The Why? Curve cover art

The Why? Curve

The Why? Curve

Written by: Phil Dobbie
Listen for free

About this listen

 Each week Phil Dobbie and Roger Hearing get to grips with one issue that impacts our lives. It could be economic, social, technological or geopolitical. Whatever the subject, they'll talk to the experts who can give help explain what's really going on. And Phil and Roger back it up with their own research and opinions. It's half an hour to get across one of the key issues of the time, and they promise, it'll never be boring.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Dobbie Economics Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Heading for a crash?

    Heading for a crash?
    May 7 2026
    A global energy crisis - and yet Wall Street is still surging at record levels. It's largely AI that's fuelling stocks, but many see it as a bubble, and of course, AI needs a lot of the energy that is becoming increasingly scarce. So does this all mean a major correction in stock prices is coming? A market crash that could make us all poorer, and shatter the prospects of economies far away from the US? Phil and Roger ask David McMillan, Professor of Finance at the University of Stirling.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • The Kindest Generation?

    The Kindest Generation?
    Apr 30 2026
    Is humanity kinder now than it has ever been before? Today we are appalled at things that were commonplace only a generation ago - unmarried mothers forced to hand over their babies for adoption, gay soldiers imprisoned for their sexuality, landlords refusing black tenants. So has empathy changed us? And what has brought that about? Phil and Roger ask Dr Steve Taylor, senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University, and author of "DisConnected: The Roots of Human Cruelty and How Connection Can Heal The World"

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • Welfare or Warfare?

    Welfare or Warfare?
    Apr 23 2026
    Can we afford to boost national defence alongside the growing bill for benefits, health and social care? Can the UK's shaky finances cope with both? Or is there a choice to be made, as the Russian threat pushes the need for more tanks, drones and bullets? Simon French, chief economist and head of research at Panmure Gordon, takes Phil and Roger through the difficult challenges of balancing demand and capacity in the national budget

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet