The Economy, Stupid

Innovation sparks thoughts of tech giants, inventions and Silicon Valley. While those companies in Cupertino may be good at generating extreme wealth, they’re not so good at spreading it across the communities they benefit from.Other places do better, particularly Switzerland, Sweden and Austria. What can we learn from them?Guest:Neil Lee, Author, Innovation For The Masses: How To Share The Benefits Of The High-Tech Economy

Exploring the billion-dollar wage theft in Australia, the podcast delves into cases involving major companies like Coles and Commonwealth Bank. Guests discuss protecting vulnerable workers, criminalizing wage theft, and improving rights for temporary migrant workers.

The market concentration of the beer industry. 

This podcast explores the economic cost of illiteracy in Australia, discussing the decline in reading proficiency among students and the need for structured literacy approaches. It emphasizes investing in teachers, tailored interventions for struggling readers, and recommendations for improving literacy in schools. The episode also touches on the evolution of teacher training, the importance of subject matter expertise, and negotiations for boosting education funding and standards.

Exploring the critical role of materials in our daily lives, from healthcare to technology. Highlighting the importance of essential materials like sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium. Delving into the global economy's fragility due to these crucial links. Discussing the significance of fossil fuels in sustaining modern life and the transition to clean energy technologies. Unraveling the challenges of global supply chains and the complexities of reshoring

Explore how airlines have become financial institutions and data gathering businesses, evolving loyalty programs from simple rewards to complex fare structures. Compare Qantas and Velocity loyalty programs, with tips on maximizing point earning and redemption. Delve into double-dipping on loyalty programs, data collection by frequent flyer programs and data brokers. Discuss the potential risks of sharing personal information and its impact on job opportunities and insurance.

The rising cost of extreme weather events and climate change. 

Examining the accusation of major supermarkets price gouging in Australia, the podcast explores the affordability of supermarket prices, distrust towards supermarkets, operating margins compared to other retailers, power imbalance in supplier relationships, investments in store promotion, and power dynamics in supermarket-supplier negotiations.

This podcast discusses the influence of consulting firms in business and government decisions, the importance of long-term thinking, the role of rituals in maintaining long-term actions, the Native American seventh generation principle, and the advantages of adopting a long-term perspective.

Sophie Howe and Alison Pennington, women from different generations but with the same goal to improve the living conditions of younger and future generations.