Sovereign Finance

Key: Rob’s comments are in italics, Derek’s comments in normal font. We've argued on this show several times that the human species has been through a number of inflection points throughout history. It's fairly clear to anyone alive today that we are living through one of those inflection points. Like a wide range of, on the face of it, crazy things happening. We thought we might dedicate an episo...

The Limits to Growth has come under attack in certain quarters, the accusation being that the report is ‘anti-human’ and ‘Malthusian’. On this episode we explore these accusations, and conclude that the principles discussed in the report are as relevant today as they were in 1972. Have a listen and make your mind up for yourself! This conversation underscores the importance of going back to origin...

Key: Rob’s comments are in italics, Derek’s comments in normal font. Introduction to Economics Our topic today is economics and an introduction to some of the key people throughout history that have helped develop economics and economic theory, because we think that understanding these people and their thinking helps to understand the world as it is today. So, I think, firstly, let's maybe just st...

Key: Rob’s comments in italics . Derek’s comments in normal font. Back in maybe the first episode, we shared a quote from Martin Luther King, who said that: “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people, but the silence over that by the good people. The time is always right to...

Key: Rob’s comments in italics Derek’s comments in normal font Introduction to BlackRock Our subject today is BlackRock, which is an entity that I have to admit before 2020, I was not aware of. So what is it and what do people need to know? BlackRock is a fund manager, which essentially means that it takes the aggregate investments of a large number of people or a large number of organizations, wh...

Rob’s comments are in italics . Derek’s comments are in normal font. — Today, our topic is, is money the root of all evil? This is something that I think people probably have heard in different forms, maybe from religion. And I wondered if we could pick apart how this still fits into people's psyche today. The first thing to say is that the quote, as it stands, "money is the root of all evil," is...

Key: Rob’s comments are in italics . Derek’s comments in normal font. On last week's call, we did an introduction to micro finances for small businesses and small business owners. We kind of left off the chat by saying, well, as pensions are the main vehicles for building your wealth over your lifetime, it's probably worth knowing how your pension is being invested and maybe having a bit more cont...

Introduction to Financial Statements I think we need to look at the three basic forms of financial statements and what they mean for your business and you personally. Understanding these is essential when considering how to deploy your savings to build a nest egg for the future. This helps provide you with an income in later years and freedom from the necessity of working. The Importance of Unders...

(Key: Rob’s comments in italics , Derek’s comments in normal font) In this episode, we review what's happening in the world right now. We're reaching some sort of endgame with a process that's been ongoing for a long time in economics. We're hitting a wall with the idea of endless economic growth. To maintain stock market prices, which many see as essential, there has to be continuous growth in pr...

Rob’s comments in italic. Derek’s comments in normal font. Debt in Modern Times Debt is a major part of today's world, more so than in previous decades. This situation is an outcome of the global financial system's structure, particularly since the dollar came off the gold standard. The decoupling of the world currency system from any objective existence means that all money in circulation is esse...

(Key: Rob’s comments in italics, Derek’s comments in normal font) Today we're going to cover an introduction to cryptocurrencies, which is a topic that I am excited to learn about. I think there's a lot of people in this boat, either they've dabbled with it or heard about it, or someone else has decided to invest lots of money in it. So, yeah, let's get into it. The Problem Cryptocurrencies Addres...

(Key: Rob’s comments in italics , Derek’s comments in normal font) Our topic today is pension plans, how they're supposed to work and why they don't. Historical Context of Pension Plans Historically, the majority of people had pension plans that were arranged by their employers. There were a few small independent professionals, like solicitors and accountants, who made their own arrangements. The...

In this episode, Rob and Derek discuss the concepts of wealth and capital, exploring how wealth is created and the role of capital in the economy. They delve into the topic of capitalism and its alternatives, questioning whether the current system is working effectively. The conversation also touches on the role of capital in retirement planning and the challenges faced by pension systems. They ex...

In this episode, Rob and Derek discuss the concept of big numbers, such as millions, billions, and trillions. They compare the scale of these numbers and provide visualisations to help understand their magnitude. They also explore the earnings and wealth comparison between different income levels. The conversation delves into examples of big numbers in finance, including the cost of weapons, milit...

In this episode, we delve deep into the essence of wealth and its impact on humanity. We'll tackle the often uncomfortable truth about the negative ramifications of accumulating riches at others' expense, and champion a paradigm that prioritizes human connection over financial gain. We're setting the stage for transcendent conversation, exploring the highest level of human consciousness and examin...

Our initial reaction to Vladimir Putin's interview with Tucker Carlson (from a Sovereign Finance lens). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sovereignfinance.substack.com

On this episode we take a critical look at Gross Domestic Product, or GDP. Is it the best measure of well-being? We'll discuss its significant exclusions, the relationship between income and happiness, and personal experiences that show the value of non-monetary activities. We'll talk about the environmental cost of production, the creation of harmful goods, and the concerning practices of money c...

In this episode, we explore the subtleties of how inflation isn't just about rising prices, but is intimately tied to the decreasing value of currency—the invisible hand that rearranges monetary value right under our noses. We'll unpack the complex mechanisms that drive inflation, like quantitative easing and fractional reserve banking, and we'll take a historical journey to understand how this ha...

In today’s episode, “Demystifying the Money Puzzle,” we’re diving into the origins and multifaceted nature of money – a tool of empathy and economy, from the tangible clink of gold and silver to the conceptual keystrokes of digital currency. We’ll journey through the historical corridors where the might of the British pound was a standard of global reserves until the echoes of World War I led to i...

In this episode, Rob Drummond and Derek Dearden set the stage for what listeners can expect from the Sovereign Finance podcast. They discuss the importance of being in control of your own destiny and how the current era presents unique challenges and opportunities. They touch on historical inflection points, the world financial system, and the need to understand personal finances as a sovereign hu...