Shows
Sovereign FinanceThe "Mighty Micro" and the Accelerating Pace of ChangeRob’s comments below are in italics.Derek’s comments below are in normal font.We're going to talk a little bit about a book called the Mighty Micro?This is a book written in 1979. As far as I was concerned, he was preaching to the converted. I'd already been using microcomputers and indeed designing with microprocessors for two or three years at the time the book came out. But I've kept it on the shelf, and I pull it down from time to time to remind myself of the extraordinary changes that we've experienced over...2025-07-2614 min
Sovereign FinanceEpstein, Trump, and Historical Parallels to 1914A quick announcement: We’re holding a free live Sovereign Finance discussion on Sunday 20th July, at 7.30PM on Zoom. We’ll discuss global trends, things you might do, and answer questions from the podcast so far. Register for free here.Rob’s comments below are in italics.Derek’s comments below are in normal font.The news this week has been dominated by Trump backtracking on his commitment to be fully transparent about what was going on with Jeffrey Epstein.Do you think he's on the list, presumably?It's undeniable that he...2025-07-1814 min
Story SystemsThe Conversation AnalystIn the last episode, we introduced the role of the 'Conversation Partner': the person who helps to extract content and stories from the business owner.The next step in the content creation process is then to analyse the conversation and determine what will be used where. I call this person the 'Conversation Analyst'...TakeawaysThe conversation analyst's role is to distil meaning from information.Avoid editing during the initial analysis phase.AI can assist but should not replace human analysis.Timers can help maintain focus during analysis.The conversation analyst is a strategically important...2025-07-1725 min
Sovereign FinanceThe Lunar Cycle, Complex Systems, and the Decline of the American EmpireA quick announcement: We’re holding a free live Sovereign Finance discussion on Sunday 20th July, at 7.30PM on Zoom. We’ll discuss global trends, things you might do, and answer questions from the podcast so far. Register for free here.Rob’s comments below are in italics.Derek’s comments below are in normal font.Okay, so it’s the 10th of July. It's a full moon rising today or tomorrow. We'll review some of the contemporary events insofar as they're likely to have an impact on your finances.How much importance do you put...2025-07-1521 minStory SystemsThe Conversation PartnerOne of the biggest changes in marketing and content creation has been a shift towards a 'conversation-first' approach. To create content in conversation requires a regular, ongoing chat with someone I call the 'conversation partner'.In principle, the conversation partner can be anyone, but there's more to the role than meets the eye...TakeawaysActive listening is required!The conversation partner must be able to guide the conversation without dominating it.Recording conversations has become much easier.The conversation partner provides the human element in marketing.Anyone can become a conversation partner with practice...2025-07-1032 min
Sovereign FinanceComments on the BRICS Annual SummitA quick announcement: We’re holding a free live Sovereign Finance discussion on Sunday 20th July, at 7.30PM on Zoom. We’ll discuss global trends, things you might do, and answer questions from the podcast so far. Register for free here.Rob’s comments below are in italics.Derek’s comments below are in normal font.Our topic today is the BRICS annual conference, which started a few days ago. We've seen several trends accelerating that we've been discussing for a while. So we thought we'd talk about those today. Where do we need to start?2025-07-0523 minStory SystemsThe Business OwnerBad news: it's a substantial amount of work to tell your story and build effective marketing systems in your business. So if you're a busy business owner, how much of the grunt work of marketing should you be doing yourself?Find out in this episode of the Story Systems podcast.Takeaways:You can't do everything yourself, at least beyond the initial start-up phaseThe role of the business owner is to provide clarity and direction.Most business owners should limit their hands-on marketing efforts.Purpose in business emerges from engaging with the work.Take a...2025-07-0321 min
