Episodes

  • Why Trump’s Victory Is Musk’s ‘Tech-Bro Coup’
    Nov 8 2024

    On this episode of Merryn Talks Money, we discuss what the Republican’s second term means for the US, the UK and the Tesla CEO. Pippa Malmgren, economist, author and former adviser to Republican President George W. Bush and Helen Thomas, founder and chief executive of BlondeMoney join.

    They also discuss what UK-US relations will look like under Trump, how Britain’s exit from the European Union highlights the importance of the “special relationship” and how investors can profit from likely policy changes under the new US government—which includes the case for buying Bitcoin.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    43 mins
  • A Dose of Cynicism from John and The Case for Becoming a Barrel Maker
    Nov 7 2024

    In this week's roundup, Merryn and Money Distilled newsletter author John Stepek chat about the unsurprising Bank of England decision to cut the UK's key interest rate to 4.75%. And they discuss the increase in the cost of university fees and once again explain why the student loan system is so broken.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    13 mins
  • DC and DB Pension Schemes: What They Are and How They Work
    Nov 5 2024

    In this week’s personal finance edition of Merryn Talks Money, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek discuss a listener question about the difference between UK defined benefit and defined contribution pensions.

    The listener, Mustafa, said he originally had a defined benefit pension but has since moved over to a defined contribution scheme. He wants more information about each of the pension types and is starting to question the change. Webb and Stepek help him understand the pros and cons of each scheme and make it very clear what they might prefer for their own pensions.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    17 mins
  • Live Event: What Did Rachel Reeves Risk With Her First Budget?
    Oct 31 2024

    In a live-recorded episode of Merryn Talks Money, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek are joined in London by Bloomberg Head of Economics and Government Stephanie Flanders and former UK Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) Chief of Staff Andy King to discuss the first budget presented by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    51 mins
  • What Japan’s Angry Voters Mean for Your Money and Falling Fertility
    Oct 30 2024

    In this week's roundup, Merryn is back with Money Distilled newsletter author John Stepek. They focus on Japan. There was an election on Sunday that left the country without a clear winner for the first time since the 1990s. They discuss what that means for the world’s fourth-largest economy-- what it could mean for markets. They also discuss fertility rates in both Japan and the UK.

    Last chance to register:

    Join us at Bloomberg on Oct. 31, the morning after the Budget, for a taping of the podcast in front of an audience. Register here:

    https://go.bloomberg.com/attend/invite/merryn-talks-budget/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    16 mins
  • The Best Way to Handle UK Student Debt
    Oct 29 2024

    In this week’s personal finance edition of Merryn Talks Money, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek answer a question from listener Hugo. He’s in his twenties and wondering what financial strategy graduates like him might find the most rewarding—from buying a house to investing in the equity market.

    Join us at Bloomberg on Oct. 31, the morning after the Budget, for a taping of the podcast in front of an audience. Register here:
    https://go.bloomberg.com/attend/invite/merryn-talks-budget/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    15 mins
  • Why Everything You Think You Know About Money Is Wrong
    Oct 25 2024

    Author and economist David McWilliams joins Merryn to discuss his latest book Money: A Story of Humanity, and how the evolution of currency is central to the rise and fall of civilizations.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    34 mins
  • Gold’s Record-Breaking Run and Geopolitical Conspiracy Theories
    Oct 23 2024

    In this week's roundup, Money Distilled newsletter author John Stepek is joined once again by Bloomberg Opinion's Marcus Ashworth to talk macro themes. They tackle gold’s inexorable rise, oil's fall, and more on the bond market.

    REMINDER: Join us at Bloomberg on Oct. 31, the morning after the Budget, for a taping of the podcast in front of an audience. Register here:

    https://go.bloomberg.com/attend/invite/merryn-talks-budget/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    13 mins