Q+A

one year into donald trump’s second presidency, has he delivered or damaged america’s global standing? 

dr charles miller, senior lecturer at the anu school of politics and international relations, joins sean aylmer to assess trump’s record so far — from markets and gaza to tariffs, venezuela and the risks to global security.

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this first week ahead episode of 2026 highlights a patchwork economy. michael thompson is joined by economist stephen koukoulas to look at why inflation data is still noisy, why black friday distortions matter, how consumer spending is improving, and what businesses should focus on as confidence and activity become the key drivers of growth.

fear & greed q+a: join sean aylmer & michael thompson and the team as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. if you have your own question, get in touch via our website, linkedin, instagram or facebook!

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markets aren’t always rational, and neither is the commentary around them. diana mousina, deputy chief economist at amp, talks to sean aylmer about the five lessons she learnt this year, including the growing market impact of politics, how to read trump’s trade agenda, why gold and tech defied the textbook, why fed “speak” can be noise, and why inflation can stay sticky, even when everyone expects it to fade.

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today's question comes from listener peter, who sent it through the fear & greed website:

who measures emissions, how are they measured, is the number audited, checked off on, and by who? is it measured the same way in every country? bhp and fmg can measure their emissions, i'm assuming they have budgets, but what about for smaller companies, companies that aren't listed? 

sean aylmer is joined by thomas hodgson from sustainability consultancy anthesis for an answer to peter's question.

fear & greed q+a: join sean aylmer & michael thompson and the team as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. if you have your own question, get in touch via our website, linkedin, instagram or facebook!

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australia’s small and medium-sized businesses are under sustained pressure from higher costs, tighter cash flow and uneven economic conditions. 

sean aylmer speaks with creditorwatch chief economist ivan colhoun about why capital city smes are failing at higher rates than regional businesses, which sectors are most exposed, and what the latest business risk index reveals about the year ahead.

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as expectations shift from rate cuts to possible hikes, many investors are rethinking portfolio positioning. tim carleton, chief investment officer at auscap asset management, talks to sean aylmer about how investors should think about a turning rate cycle, why sentiment often overshoots reality, and where he’s finding value in healthcare and property despite rising rates.

this is general information only. seek advice tailored to your circumstances before making investment decisions.

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three rate cuts, a surprise inflation flare-up, house prices roaring and the labour market finally losing a bit of steam – 2025 has been a strange year for the economy. in this special year-in-review, michael thompson is joined by economist stephen koukoulas to unpack what happened with rates, government spending, jobs and productivity, and whether the next move is a rate hike.

fear & greed q+a: join sean aylmer & michael thompson and the team as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. if you have your own question, get in touch via our website, linkedin, instagram or facebook!

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a drop in the national participation rate sparks a very personal discussion: what does participation look like in real life? sean, michael and adam talk honestly about the times they’ve loved work the most, why being busy might actually make us happier, and the unexpected rituals that keep them sane.

fear & greed q+a: join sean aylmer, michael thompson and adam lang as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. if you have your own question, get in touch via our website, linkedin, instagram or facebook.

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after surviving the shutdowns and uncertainty of the pandemic, intrepid travel has bounced back to post the biggest trading month in its 36-year history. ceo james thornton joins sean aylmer to explain why australians are travelling more than ever, the destinations dominating demand, and how intrepid grew from a kitchen-table startup into a global adventure-travel powerhouse.

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gold has surged past us$4,000 an ounce in 2025 — its strongest year since the late 1970s. 

state street investment management’s robin tsui explains why the rally isn’t just about safe-haven demand, but de-dollarisation, central bank buying, and a wave of geopolitical tailwinds. plus, the outlook: how high gold could realistically climb in 2026.

this is general information only. seek professional advice before making investment decisions.

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