James Robinson, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and co-author of "Why Nations Fail," dives deep into the nuances of economic development. He discusses the crucial distinction between extractive and inclusive institutions, shedding light on how they shape a nation's prosperity. Robinson also critiques historical governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo compared to Botswana, highlighting the importance of understanding African contexts. The conversation touches on corruption's role in the drug trade and unwraps Africa's vast, untapped economic potential, offering a fresh perspective on meritocracy and growth.

Jack Weatherford, an acclaimed author specializing in Mongolian history, discusses Kublai Khan's pivotal role in expanding the Mongol Empire. He highlights Kublai’s unique leadership style, favoring diplomacy over brute force. The conversation explores the often-misunderstood legacy of the Mongols, contrasting their violent reputation with their significant civilizational contributions. Weatherford also delves into innovations that shaped history, the importance of individual narratives, and the profound East-West relations catalyzed by figures like Marco Polo.

Nat Eliason, a prolific online writer and author of "Crypto Confidential," dives into the wild world of cryptocurrency and the emotional rollercoaster it brings. He shares chaotic anecdotes about meme coins, exit liquidity, and the psychological toll of trading. The conversation also explores his evolution as a writer, highlighting the balance between originality and marketability. Nat dissects the unpredictable nature of book publishing and raises ethical questions surrounding the crypto landscape, making this conversation a must-listen for writers and crypto enthusiasts alike.

Levison Wood, a renowned author, journalist, and former British Army officer, shares his incredible journey of adventure and storytelling. He discusses the transformative power of serendipity and the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone. Wood reflects on the balance between adventure and family, the rise of independent content creators, and the evolution of travel shaped by technology. He also highlights how experiences like his trek along the Nile have profoundly impacted his work and perspective on exploration.

David De Jong First Appearance On The Pod - Nazi Billionaires, #127 - AppleDavid De Jong First Appearance On The Pod - Nazi Billionaires, #127 - SpotifyDavid De Jong is a Dutch historian and investigative journalist.Early in his career, he found himself in New York reporting for Bloomberg on hidden fortunes and the power of family offices all across the world - it was during this job he discovered a nondescript €18,000,000,000 German family office…David eventually pulled that thread all the way back to the upper echelons of the Nazi partyThis led him to move to Berlin and embark down a 4 year investigation into the dark and dusty vaults of Germanys corporate pst.What he uncovered was Nazi wealth that has endured to this day which has its tentacles wrapped around many companies that you and I consume or interact with on a daily basis.Today, we recorded a brief addendum to the story, David published in Vanity Fair recently a story of Kuehne + Nagel, one of the worlds largest freight forwarding companies, that is listed on the Swiss exchange, but a very German company indeed.The podcast is about the central role Kuehne + Nagel played in the Third Reich. The politics of memory in Germany and the son of Kuehne + Nagel founder, Klaus-Michael Kuehne who is germanys richest man, the largest shareholder of Kuehne + Nagel and until today, still denying the companies dark origins. Link To Nazi Billionaires BookLink To Vanity Fair Article

✍︎: The Curious Worldview Newsletter https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribehttps://atlasgeographica.com/patrick-watts/The following is with Patrick Watts who is one hell of an interesting fella and in this podcast we discuss the various outcomes and implications of the 2024 US election contra Trump & Harris.The End Of The American Empire – UK AmazonThe End Of The American Empire – US Amazon

In this conversation with journalist Stephanie Baker, who has spent nearly three decades covering business and politics, she shares insights from her book, *Punishing Putin*. Stephanie recounts her early experiences in 90s Moscow, including a chilling encounter at a murder scene. She discusses the chaotic rise of Russian oligarchs, the complexities of sanctions post-Ukraine invasion, and how Western businesses have navigated these turbulent waters. A deep dive into capital flight and the fascinating role of crypto in hiding wealth adds further intrigue to this gripping analysis of global economic warfare.

Gareth Gore, a financial reporter and author of "Opus Dei: Unveiling the Conspiracy", uncovers the dark financial secrets of Opus Dei, a powerful Catholic organization. He explores its controversial rise and influence, linked to the collapse of Banco Popular. The discussion dives into manipulation tactics, human rights abuses, and the organization's impact on global politics. Gareth also reflects on his journey to writing the book, emphasizing the blend of serendipity and hard work, while shedding light on the urgent need for transparency and accountability.

Youtube - https://youtu.be/iCNiZfMASNs Subscribe To The Curious Worldview Newsletter----Johan Norberg is a prolific author and academic, he’s one of the most notable members of the Cato Institute and as well someone who has recently bronzed in the blinding spotlight of both Javier Milei and Elon Musk. Johan is a staunch defender of globalisation and author of‘ The Capitalist Manifesto’ which was boosted into the stratosphere earlier this year with an overwhelming endorsement by Elon Musk when he wrote that the book is an excellent explanation of why capitalism is not just successful, but morally right. 00:00 - Johan Norberg01:35 - Johan's Worldview Influences09:07 - Johan's Rand-ian Fictional Tale10:35 - Johan Know Being A Role Model To Others14:35 - The Elon Musk Effect19:05 - Serendipity24:05 - Will AI Destroy The Labour Market?41:50 - Capitalism Failure To Price In Negative Externality1:02:45 - Globalisation Homogenising Culture1:15:40 - Anxious Generation1:23:55 - Nassim Taleb Influence🍻☕: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ryanhoggFollow me on Instagram – @ryanfhogg

Subscribe To The Curious Worldview NewsletterCurious Things Mentioned During The EpisodeOffshore Finance Starter Pack 'Curious Worldview Podcast' EpisodesFollow me on Instagram – @ryanfhogg----Just how cancerous and pernicious to culture, politics and a globalised world is offshore finance and financial opacity?Few if any people in the world are better suited to answer this question than John Christensen, who co-founded the Tax Justice Network and is a prolific author, journalist and documentary producer, probably best known for producing ‘the spiders web’ which millions and millions of views later looks into the weird and devastating influence of the City Of London (of which we expand deeply in the podcast)I recorded this in person with John earlier this year and props to Jim Henry, who was an early guest on this pod who introduced us. This is by far the most in depth podcast interview John Christensen has ever participated in.This is an extensive interview which flows up the sides, but never spills out of the river which is the downstream and disastrous effects of offshore finance. There is lots of attention paid to the UK, the lawyers, tax havens, culture, real estate, kleptocrats, foreign aid and a hell of a lot more as well.🍻☕: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ryanhogg