Focus Talk with Alain de Botton

Oil markets were volatile last week as tensions around Iran pushed Brent close to $67/b before easing back below $64/b after fears of imminent U.S. military action subsided. While the immediate risk premium has faded, prices remain elevated compared with earlier this year, reflecting ongoing concerns over potential disruptions to…

How can we harness AI to deliver human progress, not just corporate profits? Listen today to gain a clearer idea of how the promise of AI’s excites with possibilities. We speak to Vilas Dhar, President of Patrick J. McGovern Foundation and philanthropist, technologist and advocate for human-centred AI, to discuss…

Michael Liebreich and Rory Sutherland lift the lid on how to shift behaviour at scale to achieve the energy transition. Marc Khan and Lidnsey Hooper interview the pair on the sociopolitical backlash we have seen in some sectors with regard to climate action. The views in this podcast are those…

Before turning to our 2026 Hedging Considerations note circulated on Friday, markets are digesting developments in Iran over the weekend. Rising tensions and the risk of broader regional instability have added a fresh geopolitical premium to oil prices, with Brent firming as investors assess the potential implications for supply and…

Political uncertainty in Venezuela has resurfaced as a risk factor for oil markets, with US intervention and mixed signals around a leadership transition driving short-term price volatility. Despite this, Venezuela’s constrained and sanctioned production limits its immediate impact on global supply. Please note: this podcast is provided for information purposes…