Share Sounds.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University explains why bold market reform is needed to solve the problems of "basketcase Britain", before it is too late. He reflects on the success of the Commonwealth Games, held in Birmingham, particularly the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies and considers where the future of the Games – and the Commonwealth – might lie. And he shows how immigration is thriving in the wake of Brexit though points out that infrastructure planning must be tackled seriously and quickly.

James Cameron-Wilson looks at the UK box office chart, with takings down 20% week-on-week. At #1 is tongue-in-cheek thriller Bullet Train, starring Brad Pitt, but it only took £2.9m in an extended weekend. With no other new films, James turned to streaming services. On Apple+ is Skydance Animation's Luck, with the voices of Simon Pegg and others. At times delightful, it ends up being a mixed bag, says James. He was more positive about Amazon Prime's 13 Lives in which director Ron Howard tells the true story of the cave rescue of a group of Thai schoolboys. Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell are among the cast.

Adam Cox is joined by Alison Lovett, a trained midwife, general nurse and homoeopath, and founder of The Latch, for World Breastfeeding Week. They discuss why it can be so difficult to get a newborn to breastfeed, and some of the common problems new mothers face. She explains how other cultures' attitudes towards breastfeeding differ from western ideas and why breastfeeding is so beneficial. https://www.thelatch.co.uk/

Adam Cox is joined by Dr Raja, a specialist hair transplant surgeon, for National Hair Loss Awareness Month to discuss some of the causes of hair loss, and how hair loss has driven some seek to illegal or badly performed hair transplants. He explains how to be safe from poor quality hair transplant surgery and gives advice to those suffering from hair loss. www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/surgeon-doctors/dr-furqan-raja/

Adam Cox is joined by Jordan Shelley, Founder and Director of Animal Journal, to discuss a new petition, backed by animal welfare spokespeople and charities, that could help secure the safety and wellbeing of countless domestic and wild creatures across the world. Jordan explains the Kept Animal Bill, when it is likely to go through, and also why animal rights are often not a priority to politicians. https://www.animaljournal.co.uk/campaigns/

Adam Cox is joined by Professor Martin Stringer, Pro Vice Chancellor of Education at Swansea University, to discuss new research revealing the public's understanding of higher education, and attitudes towards universities. Martin explains why so many people are still unsure of the clearing process, and provides advice to students, and parents of students, going to university in September. https://www.swansea.ac.uk/

The House of Mouse is firing on all cylinders, and now its total number of subscribers for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ is greater than Netflix. Dylan Lewis and Maria Gallagher (00:21) discuss Disney’s pricing power and streaming fatigue, how Coinbase is faring through a Crypto Winter, and what Softbank is telling investors about the private markets. Plus, Nick Sciple interviews Tim Johnston, Co-Founder of Li-Cycle Holdings (15:41), a lithium-ion battery recycler. They discuss how Li-Cycle can meet some of the growing demand for the metals that go into electric cars, and the company’s partnerships with major energy providers. Stocks mentioned: DIS, NFLX, COIN, UBER, SFTBY, LICY; Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Maria Gallagher, Nick Sciple, Tim Johnston

While some tech companies announce lay-offs, others are posting blowout earnings. Deidre Woollard and Tim Beyers discuss how a decrease in consumer spending is hitting SaaS companies in unexpected ways, why The Trade Desk is thriving in a tough environment, a “cautious” view on tech layoffs (and why we aren’t hitting the panic button), why Walmart might join the streaming wars, and a brilliant, tiny company that’s not getting enough attention from investors. Plus, Jason Moser and Matt Argersinger look at how companies are managing their share count, and one homebuilder that’s outperformed Amazon for more than a decade. Stocks mentioned: DDOG, TTD, WMT, SNAP, GRPN, JAMF, META, NVR, LOW, NVDA, AMZN. Host - Deidre Woollard; Guests - Tim Beyers, Jason Moser, Matt Argersinger

Rising bills and the cost-of-living crisis are forcing many to dip into savings pots, if they have one to begin with. At the same time, with base rate rising to try and curb inflation, savings deals have become far better than they have been in the last decade. Georgie Frost and Lee Boyce are joined by a special guest: James Blower, AKA The Savings Guru, who gives his take on where savings rates are heading next. With lesser known challengers paying the best rates, how do you know they’re any good? And should you fix now or wait? He explains how savings rates set, why big banks are slow to pass on base rate movements and with savings deals improving, James explains why a cash ISA might be a good home for your money once more. Elsewhere, times are tough with plenty of misery on the horizon thanks to rising energy bills. Latest predictions suggest the price cap could land somewhere between £4,000 and £5,000 a year. Much has been said this week about households, but what about businesses which are slowly being crushed under the weight of rising costs? Not protected by an energy cap, some hospitality bosses are said to be considering closing down due to unprecedented energy bills while three quarters are thinking about reduced opening hours. And with household prices set to soar, a 'Don’t Pay' UK movement has grown suggesting cancelling direct debits – but is that a wise idea?

Janice Turner's strikingly clear article in Saturday's Times (13/8/22) sets out why young people from low income households have such a struggle finding stability and economic security, after years of student debt, soaring house prices, and a much higher risk of split parents. In 2010 David Willetts' book 'The Pinch' was published, setting out the huge generational divide at that time: but over the past 12 years, the position has deteriorated significantly. Will Liz Truss call for change? Background music: 'Land of My Fathers' by The 126ers Links via https://www.shareradio.co.uk/thinkingaloud/newsletters/comment-wc-2022-08-15/