The Economy, Stupid

Exploring the discrepancy between rising coffee bean costs and stagnant cafe prices, the podcast covers the impact of input costs on pricing, challenges in the Australian hospitality industry, supply challenges due to weather events, post-pandemic growth of cafes, and the evolving coffee culture in Australia.

People are drinking less alcohol, especially Millennials and Gen Z. And the drinks industry has noticed.Low-alc and no-alc drinks make up a tiny fraction of the market. But it’s growing at 7 percent a year. And, as more of us either moderate our drinking or stop altogether, the future for these drinks look bright.But the way they’re advertised, marketed and packaged makes them look very like alcoholic drinks and there’s some concern they may act as a gateway to alcohol.Guests:Simon Strachan, CEO, DrinkwiseElfrun von Koeller, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting GroupAndy Miller, CEO, Heaps NormalDr Ashlea Bartram, Senior Research Fellow, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University

TikTok, the phone app that sends a stream of viral videos to every user, is in trouble in the United States. The company must either change its Chinese ownership, or leave the American market.In response, TikTok is underlining its economic contribution, in Australia and elsewhere.  So how much difference does it make?Guests:Dr Joanne Gray, Lecturer in Digital Cultures, University of SydneyAriana Hendry, Co-founder, BeysisKristian Kolding, Head of Consulting, Oxford Economics AustraliaProfessor Vili Lehdonvirta, Oxford Internet Institute, Oxford University

Exploring the debate between lab-grown and mined diamonds, guests discuss shifting market trends, consumer perceptions, and the rise of lab-grown diamonds. They analyze the impact of living costs on consumer choices, pricing trends, and the emotional connection people have with diamonds. The podcast highlights the importance of authenticity and real products in the diamond industry.

Shane Oliver and Richard Holden dive into Australia's budget, analyzing cost-of-living relief, government spending on green tech, and the historical context of industry support. They question the sustainability of sector investments and explore the impact on productivity, fiscal management, and investments in green hydrogen and critical minerals processing.

Australians have a sleeping problem. The most conservative estimates show one in 10 have a sleep disorder, which is having an impact on their safety, wellbeing and productivity.This ends up costing almost a $1 billion a week. And that’s not all. The total cost of inadequate sleep is thought to be as high as $75 billion a year.We’re not alone either. International research shows places like the US, the UK and Europe are facing similar problems, with similar costs.Guests:Shanthakumar Rajaratnam, Chair of the Sleep Health FoundationProfessor Ron Grunstein, The Woolcock Institute Wendy Troxel, The Rand CorporationZafina Ademi, Professor of Health Economics, Monash University

Daniel Susskind, Research Professor in Economics at King's, discusses the tension between benefits and consequences of economic growth. Topics include rethinking economic growth metrics, updating intellectual property laws for innovation, R&D investment for progress, and exploring optimism amidst global growth perspectives.

Experts discuss the economic and health impacts of loneliness, comparing it to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Data shows a shift in loneliness from older to younger Australians. Technology is examined as a factor contributing to increased loneliness, especially among Gen Z. Policy challenges and investments in services are explored to address the loneliness epidemic.

Nick Espinosa and Dr. Jay Jeong discuss the rising cyber-crime challenges facing Australian businesses, with ransomware costing $3 billion. They highlight the government's actions, the importance of cyber insurance, and the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the private sector.

New research suggests that the increase in vaping across Australia will cost the health system an extra $180 million each year and that’s a conservative figure.Vaping has been framed as a way to stop smoking tobacco, however it can also be a gateway to taking it up. It’s estimated that 13 per cent of people who vape transition to cigarettes.The Australian government has called vapes a public health menace and introduced restrictive anti-vaping policies. But are these policies intended to drive positive change giving rise to a dangerous black-market?Guests:Professor Louisa Collins, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteDr James Martin, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Deakin UniversityBecky Freeman, Associate Professor of Public Health, Sydney University