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Oxford University Professor Ben Ansell is delivering this year's Reith Lectures on the future of democracy: whether it's in retreat across the world, whether citizens of wealthy countries have embraced a false sense of security, how to build a sense of solidarity in polarised societies, and how to enable continued economic growth without wrecking the environment in the process. But will he tackle the question of how democracy can — and should — evolve from national to global governance? And will he address the need for participation in individual ownership and the accompanying enhanced sense of responsibility, combined with the need for the young to be empowered through inter-generational rebalancing? The next three lectures will tell. Background music: 'Resolution' by Wayne Jones, Image source: BBC

What drives you mad about going to the supermarket? Is it self-service tills, scanning receipts to get out, loyalty scheme dual pricing, or prices being hiked well above inflation? Many of us want to support bricks and mortar retail, but there are times when shops seem to mainly be involved in testing our patience. In a week in which the competition watchdog fired a broadside at the consumer brands giants for pushing up prices, a practice dubbed ‘greedflation’, and sounded a warning to Tesco and Sainsbury’s over Clubcard and Nectar Prices, the This is Money podcast team head down the shops. Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert discuss what’s good, what’s bad and what really gets their goat. Plus, will a new online fraud charter make any difference? The team discuss investing legend Charlie Munger and financial crisis Chancellor Alistair Darling, who both died last week. And finally, what makes a house price hotspot – we look at the UK’s top 30 this year.

November was a party for stocks and bonds, but is Jerome Powell about to turn the lights on? Jason Moser and Matt Argersinger discuss the market’s incredible November and why we may not be out of the woods yet on rate hikes, why Apple and Goldman Sachs are breaking up their credit card partnership, and thoughts on Tesla’s Cybertruck and the new details we have after this week’s showcase. Also, 19 minutes in, Adobe Insights Vivek Pandya talks through the trends he’s seeing so far in holiday spending and whether it makes sense to buy now or wait for some of the items on your list and, 34 minutes in, Jason and Matt break down two stocks on their radar: Docusign and EPR Properties. Stocks discussed: AAPL, GS, TSLA, BRK.A, BRK.B, DOCU, EPR. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Jason Moser, Matt Argersinger, Vivek Pandya

We celebrate one of the greatest investors of all time by talking about our favorite Mungerisms and the lessons we’ll carry forward from Poor Charlie. David Meier and Dylan Lewis discuss some of their favorite Mungerisms on investing and life, Berkshire’s incredible performance in his time with the company, and the best thing you can do to celebrate his life today – read a book. Companies discussed: BRK.A, BRK.B, AAPL. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - David Meier

Teenage experience often encourages a mindset of not showing one's vulnerabilities or true expressions in order to evidence a confidence or tough exterior, hiding the true self. This episode looks back to those earlier times in order to develop resources for today for a different outlook on life, one that allows that true self to come through.

Adam Cox is in conversation with Guy Smith from Independent Tax, exploring the legal obligation for digital platforms like Airbnb, Etsy, and Vinted to report their sellers' earnings to HMRC starting January 1, 2024. The discussion delves into the specified thresholds for reporting income and the retrospective assessment period that HMRC can undertake. Additionally, Guy provides insights into the steps the public can take if they have concerns about potential tax liabilities or unreported earnings. https://independent-tax.co.uk/

Neil Shah of Edison Group explains why the UK market is extremely cheap internationally, which is why we are seeing companies being bought out. He says that domestic investors should not give up hope. Given that many large UK companies have substantial foreign interests, you can get foreign exposure more cheaply, while investment trusts have further attractions. As the Chancellor has said that the government's stake in NatWest will be sold down, Neil explains how to judge if it is worth buying into the bank when it happens.

Political commentator Mike Indian assesses the Autumn Statement now that the dust has settled. It is clear that the public finances are in a dire state, which will give an interesting economic inheritance for any Labour government. He also looks at the issue of net migration, wondering if a cap is the right thing and whether it will lead to public discontent as in other countries. He considers the state of the Covid inquiry, feeling that a more rapid assessment of how to respond to a future pandemic is also needed. And he talks about Labour's strategy for a future government, such as it is.

James Cameron-Wilson assesses Ridley Scott's Napoleon, #1 with a take of £5.2m. Despite being 158m, he felt it cantered too rapidly through 32 years of Napoleon's life, as played by Joaquin Phoenix. However, the battle scenes are amazing, if gory, and he loved Martin Phipps's score. Shame about the longueurs. Disney's new U-certificate animation, Wish, is #3 with only £2.4m but such things are often slow starts and around for a long time. James also discussed true story Nyad, on Netflix, about a retired 60-year-old marathon swimmer who undertakes a crazy challenge. Sadly, despite Annette Bening, he found it uninspiring and unbelievable while the script was more DIRE-log than dialogue.

Steve Caplin delves into the world of tech. Sitting in traffic really does raise your blood pressure, it transpires. A wearable stethosope is being developed, as is a pill that can track your vital signs. Curtains could prove the answer to stopping superbugs being transmitted in hospitals. DAB is being phased out in favour of DAB+ and users need to be careful about buying second-hand radios. Kodak are producing a bizarre camera using Super 8 film. The Swiss have developed a machine for creating giant stone walls. Deliveroo are to add electronics then Screwfix and Boots to the things they'll bring. And the first disabled astronaut may be grounded beause his prosthetic leg could poison the air on the International Space Station.