Episodes

  • EP 52: Shelf Life #11 The Smith Conversations

    EP 52: Shelf Life #11 The Smith Conversations
    Feb 13 2026
    In this episode, Robbie Mochrie catches up with Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen to discuss a series of events he has organised to celebrate the 250-year anniversary of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations. Called The Smith Conversations, the programme begins on 9 March as a distinguished panel of guests assemble at the Library of Mistakes to discuss Smith on Equality. Further events explore Smith's thoughts on Wealth, Capitalism, Power and Education. See link below for tickets.
    We also hear from Didasko CEO David Clarke as he playfully plans a bus-trip beano to the Weekend of Mistakes in Hay-on-Wye, while Library of Mistakes Librarian Helen Williams provides her guide to books in the collection with a strong focus on that filthy lucre – money.

    Get your tickets for The Smith Conversations
    www.libraryofmistakes.com/lectures
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    46 mins
  • EP 51: The Business of History (with Tom Levitt)

    EP 51: The Business of History (with Tom Levitt)
    Feb 4 2026
    Tom Levitt was exploring a course on 19th century history during the pandemic crisis when he stumbled upon WH Beable’s 'Romance of Great Businesses', a 1926 book exploring 32 iconic British companies. He was intrigued by the realisation that many of them still exist today (although mostly as brand names rather than intact corporations). It inspired the former teacher, MP and business advisor to delve into their stories and write his own book – The Business of History: Tales and Lessons from Two Centuries of British Commerce.
    Listen in to Tom's entertaining discussion with Russell Napier about famous names such as WH Smith, Boots and Cadbury – and, as an interesting aside, the thriving innovation of commercial lending libraries, before the advent of free public reading resources.
    And if you're interested in Tom's guided history walks around London, find out more by searching for The Business Of History at www.londonwalks.com

    www.libraryofmistakes.com
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    41 mins
  • EP 50: Shelf Life #10 The Weekend Of Mistakes (with Alice Sherwood & Paul Greatbatch)

    EP 50: Shelf Life #10 The Weekend Of Mistakes (with Alice Sherwood & Paul Greatbatch)
    Jan 20 2026
    In the latest Shelf Life, we begin with a clip of Russell Napier speaking at this year's Mistake Of The Year awards at the Library of Mistakes - you can see the whole thing on YouTube (link below). We then discover the wonderful Weekend Of Mistakes, held every year in Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh/English border. Inspired by the Library of Mistakes, the event shares the Library's mission of encouraging us all to learn from the mistakes of the past – and features a fantastic line-up of speakers in a wonderful setting. Organisers Paul Greatbatch and Alice Sherwood explain all to our regular hosts, Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen, and we also chat to our Librarian Helen Williams and our CEO David Clarke.
    www.weekendofmistakes.org
    www.libraryofmistakes.com

    Mistake of the Year: https://www.youtube.com/live/W6ibPkVvXaQ?si=Rf3N3Bhz7sZb7-kO

    To get in touch withn us, please email leila@libraryofmistakes.com or fraser@libraryofmistakes.com
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    43 mins
  • EP 49: Good Money (with George Selgin)

    EP 49: Good Money (with George Selgin)
    Dec 11 2025
    Join Russell Napier and American economist George Selgin as they discuss George’s book, ‘Good Money – Birmingham Button Makers, the Royal Mint and the Beginnings of Modern Coinage 1775-1821’. George’s colourful and impeccably researched insights into what served as money more than two hundred years ago remain every bit as relevant today.

    www.libraryofmistakes.com
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    55 mins
  • EP 48: Shelf Life #9 (with Jonathan Ford & Neil Collins)

    EP 48: Shelf Life #9 (with Jonathan Ford & Neil Collins)
    Dec 1 2025
    There's a festive feeling in the air for the last Shelf Life episode of the year, in which our guests are Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins. The pair are co-presenters of A Long Time In Finance, a history of finance podcast, which is now part of the Library of Mistakes family.

    Jonathan and Neil talked to us about their background as financial journalists, the thinking behind the podcast, and memorable moments from the series to date. There's also a spot of entertaining sparring between the duo, demonstrating their contrasting styles.

    Meanwhile, Librarian Helen Williams spotlights several gems from our corporate history shelves, and David Clarke previews our December events.

    And if you're fearful of Library of Mistakes podcast withdrawal symptoms, fear not as Russell Napier will be back with another interview before Christmas – plus there's a huge archive of podcast episodes and Library of Mistakes YouTube videos that you can freely access. Enjoy!

    Shelf Life is presented and produced by Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen.
    Leila@libraryofmistakes.com
    fraser@libraryofmistakes.com

    www.libraryofmistakes.com
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    50 mins
  • EP 47: Money and Empire (with Perry Mehrling)

    EP 47: Money and Empire (with Perry Mehrling)
    Nov 13 2025
    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.


    www.libraryofmistakes.com
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    54 mins
  • EP 46: Shelf Life #8 (with Jen Mair)

    EP 46: Shelf Life #8 (with Jen Mair)
    Oct 31 2025
    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.
    Leila@libraryofmistakes.com
    fraser@libraryofmistakes.com

    www.libraryofmistakes.com
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    42 mins
  • EP 45: Shelf Life #7 (with Errorist In Residence Robbie Mochrie)

    EP 45: Shelf Life #7 (with Errorist In Residence Robbie Mochrie)
    Oct 3 2025
    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 fraser@libraryofmistakes.com or leila@libraryofmistakes.com, or contact us through social media.

    www.libraryofmistakes.com
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    42 mins