In this episode of the Inspire Us Podcast, Professor Fabrice Cavarretta (ESSEC Business School, author of Gérer, c’est jardiner) dismantles the global myths around entrepreneurship, risk, and innovation. He argues that the real entrepreneur isn’t in Silicon Valley — it’s the woman running a food stand in Lagos, or the small business owner adapting daily to complex realities.Cavarretta explains why France and the UK are better startup ecosystems than many believe, how regulation can support rather than stifle innovation, and why “taking risk” is one of the biggest misconceptions in business.He offers a philosophical yet grounded vision of entrepreneurship — one rooted in patience, learning, and realism — reminding us that business is less like building a machine and more like cultivating a garden.
Economist Michael Hudson joins the Inspire Us Podcast to discuss the rise of financialization, the dominance of the rentier class, and the decline of industrial capitalism in Britain and beyond.Hudson explains how Thatcherism and Blairism turned the UK into a rentier economy, why GDP measures are misleading, and how financialization fuels inequality, debt, and deindustrialization across the West. We explore the politics of debt cancellation, central banks, the EU, China’s development path, and the prospects for systemic change.Michael Hudson is the author of Super Imperialism, Killing the Host, and The Collapse of Antiquity.Shoutout Steve Keen for setting this up!
In this episode of the Inspire Us Podcast, we speak with Professor John L. Esposito, one of the world’s leading scholars on Islam, religious pluralism, and contemporary geopolitics. Today’s UK political climate has sparked Tommy Robinson marches, anxieties over Sharia, and debates about blasphemy and the weaponisation of scripture. We brought our questions, and John delivered—offering historical context, data-driven insights, and a rich perspective shaped by a lifetime of work on moving from fear to civic understanding. Enjoy the conversationTrigger / safety note: This conversation includes discussion of sensitive current events. We aim to present scholarly context and not to sensationalise.
In this episode of the Inspire Us Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Hillary Briffa, Lecturer in National Security Studies at King’s College London, whose research focuses on the security strategies of small states, neutrality, and the intersection of defense and climate change.We discuss:Why “peace” since WWII is a myth for many regions The hidden power and vulnerabilities of small statesNATO, neutrality, and the future of European defenseHow climate change is reshaping security and sovereigntyWhy small island states like Tuvalu and Kiribati are on the frontlines of survival What big powers can learn from the innovation of small states
In this episode of the Inspire Us Podcast, we sit down with Professor Jules Coleman — one of the most influential figures in philosophy of law and legal theory. Coleman is widely recognized for pioneering work on corrective justice, tort law, free speech, and the philosophy of education.About Jules Coleman:Jules L. Coleman is a leading legal philosopher and professor emeritus of law and philosophy. His work has reshaped thinking on tort law, corrective justice, and the relationship between law, morality, and economics. He has taught at Yale Law School, NYU, and Harvard, and has published extensively on justice, responsibility, and the rule of law.
In this episode of the Inspire Us Podcast, we sit down with Christine Cheng — Professor in War Studies at King’s College London and author of Extralegal Groups in Post-Conflict Liberia. We explore fragile states, corruption, security sector reform, the challenges of peacebuilding, and how global power dynamics shape post-war societies.Chapters00:00 – Belonging and Identity in Britain09:00 – Understanding Global Conflict15:00 – Conflict, Peace, and Social Cohesion26:00 – History, Empathy, and Understanding Conflict40:00 – Liberia’s Conflict and Aftermath55:00 – Peacekeeping, Interventions, and State-Building01:07:00 – Trump, Russia, and Global Peacekeeping01:21:00 – Human Nature, Tribes, and the Future of Peace01:33:00 – Cognitive Frames and International Relations
Economist and author Charlie Robertson joins us in this controversial and eye-opening episode to discuss his theory that economic development hinges on one key factor: fertility rates.Check out Charlie's book "The Time-Travelling Economist": https://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Travelling-Economist-Education-Electricity-Fertility/dp/3030975967
We’re back for our third podcast with one of the most provocative and visionary economists of our time — Professor Steve Keen. A globally renowned post-Keynesian thinker, Keen is best known for predicting the 2008 financial crash, his fierce critique of neoclassical economics, and his work on modeling capitalist instability using systems dynamics and Minskyan debt analysis.In this episode, we had the pleasure of traveling to Amsterdam to meet Steve in person. What followed was a deeply engaging conversation on the failures of mainstream economics, the looming threats of global debt, and the urgent need for a new economic paradigm. From financial crises to ecological breakdown, Keen lays out why the stakes are higher than ever — and what we can do about it.
