Throughout history there have been gloomy predictions that the world is running out of space.
Is this really true?
In this episode we'll explore the history of world population, and ask ourselves whether 10 billion people really is too many.
It's the idea that prices go up over time, but what actually causes it to happen?
Is it a good, or a bad thing, and what would happen if there were no inflation?
It's the money that a country borrows from private investors and other countries, and has been increasing dramatically in recent years.
In this episode we discuss how it works, why countries have more debt than ever, how COVID-19 has impacted this, and ask ourselves if the world will ever pay off its debts.
It's the number that world leaders constantly talk about, using it as proof of what a great job they are doing.
But what does it actually mean? What does it tell us, and what doesn't it tell us? And what would happen if we stopped using it altogether?
It's one of the world's most important financial institutions, but also one of the most controversial.
Discover what the World Bank actually is, how it works, what happens when it gets things right, and what happens when things go badly wrong.
When a country finds gold, oil or diamonds, you might think this would be a good thing.
But in many cases, it is a curse for that country, and it would have been better off leaving its natural resources in the ground.
You recognise the name. You recognise the label.
You've seen it on bananas, chocolate, coffee, and all over thousands of everyday products.
But how much do you really know about Fairtrade?
In today's episode we take a look at how it really works, who benefits, and why some companies are starting up alternatives to Fairtrade.
In Holland in the 1600s the price of tulips rose so much that a single bulb reportedly cost more than a townhouse on Amsterdam's grand canal.
In this episode we look at the real story behind one of the greatest bubbles in history.
What would happen if the government just gave everyone money?
That's the idea of Universal Basic Income, and it's an idea that has supporters from all across the political spectrum.
Today we're going to take a look at how it works, why people love it, why people hate it, and what happens when you just give people money without asking for anything in return.
Why do so many jobs seem quite so pointless?
Today we're taking a look at the phenomenon of the bullsh*t job, and its effect on us individually and as a society.
You've probably heard of carbon offsetting, and heard people praise it as one potential tool in the fight against climate change.
But how much do you really know about it?
In today's podcast we go into how it really works, why people love it, why others hate it, and discuss whether it's a positive or a negative force in the fight to prevent global warming.
Ever wondered how the Russian oligarchs actually managed to get so rich?
Today we're going to be taking a look at how 22 men managed to gain control of 39% of Russia's entire economy, while the the rest of the country suffered.
You can then decide whether you agree with Putin, who in 2019 said "We do not have oligarchs in Russia anymore".