Sovereign FinanceWarfare and FinanceRob’s comments below are in italics.Derek’s comments below are in normal font.We're talking about warfare today, which is definitely a relevant topic, given worldly goings on and the connection to the financial system. So what do we need to know?We had the so-called 12 days of what you could call it, Israel and Iran, terminated by a ceasefire that Donald Trump is taking credit for. It's worth examining the broader implications of this. Before we get back to that, I wanted to review the nature of warfare, as this has been a ph...2025-06-2818 minStory SystemsConsistencyIn this episode, Rob explores the importance of consistency and how to achieve it. (Note: this is NOT your standard advice on consistency!)Prefer to read? Read the Text VersionTakeaways:Purpose fuels the fire for consistent content creation.Focus on a broader range of topics to engage your audience.Flow in content creation leads to ease and enjoyment.Repurposing content can help maintain consistency.Having a clear vision is essential for staying on track.Building a team can support consistent marketing efforts.Long-term marketing requires patience and dedication.Chapters:00:00...2025-06-2434 minStory SystemsConversationsThis episode explores the second overarching Story System: conversations! AI developments have facilitated a shift towards 'conversation-driven' marketing, where all you need to do is show up and have great conversations.Prefer to read? Read the text version.Takeaways:Client conversations are essential to truly understand your market.Self-chat can help in assembling marketing material.AI has transformed content repurposing.Authentic conversations lead to a better understanding of clients.Testimonials should reflect true client experiences.Recording conversations can capture unexpected insights.Chapters:00:00: Rob's Journey in Business and Marketing05:14...2025-06-2433 minStory SystemsStructureIn this episode, Rob explores the optimal structure for educating new leads, sharing your story, and placing relevant offers.Prefer to read? Read the Text VersionTakeaways:People tend to overcomplicate marketing systems.Onboarding is a critical stage in the new prospect relationship.Pay attention to immediate engagement after opt-in.Thank you pages should be optimised for both user experience and tracking.Ongoing communication should include repurposing past content.Direct mail remains a valuable tool in a digital world.Multi-channel marketing enhances client engagement and retention.Chapters:00:00: The Journey to...2025-06-2434 minStory SystemsRefinementIn this episode, Rob explores simple ways to optimise your marketing follow-up systems - without losing your evenings and weekends!Prefer to read? Read the Text VersionTakeaways:Macro testing involves assessing the overall structure and audience targeting.Micro testing focuses on specific elements within marketing campaigns.Document tests to avoid repeating past mistakes.Keep track of key metrics to identify bottlenecks in your marketing.A/B testing can optimise email engagement rates.Occasionally revisit previously conclusive testsChapters:00:00: The Concept of Refinement in Marketing02:41: Macro Testing: The...2025-06-2425 min
Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better WritingWhat your accent says about you (and your identity), with Rob Drummond1092. Your accent may be saying more than your words. Sociolinguist Rob Drummond explains how accents shape our identities, how they differ across social classes, and why changing your accent can affect how you’re perceived.Rob Drummond - https://bsky.app/profile/robdrummond.bsky.socialRob's book, "You're All Talk"🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus...2025-06-1931 min
Sovereign FinanceIs It Time To Localise Wealth Creation?Reminder: We’re holding a free live Sovereign Finance discussion on Sunday 22nd June, at 7.30PM on Zoom. We’ll discuss global trends, things you might do, and answer questions from the podcast so far. Register for free here.Rob’s comments below are in italics.Derek’s comments below are in normal font.We're talking about wealth creation and wealth acquisition today. Where do we need to begin?Well, I was reflecting on the fact that, as we discussed in earlier issues, wealth is brought into existence by purposeful work. You could take a b...2025-06-1423 min
Sovereign FinanceHow Interest Rates Are Supposed To Work!Reminder: We’re holding a free live Sovereign Finance discussion on Sunday 22nd June, at 7.30PM on Zoom. We’ll discuss global trends, things you might do, and answer questions from the podcast so far. Register for free here.Rob’s comments below are in italics.Derek’s comments below are in normal font.I’d like to discuss how interest rates would work in a sane world, and how they have in fact been working for at least the last couple of decades. Plus, how this relates to the unfolding of geopolitical shifts that we're in t...2025-06-0729 min
Sovereign FinanceThe Impact of Warfare on WealthA quick announcement: We’re holding a free live Sovereign Finance discussion on Sunday 22nd June, at 7.30PM on Zoom. We’ll discuss global trends, things you might do, and answer questions from the podcast so far. Register for free here.Rob’s comments below are in italics.Derek’s comments below are in normal font.We're going to do another weekly recap this week, which is useful for me because I tend to live my weeks with my head in the sand, buried in my own affairs. It's good for me to catch up and stay...2025-05-3124 min
