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.

Business news you can use. A daily business news podcast with journalists Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson. Find out more at https://fearandgreed.com.au

Business news you can use. A daily business news podcast with journalists <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1689199223540000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0wu3ezGEfBZFYspJbTTaYL">Sean Aylmer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1689199223540000&amp;usg=AOvVaw08pZ8jZ88rHJgCfbHkTr5k">Michael Thompson</a>.&nbsp;Find out more at&nbsp;<a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain=fearandgreed.com.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain%3Dfearandgreed.com.au/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1689199223540000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1DLq_FuqjEt3HC-ZK1704H">https://fearandgreed.com.au</a>

Fear and Greed is Australia's most popular business podcast.

FEAR & GREED | Business News

Daily business news for people who make their own decisions, with business journalist Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson. Find out more at https://fearandgreed.com.au

Daily business news for people who make their own decisions, with business journalist <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>. 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/49a40b89-0427-48df-a71c-b3d400ad3927/transcript

Monday 19 January 2026

The World Economic Forum kicks off tonight in Davos, 48 hours after US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on European Allies, which will remain until they agree to sell him Greenland. 
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shelves half his racial vilification legislation as parliament sits for a two day summer session
The remarkable improvement in cancer recovery rates
Holiday makers into Australia surge
The Australian Tennis Open kicks off

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.

Monday 19 January 2026
The World Economic Forum kicks off tonight in Davos, 48 hours after US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on European Allies, which will remain until they agree to sell him Greenland.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shelves half his racial vilification legislation as parliament sits for a two day summer session</li>
<li aria-level="1">The remarkable improvement in cancer recovery rates</li>
<li aria-level="1">Holiday makers into Australia surge</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Australian Tennis Open kicks off</li>
</ul>
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.

US hits Europe with Greenland tariffs; PM waters down racial bill; cancer success soars

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/ea7cd851-f87b-4348-8182-b3d600c2ab17/transcript

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!

Join our free daily newsletter here.

This first Week Ahead episode of 2026 highlights a patchwork economy. Michael Thompson is joined by economist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.marketeconomics.com.au/stephen-koukoulas&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1769168935597684&amp;usg=AOvVaw3QYbHvsbycTed5PUKgUNtT">Stephen Koukoulas</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;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 &amp; Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer &amp; 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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://fearandgreed.com.au&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1769168935597684&amp;usg=AOvVaw2t4oQbCn7SEbAXDCSdA3vx">website</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/fear-and-greed&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1769168935597684&amp;usg=AOvVaw3GpvcxS5q_MxaL74vyQLbo">LinkedIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/fearandgreedpodcast/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1769168935597684&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mO2gPQWnT4oB8sULk1Acy">Instagram</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/FearAndGreedPodcast&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1769168935597684&amp;usg=AOvVaw2VvpsnsMm2D0NJ6wHL1yIg">Facebook</a>! Join our<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1769168935597684&amp;usg=AOvVaw27z_V7y_JSV052McyMVVX1">&nbsp;free daily newsletter here</a>.

Q+A: The Week Ahead | 19 Jan 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/996e4ab0-4061-49d5-ba16-b3d600c2a8f7/transcript

Luxury travel is evolving - it’s no longer just about five-star hotels, but about experiences, space, food and service. Michael Thompson chats with Dylan O'Brien from Luxury Escapes about what luxury travel looks like in 2026, where Australians are heading, and how travellers are redefining what “luxury” really means.

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

Luxury travel is evolving - it&rsquo;s no longer just about five-star hotels, but about experiences, space, food and service. Michael Thompson chats with Dylan O'Brien from Luxury Escapes about what luxury travel looks like in 2026, where Australians are heading, and how travellers are redefining what &ldquo;luxury&rdquo; really means.
This episode is brought to you by Luxury Escapes. Fear &amp; Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.

A guide to luxury holidays in 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/1145770f-d215-4099-a923-b3d400ad553f/transcript

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

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