Ft Alphachat

The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum kicks off in Davos next week, replete with captains of industry and world leaders. The FT's US managing editor Gillian Tett and Fusion's senior editor Felix Salmon join host Cardiff Garcia to debate the merits of the gathering of the rich and powerful in the Swiss Alps. They also discuss the theme of privacy in an age of enhanced security measures and new technology. Finally, with the workforces of several developed countries expected to shrink in the near future, Alphaville's Matt Klein dissects the economics of ageing populations. 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.

President Barack Obama intends to expand background checks on gun sales and target online firearm marketplaces like Armslist.com that have created a loophole for people prohibited from purchasing guns. US policy correspondent Barney Jopson explains. Then, as the Consumer Electronics Show wraps up in Las Vegas, correspondents Leslie Hook and Tim Bradshaw talk about the latest tech gadgets on display at the conference, including new developments in virtual reality and a smart phone-controlled running shoe. Finally, hosts Shannon Bond and Cardiff Garcia offer a few predictions for 2016. Music by: Blue Dot Sessions, Minden and Kevin MacLeod. Go to ft.com/alphachat for show notes.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In a year when the Federal Reserve announced the first interest rate rise since the financial crisis, mergers and acquisitions activity brought record-breaking deals, Silicon Valley's unicorn companies continued to raise large rounds of funding, and property tycoon Donald Trump topped the polls in the Republican primary race, US reporters and editors at the FT discuss how the biggest stories of 2015 will impact what is to come in 2016. Music by Minden and Kevin MacLeod.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cuban dissident Miriam Leiva speaks with Cardiff Garcia in Havana about the life of her late husband, Oscar Espinosa Chepe, an economist with an irrepressible instinct to tell the truth to a government that did not want to hear it – for which he was repeatedly and severely punished. Then Gary Silverman on a trip to Arizona, where he discovered a free travel zone for Mexican shoppers who want to cross the border. Finally, a review of “Hamilton”, the hip-hop Broadway musical depicting the life of US founding father Alexander Hamilton, which has become a cultural phenomenon. Music credits: Boom Boom Beckett, Blue Dot Sessions, A Ninja Slob Drew Me, Nick Jaina, Will Bangs, The Womb, Kevin MacLeod. Hamilton musical credits: Original Broadway cast/Warner Music  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Economists widely agree that Janet Yellen and the Fed board will lift interest rates at the December 16 meeting but expectations vary just as much when it comes to longer term monetary policy. Capital markets correspondent Eric Platt joins Shannon Bond to discuss. Then, a shrinking in America's middle class to less than 50 per cent of the population for the first time since the early 1970s comes under examination from Washington-based FT correspondents Sam Fleming and Shawn Donnan. Finally, economist Claudia Goldin explains a theory about narrowing the gender pay gap in certain occupations. Music by Salmo and Kevin MacLeod.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Author Sean Silcoff calls in from Toronto to discuss the rise and fall of BlackBerry, the topic of the book he co-wrote, "Losing the Signal". Then, Patrick Chovanec of Silvercrest Asset Management discusses the IMF's plan to include the renminbi in its basket of reserve currencies. Finally, why is one Chicago group pushing back against George Lucas's gift of a museum for the city? Neil Munshi discusses with host Shannon Bond. Music by Kevin MacLeod, The Womb and Kai Engel.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Car sales in the US are set to hit a record high this year, helped by the post-recession resurgence of the sport utility vehicle. As President Barack Obama prepares to visit Paris next week for the UN climate change conference, host Shannon Bond asks FT journalists Ed Luce and Robert Wright what the SUV boom means for the government's efforts to steer Americans toward more fuel-efficient vehicles. Then, the FT's Robin Wigglesworth and Matt Klein examine how a $2bn IMF-led bailout program is helping to right the Jamaican economy, and Shannon previews the latest episode of Alphachatterbox. Music: "Plain Loafer" by Kevin MacLeod.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Rise of the Robots author Martin Ford stops by to discuss his pessimistic outlook on the future of automation after winning the FT-McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award this week. Then, San Francisco correspondent Hannah Kuchler breaks down how Facebook is turning to user data to power its artificial intelligence products. Finally, US retail sales are lagging in advance of the critical holiday shopping season, even as total consumer spending grows. FT correspondents Lindsay Whipp and Eric Platt offer some explanations. Music: "Plain Loafer" by Kevin MacLeod.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When "Reclaiming Conversation" author Sherry Turkle sat down with co-host Shannon Bond, she had more to say than could fit in this week's episode of Alphachat. Ms Turkle talks about the effect of screens and smart phones on office conversation and productivity, and how to create device-free zones at work.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sherry Turkle, clinical psychologist and MIT professor, stops by to speak with host Shannon Bond on how our addiction to our tech devices has stunted our ability to converse with friends, family and colleagues - the topic of her new book "Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age". Then, FT journalists break down the differences in valuing public and private tech companies, especially the so-called unicorn startups. Finally, a preview of the latest Alphachatterbox episode featuring development economist Esther Duflo. Music: "Plain Loafer" by Kevin MacLeod.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