Sovereign FinanceWho Is Really Pulling The Strings?A quick announcement: We’re holding a free live Sovereign Finance discussion on Sunday 22nd June, at 7.30PM on Zoom. We’ll discuss global trends, things you might do, and answer questions from the podcast so far. Register for free here.Rob’s comments below are in italics.Derek’s comments below are in normal font.We thought we'd examine current events from a sovereign finance perspective today. So, what has been going on?Well, it's important to have these conversations in a podcast like this, which started out with a fairly specific focus, n...2025-05-2427 minStory SystemsWhat Are Story Systems?In this episode, Rob shares what to expect on the Story Systems podcast! He discusses the urgent need for great stories and how AI tools are changing the marketing landscape.Prefer to read? Open the Text VersionTakeawaysYour story is a unique asset that differentiates you.Authenticity in marketing reflects who you are in person.AI may handle content creation, but storytelling remains a human enveavour.Building trust with clients requires sharing your story.Understanding your audience is key to successful storytelling.Consistency and refinement are crucial for sustainable growth.Identify your five p...2025-05-1707 minStory SystemsClicks!In this episode, Rob shares his journey from being a web designer to understanding the importance of paid clicks in marketing. He discusses the significance of generating clicks, the mechanics of ad auctions, and the necessity of tracking leads through to clients.Prefer to read? Download the PDF CompanionTakeaways:Clicks are the starting point for effective story selling.Paid advertising is essential for generating consistent clicks.Testing different ideas and offers is crucial for success.Targeting the right audience is key to effective advertising.Timeframes for lead conversion can vary significantly.A CRM s...2025-05-1729 minStory SystemsUniversal Principles of LinkedIn AdsRob discusses the evolution and effectiveness of LinkedIn ads, sharing insights from his experiences from more than 15 years of ads management. Learn about the importance of lead quality, the pay-to-play nature of EVERY ad network, and the need to nurture leads with consistent and authentic storytelling.Prefer to read? Download the PDF CompanionTakeaways:LinkedIn ads have evolved, offering more affordable lead generation options.The 'opt-in paradox of lead quality' means that increasing spend can (sometimes) decrease qualityFor consistent leads, LinkedIn is a 'pay to play' environment, not a free public utilityThere will always b...2025-05-1730 min
Sovereign FinanceHow Finance Has Changed!Rob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.We're going to reminisce about your past today and explore some of the lessons from working in finance. So what happened and where do we need to start?When I came down from university, I got a job in a firm of stockbrokers. It was one of the large firms, had about 40 partners and 400 staff. Its primary business was for institutions, for pensioners funds, unit trusts, fund managers of all sorts.One way or another, I concluded after about 18 months that...2025-05-1314 min
Sovereign FinanceGeopolitics and InflationRob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.We're going to take a swipe at current events, current goings on, because as usual, things are running apace. We're also going to touch on inflation, which is coming back into the realm of relevance. Where do we need to start?Okay, I think we've had things running at a pace on numerous geopolitical fronts. It's been more of the same. America is now saying they're pulling out of attempting to broker a deal for peace in Ukraine. It was a bit of a...2025-05-1019 min
Sovereign FinanceThe Escalation of ChaosRob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.Things on every front appear to be getting more chaotic. Nearly everything I am going to run over today are things I have mentioned before over the last few weeks and months, but it seems that the temperature is steadily rising.It is like groundhog day. I think the main development, if you can call it that, over the war in Ukraine is that the latest word from Trump is that essentially they are washing their hands of trying to broker a deal...2025-05-0110 min
Sovereign FinanceTariffs!Rob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.Thanks for reading Sovereign Finance! Subscribe for free to receive new posts.Well, it's been a pretty hectic week since Donald Trump announced his swinging tariffs on the rest of the world. Using this word tariff is a bit of obscurity. These things used to be called import duties. They're not paid by the foreign governments, which is the implication that he wants to convey. They're paid by anybody within the United States who's importing goods from any of these othe...2025-04-1420 min
