Fear & Greed Q+A

Artificial intelligence is transforming business - but the biggest lessons aren’t always what companies expect. Sean Aylmer speaks with Telstra CEO Vicki Brady about how one of Australia’s largest companies is rolling out AI across its operations. They discuss the moment when Telstra’s early AI efforts didn’t deliver, and why the real issue wasn’t the technology, but...

This week we get the all-important March quarter inflation figures. Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas  to look at what to expect in an environment of rising inflation, slowing economic growth, profit downgrades in corporate Australia and the looming risk of stagflation. Join our  free daily newsletter here . Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See om...

Artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming businesses. It’s reshaping schools, charities and entire communities. Sean Aylmer is joined in the studio by Justin Spelhaug, President of Microsoft Elevate, to look at how AI is being rolled out beyond the corporate world: from training three million Australians in AI skills to helping teachers reclaim hours each week. Justin is visiting...

Markets are volatile, from Middle East tensions and high oil prices to inflation, tariffs and slowing growth. Sean Aylmer speaks with Jonathan Armitage, Chief Investment Officer at Colonial First State, about how experienced investors cut through the noise - and why today’s environment may signal a new investment regime, with more volatile inflation, rising protectionism and shifting global...

Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO of Apple after 15 years at the helm, leaving behind one of the most successful runs in corporate history. Now, long-time insider John Ternus takes over, with AI, hardware innovation and global competition shaping the next phase. Sean Aylmer speaks with Josh Gilbert, Head Analyst for APAC and the Middle East at eToro, about what Cook got right, and what comes next....

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond hype, and starting to deliver real-world results. Sean Aylmer speaks with Jane Livesey, President of Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, about the AI breakthroughs that are improving outcomes for businesses and organisations. From accelerating cancer research with organisations like the Cancer Council to improving education and customer experience, Livesey...

What to make of last week's dismal business confidence and consumer sentiment figures, what the labour figures tell us about the RBA's next interest rate move, and a closer look at the Aussie dollar's strong run. Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas . Join our  free daily newsletter here . Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Have we made travel easier... but somehow worse? From seat space and in-flight Wi-Fi to queues, convenience and expectations, Michael quizzes Sean and Adam on what really makes a good trip today. Does experience still matter more than efficiency? Do airline and hotel brands still influence decisions? How does travel change depending on who you’re with? Plus, their one fix to improve travel i...

There’s a $US2 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects across the Pacific - and up to $14 billion more behind it - but many Australian businesses aren’t taking advantage. Sean Aylmer speaks with Austrade’s Trade Commissioner for the Pacific, Tim Houghton, about why the opportunity exists, what types of projects are on offer, and how businesses - from SMEs to large corporates...

Tech stocks have had a rough few months, but the story is more complex than just a sell-off. Rising interest rates, global uncertainty and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence are reshaping the sector. Some companies are benefiting from the AI boom, while others - particularly in software - are facing new competitive threats. Sean Aylmer speaks with William Liu, Deputy Portfolio Manager at WA...

Even before the latest oil price spike, business conditions were already deteriorating, with higher interest rates and weaker demand weighing on many sectors. Now, the latest Business Risk Index suggests the chance of business failures is increasing - particularly for small businesses and sole traders. Sean Aylmer speaks with Ivan Colhoun, Chief Economist at CreditorWatch, about how oil shock...

Long before it hits the petrol pump, disruption in global energy markets starts with a handful of critical choke points. Right now, the Strait of Hormuz — one of the most important shipping lanes in the world — is at the centre of it. So what happens when supply is suddenly constrained? And what does it mean for Australia? Sean Aylmer talks to Vivek Dhar, Head of Commodities and Sustai...

This week it's all about labour force figures, and the NAB business survey - which will be one of the first indicators of how businesses have coped with the oil crisis caused by the Middle East war. Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas . Join our  free daily newsletter here . Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

It's Sean's turn this week to hit Michael and Adam with five questions - no notice, no prep. This week, it's all about consumer behaviour - how the cost of living is changing the way we spend. Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A $200 million radio deal, a legal battle, and a media company that’s seen its value plunge. The fallout from the Kyle & Jackie O saga is a case study in how fragile legacy media models have become. Sean Aylmer talks to Mumbrella publisher Tim Burrowes, about how the Kyle & Jackie O vs ARN Media battle goes far beyond one show, and raises big questions about audiences, advertising, a...

The market has bounced hard - up 2.6% in a day - on news of a ceasefire in the Middle East. But after weeks of volatility, the big question is whether this is the start of something more… or just another short-term surge. Sean Aylmer talks to Roger Montgomery, Chief Investment Officer at Montgomery Investment Management, who says the rally is real - but the risks haven’t gone away. He...

Diesel keeps regional Australia moving, touching almost every industry. But rising costs and supply disruptions are hitting hard, affecting everything from farming to mining to local businesses. Sean Aylmer talks to Andrew Auerbach, Group Executive for Business and Private Banking at NAB, about the impact on the ground, and what lies ahead for the economy if fuel supplies remain under pressure. Fi...

Geopolitical tensions, market concentration, and the dominance of mega-cap tech stocks are forcing big institutional investors to rethink how they allocate capital. But rather than making big calls, many of the world’s largest pension and sovereign wealth funds are doing the opposite — sticking to their strategy. Gerard O’Reilly is Co-CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors, working wit...

This week it's all about household spending - and after consumer confidence hit a 53 year low last week, there could be some tough times ahead. And the big question: are we heading for a recession? Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas . Join our  free daily newsletter here . Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

Michael asks Sean and Adam five questions - with no notice at all - about a digital detox. Could they handle a week without the internet? Could they do their jobs, navigate and communicate, or would life fall apart? Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Brent Smart, chief marketing officer at Telstra, announced he was stepping down from the telco after four years in the job. During that time Telstra’s campaigns have won a number of awards… with Telstra now recognised as one of the strongest brands in Australia, and one of the top telco brands globally. In April 2023 Brent Smart joined Sean Aylmer to talk about what it was l...

Executive pay is one of those topics that always sparks debate, whether it’s CEO bonuses, shareholder backlash, or whether pay really reflects performance. And increasingly, it’s not just about how much executives are paid, but how those decisions are made, justified, and explained. Al Jurangpathy, principal at Korn Ferry specialising in executive pay and governance, talks to Sean Aylm...

Markets are volatile, unpredictable, and increasingly driven by headlines, making it very hard for investors to pick a direction. In that kind of environment, some are turning back to so-called “boring” stocks - companies with steady earnings, strong cash flow, and reliable dividends. Sean Aylmer talks to Josh Gilbert, market analyst at eToro, about why names like Coca-Cola and McDonal...

The war in the Middle East has triggered a major oil shock — with supply through the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut and millions of barrels removed from the global market. Nik Burns, Head of Energy Research at Jarden, says this isn’t just another short-term spike — it could mark a structural shift in global energy markets. He talks to Sean Aylmer about why prices may stay elev...

This week we get the minutes from the RBA board meeting, where four members voted against an interest rate hike. As the oil price shock worsens, hitting many aspects of the economy - could those four members have had the right idea? Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas  to discuss, and also look at the rest of the week for the economy: building approvals, house pric...