Happy 2024, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful start to the year. I’m excited to share another episode where I had an insightful conversation with a brilliant educator, researcher, and author, Sebastian Bunney. Seb is the author of "The Hidden Cost of Money," a book that exposes the flaws and dangers of the current financial and monetary system and how it affects our societies, values, and relationships. This book is a must for anyone who wants to understand the nuanced discourse on money, central banks, monetary policy, and global macroeconomics. During our conversation, Seb shared his personal story and motivations that led him to the financial space, as well as some key points from his book, including the dominant narratives he challenges with convincing arguments and counter-arguments. I admire his rigorous research and optimistic vision for the future.

Note: The content of this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

In this episode, we undertake a critical examination of the European Union with accomplished journalist and author Thomas Fazi from Italy. Our conversation delves deep into a meticulous analysis of the EU, carefully scrutinising its historical foundations, evolutionary path, and the intricate nuances of its governance mechanisms and institutional frameworks. This dialogue aims to illuminate the multifaceted impacts of the European Union, challenging its effects on the lives of its citizens and exploring consequential implications for the contemporary global order.

As a seasoned expert in political commentary on European affairs, Thomas articulates incisive critiques and counter-accounts within his distinguished works. Notable among these are "The Battle for Europe: How an Elite Hijacked a Continent – and How We Can Take It Back" (Pluto Press, 2014), "Reclaiming the State: A Progressive Vision of Sovereignty for a Post-Neoliberal World" (co-authored with Bill Mitchell; Pluto Press, 2017), and "The Covid Consensus: The Global Assault on Democracy and the Poor—A Critique from the Left" (co-authored with Prof. Toby Green; 2023).

Join us as we embark on a critical exploration, navigating through the intellectual landscape shaped by Thomas' discerning analysis. Together, we scrutinize the European Union, questioning its dynamics and critically assessing its implications for both its citizens and the broader global community.

Notes:

Fazi, T., 2014. The Battle for Europe: How an Elite Hijacked a Continent - and How we Can Take it Back. Pluto Press. 

Mitchell, W. & Fazi, T., 2017. Reclaiming the state. University of Chicago Press Economics Books.

Green, T. & Fazi, T., 2023, The Covid Consensus: The Global Assault on Democracy and the Poor -- A Critique from the Left. C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd.

In this episode, I had a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, a distinguished Venezuelan economist. Francisco's extensive career includes key roles such as serving as the Chief of the Economic and Financial Advisor of the National Assembly of Venezuela from 2000 to 2004, leading the Research Team for the Office of the United Nations Human Development Report from 2008 to 2011, and contributing his expertise to the private sector as the Andean Chief Economist at Bank of America from 2011 to 2016. Additionally, his extensive career includes teaching economics and Latin American studies at various institutions and contributing to esteemed publications such as Foreign Affairs, The Financial Times, and The New York Times. Notably, his forthcoming book, "Scorched Earth: The Political Economy of Venezuela's Collapse," set to be published in 2024, promises to be a significant addition to the discourse on Venezuela's complex challenges. In our conversation with Francisco, we'll explore the intricate dynamics of Venezuela, a nation once celebrated for its abundant oil resources but now plagued by a heart-wrenching humanitarian crisis. Francisco will shed light on the pressing issue of de facto oil embargoes and economic sanctions. Francisco's mission is clear: to hold those in power accountable and make a compelling case for re-evaluating the use of economic sanctions against entire nations, arguing that they should be treated with the same gravity as the use of military weapons against civilians.