Sovereign FinanceThe True Nature of an EnterpriseRob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.Subscribe free to be notified of new episodes:We're going to continue today with our tour of our forthcoming book, Demystifying the Money Puzzle. This week, we're going to examine the nature of an enterprise, which is something we take for granted and maybe shouldn't?Yeah, according to the Oxford dictionary, an enterprise, the two meanings they give is an undertaking, especially a complex one. The second meaning is a business. I think that's the way that we woul...2025-03-2725 min
Sovereign FinanceDemystifying EconomicsRob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.So last time out we were outlining our forthcoming book, Unravelling the Money Puzzle, and we thought we'd continue tugging on some of those threads today. What's on the agenda?Well, as I said last week, we gave an outline of the structure of the book as a whole. I mentioned that there are going to be three sections. One is about the nature of money itself, the forms it's taken, what's the common feature, what functions it serves and how well the...2025-03-2510 min
Sovereign FinanceUnravelling The Money PuzzleRob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.I wanted to give a summary of my plan for the book and for the listeners to this podcast today. If you've been listening for the last year or so that we've been running this, we'll have already covered some of the material that will go into it. We will probably go through it again in a more systematic, structured way.Provisionally, we've decided to call the book Unravelling the Money Puzzle. The book is meant to fill a very important gap in y...2025-03-1125 min
Sovereign FinanceCollaboration over CompetitionRob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.I've got a short quote from Caitlin Johnson to share today. We both follow Caitlin, she's at https://caitlinjohnstone.com.au/. She says in one of her articles:Market forces are not guided by wisdom, they are guided by greed and fear, and by the unresolved early childhood trauma of the Musks and Theils and Bezoses of this world. Capitalism is a great way to guarantee more production and consumption, but it is completely useless for curbing ecocide and restoring planetary health.2025-02-2621 min
Sovereign FinanceCore Operating Principles for Life and BusinessRob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.Today we're going to be talking about several frameworks you've got in mind for life operating an enterprise, all sorts of things. So, where do we need to start?I thought I'd return to the focus, which is the core of what we set out to do with sovereign finance, which is to show some light on the whole nature of wealth and the creation of wealth. I've identified six foundational principles on which the operation of any enterprise applies. When we talk...2025-02-2026 min
Sovereign FinanceCurrent Affairs and Optimism!Rob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.Today at the time of recording is the 7th of February. Things continue to move at pace, so we thought we'd do a quick roundup of recent events in the last week and see what's relevant from a sovereign finance lens. Where do we need to start?Well, I mean, I think the most obvious thing from this week is Donald Trump's bull-in-a-China-shop announcement, which seems to have shocked everybody that Gaza would make a great seaside resort. Along with Gree...2025-02-1108 min
Sovereign FinanceReflections of the Treaty of VersaillesRob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.Right, okay, so we've had another week of Trump's presidency. Lots of squeals of outrage from all directions. The Senate confirmation hearings are going ahead now. Predictably enough, Robert Kennedy's been given a hard time by several of the senators...Several of the senators who are notably being paid by Big Pharma.Most reports in the mainstream media seem to imply he's not handled these attacks terribly well. According to who you listen to online, that's the story some people are...2025-02-0719 min
Sovereign FinanceOne Week of Trump: A Sovereign Finance Assessment!Rob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.Today is the 24th of January, so we are on day five of the Donald Trump administration, its second time round. There's definitely a lot going on. What do we need to recap from a Sovereign Finance lens?Well, I think there's a lot which will have implications for all of us, particularly with Trump's pronouncements. The word constantly used for Trump is unpredictable. I heard somebody commenting that unpredictable is great, so long as they're unpredictably doing things that you're pleased with...2025-01-2826 min
Sovereign FinanceThe State of GlobalismRob’s comments are in italics.Derek’s comments are in normal font.We're going to do a bit of a recap as we approach the end of January. We keep saying every week on the show, if you don't like what's going on this week, come back next week because the world might be different.We were having a chat before the call, we established that I've been head down in my bunker, not paying attention to worldly goings on. So what should we be aware of?Ceasefire In The Middle East2025-01-2320 min
