Ft Alphachat

Why do many Americans have trouble saving money for emergencies? Economist Allison Schrager debates this question and the impact of oil prices on spending with hosts Cardiff Garcia and Shannon Bond. Then, the FT's Kara Scannell explains why foreigners are sending their money to South Dakota to set up family trusts. Visit FT.com/alphachat for show links and notes. Music by Minden.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Economist turned author Caroline Webb joins hosts Cardiff Garcia and Shannon Bond to talk about her new book How To Have a Good Day, in which she dissects 25 years worth of behavioural science research to explain everything from productivity to our most personal relationships. Caroline sticks around to discuss the dilemma of how to quantify the impact on the economy of status-seeking behaviour.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the final episode of a four-part series on sovereign bankruptcy, the FT's Robin Wigglesworth tells the story of Jamaica's fiscal turnaround, which took a punitive austerity programme and a dose of good luck.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the third of a four-episode series, the FT's Robin Wigglesworth examines the novel but controversial way Greece restructured €200bn of its debts, which demonstrated potential improvements to the messy sovereign debt restructuring process.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the second of a four episode series the FT's Robin Wigglesworth examines what happened when Argentina defaulted on $80bn of its bonds in 2001, at the time the biggest sovereign default in history.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the first episode of a four part series on sovereign bankruptcy, the FT's Robin Wigglesworth looks at how and when countries fall into distress, and examines whether Italy's debts are sustainable.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Economist Brad DeLong examines three key but underappreciated events in economic history with host Cardiff Garcia. Then, author and former banker Satyajit Das discusses a variety of stagnationist trends that he says could yield an economic disaster worse than the Great Recession if something doesn't change, as outlined in his recent book The Age of Stagnation. Plus a conversation about starting a new career at middle age. Visit FT.com/alphachat for show notes and links. Music by Minden.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In an episode dedicated to investing and quantitative analysis, hosts Shannon Bond and Cardiff Garcia are joined by US markets editor Robin Wigglesworth to discuss quirky new alternative data that money managers use to make investment decisions. Robin also offers some insight into what first quarter earnings indicate for corporate performance in 2016. Then, the FT's John Authers talks to Meb Faber of Cambria Investment Management about cloning the strategies of the world's most famous and aggressive active investors, the subject of Faber's recent book Invest with the House. Visit FT.com/alphachat for show notes and links. Music by Minden.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Psychologist Anders Ericsson, author of Peak: Secrets from the new science of expertise, joins hosts Cardiff Garcia and Shannon Bond to discuss his career's findings in the way people become experts in their fields. Then, the FT's Matt Garrahan discusses who could become the next leader of Disney, where the question of who would succeed Bob Iger as CEO has been thrown wide open by this week's exit of chief operating officer Tom Staggs. Visit FT.com/alphachat for show notes and links.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wearable technology, including the Apple Watch and Google Glass, has been limited in appearance and functionality, but Amanda Parkes, chief technologist at Manufacture NY, thinks it has a promising future. She joins hosts Cardiff Garcia and Shannon Bond to discuss the relationship between technology and fashion and the privacy issues for the wearables of the future. Then, the FT's David Crow explains the latest developments in the Valeant and Theranos sagas. Plus a quick debate about executive pay and the public humiliation premium. Visit FT.com/alphachat for show notes.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In light of US president Barack Obama's historic trip to Havana co-hosts Cardiff Garcia and Shannon Bond discuss the state of the Cuban economy, including the evolution of the dual currency system, new opportunity for foreign investment and Mr Obama's attempt to claw away at the trade embargo. Then, economist Caroline Freund describes the relationship between the emergence of billionaires in poor countries and the ability of those countries to move quickly up the development ladder, the topic of her new book Rich People, Poor Countries. Visit FT.com/alphachat for show notes and links.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David Burkus, author of Under New Management, joins co-hosts Shannon Bond and Cardiff Garcia to debate the merits and pitfalls of open-plan offices, transparent salary structures and unlimited vacation policies. Then, Citi's chief global political risk analyst, Tina Fordham, discusses the extent to which the economy effectively prices in political risk, and reveals the findings from her recent paper on the missed potential of women in the global economy. Visit FT.com/alphachat for show notes and links.