In this episode of the Inspire Us Podcast, we sit down with world-renowned anthropologist and historian Alan Macfarlane for a wide-ranging conversation on modernity, China, Japan, and the West’s misconceptions about development and progress.Born on the India-Burma border during WWII and trained in the great tradition of fieldwork anthropology, Macfarlane reflects on his lifelong journey through cultures, worldviews, and civilizations. He challenges the Western idea of a single path to modernity and offers a powerful rethinking of what it means to be “developed.”
In this episode of the Inspire Us Podcast, we sit down with renowned economist and political theorist Professor Chenggang Xu to explore the true nature of China’s political system, its Soviet roots, economic contradictions, and whether peaceful transformation is even possible.Chenggang dives deep into the historical evolution of China’s totalitarian regime, exposing how the Communist Party operates through absolute control over society, and how Mao Zedong's institutional legacy still underpins modern China.
In this compelling episode of the Inspire Us Podcast, we sit down with Professor Jonathan Goodhand, a leading expert on war economies, illicit trade, and development. We explore the complex intersections of drug economies, armed conflict, and state formation — from Afghanistan’s opium fields to Myanmar’s meth labs and Colombia’s coca trade.Jonathan shares deep insights from decades of field research, revealing how illicit economies often act as lifelines in fragile states, offering employment, infrastructure, and social cohesion — all while fueling global markets and reshaping power structures.This conversation challenges conventional narratives about the “war on drugs,” international aid, and the myth of development as a purely lawful process. We also discuss the rise of synthetic drugs, corporate capture in legal drug markets, and the deep entanglement of conflict zones with global cities like Dubai and London.
In this unique running podcast episode, we hit the streets (literally) with Oscar Stapleton – a lifelong runner, founder of Haraka Baraka, and master’s student in Islamic Studies. Oscar shares his journey from cross-country kid to global traveler, blending running, culture, and philosophy in a way that’s anything but ordinary.We talk training setbacks, wild race-day stories, and his mission to unite people across cultures through running camps. From Moroccan deserts to Uzbek archives, Oscar is creating a movement—one run, one story, one connection at a time.Whether you're into sport, travel, or thought-provoking conversation, this one’s for you.🎧 Recorded while running through London.📍 Topics covered:– Running as therapy & challenge– Cross-cultural learning through sport– Islamic history & philosophy– The West & Muslim world relations– Starting Haraka Baraka running camps– Travel tales from Jordan, Uzbekistan & more📌 Subscribe & follow for more 🎙️ Inspire Us Podcast: www.youtube.com/@InspireUsPodcast🌍 Haraka Baraka: https://www.instagram.com/harakabaraka.tripsYouTube Chapters –00:00 – Intro: Running While Podcasting01:25 – Injuries, Shin Splints & Marathon Mindsets05:59 – Daily Habits & Goggins-Style Endurance Challenges10:24 – Running as Meditation, Transport & Identity13:45 – Oscar’s Islamic Studies Journey17:13 – What Is Islam? Academic & Personal Reflections21:40 – East vs West: A False Divide?24:18 – Colonial Legacies & Civilizational Exchange29:01 – Critiquing Yourself Online & Podcasting Challenges32:07 – What is Haraka Baraka?35:10 – Cultural Exchange Through Running38:27 – Next Stop: Uzbekistan Running Camp40:45 – Parkrun Rivalries & Running Philosophy44:53 – Fixing Track & Field: Can It Be Entertaining?46:21 – Final Thoughts on Movement, Meaning & Purpose