Sovereign FinanceBook Review: Profit FirstKey: Rob’s comments are in italics, Derek’s comments are in normal font.We're talking today about a book that personally has really helped me on my business journey. It's a fast book to read and that book is Profit First. Why are we covering ‘Profit First’ and what do people need to know about it?Right, because this is the best summary that I've found of an actual concrete proposal for methods of doing your accounts, which makes it really simple, particularly anybody who's in a one-man business situation or anything close to that. Or...2025-01-1417 min
Sovereign Finance2025 Sovereign Finance PredictionsIn this episode, Rob and Derek reflect on the significant economic changes of 2024, particularly the rise in inflation and its impact on everyday life. We discuss the growing divide between the financial world and the real economy, the limits to growth in a finite world, and the implications of warfare on energy consumption. The conversation also touches on the increasing awareness among the public regarding these issues and the potential for societal change in 2025, particularly concerning trust in ruling elites and the future of money in a digital age.Takeaways* Inflation has significantly impacted everyday...2025-01-0921 min
Sovereign FinanceWill Blackrock Soon Control Your Local Farm?Kay: Rob’s comments in italicsDerek’s comments in normal fontOur topic today is farming, some of the changes coming in the agricultural sector and BlackRock's potential involvement and firms like BlackRock. I wondered if I should just start.This topic was requested by a listener who pointed us towards one of Daniel Priestley's LinkedIn posts. I'm going to start by reading that out just as a starting point…Yesterday UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the British economy could only grow with the help of massive PE firms like BlackRock (who have a...2024-12-1014 min
Sovereign FinanceLabour's Plan For The UK EconomyKey: Rob’s comments are in italics, Derek’s are in normal font.Our topic today is Labour's plans for the British economy and how those plans appear to be highly divorced from reality. Which sounds like a big topic. Where do we need to start with this one?The best place to start might be Rachel Reeves' statement in the budget. She said the only way to deliver economic growth is to invest, invest, invest. The first thing to say is that it's taken as an assumption, without debate or question, that economic growth will...2024-12-0416 min
Sovereign FinanceUnexpected Revenue From a Letter to Apple!Rob’s comments are in italicsDerek’s comments are in normal fontYou were telling me about a letter you wrote to Apple once that generated a lot of revenue...Being an Apple dealer was possible as a small player once, although they rapidly weeded out those not operating at their desired scale. My letter aimed to retain my dealership, which provided a tidy revenue. Apple relayed the contents of the letter to someone else who provided substantial business and opened many doors.In the late 70s, I partnered in an Apple dealership unti...2024-11-2827 min
Sovereign FinanceUnderstanding Stocks and FlowsRob’s comments are in italicsDerek’s comments are in normal fontOur topic today then is "stock" and "flow".Right, this is a fundamental point. I sometimes worry whether I'm labouring the point in our broadcast series by stating the obvious. This concept will provide clarity to every aspect of what you examine once you're clear on it.A stock is the measurement of any quantity. We think immediately of stocks in retail terms - your stocks are the goods you've got on hand ready to sell. For manufacturers, stocks are the raw...2024-11-2113 min
Sovereign FinanceAre Share Prices Meaningful?Rob’s comments are in italicsDerek’s comments are in normal fontInitial Comments on the US ElectionThe American election results on November 8th produced a Trump landslide. Many people tried to convince themselves it was neck and neck.Not to anyone paying attention - I had it fairly nailed on that it was quite likely.The significance for our discussion lies in the effect this outcome has had on various share prices. The most obvious impact will emerge over the next few months regarding pharmaceutical companies. Robert Kennedy's suggested appo...2024-11-1927 min
Sovereign FinanceDoughnut EconomicsKey: Rob’s comments are in italics, Derek’s are in normal font.So we're going to talk about doughnut economics today. And you mentioned before the call that there's a topical item for us to talk about too. So what is that topical item?Developments in the BRICS Alliance…Well, the topical item is that already it must be a year since the last time this was happening because they've just had a conference or they're in the process of having a conference of the so-called BRICS nations. BRICS acronym for Brazil, Russia...2024-11-0523 min