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Economist David Beckworth discusses his case for measuring the economy with nominal GDP targetting as well as a recent op-ed in which he blames the Federal Reserve for the severity of the 2008 recession. Then, FT equities correspondent Nicole Bullock breaks down the war between the IEX trading venue made popular in Michael Lewis's Flashboys, and the incumbents, NYSE and Nasdaq. Plus, a look inside the corporate jet scene at top US companies, as well as long form reading and listening recommendations. Visit FT.com/alphachat for show notes and links.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Just as the US 2016 election race is heating up, Gary Johnson, former governor of New Mexico and Libertarian candidate making his second bid for the White House, discusses his immigration, fiscal and monetary policy, as well as legalising marijuana. Then, hosts Cardiff Garcia and Shannon Bond take a deep dive into the world of campaign finance. Tracking the funding of the 2016 campaign, the Center for Responsive Politics looks at who can spend money on political campaigns, how much they can spend, and more about the dark money. FT reporters also provide despatches from the Democratic and Republican primary races. Go to FT.com/alphachat for show notes and links.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Author and hedge fund manager Jeff Gramm talks to the FT's John Authers about the biggest boardroom battles of the last century, from the proxyteers of the 1950s, to the corporate raiders of the 80s and the hedge fund activists of today. Then, in an excerpt from the FT's Alphachatterbox podcast, writer and NYU Shanghai professor Clay Shirky outlines the rise of Chinese phone maker Xiaomi, a company considered to be the most valuable startup of all time. Go to FT.com/alphachat for show notes and links.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A thinking, learning and trading computer could one day outwit the brightest fund manager. US markets editor Robin Wigglesworth explains how hedge funds are turning to artificial intelligence and computer scientists to develop algorithms that can spot market trends with break-neck speed. Then, Mohamed El-Erian discusses his new book "The Only Game in Town" as well as his roadmap for avoiding the next market collapse, with the FT's senior investment commentator John Authers. Plus a proposal for a new hemp derivatives market is examined by commodities reporter Greg Meyer. Go to FT.com/alphachat for show notes.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

More than 30 years after China instituted the one-child policy to temper population growth, the country's demographics have greatly transformed. Author Mei Fong joins hosts Shannon Bond and Cardiff Garcia to talk about the societal and economic implications of the policy, the subject of her book "One Child". Later, the blood testing device developed by Theranos was expected to disrupt the healthcare sector, but that seems less likely now that it has run into regulatory trouble. FT journalists David Crow and Sujeet Indap discuss. Go to FT.com/alphachat for show notes and links.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Peking University professor Michael Pettis visits the FT to discuss the role that debt plays in the rebalancing of the Chinese economy. Then, Trump's bombastic stump speeches and interviews have been a ratings boon for US media. Global media editor Matt Garrahan joins hosts Shannon Bond and Cardiff Garcia to explain how the 'Trump Effect' has impacted conservative talk radio and television shows. Go to FT.com/alphachat for show notes and links. Music by Yeyey and Minden. Clips courtesy of The Laura Ingraham Show and The Rush Limbaugh Show.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Corporate short-termism, or a company's tendency to reduce internal investment and focus on share price and dividend payments, is widely criticised by economists and politicians for its effect on the stock market. Michael Mauboussin, head of global financial strategies at Credit Suisse, explains his skepticism about this consensus. Then, a recent Goldman Sachs report suggests more millennials lived in their parents' homes in 2015 than the year before, despite a strengthening jobs market. The FT's Anna Nicolaou joins Cardiff and Shannon to discuss what's holding millennials back despite the fact that they are not unemployed. Finally, Lex writer Sujeet Indap shares a tale of two Wall St bankers. Music by Podington Bear and Broke For Free.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As malware becomes easier for even non-technical bad actors to use, the risk of sensitive information being compromised becomes ever greater. FT investigations correspondent Kara Scannell sheds light on some of the biggest security threats facing companies in 2016. Then, Alphaville's Matt Klein offers some explanations on the new year market jitters. Finally, the clash between Detroit's automakers and Silicon Valley's tech giants in the race to create the smartest vehicle. The FT's US industry correspondent Robert Wright explains how they might end up working together. Shannon Bond and Cardiff Garcia host. Go to ft.com/alphachat for show notes. Music by Podington Bear and Kevin MacLeod.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.