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Naomi Hossain, political sociologist and leading expert on development, accountability, and protest in the Global South. From the roots of Bangladesh's 1974 famine to the explosive student protests that brought down the Hasina regime in 2024, Naomi delivers a gripping analysis of power, resistance, and what accountability really means in the 21st century.PS: Video becomes blurry towards the end, sorry!📢 Like, share, and subscribe to help us amplify voices from around the world.🔔 Subscribe and Turn on notifications so you never miss a powerful conversation:https://www.youtube.com/@InspireUsPodcast📚 Chapters00:00:00 – Podcast Intro00:00:18 – Who is Naomi Hossain? From famine to protest politics00:04:42 – Political accountability: Why complaints don’t work00:10:24 – How institutions fail the poor – and what comes next00:16:41 – Why protests are the “real” complaint mechanism00:20:07 – The Bangladesh student protests of 202400:25:36 – What changed after the regime crackdown?00:30:09 – India’s fears, Islamism, and regional tension00:34:44 – Bangladesh’s rise: Real development or illusion?00:41:12 – Women in power: Bangladesh’s political paradox00:45:31 – Global order & the collapse of international law00:54:22 – Famine, Cold War food politics & a forgotten genocide01:03:08 – Corruption, Tulip Siddiq & political inheritance01:05:52 – Could famine happen in the Global North?01:09:52 – Naomi’s final reflections & goodbye
n this episode of the Inspire Us Podcast, we sit down with Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times and one of the world's most influential economic thinkers. We dive deep into Trump’s tariff wars, the collapse of the global trading system, how globalization has shaped economic imbalances, and why today's politics and media are overwhelming. Martin also gives powerful insights into wealth inequality, the mistakes of UK economic policy, and whether there are any real solutions to today's crises. A masterclass in political economy from a legend.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction: Tariffs, Trump, and Economic Chaos02:15 – How Martin Wolf Stays Informed Without Social Media04:00 – Understanding the Noise: Filtering Real News06:05 – The Chaos of Trump’s Tariff Policies08:30 – Are Tariffs Fixing the Right Problem?10:50 – Global Imbalances and the Financial Crisis13:10 – How Trade Deficits Changed Manufacturing16:00 – Why Tariffs Won’t Fix the US Economy19:00 – What Smart Trade Policy Should Look Like22:15 – Understanding Trump's Economic Mindset25:00 – Is Trump Using Tariffs as a Power Play?28:40 – Wealth Tax vs Income Tax: Is it Realistic?32:00 – How to Tackle Inequality Without Destroying Capital36:00 – Rachel Reeves, Growth Strategies, and the UK’s Economic Challenges
What does it mean to live ethically in an unjust world? Professor Paul Giladi joins us to unpack the deep philosophical roots of modernity—from epistemology to capitalism, from human nature to the power of art. In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, we explore how philosophy helps us make sense of a chaotic, conflicted world.🔔 Subscribe for more:https://www.youtube.com/@InspireUsPodcast📌 Topics Discussed:Why truth is more than factsModernity and moral responsibilityEpistemic injustice & systemic inequalityThe philosophical legacy of capitalism and colonialismHuman nature, identity, and societal constructsThe revolutionary potential of art and aesthetics📚 Chapters 00:00:00 - Podcast Intro 00:00:44 - What Is Philosophy? 00:02:26 - Fundamental Questions: Free Will, Morality, and Society 00:10:02 - Modernity and the Morality Shift 00:16:19 - Capitalism, Ubuntu, and Communal Ethics 00:21:26 - Hegel, Ubuntu & European Thought 00:25:08 - Hegel’s Master-Slave Dialectic & Capitalism Critique 00:34:02 - Alienation, Populism, and Political Disillusionment 00:39:29 - Can We Escape This Cycle? 00:40:10 - Will the Future Be Woke? Empire's Endgame 00:43:29 - Natural Inequality vs Social Inequality 00:50:00 - Equity vs Equality: Rethinking Inclusion 00:56:11 - Overcoming Bias Through Critical Philosophy 00:59:31 - The Death of God, Epistemology & Modernity 01:05:37 - Modernity, Science, and Colonialism 01:15:08 - Are We Losing Our Humanity? 01:17:00 - Hope in Humanity: Joy, Protest, and Recognition 01:20:37 - The Magic of Philosophy, Reflection & Art 01:26:03 - Art as Redemption & Philosophy’s Emotional Power