Sovereign FinanceCurrent Affairs Commentary - And Parking Costs Hyperinflation!Key: Rob’s comments are in italics. Derek’s comments are normal font.As the world is rapidly changing around us, I thought we could maybe comment on some current affairs items on this episode...Terrorism Under The “Anti-Terrorism” ActYeah, it's been quite a week. One bit of news that really struck me is that a journalist in London had their house raided by 10 metropolitan police officers from the anti-terrorist group, who arrested him and confiscated all his computers and phones and so forth. I don't know whether he's actually been charged yet, but...2024-10-2426 min
Sovereign FinanceThe Role of Energy in Value CreationKey: Rob’s comments are in italics. Derek’s comments are normal font.Our topic today is energy, which on the face of it may not seem to relate that obviously to sovereign finance, but we think it does. So where do we need to start?Why We Need EnergyLet's start first off with why we actually need energy. We need energy first and foremost for staying alive in the form of food. We need energy for moving around and we need energy for moving things around and we need energy for manu...2024-10-1830 min
Sovereign FinanceComments on Global Warming and Current AffairsKey: Rob’s comments are in italics, Derek’s comments in normal font.We've argued on this show several times that the human species has been through a number of inflection points throughout history. It's fairly clear to anyone alive today that we are living through one of those inflection points. Like a wide range of, on the face of it, crazy things happening. We thought we might dedicate an episode to comment on some of these events.Yes as I've said in the past, we're certainly running into the wall on various things. We'll run...2024-10-1119 min
Sovereign FinanceKey Economists Who Shaped The World We Live InKey: Rob’s comments are in italics, Derek’s comments in normal font.Introduction to EconomicsOur topic today is economics and an introduction to some of the key people throughout history that have helped develop economics and economic theory, because we think that understanding these people and their thinking helps to understand the world as it is today. So, I think, firstly, let's maybe just start by defining what is economics?Okay, so I think if you asked 20 economists, you'd probably get 20 definitions. But, I mean, broadly, it's the theory about how reso...2024-08-0634 min
Sovereign FinanceRecap: What is Sovereign Finance?Key: Rob’s comments in italics. Derek’s comments in normal font.Back in maybe the first episode, we shared a quote from Martin Luther King, who said that: “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people, but the silence over that by the good people. The time is always right to do what is right. The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate o...2024-07-2328 min
Sovereign FinanceIntroduction to BlackRockKey:Rob’s comments in italicsDerek’s comments in normal fontIntroduction to BlackRockOur subject today is BlackRock, which is an entity that I have to admit before 2020, I was not aware of. So what is it and what do people need to know?BlackRock is a fund manager, which essentially means that it takes the aggregate investments of a large number of people or a large number of organizations, who in turn are collecting investments from large numbers of people and buys the stocks and shares and bonds and any...2024-07-1619 min
Sovereign FinanceIs Money The Root of All Evil?Rob’s comments are in italics. Derek’s comments are in normal font.—Today, our topic is, is money the root of all evil? This is something that I think people probably have heard in different forms, maybe from religion. And I wondered if we could pick apart how this still fits into people's psyche today.The first thing to say is that the quote, as it stands, "money is the root of all evil," is inaccurate, which is just as well because actually it's nonsensical. I mean, money, as we've seen from other...2024-07-1017 min
Sovereign FinanceManaging Investments Within Your PensionKey: Rob’s comments are in italics. Derek’s comments in normal font.On last week's call, we did an introduction to micro finances for small businesses and small business owners. We kind of left off the chat by saying, well, as pensions are the main vehicles for building your wealth over your lifetime, it's probably worth knowing how your pension is being invested and maybe having a bit more control over that. I wondered if we could pick up on that thread.Right, okay, so once again, usual disclaimers. I'm not giving financial advice here...2024-06-1930 min
