Join Russell Napier in discussion with author Perry Mehrling about the extraordinary life of Charles P. Kindleberger – central banker, US Department of State representative steering post-war German reconstruction, leading academic, and author of Manias, Panics And Crashes. Kindleberger was driven by the hope that, if he helped people understand how the dollar system really works, they would stop trying to destroy it. Perry's account is given additional nuance and insight through the friendship he developed with Kindleberger in his later years.


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There's a student takeover for this episode of Shelf Life as the talented duo of Megan Day and Emilie Stewart interview Jen Mair. Jen is Chair of Future Asset, the charity which encourages young women to consider a career in finance. She is also Strategic Initiative Lead at Franklin Templeton and has wonderful insights about working in the sector, ably quizzed by Megan and Emilie, who are both Future Asset alumni. We also have a big news update from David Clarke (CEO of Didasko) on what's happening at the Library, while Librarian Helen Williams picks out some of the Nobel Prize winners who feature in our collection.
Shelf Life is presented and produced by Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen.
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Once again, Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen are backstage at the Library of Mistakes, sampling highlights from the book collection, hearing about the many events and activities coming up, and meeting members of the team. 

In this episode we have an in-depth chat with the newest member of the gang, economist and author Robbie Mochrie, who has taken on the mantle of 'Errorist In Residence'. Among other things, Robbie tells us what he's got planned for our upcoming Adam Smith celebrations (2026 marks 250 years since the publication of The Wealth of Nations) and reflects on his book, How To Think Like An Economist. We also include a taste of a recent talk by the Deputy Director of the HM Treasury, Mario Pisani, plus our usual catch-ups with librarian Helen Williams and the CEO of Didasko, David Clarke.

To get in touch with anything Shelf Life-related, feel free to email us at [email protected] or [email protected], or contact us through social media.

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What happens when an experienced economist and an English literature expert have a proper conversation? Quite a lot as it turns out. Morton Schapiro and Saul Morson have written an outstanding book on what economists can learn from the humanities. They argue that Adam Smith’s heirs include Jane Austen, Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy – and that economists need a richer appreciation of behaviour, ethics, culture, and narrative – all of which the great writers teach better than anyone. Russell Napier joins the duo in conversation.

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Personal finance is the theme of this episode as we hear from two friends of the Library of Mistakes deeply committed to making financial understanding more accessible – particularly to younger people.
Iona Bain has made her name as a supporter of millennials striving to make the most of their finances, and is the resident money expert on BBC One's Morning Live. Originally from Edinburgh, she has also taken part in a series of videos with Russell Napier promoting the Library.
We also hear from Michael Gilmore, a Singapore-based fund manager who became so frustrated at the reluctance of the finance profession to share the basics of money awareness with younger people that he founded the global Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards.
Our trio of guests is completed by our regular chat with David Clarke, CEO of the charity Didasko which, as well as running the Library of Mistakes, supports two valuable financial inclusivity projects – Future Asset and Leavers' Money Skills.
This episode is presented by Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen. Do drop us a line at [email protected] or [email protected].
For more information on our guests, see: ionajbain.co.uk & www.maiawards.org
Photo credit for image of Iona: Grace Elise

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The CEOs of Britain's largest companies wield immense power, but we know very little about them. How did they get to the top? And how have they changed over the past 100+ years? Join Russell Napier in a fascinating conversation with Michael Aldous & John Turner, authors of The CEO: The Rise and Fall of Britain's Captains of Industry.
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Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston are back with a summer episode exploring life behind the scenes at the Library of Mistakes.
Looking to the northern shores of Lake Geneva, Fraser interviews Boris Zhilin, the investment expert who has established a Library of Mistakes in Lausanne. Boris tells us about his career journey from growing up in the former Soviet Union to Syrcuse University, Bear Sterns and then life in Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Leila asks our Edinburgh Librarian Helen Williams for summer reading recommendations, while CEO David Clarke updates us on upcoming events.
Any feedback or ideas? Please do get in touch with [email protected] or [email protected]

In conversation with Emma Horgan, Russell Napier explores the Irish Bank Strike of 1966, which resulted in shopkeepers and publicans stepping in to keep the economy ticking over as unofficial bankers. What can this extraordinary episode teach us about economics, human resilience – and how we might be able to cope in the event of a huge fintech failure? Emma is the co-author of a paper on the strike, with Dr Sean Kenny and Dr Jason Leonard. If you would like a working copy, please contact Emma at [email protected].

In our latest, behind-the-scenes look at the Library of Mistakes, Leila Johnston joins author and journalist Ray Perman on the streets of Edinburgh, as they explore the Library of Mistakes walking tour, Money Talks, Money Walks. Join them to discover lots of fascinating nuggets about the financial history of Scotland's capital city. Meanwhile, Fraser Allen catches up with David Clarke and Helen Williams to find out what is coming up at the library – and which books make useful companions to our Practical History of Financial Markets course.
Any comments, feedback or ideas? Please do get in touch:
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Russell Napier invites Duncan Mavin back for a second appearance on the podcast – this time to discuss his recent book on Credit Suisse. Their fascinating discussion explores how decades of a rotten corporate culture dating back to WWII developed into the scandals and reputational disasters that eventually brought the Swiss bank down.