Dr. Paul McGarr, historian and expert on intelligence and international relations at King’s College London, joins us to decode the secretive world of espionage. From Trump's war with the FBI and CIA, to China's massive global intelligence network, to how smartphones have made everyone a potential spy—this is an unfiltered look into the past, present, and future of intelligence.Dr. McGarr gives us an insider's look at how intelligence agencies actually operate, how disinformation spreads, and why private tech giants like Amazon and Google might be the true intelligence powerhouses of the future. We also explore the ethical gray zones intelligence officers navigate, the myth of the James Bond agent, and how the digital era has transformed spying—from satellites to smartphones. We unpack the shadowy world of global espionage. From Trump’s clashes with the FBI to China’s economic espionage strategies, from the truth behind the Epstein files to the intelligence failures in Afghanistan—we cover it all.📍 Subscribe and turn on notifications for more deep dives into global power, politics, and security:https://www.youtube.com/@InspireUsPodcastFollow Paul Mcgarr on X:https://x.com/paul_mcgarrGet Dr Paul Mcgarr's book:https://amzn.eu/d/bFiF4Fj
Wilson Erumebor is a Senior Economist Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), a PhD Researcher at SOAS University and Ex-Senior Research Fellow at FATEFoundationIn this deep-dive conversation, economist Wilson Erumebor breaks down the major forces shaping Nigeria's economic future. From the ripple effects of Trump-era tariffs to the unique trade challenges facing Nigeria, we explore what’s holding the country back—and what could push it forward.We tackle everything from fuel subsidies, government spending, and the cement industry, to the promise of AI, infrastructure development, and the future of labour and manufacturing in Nigeria.
Chapters00:00:00 - IMF Board Insights00:04:00 - World Bank vs IMF00:07:00 - World Bank Structure00:10:30 - IMF Functions Explained00:15:00 - World Bank's Role Today00:17:40 - Impact Analysis Importance00:21:25 - World Bank's Challenges00:24:10 - Project Financing Dynamics00:30:35 - IMF Criticism Overview00:33:33 - Asian Financial Crisis00:37:09 - Geopolitical Pressures00:39:24 - Chad-Cameroon Pipeline Case00:43:03 - IMF's Lending Rules00:48:30 - Voting Power Dynamics00:51:20 - China's World Bank Share00:53:54 - Impact of Financial Crisis00:56:14 - Opportunities for Collaboration01:02:05 - Trump's Influence on World Bank01:05:45 - US Aid and Isolationism01:07:53 - Tariffs on Steel & Aluminum01:10:52 - Trade Wars Consequences01:14:21 - Challenges in Leadership Roles01:18:03 - Networking & Opportunities01:20:56 - Skills for Success01:25:01 - Emotional Intelligence01:28:32 - Brazil's Economic Challenges01:33:19 - Double Disease Explained01:38:44 - Music and Personal Life01:41:13 - Closing Thoughts
We had the pleasure of going to speak to Alan Macfarlane at Kings College Cambridge. We had a great conversation about English Individualism, Identity, and the East vs West divide. Alan then invited us to visit the historical Kings College campus and then treated us to lunch. We thank Alan for receiving us with such hospitality. We had a fantastic time and hope you all will enjoy part 2 of this conversation as much as we did!All the best!Inspire UsCheck out Prof Alan Macfarlane's YouTube Channel: @ayabaya Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:01:55 - Four Pillars of Identity00:03:41 - Cultural Identity Examples00:05:09 - Character and Identity Levels00:13:10 - For Us or Against Us Logic00:18:32 - Chinese Philosophy Explained00:20:00 - Nature and Spirituality00:21:40 - Chinese National Identity00:24:10 - Cultural Assimilation in China00:25:00 - Differences in Empires00:30:00 - Cultural Integration in Britain00:35:00 - East vs. West Perspectives00:36:40 - Experiences in China00:39:20 - Living in Nepal00:41:15 - Memorable Experiences in Nepal00:42:30 - Understanding Human Complexity00:43:40 - Closing Thoughts
Professor Alan Macfarlane is a celebrated historian and anthropologist at the University of Cambridge. With decades of research spanning cultural traditions, social structures, and historical narratives, he brings a unique blend of scholarly insight and engaging storytelling to the discussion. He is the author of over forty books, including The Origins of English Individualism (1978) and Letters to Lily: On How the World Works (2005).