The Library of Mistakes

Latest Episodes:

EP 49: Good Money (with George Selgin) Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

Join Russell Napier and American economist George Selgin as they discuss George’s book, ‘Good Money – Birmingham Button Makers, the Royal Mint and the Beginnings of Modern Coinage 1775-1821’. George’s colourful and impeccably researched insights into what served as money more than two hundred years ago remain every bit as relevant today.
Produced by Fraser Allen.
www.libraryofmistakes.com

EP 48: A Long Time In Finance (with Jonathan Ford & Neil Collins) Shelf Life #9 Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

There's a festive feeling in the air for the last Shelf Life episode of the year, in which our guests are Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins. The pair are co-presenters of A Long Time In Finance, a history of finance podcast, which is now part of the Library of Mistakes family.
Jonathan and Neil talked to us about their background as financial journalists, the thinking behind the podcast, and memorable moments from the series to date. There's also a spot of entertaining sparring between the duo, demonstrating their contrasting styles.
Meanwhile, Librarian Helen Williams spotlights several gems from our corporate history shelves, and David Clarke previews our December events.
And if you're fearful of Library of Mistakes podcast withdrawal symptoms, fear not as Russell Napier will be back with another interview before Christmas – plus there's a huge archive of podcast episodes and Library of Mistakes YouTube videos that you can freely access. Enjoy!
Shelf Life is presented and produced by Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen.
Leila@libraryofmistakes.com
fraser@libraryofmistakes.com
www.libraryofmistakes.com

EP 47: Money and Empire (with Perry Mehrling) Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

Join Russell Napier in discussion with author Perry Mehrling about the extraordinary life of Charles P. Kindleberger – central banker, US Department of State representative steering post-war German reconstruction, leading academic, and author of Manias, Panics And Crashes. Kindleberger was driven by the hope that, if he helped people understand how the dollar system really works, they would stop trying to destroy it. Perry's account is given additional nuance and insight through the friendship he developed with Kindleberger in his later years.
Produced by Fraser Allen.
www.libraryofmistakes.com

EP 46: Future Asset (with Jen Mair) Shelf Life #8 Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

There's a student takeover for this episode of Shelf Life as the talented duo of Megan Day and Emilie Stewart interview Jen Mair. Jen is Chair of Future Asset, the charity which encourages young women to consider a career in finance. She is also Strategic Initiative Lead at Franklin Templeton and has wonderful insights about working in the sector, ably quizzed by Megan and Emilie, who are both Future Asset alumni. We also have a big news update from David Clarke (CEO of Didasko) on what's happening at the Library, while Librarian Helen Williams picks out some of the Nobel Prize winners who feature in our collection.
Shelf Life is presented and produced by Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen.
Leila@libraryofmistakes.com
fraser@libraryofmistakes.com
www.libraryofmistakes.com

EP 45: Errorist In Residence (with Robbie Mochrie) Shelf Life #7 Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

Once again, Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen are backstage at the Library of Mistakes, sampling highlights from the book collection, hearing about the many events and activities coming up, and meeting members of the team.
In this episode we have an in-depth chat with the newest member of the gang, economist and author Robbie Mochrie, who has taken on the mantle of 'Errorist In Residence'. Among other things, Robbie tells us what he's got planned for our upcoming Adam Smith celebrations (2026 marks 250 years since the publication of The Wealth of Nations) and reflects on his book, How To Think Like An Economist. We also include a taste of a recent talk by the Deputy Director of the HM Treasury, Mario Pisani, plus our usual catch-ups with librarian Helen Williams and the CEO of Didasko, David Clarke.
To get in touch with anything Shelf Life-related, feel free to email us at fraser@libraryofmistakes.com or leila@libraryofmistakes.com, or contact us through social media.
www.libraryofmistakes.com
Produced by Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston.

EP 44: Cents and Sensibility (with Gary Saul Morson & Morton Schapiro) Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

What happens when an experienced economist and an English literature expert have a proper conversation? Quite a lot as it turns out. Morton Schapiro and Saul Morson have written an outstanding book on what economists can learn from the humanities. They argue that Adam Smith’s heirs include Jane Austen, Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy – and that economists need a richer appreciation of behaviour, ethics, culture, and narrative – all of which the great writers teach better than anyone. Russell Napier joins the duo in conversation.
Produced by Fraser Allen.
www.libraryofmistakes.com

EP 43: Financial inclusion (with Iona Bain & Michael Gilmore) Shelf Life #6 Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Personal finance is the theme of this episode as we hear from two friends of the Library of Mistakes deeply committed to making financial understanding more accessible – particularly to younger people.
Iona Bain has made her name as a supporter of millennials striving to make the most of their finances, and is the resident money expert on BBC One's Morning Live. Originally from Edinburgh, she has also taken part in a series of videos with Russell Napier promoting the Library.
We also hear from Michael Gilmore, a Singapore-based fund manager who became so frustrated at the reluctance of the finance profession to share the basics of money awareness with younger people that he founded the global Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards.
Our trio of guests is completed by our regular chat with David Clarke, CEO of the charity Didasko which, as well as running the Library of Mistakes, supports two valuable financial inclusivity projects – Future Asset and Leavers' Money Skills.
This episode is presented by Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen. Do drop us a line at leila@libraryofmistakes.com or fraser@libraryofmistakes.com.
For more information on our guests, see: ionajbain.co.uk & www.maiawards.org
Photo credit for image of Iona: Grace Elise
Produced by Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston.
www.libraryofmistakes.com

EP 42: The CEO (with Michael Aldous & John Turner) Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

The CEOs of Britain's largest companies wield immense power, but we know very little about them. How did they get to the top? And how have they changed over the past 100+ years? Join Russell Napier in a fascinating conversation with Michael Aldous & John Turner, authors of The CEO: The Rise and Fall of Britain's Captains of Industry.
Produced by Fraser Allen.
www.libraryofmistakes.com

EP 41: The Library of Mistakes in Lausanne (with Boris Zhilin) Shelf Life #5 Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston are back with a summer episode exploring life behind the scenes at the Library of Mistakes.
Looking to the northern shores of Lake Geneva, Fraser interviews Boris Zhilin, the investment expert who has established a Library of Mistakes in Lausanne. Boris tells us about his career journey from growing up in the former Soviet Union to Syrcuse University, Bear Sterns and then life in Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Leila asks our Edinburgh Librarian Helen Williams for summer reading recommendations, while CEO David Clarke updates us on upcoming events.
Any feedback or ideas? Please do get in touch with fraser@libraryofmistakes.com or leila@libraryofmistakes.com
Produced by Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston.

EP 40: The Irish Bank Strike (with Emma Horgan) Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

In conversation with Emma Horgan, Russell Napier explores the Irish Bank Strike of 1966, which resulted in shopkeepers and publicans stepping in to keep the economy ticking over as unofficial bankers. What can this extraordinary episode teach us about economics, human resilience – and how we might be able to cope in the event of a huge fintech failure? Emma is the co-author of a paper on the strike, with Dr Sean Kenny and Dr Jason Leonard. If you would like a working copy, please contact Emma at emmahorgan@ucc.ie.
Produced by Fraser Allen.
www.libraryofmistakes.com

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