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Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University focuses on the "political atmospherics" or the "vibes" of the main parties. He considers this to be the only General Election in his lifetime that is more like a by-election, where most people are voting negatively. The Tories have essentially become the "untrusted socialists", as irrelevant as old Labour in the 70s and 80s. Labour is shapeshifting in a Tory Party way and could become the natural party of government. The LibDems are the closest to moderate old Labour while Reform UK are now the Thatcherites. As for the electorate: they are smart and don't change much.

Political commentator Mike Indian assesses the state of the nation a week ahead of the General Election, finding the political betting scandal just the latest nail in the coffin of a disastrous Conservative campaign. Although the Prime Minister acquitted himself well in the debate with Keir Starmer, with most postal votes already sent in, it is far too late to stop the Labour juggernaut. Which, though, will be the main opposition party? Could the Libdems return more MPs than the Conservatives. And will Labour end up with a "sandcastle majority"? Mike discusses what he expects to happen on 5th July and in the subsequent days, believing the real test for Labour will come during next winter when the reality of Britain's position could hit home.

James Cameron-Wilson reports UK box office up a remarkable 100%, thanks to the new #1 Inside Out 2, which took £11.3m. That's the biggest opening of the year and the 3rd biggest UK opening for an animated film. Pixar have done it again with an enjoyable adventure which is both exciting and funny. On Netflix, Glen Powell has a star-making turn in Richard Linklater's Hit Man, a romcom supposedly based on a true story. With a terrific script and great chemistry, it's an entertaining watch. And on Amazon Prime, Bad Behaviour sees Jane Campion's daughter Alice Englert do virtually everything in a bracingly original, disturbing, funny and touching drama.

Russ Mould of A J Bell wasn't surprised that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee opted for no change in interest rates, though he was surprised that the vote was yet again 7-2. Services inflation is still too high, as is wage growth, for the Bank to be comfortable easing off. He notes that the UK stock market is now worth more than the French, one positive sign. He will be interested to see what the new government does when it comes to planned reforms and the UK market. Have we become too risk-averse?

Steve Caplin discusses the importance of cheese, red wine and chocolate for living longer. Artificial leather just got better by using pineapples. The $400,000 Genesis III helmet can make the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning jet invisible – while you're piloting it. There's a deflatable bike helmet which is safer than the hard type. And instead of autonomous vehicles, the University of Tokyo has developed a robot taxi driver which fits into any car. All this plus the downside of McDonalds using AI in their drive-throughs.

It's easy to understand how the big picture people hold is often quite the opposite to this episode title: every day the media seems full of bad news and awful stories. While it's important to remember that bad news sells, this often leaves a deep scar on listeners' perceptions, and that can grow into a mindset of retreat. In contrast, if we can develop a belief system that people are fundamentally good (that's not to say there are no malice or deceit, but more of a general outlook on life), it's possible to look outwards in a positive and empowering way.

Sometimes, a billion bucks just isn’t enough to kickstart the engine. Asit Sharma and Mary Long discuss Fisker’s bankruptcy and Wells Fargo’s latest credit card bet. Then, 17 minutes in, Ailson and Bro tackle the listener mailbag, answering questions about retirement distributions, target date funds, and commodities. Learn more about the Range Rover Sport at www.landroverusa.com. Got a question for Alison and Bro? Email it to [email protected]. Companies discussed: FSRN, TSLA, WFC, GSG, DBC, GLD. Host - Mary Long; Guests - Asit Sharma, Alison Southwick, Robert Brokamp

Nvidia’s been on such a tear, it’s tough to keep the zeroes straight. We talk through its status as a top dog in the market and how top-heavy the S&P 500 is. Ron Gross and Bill Mann discuss how Nvidia stacks up to fellow titan Microsoft, and whether investors should be worried about how much of the market’s returns are being driven by a few companies, a luxury-fashion IPO that wasn’t in Italy, and AI pushing Accenture through a slowdown in its core business and how Darden’s Restaurant chains are holding up as pricing comes into focus for food. Then, 19 minutes in, Fawn Weaver, CEO of Uncle Nearest, the fastest growing and most awarded whiskey and bourbon brand of the past few years, tells one of the greatest stories in the alcohol business and offers up a cocktail to beat the heat this summer. Finally, 35 minutes in, Ron and Matt break down two stocks on their radar: Old Dominion Freight Line and McCormick. Stocks discussed: NVDA, MSFT, F, ACN, DRI, MCK, ODFL. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Bill Mann, Ron Gross, Fawn Weaver

Inflation is back on target at 2%. After the spike into double-digits that triggered talk of a cost of living crisis and sent interest rates spiralling, we are now back at the Bank of England's target level. So, is the great inflation panic over and is life about get easier? Or will we be feeling the after effects of high inflation for years to come? And what's going to happen to interest rates? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert look at why inflation as come down and what happens next. Plus, the couple who didn't get a Nationwide fairer share payout despite having £100,000 saved. And finally, would you let your parents pay for you to go on holiday as an adult - or pay for your own adult kids to go with you? The team look into the family time vs freeloading debate.

We all have so much to learn from others as well as from our own experience. In his April 2015 Track Record, Sir Martin Jacomb, who died on 8th June, referred to Gordon Richardson, Bank of England Governor from 1973 to 1983, as his mentor, but it was Martin himself who was my fount of wisdom. Everyone, even Prime Ministers, could benefit from a mentor, and I was fortunate indeed to learn from Martin. Background music: introduction for Share Radio's Track Record programme