George Lagarias: What the World Gets Wrong About Financial Crises

In this episode of The Blunt Dollar, we’re joined by George Lagarias, Chief Economist at Mazars, for a thought-provoking conversation on financial crises, economic cycles, and the elusive search for stability in global markets. 

With over 20 years of experience navigating economic turmoil from Athens to London, George offers a deeply reflective and honest perspective on the past, present, and future of capitalism.

We kick off with George’s personal experience of living through the Greek and Cypriot debt crises, uncovering how they left generational scars on institutions, job markets, and societal optimism.

But this isn’t just about Greece. George unpacks why crises are hardwired into capitalism, how human psychology fuels financial bubbles, and why there’s no such thing as a perfect system.

Tune in as we explore:

📉 Why financial crises are inevitable in capitalism
🇬🇷 The true economic and social cost of Greece’s debt crisis
🎢 Regulation, deregulation, and the constant pendulum swing
🧠 How fear, greed, and behavioral finance shape markets
🎯 What being a Chief Economist actually entails
🛠️ Why storytelling is more important than models in economics
🔍 The most useful indicator George relies on monthly
💥 His best and worst market calls, and what he learned from them
🎯 Why predictions are more about probabilities than certainty
⚠️ What risks we don’t see coming… and why they matter
🌍 How energy innovation and digital currencies could reshape the world
🧠 And whether AI will ever replace human economic thinking

George doesn’t sugarcoat, and that’s exactly what makes this such a fascinating listen.

Oh, and if you haven't already... subscribe to The Blunt Dollar for more raw and honest finance conversations.

New episodes drop every other week! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

And last, but not least, don't forget to follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignacio-ramirez-moreno-cfa/

Enjoy the episode!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Listeners should consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.