Share Sounds.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at the resurgence of Ireland's economy, driven by tax cuts rather than tax rises. He discusses the documentary Ex Nihilo: The Truth About Money (https://tinyurl.com/2sntvvxd), explaining how many of the West's problems are due to excess money, interest rates and debt and the resulting distortions and bubbles. Too much in the film, he says, isn't understood properly by politicians or even many economists. And he concludes by looking at some of the sinister overtones behind the campaign against cash.

James Cameron-Wilson reports on a UK box office still boosted by Barbie & Oppenheimer at #1 & #2, the former now the 11th most successful film here ever with £78.2m. True(ish) story Gran Turismo, partly based on a computer game, enters at #4. Directed by Neill Blomkamp, James found it hugely entertaining escapism with great race sequences. Disney's reboot of Haunted Mansion, the second based on its theme park ride, he found one of the worst films of the year. On Netflix, however, he found Tom Harper's Heart of Stone an implausible but enjoyable thriller.

Russ Mould of A J Bell takes a look at what's been driving markets on both sides of the Atlantic. In the US, it's largely been growth stocks with some element of travel as well. In the UK, it's largely been companies like Rolls-Royce, and Marks and Spencer, companies that had seemed very much out of favour at the turn of the year. Many of the best performers are consumer-led stocks, despite cost-of-living pressures. He feels that, in the UK, there's an element of vlue investing with companies like M&S rapidly reducing its debt position. The big question now is, how long can it last?

Steve Caplin takes Simon Rose on a voyage through the latest tech. There's a hoist to lift your eBike onto your car roof, a cargo eBike and an eBike caravan. Smart glasses make a return as a fitness and navigation aid, there's a mouse that clips to your fingers, scientists have come up with 3D printed vegan seafood, China is limiting smartphone use for under-18s and you can buy an electric wheelbarrow wheel and a chair to cool you down. In New Zealand, a meal-bot has's been coming up with some hair-raising recipes, thanks to mischievous users.

Tests of all kinds can raise your anxiety level; you may know all the answers and responses, but nervous pressure can stand in the way of a good result. This episode is based on someone approaching a driving test and who needs to feel relaxed, calm and confident — Adam Cox helps find a way through.

Michael Burry, the investor featured in “The Big Short,” made a major bet against market indexes. Are investors due for a sequel of the Great Financial Crisis? Ricky Mulvey and Asit Sharma discuss a sales slowdown The Home Depot, why the home retailer has “an incredibly high” return on invested capital, credit downgrades for regional banks, and Michael Burry’s bearish option bet against the S&P 500 and NASDAQ, worth $1.6 billion in notional value. Companies discussed: HD, MTB Host - Ricky Mulvey; Guest - Asit Sharma

Viewers may hate them, but ads are the future everywhere we go online. For investors that might be a good thing. Tim Beyers and Deidre Woollard discuss if Disney’s price increases will push subscribers to the ad tier, just how popular sports betting might be, and The Trade Desk’s role in the world outside of advertising’s walled gardens. Companies discussed: TTD, DIS, NFLX, PENN. Host - Deidre Woollard; Guest - Tim Beyers

Berkshire Hathaway bounced back from a recent loss with strong net income and billions in cash waiting for action. Jason Moser and Deidre Woollard discuss the value of solid insurance underwriting, why Berkshire sees a future in catering to truck drivers, and finding the secret sauce in consumer businesses. Companies discussed: BRK.A, BRK.B, KHC, CPB, SOVO, SRG, KO, KNSL. Host - Deidre Woollard; Guest - Jason Moser

After months of mortgage mayhem some better news finally arrived this week with major lenders delivering a slew of hefty rate cuts. Halifax, Nationwide, and NatWest have all delivered big chops to their home loans, with analysts saying that we may be past the moment of peak panic in the mortgage market. That’s the silver lining to a very dark cloud though, as mortgage rates are far higher than they have been in recent years and almost all of those whose fixes come up for renewal will face paying much more. So if this is the end of Mortgage Mayhem Part 2 (the uncalled for sequel to Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng’s original instalment), what happens next? Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert survey the wreckage of the past few months and look at what could come next for mortgage rates and homeowners? With higher rates here for the foreseeable future, they also discuss what this means for people’s finances and how mortgage hikes are likely to eat most people’s pay rises and then some. Simon explains why after such a long period of stagnant real wages, this is a major problem. In cheerier news, Premium Bonds have had another big bump up in the prize rate, so are they now a no-brainer? (For those listening to the podcast and looking for it, here is the link to our Premium Bonds winning stats piece Simon mentions: https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-12161769/Premium-Bonds-likely-win-1m.html). Plus, what is the tale of good customer service that Simon has returned from holiday with? And finally — how did Helen go viral with an old carrier bag?

Pixar's 2008 computer-animated movie 'Wall•E' paints a depressing picture of the Earth laid waste by a combination of consumerism, corporatocracy, proliferation of waste and human environmental impact. Just fifteen years later we see this spectre emerging in front of our eyes. But is science the answer, as put forward by Lord Rees in his book 'If Science is to Save Us'? We suggest that the problem is deep-rooted in our unbridled self-interest, and that only a genuine re-building of care for others, including our neighbours of tomorrow, can save us from these horrendous consequences. Background music: 'Dance of the Mammoths' by The Whole Other