Is the four-day work week realistic, or just wishful thinking? Sean Aylmer talks to Simon Kuestenmacher from The Demographics Group about why Gen X is obsessed with work-life balance, and what global trials really show. Simon explains why productivity hasn’t collapsed in some experiments - and why labour shortages, not lifestyle trends, may ultimately decide where it works and where it doesn’t.

This is Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Gen X’s 'dirty fantasy': the four-day work week

Australian investors love dividends, and franking credits only add to the appeal. But picking dividend stocks isn’t as simple as buying whatever yielded the most last year. Sean Aylmer talks to Morningstar strategist Lachlan Halloway about what actually makes a dividend sustainable, why ASX yields are lower than the long-run average, and how Morningstar goes about identifying higher-yield opportunities.

This is Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular business news back from January 12. All information is general in nature. If you want to invest, we recommend you visit a financial advisor who can tailor investments to your needs.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Dividend investing: How to pick quality income stocks

Friday 16 January 2026

The federal Opposition and Greens indicate they won’t support the government hate speech legislation next week. 

 * A shortage of air traffic controllers causes chaos across the country
 * Households up their spending
 * NASA performs its first ever medical evacuation
 * Hollywood star Zoe Saldana becomes the highest grossing actor of all time

Join our free daily newsletter here [https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup].

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? [https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/] - this week, your money bounceback plan. Get the episode from APPLE [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235], SPOTIFY [https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14], or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Hate legislation on shaky ground; air traffic chaos; Hollywood’s highest grossing actor

Global markets have faced renewed volatility following the election of Donald Trump, but how much does it really matter for Australia? Sean Aylmer is joined by Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis to discuss the US, China and the forces shaping the global outlook in 2026. Luci also highlights a fast-growing but under-appreciated success story.

This episode is brought to you by Westpac. Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Our $9 billion export that nobody talks about

Thursday 15 January 2026

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, hits a $US4 trillion valuation, making it the second largest stock on Wall Street. 

 * The federal opposition baulks at supporting Labor’s anti-vilification laws 
 * A record year for ETFs in Australia
 * House and unit rents are set to stabilise after years of growth
 * China’s trade surplus hits a record $US1.2 trillion, as Donald Trump’s tariffs re-order trade flows

Join our free daily newsletter here [https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup].

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? [https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/] - this week, your money bounceback plan. Get the episode from APPLE [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235], SPOTIFY [https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14], or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Alphabet hits $US4 trillion; Coalition baulks at hate laws; record year for ETFs

Wesfarmers is one of the most remarkable success stories on the ASX - a diversified conglomerate thriving in a world where many have failed. Sean Aylmer speaks with Gaurav Sodhi, Deputy Head of Research at Intelligent Investor, about what makes Wesfarmers different. From the extraordinary rise of Kmart’s Anko brand, to Bunnings’ near-monopoly power, and the company’s unique approach to capital allocation and management culture, Gaurav explains why Wesfarmers has delivered such strong long-term returns.

This is Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12. All information is general in nature. If you want to invest, we recommend you visit a financial advisor who can tailor investments to your needs

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Kmart's Anko and Bunnings: Wesfarmers' secret sauce

Wednesday 14 January 2026

The value of the Australian housing market hits $12.3 trillion, but the pace of price rises are expected to slow this year. 

 * Kevin Rudd steps down as Australia’s ambassador to the US. 
 * The new boss of Endeavour has good news for drinkers - the group’s bottle shops and pubs will compete on price. 
 * Woolworths to introduce AI to help you do your groceries.
 * The remarkable story behind one of the fastest growing apps in the world.

Join our free daily newsletter here [https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup].

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? [https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/] - this week, seven money habits that could change your year. Get the episode from APPLE [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235], SPOTIFY [https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14], or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Aussie housing hits $12.3 tr; Woolies AI for shoppers; world’s fastest growing app

AI has powered markets higher - but is the boom already close to its peak? Sean Aylmer speaks with Roger Montgomery, founder and chief investment officer of Montgomery Investment Management, about whether the world is nearing the end of an AI bubble. Roger explains how past technology booms have played out, and what investors should be thinking about now, including whether it’s time to rebalance portfolios after the strong run in AI-linked stocks.

For more information, visit www.montinvest.com [https://investwith.montinvest.com/rogermontgomery.comfearandgreed] or call 02 8046 5000.
Follow Roger’s insights at www.rogermontgomery.com [https://investwith.montinvest.com/rogermontgomery.comfearandgreed]

This is Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12. This episode is brought to you by Montgomery Investment Management. All information is general in nature. If you want to invest, we recommend you visit a financial advisor who can tailor investments to your needs.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Are we in an AI bubble?

Tuesday 13 January 2026

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalls parliament to debate hate speech laws and ban hate groups. 

 * Black Friday sales spur a surge in household spending. 
 * Meta says it has removed 540,000 users from its Instagram, Facebook and Threads platforms, as a result of the social media ban for under 16-year-olds. 
 * The Trump administration readies to sue the head of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell.
 * A 1938 Superman comic book sells for $22 million.

Join our free daily newsletter here [https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup].

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? [https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/] - this week, six financial goals for 2026. Get the episode from APPLE [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235], SPOTIFY [https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14], or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Parliament recalled for hate speech laws; Meta cans 540k users; Superman comic $22m sale

At one point in 2025, it looked like inflation had been beaten. Sean Aylmer speaks with Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis about what surprised economists late in the year, how much of the rise in inflation is “noise” versus something more persistent, and what this means for the Reserve Bank and Westpac's predictions for interest rates.

This episode is brought to you by Westpac. Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

What inflation (and interest rates) will do this year

Fear and Greed is Australia's most popular business podcast. All the business news you need to know, every day, with business journalist Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson.

 