The MOST Important Thing
Business & Finance
About
The world is full of noise, distraction and now dis-information. How do we extract the truth and become better informed? Join broadcaster Ivan Yates and finance expert Dr Alan O’ Sullivan as they meet the best and brightest minds in finance, investments, economics, and geopolitics. The Most Important Thing reveals what really matters.
Episodes
- The Most Important Paradigm Shift in Markets Since the 1980s—Are We Entering a New Era?
Jesse Felder argues that the 40-year era of falling interest rates and rising valuations has shifted, making old investor strategies obsolete. He discusses how cycles, sentiment, and macro shifts create opportunities, particularly in energ…
- The Crisis They Warned Us About: Why We Ignore Experts Until It’s Too Late
This episode of The MOST Important Thing discusses why expert warnings are often ignored, even when they predict crises like the 2008 financial collapse. Featuring Professor Steve Keen, the conversation examines institutional and public de…
- Putin's Gamble and the geopolitical chess game
Professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin rejoins the podcast to discuss Putin's gamble and the geopolitical chess game. The episode explores how power dynamics shape the conflict and influence global stability.
- Putin's Gamble: Get the inside track from a global expert on Post-Soviet politics, Professor Donnacha
Professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin discusses the geopolitical chess game involving Putin, NATO, Ukraine, and the US, and how these power dynamics shape the conflict and influence global stability. He shares insights from his experience in post-…
- Ep 11 - Unlocking Investment Wisdom: AQR’s Dr. Antti Ilmanen's 10 Groundbreaking Papers. A lifetime of insight!
Dr. Antti Ilmanen explains how investor psychology and trend extrapolation lead to market expectations diverging from fundamentals, impacting future returns. The episode explores subjective vs. objective expectations, risks in US outperfor…
- The MIT Website, Newsletter and Market Wrap
Alan discusses the Middle East, Private Credit, and the Hungarian election in this Market Wrap. The episode also previews interviews with guests including Professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin.
- Ep 10 - From Ireland Farm to Global Investment Banking: A Remarkable Career Journey
Frances Campion discusses her 40-year career in investment banking, highlighting how understanding the narrative behind a stock, rather than just numbers, reveals value opportunities. She shares insights on value investing, navigating mark…
- How Prof. Steve Keen Predicted the 2008 Crash and What (he says) Economists Still Get Wrong
Professor Steve Keen discusses his prediction of the 2008 financial crisis and critiques mainstream economic models. He explains how concepts from physics and the study of debt and credit provide a better understanding of systemic financia…
- Ep 9 - The New World Disorder PART TWO: Why you MUST understand GEOPOLITICS, the Balance of POWER, and the rise of Multipolarity in 2026!
Part 2 of 'The New World Disorder' features economist Constantin Gurdgiev and geopolitical strategist Matt Gertken discussing the forces shaping the global economy, shifts in national power, and future risks and opportunities, including de…
- Weekly Market Wrap - Are we sleepwalking into a Global Recession!
This episode of The MOST Important Thing discusses the risks of a global recession and stagflation, citing factors like rising oil prices, geopolitical instability, and increasing debt levels. It warns that markets may be underestimating t…
- Ep 8 - The New World Disorder: Why you MUST understand GEOPOLITICS, the Balance of POWER, and the rise of Multipolarity in 2026!
Economist Constantine Gurdgiev and geopolitical strategist Matt Gertken analyze the shift in global power dynamics, exploring the concept of multipolarity and distinguishing between the real causes and symptoms of geopolitical events.
- Weekly Market Wrap - The MOST important things
This episode features Geopolitical expert Matt Gertken discussing the current Middle East turmoil. Despite rhetoric, there are signs of de-escalation, and Iran is gambling on not causing a global recession by disrupting the Hormuz Strait.
- Ep 7 - The Hidden History of Financial Markets That Could Save Your Portfolio
Russell Napier explains how understanding historical financial patterns, monetary systems, and debt is crucial for navigating today's volatile markets. The episode covers historical shifts, asset allocation strategies, and the role of gold…
- Iranian / US War - A Geopolitical Expert responds to Trumps De-escalation tweet
Geopolitical strategist Matt Gertken discusses the US-Iran crisis, Trump's strategy, and the impact on oil prices, China, and Russia.
- Weekly Market Wrap
This episode of The MOST Important Thing is a Weekly Market Wrap. It provides a summary of the past week's market activities.
- Ep 6 - Beyond Diversification: Insights from Sebastian Page on Finance, Leadership, and Resilience
Sebastian Page, author of "Beyond Diversification," explains why relying solely on averages can be misleading in finance. He emphasizes understanding current conditions and historical data relevance for informed investment decisions.
- Ep 5 - Prof. Russell Napier: The New Rules of Money
Macro strategist Russell Napier joins The MOST Important Thing podcast to discuss inflation, state control, and the future of markets. This episode offers insights from a leading macro thinker for those interested in their financial future.
- Weekly Market Wrap: Why ALL is not what it seems in the Middle East
This episode of The MOST Important Thing provides a weekly market wrap, analyzing the conflict in the Middle East, the global economic outlook, and oil prices. It aims to cut through the noise and keep listeners informed about key market m…
- Ep4 - Portfolio Construction Masterclass: Unveiling Hidden Risks with Sebastien Page CFA
Sebastien Page CFA discusses advanced portfolio construction, highlighting the limitations of traditional models in current markets. The episode covers managing risks such as fat tails, regime shifts, and asymmetric correlations for invest…
- Ep3 - Navigating Global Tectonic Shifts: Investing in a New Era
Louis Vincent Gave explains that geopolitical, demographic, and US foreign policy shifts are dismantling the old investment playbook. He discusses the decline of US dominance, China's demographic crisis, the end of globalization, and why t…
- Ep2 - Why Gold Is the Best Hedge Against a Broken Financial System
Ronnie Stoeferle explains that gold serves as a vital hedge against a broken financial system, acting as a barometer of global trust and financial stability rather than just an inflation hedge.
- Ep1 - Asset Bubbles, Inequality & the Illusion of Central Bank Power | Dr. David Kelly CFA
Dr. David Kelly joins "The MOST Important Thing" to question the true power of central banks. The discussion covers their influence on markets, asset bubbles, inequality, and the limitations of monetary policy.
- Introducing: The Most Important Thing
Ivan Yates and Dr Alan O'Sullivan introduce their new podcast series, "The Most Important Thing." They discuss what listeners can expect from the unique show in this introductory episode.