Growth and Recurring Crisis.•The Library of Mistakes runs an outstanding course called
EP 25: What I Learned This Week (with Kiril Sokoloff)
For 40 years, Kiril Sokoloff, the founder of 13D Research & Strategy, has been picking some of the biggest turning points in financial markets. And, in 2001, he launched 'What I Learned This Week' – a must-read for anyone in the investment community. In this interview with Russell Napier, Kiril shares some of the insights he has gleaned across a long and successful career.•The Library of Mista
EP 24: Investing in US Financial History (with Mark J Higgins)
Russell Napier and Mark J Higgins explore some of the lessons to be learned from Mark's latest book, Investing in US Financial History: Understanding the Past to Forecast the Future. The book opens with Alexander Hamilton’s financial programmes of 1790 and ends with the Federal Reserve’s battle with inflation in 2023 – and Russell welcomes the valuable way in which it fills a void in our understan
EP 23: Boom and Bust (with William Quinn & John D. Turner)
In an appetising taster of our Weekend of Mistakes at Hay Castle on 1-3 March 2024, Russell Napier is joined by the authors of Boom And Bust, William Quinn & John D. Turner, to discuss their fascinating global history of financial bubbles.William will also be joining Russell at Hay Castle for a session called The Madness Of Crowds.If you're accessing this podcast before 1 March 2024, there may
EP 22: Humanomics (with Professor Deidre McCloskey)
Welcome to this special episode – a lecture by Professor Deirdre McCloskey recorded at the University of Edinburgh. With great humour and wisdom, Professor McCloskey discusses Humanomics, her attempt to eradicate (or at least reduce) the role of mathematics in economics. She also explores the Market Mind Hypothesis, a new approach to the understanding of the market, the mind and the rational econo
EP 21: War and Gold (with Kwasi Kwarteng)
Financial historian and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng discusses War And Gold, his 500-year review of 'empires, adventures and debt'. In conversation with Russell Napier, he also looks back on the fallout from the 'fiscal statement' of September 2022 and the power of the bond markets.(The Library of Mistakes runs an outstanding course called the Practical History of Financial Ma
EP 20: The Market Mind Hypothesis (with Patrick Schotanus)
Welcome to a special, extended episode recorded live at the Library of Mistakes on 15 November 2023. Cognitive economist and investment 'pracademic' Patrick Schotanus discusses his important new book The Market Mind Hypothesis, with an introduction from Russell Napier. Drawing on the thinking of Adam Smith, The Market Mind Hypothesis touches on key issues in economics, investing, and cognitive sci
EP 19: Behind the Balance Sheet (with Stephen Clapham)
Stephen Clapham joins Russell Napier to discuss the clues and warnings that are often hiding in plain sight within the pages of a company's accounts – and yet are all too often missed by investors and journalists. Steve is the author of The Smart Money Method, and the creator of the Behind The Balance Sheet podcast and the popular online training course of the same name. Join us for an entertainin
EP 18: The Millionaires' Factory (with Joyce Moullakis & Chris Wright)
Hear the authors of the Millionaires' Factory reveal the inside of story of how Macquarie Bank became a global giant – a fascinating tale which also reflects the profound changes to have taken place across the financial world since 1974. Joyce and Chris are interviewed by Russell Napier, Keeper of the Library of Mistakes, who explores how the story of this institution illuminates issues that affec
Ep 17: The Strange Case of Arif Naqvi (with Simon Clark – Live at the Library of Mistakes)
Welcome to a special bonus episode, in which we hear a live talk from Simon Clark recorded at the Library of Mistakes on 20 September 2023. Together with Will Louch, Simon is co-author of The Key Man, a fascinating exposé of Arif Naqvi, the disgraced founder of the Dubai-based Abraaj Group. Naqvi was arrested in 2019 on charges of money laundering and misappropriating hundreds of millions of dolla
Ep 16: How Private Equity is Plundering America (with Brendan Ballou)
With a skull and crossbones on the cover, and the title of Plunder: Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America, Brendan Ballou's debut book pulls no punches over the perceived greed and ineptitude of many of America's private equity firms – and the damage they are causing to the economy and society. All the more surprising then that the author is neither a journalist or a retired lawman but very muc
Ep 15: Controlling Credit (with Eric Monnet)
Want to learn about monetary policy without interest rates, and how we may be going back to the future? These questions, and many more, are explored as Russell Napier meets up with Eric Monnet, former senior economist at the Banque de France and now Professor of Economic History at the Paris School of Economics. Eric takes us on a journey through the evolution of central banks and credit policy, b
Ep 14: Geopolitical Alpha (with Marko Papic)
Marko Papic, author of Geopolitical Alpha, joins our Keeper Russell Napier to discuss his investment framework for predicting the future. In a world where geopolitical tensions are ever more influential, Marko is one of the few people with an investment background writing about the impact we can expect them to have. And as someone who grew up in Yugoslavia as it descended into war, and lived throu
Ep 13: Capital Wars - The Rise Of Global Liquidity (with Michael Howell)
