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Truth and Transactions

Truth and Transactions

By: Shubham Kumar
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About this listen

 This is Truth & Transactions – where every rupee has a backstory, and every story hits your wallet! Welcome to Truth & Transactions – the podcast where money isn't just counted, it's questioned. From epic financial blunders to policies that pinch your pocket, we break down real stories and real-world money moves with drama, wit, and just the right amount of sarcasm. Because behind every transaction, there's a truth waiting to spill.Shubham Kumar Economics
Episodes
  • Episode 14 : Why Dumb Art Makes Smart Money

    Episode 14 : Why Dumb Art Makes Smart Money
    May 9 2025
    Why do billionaires spend crores on what looks like random paint splashes? In this episode, we dive into the secret world of ultra-rich art collectors and reveal why buying "dumb" art is often less about love for creativity and more about cold, hard strategy. From flipping paintings for massive profits to dodging taxes by donating them at inflated values, art becomes a financial tool rather than just a decorative piece. But that’s not all — we also explore how the elite use art to launder money, manipulate markets, and secure VIP access to powerful social circles. With anonymous deals in shady freeports and coordinated campaigns to hype unknown artists, the art world turns out to be a playground for the rich to grow wealth, gain influence, and open doors money alone can’t buy. Tune in for the surprising truths behind those bizarre million-dollar masterpieces!
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    21 mins
  • Episode 13 : Fiat Money - Trust, Paper, and the Power of Belief

    Episode 13 : Fiat Money - Trust, Paper, and the Power of Belief
    May 9 2025
    In this episode, we dive into the fascinating evolution of money and explore the nature of fiat currency. We trace the journey from ancient barter systems to commodity and metallic money, then through the gold-backed paper currency era, and finally to today's fiat money. Unlike commodity money, fiat money holds no intrinsic value and isn't backed by physical assets like gold or silver. Instead, it's declared legal tender by governments and relies entirely on public trust in the issuing authority. Historical milestones like the Bretton Woods Agreement and the Nixon Shock marked the critical turning points that established fiat currency as the global norm. We also unpack the key advantages and risks of fiat money. On the plus side, it's cheap to produce and gives central banks the flexibility to manage economic crises by adjusting the money supply. But this power comes with a major caveat—overreliance or mismanagement can lead to inflation or even hyperinflation, as seen in countries like Zimbabwe and Venezuela. The episode concludes with a look toward the future, where cryptocurrencies offer a decentralized, limited-supply alternative to fiat money. However, their volatility and current investment-focused use raise questions about whether they can truly replace traditional currencies anytime soon.
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    26 mins
  • Episode 12 : In Debt We Trust: Why Every Nation Owes Money (and Why That’s Not Always Bad)

    Episode 12 : In Debt We Trust: Why Every Nation Owes Money (and Why That’s Not Always Bad)
    May 8 2025
    In this podcast episode, we explore the compelling question: Why is every country in debt—and who do they owe? We break down the nature of national debt, which refers to the money borrowed by central governments, not including state-level or personal loans. Despite common assumptions, debt isn’t a sign of failure. Countries like the U.S., Japan, and Germany carry massive debts, yet remain economic powerhouses. We dive into the reasons governments borrow—from funding public services and investing in growth to managing crises and controlling inflation. Through smart borrowing, nations often aim to stimulate their economies rather than risk reckless money printing. We also examine who actually lends money to governments—ranging from citizens and domestic banks to foreign nations and global institutions like the IMF and World Bank. The episode unpacks the risks and rewards of national debt, emphasizing that it’s less about having debt and more about how it’s managed. We challenge the idea that countries should strive to be debt-free, showing why that’s neither practical nor necessarily beneficial. With real-world examples like Sri Lanka’s debt crisis and Japan’s soaring debt-to-GDP ratio, we offer listeners a clearer understanding of how national debt shapes global economies.
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    20 mins

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