In this special two-part series, John Stepek and Merryn Somerset Webb tell the extraordinary story of John Law: a fugitive Scots gambler who became the most powerful financier in France and helped invent the modern monetary system. From murder and exile to paper money, banking revolutions and spectacular collapse, Law’s life reveals why today’s financial system works the way it does—and why it sometimes blows up. It’s history, scandal and monetary theory rolled into one irresistible tale.

We used a range of sources for this podcast but two key books to read if you'd like to find out more are:
John Law: A Scottish Adventurer of the Eighteenth Century (2018), by James Buchan
John Law: Economic Theorist and Policy-Maker (1997), by Antoin Murphy

In this special two-part series, John Stepek and Merryn Somerset Webb tell the extraordinary story of John Law: a fugitive Scots gambler who became the most powerful financier in France and helped invent the modern monetary system. From murder and exile to paper money, banking revolutions and spectacular collapse, Law&rsquo;s life reveals why today&rsquo;s financial system works the way it does&mdash;and why it sometimes blows up. It&rsquo;s history, scandal and monetary theory rolled into one irresistible tale.
We used a range of sources for this podcast but two key books to read if you'd like to find out more are: John Law: A Scottish Adventurer of the Eighteenth Century (2018), by James Buchan John Law: Economic Theorist and Policy-Maker (1997), by Antoin Murphy

Merryn Talks Money with Bloomberg senior columnist Merryn Somerset Webb is your key to understanding how markets work – and how you can make them work for you. Every episode features a relaxed but in-depth conversation with a fund manager, a strategist, a Bloomberg expert or just someone Merryn finds particularly interesting in any given week. Listen in for the kind of insights and explanations everyone can use to help them make better saving and investing choices.

Merryn Talks Money with Bloomberg senior columnist Merryn Somerset Webb is your key to understanding how markets work – and how you can make them work for you. Every episode features a relaxed but in-depth conversation with a fund manager, a strategist, a Bloomberg expert or just someone Merryn finds particularly interesting in any given week. Listen in for the kind of insights and explanations everyone can use to help them make better saving and investing choices.

Merryn Talks Money

John Law: The Gambler Who Invented Modern Money (Part 1) 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/099954cd-796a-4f22-9537-b3ba013d6982/transcript

Marker 01

On this week's markets roundup, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek look back at an unexpectedly strong year for global markets, with equities, gold and even silver delivering standout performances. They dig into whether 2025’s surprising rotations—from US mega-caps to value, energy and long-ignored small caps—could carry into next year, and what persistent inflation, UK rate cuts and shifting attitudes toward net zero might mean for investors. 

On this week's markets roundup, hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek look back at an unexpectedly strong year for global markets, with equities, gold and even silver delivering standout performances. They dig into whether 2025&rsquo;s surprising rotations&mdash;from US mega-caps to value, energy and long-ignored small caps&mdash;could carry into next year, and what persistent inflation, UK rate cuts and shifting attitudes toward net zero might mean for investors.&nbsp;

Gold’s Shine, Small Cap Hopes and What to Watch in 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/09bef46d-6b83-46c7-b332-b3b7015f6dc5/transcript

In this episode of Merryn Talks Your Money, Merryn Somerset Webb sits down with veteran financial planner Hamish Leng to unravel one of the trickiest issues in personal finance: how to pass wealth to your children without undermining their drive, confidence, or future independence. From the psychology of raising financially capable kids to the smartest, tax-efficient ways to gift money, Hamish shares four decades of insight into what actually works for families.

In this episode of Merryn Talks Your Money, Merryn Somerset Webb sits down with veteran financial planner Hamish Leng to unravel one of the trickiest issues in personal finance: how to pass wealth to your children without undermining their drive, confidence, or future independence. From the psychology of raising financially capable kids to the smartest, tax-efficient ways to gift money, Hamish shares four decades of insight into what actually works for families.

How Much Should You Really Give Your Kids? Inheritance, Incentives and Money Mindsets with Hamish Leng

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6da2fb4c-f9f9-4a26-a8cf-b3b600a478f2/transcript

Merryn Somerset Webb speaks with Kurt Björklund, Executive Chairman of Permira, about where we are in the private equity cycle after several tough years and why he still believes in the asset class for the right kind of investor.

They discuss what “real” private equity is, how governance and long-term value creation—not just leverage—drive returns, and the impact of higher rates, tech and AI on future opportunities. Kurt also explains who private equity is (and isn’t) suitable for, and what the shift from public to private markets means for savers, pension funds and wealthy individuals.

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www.bloomberg.com/podcastoffer

Merryn Somerset Webb speaks with Kurt&nbsp;Bj&ouml;rklund, Executive Chairman of Permira, about where we are in the private equity cycle after several tough years and why he still believes in the asset class for the right kind of investor.
They discuss what &ldquo;real&rdquo; private equity is, how governance and long-term value creation&mdash;not just leverage&mdash;drive returns, and the impact of higher rates, tech and AI on future opportunities. Kurt also explains who private equity is (and isn&rsquo;t) suitable for, and what the shift from public to private markets means for savers, pension funds and wealthy individuals. Not yet a Bloomberg subscriber? Subscribe now! www.bloomberg.com/podcastoffer

Permira's Kurt Björklund: Where Are We in the Private Equity Cycle?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6e0c99b4-ce47-424f-a69e-b3b301703537/transcript

John Law: The Gambler Who Invented Modern Money (Part 1)

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