HBO announced this week that the company will embark on a four year production deal with the former Comedy Central star, beginning with short-form content for the channel's digital platforms. Co-hosts Cardiff Garcia and Shannon Bond discuss how Stewart's new role signals HBO's move to focus on growing its online-only audience. In the latest sign of the mounting difficulties faced by Bill Gross, George Soros has pulled $500 million from Janus Capital. What's going on with the former Pimco bond king? FT financial and investment correspondents explain. Then, Joseph Coughlin of the MIT Age Lab says the future of aging is about to become more enjoyable. Cardiff travels to the lab to find out more. Music: "Plain Loafer" by Kevin MacLeod.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alphachat went on the road this week to visit Angus Deaton at Princeton University. Host Cardiff Garcia previews a few excerpts from his conversation with the 2015 Nobel Prize in economics winner. Then, the rush of activity in the pharmaceutical sector, including a potential Pfizer and Allergan mega-deal, is discussed by pharma correspondent David Crow.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The new memoir of former Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, titled The Courage to Act, is discussed by US economics editor Sam Fleming and Cardiff Garcia, and how Mr Bernanke's legacy might affect the way in which the current Federal Reserve board decides to raise interest rates. Then a debate about the future of video content creators as streaming services take the place of traditional television with media editor Matt Garrahan and correspondent Shannon Bond. Finally, the surprisingly global reverberations of the Canadian federal election and the rise of Justin Trudeau's Liberal party is examined by reporters Matt Klein and Anna Nicolaou.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Guest host Shannon Bond speaks to FT correspondents about the blockbuster AB Inbev deal with SABMiller and what it will mean, if approved by regulators, for the beer market. Then, Matt Lieber of podcast network Gimlet Media stops by to talk about the company behind the popular StartUp podcast. Finally, Shannon previews an excerpt from the Alphachatterbox conversation with economics commentator Greg Ip on his new book Foolproof: Why safety can be dangerous and how danger makes us safe.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Media correspondent Shannon Bond asks San Francisco correspondent Hannah Kuchler and management editor Andrew Hill what Jack Dorsey's dual CEO roles at the messaging company and payments group Square mean for both companies' future. Producer Aimee Keane reports from the annual #FTPubQuiz in New York. Finally, Cardiff Garcia previews one more excerpt from his long-form Alphachatterbox interview with chief economics commentator Martin Wolf.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Alphachat, Cardiff Garcia previews an interview with Anne-Marie Slaughter about her newly released book, Unfinished Business, on gender equality in the workplace and at home. Shannon Bond calls in from Washington to explain how the visit to the US of President Xi Jinping of China was eclipsed in US media by coverage of Pope Francis, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Finally, author Emily Parker stops by to discuss the political and societal implications of expanding internet access in Cuba.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Host Cardiff Garcia previews an in-depth interview with the FT's chief economics commentator, Martin Wolf, who has just finished a new afterword for his book, The Shifts and the Shocks; Business correspondent David Crow discusses the sharp falls in biotech stocks following Hillary Clinton's pledge this week to crack down on the growing cost of prescription drugs; John Authers speaks to Nobel Laureate Robert Shiller about his new book, Phishing for Phools. Plus, Cardiff reveals details of a new FT podcast.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Alphachat, host Cardiff Garcia and FT media correspondent Shannon Bond assess the winners and losers of a disappointing debate among Republican candidates for the White House. Then, San Francisco correspondent Hannah Kuchler calls in to discuss the growing success of YouTube video stars. Finally, Cardiff and fellow Alphavillian Matt Klein reflect on the much anticipated rate decision from the Federal Reserve board.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Federal Reserve board meets next week to decide on whether or not it will raise US interest rates. Host Cardiff Garcia speaks to US markets editor Robin Wigglesworth and US economics editor Sam Fleming about the potential implications. Then, John Authers sits down with Andrew Ang, head of factor investment at Blackrock and business professor at Columbia University, to discuss sovereign wealth funds and much more.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Host Cardiff Garcia is joined by Ella Atkins, professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan, to discuss the technology, regulatory issues and potential risks of the commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.