Elfonomics - with Elf Lyons and Dr Gerard Lyons

Hello! This podcast blurb was written by HUMAN INTELLIGENCE... Or was it? In this episode we dip our toe in the water of one of the most uncanny valley economic issues; AI and the technological revolution. Is ChatGPT our friend? Is AI your new therapist? Should you trust it as your new co-worker? How is it impacting us and what else may help? Gerard and Elf Lyons provide some insights alongside one of the worst comedy routines of all time....

Elf and Gerard Lyons discuss Premium Bonds. What are they? Are they a smart savings choice? How do they help the UK government raise revenue? Did the advent of the National Lottery trump their prize-winning appeal? Who is ERNIE? What on earth were the football pools? And could Premium Bonds help Elf pay for her wedding? All these big money questions and more in another episode of Elfonomics!

Dr Gerard Lyons and Elf Lyons move the map and discover why the Indo-Pacific is ‘the heartbeat of the future global economy’. They discuss the growth of countries including China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and India. Plus (with Donald Trump returning as US President) how the region's increasing power and influence affects geopolitics and helps shift the focus from transatlantic to transpacific.

Elfonomics: back for 2025, carefully brewed for your ears. Dr Gerard Lyons and Elf Lyons have a heavily caffeinated chat about why coffee is so costly. Whether you get your fix from one of the big chains like Starbucks, Costa or Caffe Nero, from your favourite independent cafe or by making it yourself, this episode explains how your coffee gets from crop to cup. And find out why King Charles II banned coffeehouses and the sale of coffee!

Elf discovers what lessons artists can take from football as Gerard analyses the economics of the Premier League and whether the model is sustainable. There's also inspiration from David Beckham, fan engagement at Fulham and an evaluation of Germany's 50+1 club ownership rule.

In this episode, Elf and Gerard discuss the rise of OnlyFans and the economics behind it: the reinvention of the middle man, an online market place and 'economic rent'. Oh and crucially, whether Elf should start her own account.

Why does it cost less to fly abroad than to visit a vet? The hosts unpack the hefty financial burden of pet ownership, sharing personal stories about their feline friends. They humorously recount pandemic-era pet adoptions and the ensuing financial dilemmas. The podcast dives into the veterinary market's competition and costs, highlighting the challenges vets face. There are also whimsical discussions on fictional pets, inviting listeners to join in on the fun. It's a blend of heartfelt moments and insightful economics!

Why does it feel that everything is made in China and will that always be the case? Guilt-ridden by her online shopping addiction, Elf asks her dad if being 'mass produced' is really as bad as everyone makes it out to be. And why do we so associate mass production with Chinese goods?

Welcome back to Elfonomics! In this episode, Elf prepares to get hitched and asks her dad 'Why are weddings so expensive?'. Whilst Gerard tries to remember the name of his future son-in-law, the two debate the economics of weddings and WHY prices continue to rise.

Elf asks her economist dad 'What is a smart city? And if there are smart cities, does that mean there are silly cities?' Gerard talks about the technology that's changing urban centres and what we can expect from cities in the future...