The Why? Curve cover art

The Why? Curve

The Why? Curve

By: Phil Dobbie
Listen for free

Each week Phil Dobbie and Roger Hearing get to grips with one issue that impacts our lives. It could be economic, social, technological or geopolitical. Whatever the subject, they'll talk to the experts who can give help explain what's really going on. And Phil and Roger back it up with their own research and opinions. It's half an hour to get across one of the key issues of the time, and they promise, it'll never be boring.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Dobbie Economics Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Ready For The Next Pandemic?

    Ready For The Next Pandemic?
    May 21 2026
    As Hantavirus and Ebola grab the headlines, how prepared is the world for the next pandemic? Have we learned from COVID both how to stop the spread and deal with a panicking population? Are we ready for the new animal-origin viruses that emerge as humans encroach on their habitats? Phil and Roger ask Dr Jeremy Rossman, senior lecturer in virology at the University of Kent.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • Reform Government?

    Reform Government?
    May 14 2026
    If the polls are right, ReformUK could be in Downing Street in three years. So what would they do with the country? We know they don't like immigrants or Europe or windfarms, but what DO they want? How would they shape Britain's economy, foreign policy, health service? Dr Vladimir Bortun, lecturer in politics at Oxford University, tells Phil and Roger it would be some form extreme Thatcherism, but with policies shaped to please the party's billionaire backers, rather than their mainly working-class supporters.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • Heading for a crash?

    Heading for a crash?
    May 7 2026
    A global energy crisis - and yet Wall Street is still surging at record levels. It's largely AI that's fuelling stocks, but many see it as a bubble, and of course, AI needs a lot of the energy that is becoming increasingly scarce. So does this all mean a major correction in stock prices is coming? A market crash that could make us all poorer, and shatter the prospects of economies far away from the US? Phil and Roger ask David McMillan, Professor of Finance at the University of Stirling.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.