Michael Howell, legendary market strategist, author and founder of CrossBorder Capital, joins our Keeper Russell Napier to discuss global liquidity. Join us for a thought-provoking episode that seasoned investors and knowledgable market observers will enjoy getting their teeth stuck into.Produced by Fraser Allen.www.libraryofmistakes.comFor more information on the Advanced Valuation in Financial M
Ep 12: The Wall Street Renegades who Changed Finance Forever (with Robin Wigglesworth)
Robin Wigglesworth, the FT journalist and author of Trillions, joins us from Oslo to discuss the revolutionists who invented index funds, and the consequent threats to capitalism posed by the spread of passive investing.Produced by Fraser Allen.www.libraryofmistakes.comFor more information on the Advanced Valuation in Financial Markets course mentioned by Russell, please see www.didaskoeducation.o
Ep 11: The Myth of Capitalism (with Denise Hearn)
Wander into any small town in the US and you'll find "a Subway, a Bank of America and some private-equity-owned retail chain".Denise Hearn, co-author (with Jonathan Tepper) of The Myth of Capitalism (the Financial Times Book of the Year in 2018), explains how corporate monopolies are not only killing competition, choice and diversity, but weakening the economy. This thought-provoking interview wit
EP 10: The Wirecard Criminals (with Dan McCrum)
When FT investigative journalist Dan McCrum began challenging the financial model of so-called fintech pioneer Wirecard, he was threatened with criminal charges in Germany – and worse from the murky forces of the Russian underworld. Yet he persisted, demonstrating that Wirecard was a fraudulent operation that had hoodwinked auditors worldwide – and many others, including former German Chancellor A
Ep 9: The Extraordinary Story of John Stonehouse (with Sir Philip Augar)
He was a Labour Cabinet Minister tipped to be a future Prime Minister – charming, handsome and apparently a passionate advocate for social justice. Yet John Stonehouse was also a spy who sold secrets to Czechoslovakia, a fraudster who propped up his supposedly altruistic bank with illegal transactions, and ultimately a criminal who successfully faked his own death – until he was mistaken for Lord
Ep 8: Lex Greensill and the Pyramid of Lies (with Duncan Mavin)
How did Australian farmer Lex Greensill convince the likes of Credit Suisse and the Softbank Vision Fund that he was a highly investable fintech entrepreneur? Why was former UK Prime Minister David Cameron recruited as a lobbyist? And what caused Greensill's 'pioneering' chain finance model to collapse with the loss of billions of dollars? Join our host Russell Napier as investigative journalist D
Ep 7: The Price of Time (with Edward Chancellor)
All economic and financial activities take place across time – and interest coordinates those activities. The story of capitalism is thus the story of interest: the price that individuals, companies and nations pay to borrow money. Edward Chancellor could barely have chosen a more topical moment to publish a book about the history of interest rates (The Price Of Time), and host Russell Napier open
EP 6: Hard Times in the 21st Century (with Helen Thompson)
Disorder, a new book by the political economist Helen Thompson, has made waves with its depiction of the long history behind the world's current political challenges. Helen's view is that the disruption experienced in geopolitics, the world economy and western democracies has come together in one big surge of turbulence. It also suggests that, even as the world moves towards greener energy, the pr
Ep 5: The Economics of the Stock Market (with Andrew Smithers)
Andrew Smithers first dabbled in the stock market as a schoolboy in the 1950s, and grew into one of the most respected economics commentators of his generation. As well as running S G Warburg's asset management business (now part of Black Rock) for many years, he was a columnist for The Financial Times and has written several books. His latest – The Economics of the Stock Market – focuses on the d
Ep 4: Back from the Brink (with Lord Darling)
Lord Darling opens the new Library of Mistakes in Edinburgh, and explains to business journalist and author Ray Perman what it was like to be Chancellor of the Exchequer during the global financial crisis, as the UK banking system teetered on the edge of collapse. A highly entertaining listen for anyone interested in banking, politics and people.Produced by Fraser Allen.www.libraryofmistakes.com
Ep 3: Adapting to the New Economic World Order (Hidden Forces v Russell Napier)
This is a special episode, republished by kind permission of the Hidden Forces podcast series, in which Demetri Kofinas interviews our very own Professor Russell Napier about how investors should prepare for the greatest economic and financial revolution in 100 years. A great listen, particularly for investment experts and enthusiasts.
Ep 2: The Financial Cold War (with James Fok)
As the West seeks to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine through financial sanctions, Russell Napier meets an expert on how this kind of warfare tends to play out. In a timely and thought-provoking discussion, he puts the questions to James Fok, author of Financial Cold War – A View of Sino-US Relations from the Financial Markets. A great listen, particularly for finance experts and enthusia
Ep 1: Iceland's Secret (with Jared Bibler)
In this first episode of the Library of Mistakes podcast series, Russell Napier explores the 2008 financial collapse of Iceland with Jared Bibler, author of Iceland's Secret – The Untold Story Of The World's Biggest Con. After moving from the US financial world to Iceland in search of a quieter life, Jared found himself working for the nation's tiny, cash-strapped regulator, digging into multi-bil
