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Artwork for Stuff Matters

Stuff Matters with Ed Conway

Sky News
UK Economy
Inflation
Interest Rates
Bank Of England
China
Easyjet
Housing Market
Consumer Spending
Retail Sales
Ryanair
Government Borrowing
Tesco
UK Manufacturing
FTSE 100
Lloyds Banking Group
Pwc
Consumer Confidence
Tariffs
GDP
Thames Water

We tell the hidden stories of the objects around you. Bananas, trainers, AirPods - they all reveal something about the modern world. Our hope is you’ll never look at stuff the same again. Hosted by Ed Conway.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes587Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryNewsNews CommentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Stuff Matters

Latest Episodes

What’s next after decades of relentless globalisation? It’s top of mind for you - the Stuff Matters listeners - and most Western politicians. In this Q&A episode, Ed has a go at sketching out a path forward for the West.

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Ed has a theory. Did an unbranded pair of trainers from the '70s help trigger Western deindustrialisation and pave the way for Trump, Farage and - ultimately - China's economic dominance?

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Ed uncovers the surprising story of the howitzer – the artillery weapon that has dominated battlefields for hundreds of years, from Napoleon to Ukraine and forever changed the economics of war. But this isn't just the story of a big gun.

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We're unlocking an episode of More Stuff Matters before coming back with more new episodes!

In the main episode, Ed explored the mystery of falling birth rates through child car booster seats. In this bonus, he takes the conversation further.

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Recent Guests

Gary Gereffi
Sociologist and global value chains expert, Duke University
Duke University
Episode: Trainers: An old pair of Nikes that altered history
Tony Le
Athletic footwear professional with experience at Adidas, Nike, and Skechers
Nike (former), Skechers
Episode: Trainers: An old pair of Nikes that altered history
Francis Farrell
Front-line journalist, Kyiv Independent
Kyiv Independent
Episode: Howitzers: Medieval cannons and the supply chains of modern war
Alice Evans
Globetrotting researcher, Dr. Alice Evans
Independent researcher
Episode: More Stuff Matters: If fertility is falling, who is having children?
Dean Spears
Professor at the University of Texas, studies children in developing countries
University of Texas
Episode: Car seats: The mystery of our depopulating planet
Dr. Alice Evans
Visiting professor of economics (Stanford) and researcher on fertility
Stanford University / King's College
Episode: Car seats: The mystery of our depopulating planet
Marcelo Buccelli
Banana industry historian; professor/researcher
Gees College of Business, University of Illinois
Episode: Bananas: Is it the end of our favourite fruit?
John Hopkins
Managing director of Fife's UK
Fife's (UK)
Episode: Bananas: Is it the end of our favourite fruit?
Jordan Calderon
Critical Minerals Researcher and Rare Earth Enthusiast
Colorado School of Mines
Episode: AirPods: Why's everyone fighting over the mysterious elements inside?

Host

Darren McCaffrey
Host of The Sky News Business Podcast, covering major business and economics stories, and facilitating expert discussions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 434 ratings
  • Good stuff

    Good show I’m in the USA fun and thought provoking

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Veghead123
    United States2 months ago
  • Great twist

    I really enjoy how Ed takes a relatively mundane item and weaves a bigger story about it and its implications.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dick warwick
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Hugely enjoyable first episode but gave up on the baby seats

    My brain shuts down when a message is obscured by a blizzard of “kind of” utterances the way that one was. Works best when Ed is solo. Would be five stars without the incessant verbal noise getting in the way of the signal. Strongly recommend Ed’s book.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Lacwn
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • This series is worth listening to.

    An excellent series. I wasn’t sure whether to listen or not as I wasn’t inspired by the title. I gave it a go and I’m glad I did.

    Eye opening, we in west have put ourselves in a precarious position mainly because we want other people to make our products for us at low financial cost.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MrPeterS61
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Superb

    Love the content. Amazing details.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mirs28
    Ireland2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Offers insightful discussions on key economic issues, ideal for professionals.
Listeners appreciate the analytical approach to current business challenges.
Engaging interviews with industry experts provide valuable perspectives.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Will the West ever be able to produce stuff again? (And other Qs answered by Ed)
Q: Malcolm critiques the density-based economic growth model and asks if urbanization and population trends hinder or help the ability to produce more domestically, and what factors influence fertility.
Ed acknowledges urbanization as a contributing factor to falling fertility and discusses how historical agricultural practices required large families. He emphasizes the complexity of degrowth and technological progress, suggesting that while reducing consumption is desirable, a straightforward shift away from growth is challenging and may not be feasible without significant societal changes.
Will the West ever be able to produce stuff again? (And other Qs answered by Ed)
Q: Logan asks about the potential to produce more domestically and the viability and costs of doing so, especially for foods like bananas and crops in greenhouses.
Ed explains the economic trade-offs: domestic greenhouse production could raise costs due to energy and capital requirements, while global supply chains currently deliver very cheap bananas. The key question is whether society is willing to pay more for making stuff at home, balancing price with food security and resilience.
Howitzers: Medieval cannons and the supply chains of modern war
Q: What is that impact moment like?
The moment is the terrifying but almost ordinary reality of a shell whistle and explosion, which makes you feel the danger and the fragility of frontline reporting.
LEDs: How a little blue light changed the world
Q: What is the Jevons paradox and how does it apply to lighting and LEDs?
The paradox explains that increases in efficiency can lower costs and fuel higher demand, potentially leading to greater total energy use despite efficiency gains; in LEDs, efficiency spurred broader adoption and usage.
LEDs: How a little blue light changed the world
Q: How did Shuji Nakamura's work change things beyond science?
His blue LED unlocked cheap, efficient lighting globally, enabling energy access improvements and triggering economic and social shifts, while also prompting debates about the distribution of profits and recognition.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Stuff Matters

What is Stuff Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content primarily revolves around current business and economic developments, highlighting significant stories and interviews relevant to the finance and commerce sectors. Topics have included trade negotiations, impacts of tariffs, the economic implications of governmental policies, and insights from various industry leaders. The episodes are characterized by expert analysis and discussions, often touching on pivotal issues such as retail performance, energy prices, and employment trends. This approach enables listeners to stay informed about the dynamic landscape of business and economics, making it ideal for professionals and enthusiasts alike looking to understand the latest developments in these areas.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Stuff Matters. 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 Stuff Matters and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Stuff Matters get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Stuff Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Stuff Matters:

1. Electoral Dysfunction
2. TRUMP100
3. Politics At Sam and Anne's
4. This Is Why
5. Cheat Sheet with Ridge & Frost

How many episodes of Stuff Matters are there?

Stuff Matters launched 5 years ago and published 587 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Stuff Matters?

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What guests have appeared on Stuff Matters?

Recent guests on Stuff Matters include:

1. Gary Gereffi
2. Tony Le
3. Francis Farrell
4. Alice Evans
5. Dean Spears
6. Dr. Alice Evans
7. Marcelo Buccelli
8. John Hopkins

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.

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