エピソード

  • Episode 14 : Why Dumb Art Makes Smart Money

    Episode 14 : Why Dumb Art Makes Smart Money
    2025/05/09
    Why do billionaires spend crores on what looks like random paint splashes? In this episode, we dive into the secret world of ultra-rich art collectors and reveal why buying "dumb" art is often less about love for creativity and more about cold, hard strategy. From flipping paintings for massive profits to dodging taxes by donating them at inflated values, art becomes a financial tool rather than just a decorative piece. But that’s not all — we also explore how the elite use art to launder money, manipulate markets, and secure VIP access to powerful social circles. With anonymous deals in shady freeports and coordinated campaigns to hype unknown artists, the art world turns out to be a playground for the rich to grow wealth, gain influence, and open doors money alone can’t buy. Tune in for the surprising truths behind those bizarre million-dollar masterpieces!
    続きを読む 一部表示
    21 分
  • Episode 13 : Fiat Money - Trust, Paper, and the Power of Belief

    Episode 13 : Fiat Money - Trust, Paper, and the Power of Belief
    2025/05/09
    In this episode, we dive into the fascinating evolution of money and explore the nature of fiat currency. We trace the journey from ancient barter systems to commodity and metallic money, then through the gold-backed paper currency era, and finally to today's fiat money. Unlike commodity money, fiat money holds no intrinsic value and isn't backed by physical assets like gold or silver. Instead, it's declared legal tender by governments and relies entirely on public trust in the issuing authority. Historical milestones like the Bretton Woods Agreement and the Nixon Shock marked the critical turning points that established fiat currency as the global norm. We also unpack the key advantages and risks of fiat money. On the plus side, it's cheap to produce and gives central banks the flexibility to manage economic crises by adjusting the money supply. But this power comes with a major caveat—overreliance or mismanagement can lead to inflation or even hyperinflation, as seen in countries like Zimbabwe and Venezuela. The episode concludes with a look toward the future, where cryptocurrencies offer a decentralized, limited-supply alternative to fiat money. However, their volatility and current investment-focused use raise questions about whether they can truly replace traditional currencies anytime soon.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    26 分
  • Episode 12 : In Debt We Trust: Why Every Nation Owes Money (and Why That’s Not Always Bad)

    Episode 12 : In Debt We Trust: Why Every Nation Owes Money (and Why That’s Not Always Bad)
    2025/05/08
    In this podcast episode, we explore the compelling question: Why is every country in debt—and who do they owe? We break down the nature of national debt, which refers to the money borrowed by central governments, not including state-level or personal loans. Despite common assumptions, debt isn’t a sign of failure. Countries like the U.S., Japan, and Germany carry massive debts, yet remain economic powerhouses. We dive into the reasons governments borrow—from funding public services and investing in growth to managing crises and controlling inflation. Through smart borrowing, nations often aim to stimulate their economies rather than risk reckless money printing. We also examine who actually lends money to governments—ranging from citizens and domestic banks to foreign nations and global institutions like the IMF and World Bank. The episode unpacks the risks and rewards of national debt, emphasizing that it’s less about having debt and more about how it’s managed. We challenge the idea that countries should strive to be debt-free, showing why that’s neither practical nor necessarily beneficial. With real-world examples like Sri Lanka’s debt crisis and Japan’s soaring debt-to-GDP ratio, we offer listeners a clearer understanding of how national debt shapes global economies.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    20 分
  • Episode 11 : The Hidden Strength of a Weakening Currency

    Episode 11 : The Hidden Strength of a Weakening Currency
    2025/05/07
    In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of weak currencies through the story of a town called Moneytown 🏘️💸. When its currency, the Moneyton, loses value, panic sets in—but the town's wise mayor 🧓‍⚖️ explains how this “bad news” might actually be a blessing in disguise. From booming exports 📦🚢 and surging tourism ✈️🏝️ to factories returning home 🏭 and digital businesses thriving 💻📈, discover how a weaker currency can quietly fuel a nation’s rise. Using fun analogies like global fairs 🎪 and theme park tickets 🎟️, we simplify complex economic ideas into stories everyone can understand. But it’s not all sunshine ☀️—we also explore the risks ⚠️ like rising import costs and inflation 🔺. If you've ever wondered why central banks watch exchange rates like hawks 🦅, this episode is your must-listen guide! Plug in and uncover how weakness can become strength 💪🌍.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    18 分
  • Episode 10 : Pennies, Pride, and Potatoes: Surviving the Great Depression

