Rephonic
Artwork for The Contrarians

The Contrarians with Adam and Adir

Adam Schwab and Adir Shiffman
Work From Home
Airline Loyalty Programs
Online Dating Apps
Rental Car Industry
Travel Points
Luxury Escapes
Tesla
Amazon
Atlassian
Digital Marketing
Shein
Openai
Chemist Warehouse
Sigma Healthcare
Labor Strife
Incremental Growth
Myer
Tax Planning
Charlie Munger
Dodgy Review Sites

Get the fearless truth about start-ups and corporate Australia from guys that give you the hard facts, not the company line. Hear Luxury Escapes co-founder Adam Schwab and Catapult Sports Exec Chairman Adir Shiffman provide the inside word on the biggest stories in business with a contrarian take from the guys who sit on both sides of the table. New episodes dropping weekly.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes108Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Business

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Contrarians

Latest Episodes

Adam and Adir are joined by Terem Capital's Scott Middleton, and they go deep into the fascinating business model of the recently IPOd Carma - has the market got it right?

Thanks to Terem Capital - visit terem.capital/contrarians/

Thanks ... more

The guys discuss Canva’s recent profit resultsm Smiggle’s slump smashes Premier, Adir updates us on Catapult’s strong performance, Chalmer’s CGT cluelessness, why we need autonomous cars now and Adam’s run in with a golf buggy.

Thanks to our sponso... more

Happy Saturday! We’re back with another Q&A episode of the show.

This week you asked:

⛽ Should fuel price surges mean people work from home more?

🦘 What does it actually mean to be Australian?

🇦🇺 If Victoria was a company, what would a boa... more

The guys chat Rich List with private jet expert John Stensholt, Atlassian Wealth Drop, Seek Brothers fortunes diverge, Operation Epic Fury and the real oil price story, Sydney Biennial racism disgrace, inept councils and Adir nails one call and fails... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Chanticleer
ChanticleerAustralian Financial Review
The Fin
The FinAustralian Financial Review
The Rules of Investing
The Rules of InvestingLivewire Markets
The Money Puzzle
The Money PuzzleThe Australian

Recent Guests

Adrian Rima
Listener guest, asked about GYG pricing and market expectations
Listener
Episode: Ask Us Anything: The dwindling radio industry + How did the market get GYG so wrong?
Dennis Friedman
Listener guest, asked a question about contrarian tells
Listener
Episode: Ask Us Anything: The dwindling radio industry + How did the market get GYG so wrong?
Chris Janz
Founder of Capital Brief, former Fairfax executive
Capital Brief
Episode: Eucalyptus Sale Deep Dive, is Waymo an Uber killer, Winnings’ Winnings, Victoria becomes an official Crime State, Adir Visits Lakemba and special guest business publishing legend, Chris Janz
Joe Aston
Business journalist known for his controversial takes.
Rampart
Episode: Special guest Joe Aston joins, Winter Olympics Sexism, the Rise and Fall of Luke Sayers, Corporate Travel Management and Temple & Webster Crash
Jessy Wu
Venture capitalist and entrepreneur who closely follows SXSW events
Episode: Jellycat Deep Dive, Atlassian Share Price Crash, Kings Counsel Ransom, Writers Festival Monstrosity, SXSW Sydney Dies and Adam’s Passport Bliss
Dave Hyman
Founder and CEO of Lendi
Lendi
Episode: Woolworths v Coles, Cettire Nears the Precipice, Australia’s Secret Unicorn Founder, Neurodivergent Founders and Dan’s Brush with Dictators
Pan Koutlakis
Founder and CEO of EatClub
EatClub
Episode: World’s Biggest Travel Businesses, DoorDash Goes Large, HotDoc’s Missing Dance Partner and the guys speak to EatClub Founder Pan Koutlakis
Annika Rothschild
Luxury Escapes stars and relationship manager with CoverGenius
CoverGenius
Episode: Droneshield Goes from Slay to Nay, the US$170b Business You’ve Never Heard Of, Jamie Dimon Kills WFH, Overhead Luggage Stress and How not to Treat Employees Badly
Ben Gilbert
Co-host of The Acquired Pod and product manager at Microsoft
The Acquired Pod
Episode: Wisetech, how to get great Service, Universities and the guys speak to Ben from Acquired

Hosts

Adam Schwab
Co-founder of Luxury Escapes and co-host known for providing insights into the business world from an entrepreneurial perspective.
Adir Shiffman
Executive Chairman of Catapult Sports and co-host, offering a contrarian perspective on business strategies and trends.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 206 ratings
  • Great content - delivery needs work

    Great content.

    But why do the hosts keep talking over each other so much? I had wanted to hear joe Aston talk but he could hardly get a word in!

    And I get that you are both well connected but the conversation descends into a **** measuring contest too often on who knows whom/what etc.

    Please interrupt each other less and keep up the great content.

