Elf and her dad take on one of Britain’s favourite grumbles:the railways. Are they really as bad as we think? In this episode, they dive into how the system was privatised, the bonkers ticket pricing maze, and just how much of the bill taxpayers are actually footing. Why are Japanese trains sogood? But it’s not all doom and diesel fumes—expect pigeons, cats, bats (yes, bats), and a few surprises along the way. All aboard!
Recorded live on-stage at The Listening Post, Latitude’s spoken word venue, comedian Elf Lyons and her economist Dad, Dr Gerard Lyons are buzzing on festival energy as they discuss the facts and figures behind the creative world.
How much does an artist actually make from tour? What’s AI doing to how we make content and consume our culture? What are the economics of music festivals? Has the Edinburgh Fringe lost its USP?
From gaming in Dundee to a sold-out festival in Suffolk, creativity isn’t just culture, it’s a serious business that touches every part of our economy.
Comedian Elf Lyons and the economist Dr Gerard Lyons explore the economics of newspapers and how the industry has been forced to transform in recent decades to try to secure its future. The ways we get news are changing and, in a world of TikTok, echo chambers, clickbait and AI generated headlines, the need for quality journalism has never been greater. Elf and Gerard discuss the history of Fleet Street, media trust and the important function that newspapers play in a democracy.
Are student loans really a tax? Are they fair? And are they putting people off going to university? Elf Lyons and economist Dr Gerard Lyons accrue your interest about the debt incurred by students to finance their courses (and potentially their socialising). We’ll discuss the current landscape of loans and tuition fees, examine how higher education was paid for in the past, look at different systems around the world and how things could be improved. Elf and Gerard have seven degrees between them and one of them is still paying for their education….
Why is your £5 crop top such a big deal?
In this episode of Elfonomics, Elf Lyons and economist Dr Gerard Lyons unravel the tangled threads of fast fashion, from Zara’s tight turnarounds to Shein’s thousands of new designs in a week. How did fast fashion became a global juggernaut? What's its appeal to consumers? And what does it cost the planet (and the people who make our clothes)?
Fertility is falling, IVF is rising, and bringing up a child in the UK now costs more than buying a house! In this heartfelt and data-packed episode, comedian Elf Lyons and her economist father Dr Gerard Lyons unpack why so many people want kids but can’t afford them — and what it means for the economy, the planet, and our future.
Elf and Dr Gerard Lyons tease future episodes.
Elf and her dad dive into the economics behind theatre ticket prices. From production costs to audience demand, we explore why a night at the theatre can feel like a luxury—and whether it has to. Join us for a fascinating look at the hidden mechanics of the stage, via West End spectacles, regional productions and fringe gems.
Here are links to articles referenced in the ep:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/true-cost-west-end-ticket-in-depth-look-james-steel/
#TheatreEconomics #PodcastEpisode #Elfonomics #TheatreTickets #BehindTheScenes #TheatreMagic #ArtsFunding #TheatreLovers #EconomicsExplained #WhySoExpensive #WestEnd #TheatreIndustry #PodcastersUnite #elfonomics #elflyons #drgerardlyons #edfringe #edinburghfestival
What IS money? How much of it really exists? And when can it be a cow?
Is a cashless future inevitable? And in a cashless society, will you still be delayed at airport security by rogue coins in forgotten pockets?
Join Elf and Gerard on your gold standard podcast, talking crypto, floating currencies, wheelbarrows full of bank notes and how buying Barbies made a little Lyons feel like a millionaire.
Peeling the banana that is savings, Elf and Gerard Lyons explore bank balance embarrassment via the economics of the comedy industry, personal investment strategy and a fruit-based explanation of how your savings bear fruit.
Hello! This podcast blurb was written by HUMAN INTELLIGENCE... Or was it? In this episode we dip our toe in the water of one of the most uncanny valley economic issues; AI and the technological revolution. Is ChatGPT our friend? Is AI your new therapist? Should you trust it as your new co-worker? How is it impacting us and what else may help? Gerard and Elf Lyons provide some insights alongside one of the worst comedy routines of all time....
Elf and Gerard Lyons discuss Premium Bonds.
What are they? Are they a smart savings choice? How do they help the UK government raise revenue? Did the advent of the National Lottery trump their prize-winning appeal? Who is ERNIE? What on earth were the football pools? And could Premium Bonds help Elf pay for her wedding? All these big money questions and more in another episode of Elfonomics!
Dr Gerard Lyons and Elf Lyons move the map and discover why the Indo-Pacific is ‘the heartbeat of the future global economy’.
They discuss the growth of countries including China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and India. Plus (with Donald Trump returning as US President) how the region's increasing power and influence affects geopolitics and helps shift the focus from transatlantic to transpacific.
Elfonomics: back for 2025, carefully brewed for your ears.
Dr Gerard Lyons and Elf Lyons have a heavily caffeinated chat about why coffee is so costly.
Whether you get your fix from one of the big chains like Starbucks, Costa or Caffe Nero, from your favourite independent cafe or by making it yourself, this episode explains how your coffee gets from crop to cup.
And find out why King Charles II banned coffeehouses and the sale of coffee!
Elf discovers what lessons artists can take from football as Gerard analyses the economics of the Premier League and whether the model is sustainable. There's also inspiration from David Beckham, fan engagement at Fulham and an evaluation of Germany's 50+1 club ownership rule.
In this episode, Elf and Gerard discuss the rise of OnlyFans and the economics behind it: the reinvention of the middle man, an online market place and 'economic rent'. Oh and crucially, whether Elf should start her own account.
Why is it cheaper to fly to a different country than pay for a veterinary bill? In this episode of Elfonomics, Elf and Gerard dissect the economics of vets and animal healthcare.
Twitter: @elfonomics @elf_lyons @DrGerardLyons
Why does it feel that everything is made in China and will that always be the case? Guilt-ridden by her online shopping addiction, Elf asks her dad if being 'mass produced' is really as bad as everyone makes it out to be. And why do we so associate mass production with Chinese goods?
Welcome back to Elfonomics! In this episode, Elf prepares to get hitched and asks her dad 'Why are weddings so expensive?'. Whilst Gerard tries to remember the name of his future son-in-law, the two debate the economics of weddings and WHY prices continue to rise.
Elf asks her economist dad 'What is a smart city? And if there are smart cities, does that mean there are silly cities?' Gerard talks about the technology that's changing urban centres and what we can expect from cities in the future...