    Episode 10 : Pennies, Pride, and Potatoes: Surviving the Great Depression
    2025/05/04
    In this episode, we crack open the dusty history vault and peer into the gritty, heartbreaking, yet strangely inspiring world of the 1930s Great Depression. Based on the documentary When the World Breaks, we explore how a sudden financial free-fall turned Wall Street into a ghost town and families into survival units. There’s tragedy (milk was a luxury), shame (men disappeared into shantytowns out of guilt), and even a would-be bank robber dad who came home with nothing but tears and a quarter. It’s a crash course in what happens when an economy tanks and everyone thinks it’s somehow their fault. But it’s not all doom and gloom—okay, mostly doom, but with glimmers of very creative gloom. From stealing chickens to starting backyard businesses, Americans showed resilience that deserves a standing ovation (or at least a bartered potato). We discuss how comedy was born from catastrophe, how FDR’s New Deal attempted to stitch a safety net with mixed results, and how the arts became the nation's emotional therapy. So, buckle up for a wild, weepy ride through history where the only thing more volatile than the stock market was human dignity—and maybe the price of milk.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    17 分
  • Episode 9 : Hot Money, Cold Truth: Why Our Financial System Is Melting Down

    Episode 9 : Hot Money, Cold Truth: Why Our Financial System Is Melting Down
    2025/05/03
    In this episode, we dive into Hot Money, a gripping exposé that connects the dots between an increasingly fragile global financial system and the accelerating threat of climate change. With debt levels skyrocketing and the financial sector heavily reliant on opaque derivatives, the economy seems dangerously disconnected from the real world of jobs, infrastructure, and human need. The excerpts reveal how this “rigged” system not only favors the wealthy but also actively contributes to environmental degradation, laying the groundwork for a collapse reminiscent of Venezuela or ancient Rome. From the over-leveraged markets to failing institutions, the episode sounds the alarm on a system spiraling toward self-destruction. But it’s not all doom and gloom—amid the chaos lies a call to action. The discussion highlights the urgent need for systemic change: investing in real infrastructure, pricing pollution, reforming the financial sector, and fostering a culture that values long-term survival over short-term profit. Listeners are challenged to rethink what progress looks like and whether our current economic trajectory is sustainable. As the climate crisis grows and societal stability wavers, the episode asks a hard question: Will we act before the crash—or only after it’s too late?
    続きを読む 一部表示
    17 分
  • Episode 8 : Beyond the Population Bomb: The Real Story of Global Growth

    Episode 8 : Beyond the Population Bomb: The Real Story of Global Growth
    2025/05/02
    Are we really teetering on the edge of a population explosion, or have we just been misled by outdated fears? Today, we dive into the reality behind global growth—where Hans Rosling demolishes myths and exposes a hopeful, data-driven story of progress. We’ll explore how falling fertility rates, better child survival, and rising education are reshaping the world. Countries once labeled as “overpopulated” are now leading quiet revolutions in family planning and public health. Spoiler: Bangladesh is not what you think it is. But that’s just half the story. While billions are escaping poverty and moving into the middle class, the planet faces a growing strain—not from numbers, but from unequal consumption. The richest three billion people are using up over 85% of the world's fossil fuels. As the global south rises, the responsibility now shifts to the affluent to make space—for both people and the planet. Tune in as we discuss how the world is improving faster than we think, and why understanding the data is key to building a sustainable future.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    24 分
  • Episode 7 : The man who lost a billion dollars!

    Episode 7 : The man who lost a billion dollars!
    2025/05/01
    In today’s episode , we’re diving into the jaw-dropping, bank-breaking, and quite frankly, WTF-level true story of Nick Leeson—the man who brought down the 233-year-old Barings Bank with a mix of confidence, chaos, and catastrophic trading. From his humble beginnings to his rise as a so-called "star trader," Nick juggled risky trades, hid losses in a secret “58 account,” and managed to scam senior management using forged reports, poker face emails, and the magical power of “never taking a vacation.” Spoiler alert: that’s your first red flag right there. But this isn’t just a story of one man’s greed—it’s about how weak internal controls, blind trust, and the pressure-cooker world of finance can cook up a disaster big enough to bankrupt a legacy. We’ll unpack the psychology behind Nick’s reckless behavior, the absurd decisions made by management, and how the losses snowballed from a mere $60,000 to over $1 billion—faster than your UPI fails on a bad signal. So tune in as we flip through the wild pages of Barings Bank’s final chapter.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    12 分