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.

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&rsquo;t collapsed in some experiments - and why labour shortages, not lifestyle trends, may ultimately decide where it works and where it doesn&rsquo;t.
This is Fear &amp; Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.

Five business news stories in five minutes, with journalists Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson. When you remove the grey, you get your news quicker. Find out more at https://fearandgreed.com.au

Five business news stories in five minutes, with journalists <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/">Sean Aylmer</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/">Michael Thompson</a>. When you remove the grey, you get your news quicker. Find out more at <a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain=fearandgreed.com.au/">https://fearandgreed.com.au</a>

The business news you need, in just five minutes.

Fast Five by Fear and Greed

Five business news stories in five minutes, with journalists <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/">Sean Aylmer</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/">Michael Thompson</a>. When you remove the grey, you get your news quicker. Find out more at <a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain=fearandgreed.com.au/">https://fearandgreed.com.au</a>

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/365d7bc4-7cdb-4ca7-9f01-b3d400ad436e/transcript

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.

Australian investors love dividends, and franking credits only add to the appeal. But picking dividend stocks isn&rsquo;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 &amp; 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.

Dividend investing: How to pick quality income stocks

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/0ee861bf-6c2d-4027-ba6c-b3d300c27513/transcript

Friday 16 January 2026

The top five business stories in five minutes, with Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson.
Hate legislation on shaky ground
Air traffic chaos
Households up their spending
NASA’s first medical evacuation
Hollywood’s highest grossing actor

Join our free daily newsletter here.

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - this week, your money bounceback plan. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Friday 16 January 2026
The top five business stories in five minutes, with Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson.
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Hate legislation on shaky ground</li>
<li aria-level="1">Air traffic chaos</li>
<li aria-level="1">Households up their spending</li>
<li aria-level="1">NASA&rsquo;s first medical evacuation</li>
<li aria-level="1">Hollywood&rsquo;s highest grossing actor</li>
</ol>
Join our<a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup"> free daily newsletter here</a>.
And don&rsquo;t miss the latest episode of<a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/"> How Do They Afford That?</a> - this week, your money bounceback plan. Get the episode from<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235"> APPLE</a>,<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14"> SPOTIFY</a>, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Fast Five | 16 Jan 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/e50b450b-22b9-455d-9858-b3d300b5d5f6/transcript

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.

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

Our $9 billion export that nobody talks about

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/6cfb942d-11dd-466b-8a25-b3d200b97512/transcript

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

Fast Five by Fear and Greed

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Fast Five by Fear and Greed

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