    The content is really quite interesting but the delivery is grating.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Trmta
    Australia8 months ago
  • A Must Listen for Aussie Entrepreneurs

    A must-listen for anyone in the Australian business scene. With a strong but not exclusive focus on Australian industries, Adam and Adir bring the unique perspective only founders and operators can offer. Their broad points of view, grounded in real-world experiences, offer insights you won’t get from traditional media. They cover everything from startups to larger legacy businesses, from private to publicly listed companies, and across a wide range of industries — from tech to retail. The in-de... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Robyward
    Australia2 years ago
  • Fantastic business insight

    Adam and Adir have a great synergy and provide a unique insight into a wide range of businesses and industries along with their views on many current issues happening both locally and internationally. Well worth listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rodking
    Australia2 years ago
  • Behind the scenes

    Love the insights Adam and Adir provide to the business world, always educational, thought provoking and insightful. I also enjoy the friendly banter these guys have. Thanks A&A!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DC on the GC
    Australia2 years ago
  • :)

    :)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    coolperson59
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback indicates that while the content is appreciated, there are some critiques regarding the delivery and conversational styles of the hosts.
Reviews highlight the unique perspective offered on various industries and current events, making it a must-listen for those interested in practical business insights.
Listeners commend the insightful, relevant business discussions and the engaging dynamic between the hosts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#89
Australia/Business

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ask Us Anything: Are electric trucks the future? + What if the State of Victoria was a company?
Q: If you treat Victoria as a corporation, what would a board do given rising debt and high costs?
The analogy suggests insolvency would be declared in a typical company, but sovereign debt has different dynamics; the discussion centers on governance choices, debt sustainability, and political incentives that may prioritize short-term votes over long-term financial health. The hosts critique pork-barrelling and highlight that ultimate accountability in democracy acts differently than in a private company, with leadership changes potentially occurring in elections rather than via corporate governance mechanisms.
Ask Us Anything: Are electric trucks the future? + What if the State of Victoria was a company?
Q: With more people losing faith in fiat currency, what is the future of the banking system and decentralized currencies?
Banks remain robust in Australia due to regulation, but skepticism toward fiat currencies and distrust in governments are rising. Decentralized currencies like Bitcoin are discussed as digital gold, yet volatility and anti-money-laundering limitations pose adoption barriers. The hosts acknowledge the debate but emphasize that fiat systems and banks could endure longer than many expect, with technology like crypto playing a growing but not dominant role.
Ask Us Anything: Are electric trucks the future? + What if the State of Victoria was a company?
Q: This week's first question asks about private or public investment in electric trucking in Australia, given the economics and national fuel security concerns. Do you expect serious investment and why?
We see a mix of positive tech progress and significant practical hurdles. Electric trucks can haul heavy loads and autonomous systems offer 24/7 operation, but major challenges remain in range, battery weight reducing payload, and long charging times. Investment is likely if charging infrastructure improves, fast charging converges with autonomous trucking, and cost advantages become clearer, but the current bottlenecks make widespread rollout gradual.
Ask Us Anything: The dwindling radio industry + How did the market get GYG so wrong?
Q: If investors knew two years later how GYG would perform, would they have been surprised on the upside or downside?
They suggest investors would have anticipated a mixed outcome rather than a dramatic upside or downside, recognizing that the market environment for this type of growth stock shifted since the IPO and that the stock's performance has largely tracked expectations rather than a sharp deviation.
Ask Us Anything: The dwindling radio industry + How did the market get GYG so wrong?
Q: How does the market get GYG pricing so wrong, and is it just a lack of IPOs on the ASX driving expectations?
The hosts argue that initial enthusiasm around Australian growth with an international push created lofty expectations, but the company has performed closer to IPO projections than the market anticipated, with growth decoupled from the exuberant, hype-driven prices seen at listing. The stock's valuation at roughly two billion and its EV/EBITDA multiples imply high growth must sustain, which hasn't fully materialized, though the business remains profitable and growing.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Contrarians

What is The Contrarians about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides listeners with an insightful and often contrarian perspective on the business landscape, particularly focusing on start-ups and corporate Australia. The hosts, experienced entrepreneurs, share their analyses on significant events in the business world, ranging from the latest economic trends to deep dives into specific companies and industries. They are known for their candid discussions that often challenge conventional wisdom, making it an intriguing listen for those interested in innovative business strategies and real-world insights rather than typical corporate narratives. Notably, their engaging banter brings entertainment and humor to serious topics, striking a balance that captures a wide audience's attention.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Contrarians?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Contrarians. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Contrarians and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Contrarians get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Contrarians, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Contrarians?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Contrarians, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Contrarians have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Contrarians has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Contrarians?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Contrarians:

1. Chanticleer
2. The Fin
3. The Money Café with Alan Kohler
4. The Rules of Investing
5. The Money Puzzle

How many episodes of The Contrarians are there?

The Contrarians launched 3 years ago and published 108 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Contrarians?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Contrarians?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Contrarians from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Contrarians?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Contrarians. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Contrarians?

Recent guests on The Contrarians include:

1. Adrian Rima
2. Dennis Friedman
3. Chris Janz
4. Joe Aston
5. Jessy Wu
6. Dave Hyman
7. Pan Koutlakis
8. Annika Rothschild

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days