The Library of Mistakes

It's back-to-school time for everyone at Library of Mistakes, Future Asset and Leavers' Money Skills. David Clarke, CEO of Didasko (which runs these three wonderful charities) is back from his summer holidays and brimming with enthusiasm as he looks forward to our autumn events. But first, we're excited to introduce you to our new Librarian, Emily Holmes. Discover what's already caught Emily's eye on the Library of Mistakes bookshelves, what her plans are and why she's no stranger to an ice cream scoop.Presented and produced by Fraser Allen & Leila Johnston.www.libraryofmistakes.com

Michael O'Connell, an accountancy and finance researcher who rebuilt the study data, and Sandy Nairn, a seasoned equity investor and former CIO, talk through shareholder wealth creation research. They explore how the calculation was done and why cohort composition, database changes and company life cycles warp concentration metrics. They challenge headline claims and discuss practical implications for managing skewness in investing.

Charles Goodhart, former senior central banker and monetary historian, and Manoj Pradhan, demography-focused macroeconomist, debate rising real interest rates from ageing societies. They argue fiscal dominance threatens central bank independence. Topics include demographic-driven deficits, inflation and bond yield forecasts, limits of financial repression, and practical fiscal reforms like land tax and pension changes.

Tom Paper, creator and performer of Mistakes On Maps and a map educator at Williams College, explores 20 historical cartographic blunders. Hear playful takes on phantom continents, California-as-an-island, sea monsters and polar mirages. Stories mix projection, propaganda and human imagination. He also discusses map hoaxes, teaching approaches and his Pixium platform for exploring old maps.

Sandy Nairn, experienced tech investor and author who sees AI as a multi-decade transformational force. Andrew Milligan, former global macro strategist who warns current AI valuations look bubble-like. They debate valuation excesses, liquidity and capital flows, AI’s unique tech convergence, productivity vs profit risks, regulatory and political fallout, and which industries may be mispriced.

We have a real treat for you this time as we speak to financial crime expert Anja Shortland. After books on art theft and kidnapping, Anja has now turned her attention to ransomware, with her latest title We Know You Can Pay a Million – and offers fascinating glimpses into the business practices of the international criminals involved.Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston also hear from Future Asset's Jemma McLean about further celebrations of the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, while David Clarke bids a fond farewell to our brilliant Librarian Helen Williams.www.libraryofmistakes.com

Robert Pickering, former Cazenove CEO and author of Blue Blood, recounts the firm’s shift from a 19th-century partnership to a modern bank-linked business. He discusses debates over capital and IPO timing, the clash of British reserve with US banking culture, the JP Morgan joint venture, and how strategy and incentives reshaped an iconic firm.

There are plenty of books suggesting ways in which wealthy people can invest their money, but very few for people who lack the investment funds in the first place. After suffering his own financial challenges, US academic Joseph S. Moore dipped into history to conduct a series of experiments in how to get the rich 'the American way'. That resulted in a funny, eye-opening and optimistic book, sparking an illuminating discussion between Joseph and Russell Napier for our latest episode.www.libraryofmistakes.com

Join us in Montreal as we speak with François Boutin-Dufresne who, together with Karl Gauvin, is co-founder of the Observatoire des Erreurs – Canada's very own version of the Library of Mistakes. Inspired by a trip to Edinburgh, the Observatoire embraces the same ethos as the Library of Mistakes, and joins other extensions of our activity in Pune (India) and Lausanne (Switzerland). The Observatoire is currently an online community but is hoping to establish a physical presence – and François is a really interesting listen. We also hear from Didasko CEO David Clarke on summer activites in Edinburgh, while our Librarian, Helen Williams, dips into books about the oil industry. Enjoy!Presented by Leila Johnston & Fraser Allen.www.libraryofmistakes.com

Welcome to a very special episode in which the talented young women of Future Asset stage a takeover of the podcast. Recorded at the annual Future Asset finals in Edinburgh (at which teams of girls from Scottish schools compete to present the most effective investment pitch), we discover why Future Asset is so valuable in encouraging young women to consider a career in investment and finance.This episode is presented by Future Asset alumnus Grace London, who spoke to the charity's Communication Coordinator Jemma McLean, this year's winning team from Hamilton Grammar School, fellow alumnus Jenna Donnelly (now a Financial Analysis Apprentice at M&G), and one of the competition judges, Mandy Rawlinson – Head of UK & EMEA at Aberdeen Investments.Find out more at www.futureasset.org.ukwww.libraryofmistakes.com