Sovereign FinanceWhy Are Things Getting Worse?(Key: Rob’s comments in italics, Derek’s comments in normal font)In this episode, we review what's happening in the world right now. We're reaching some sort of endgame with a process that's been ongoing for a long time in economics. We're hitting a wall with the idea of endless economic growth. To maintain stock market prices, which many see as essential, there has to be continuous growth in profits. Historically, this growth was genuine, with more goods and services and increased prosperity for significant segments of the population. But since around the 1990s or the turn...2024-06-0715 min
Sovereign FinanceGood Debt and Bad DebtRob’s comments in italic. Derek’s comments in normal font.Debt in Modern TimesDebt is a major part of today's world, more so than in previous decades. This situation is an outcome of the global financial system's structure, particularly since the dollar came off the gold standard. The decoupling of the world currency system from any objective existence means that all money in circulation is essentially debt owed to someone. This is reflected in banknotes, which used to promise payment in gold but now only promise a nominal amount in currency.The...2024-06-0719 min
Sovereign FinanceIntro to Cryptocurrency & Bitcoin(Key: Rob’s comments in italics, Derek’s comments in normal font)Today we're going to cover an introduction to cryptocurrencies, which is a topic that I am excited to learn about. I think there's a lot of people in this boat, either they've dabbled with it or heard about it, or someone else has decided to invest lots of money in it. So, yeah, let's get into it.The Problem Cryptocurrencies AddressOkay, well, I think the best place to start is what problem cryptocurrencies are attempting to solve, and how well they...2024-04-2936 min
Sovereign FinancePensions: How They Work, And Why They Don't!(Key: Rob’s comments in italics, Derek’s comments in normal font)Our topic today is pension plans, how they're supposed to work and why they don't. Historical Context of Pension PlansHistorically, the majority of people had pension plans that were arranged by their employers. There were a few small independent professionals, like solicitors and accountants, who made their own arrangements. The idea, of course, was to provide an income for when you were no longer able to work or no longer wished to work, adequate to support a lifestyle in line with...2024-04-2239 min
Sovereign FinanceCapital and CapitalismIn this episode, Rob and Derek discuss the concepts of wealth and capital, exploring how wealth is created and the role of capital in the economy. They delve into the topic of capitalism and its alternatives, questioning whether the current system is working effectively. The conversation also touches on the role of capital in retirement planning and the challenges faced by pension systems. They explore different types of investments, such as shares and bonds, and how companies generate income through profits. The episode concludes with a discussion on joint stock companies, equity shares, and shareholder meetings. The conversation explores...2024-04-1550 min
Sovereign FinanceBig Numbers!In this episode, Rob and Derek discuss the concept of big numbers, such as millions, billions, and trillions. They compare the scale of these numbers and provide visualisations to help understand their magnitude. They also explore the earnings and wealth comparison between different income levels. The conversation delves into examples of big numbers in finance, including the cost of weapons, military expenditure, and global trade, plus the possibility of creating a better world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sovereignfinance...2024-04-1517 min
The Commission ConversationsThe Commission Conversations - Rob DrummondChair of The Commission on the Future of Oracy Education in England, Geoff Barton, speaks to commission member Professor Rob Drummond about challenging accentism and the deficit model of language, his work in The Manchester Voices Project and how the field of sociolinguistics is so closely tied to the work of the commission.Rob Drummond is Professor of Sociolinguistics at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he researches, teaches and writes about the relationship between spoken language and identity. He recently led the community-focused Manchester Voices project, exploring the accents, dialects and identities of people in Greater...2024-04-0507 min
Sovereign FinanceThe Sovereign Finance Podcast: What To Expect!In this episode, Rob Drummond and Derek Dearden set the stage for what listeners can expect from the Sovereign Finance podcast. They discuss the importance of being in control of your own destiny and how the current era presents unique challenges and opportunities. They touch on historical inflection points, the world financial system, and the need to understand personal finances as a sovereign human being. They delve into the complexities of finance and tease the next episode, which will demystify the concept of money. Join them on this journey to explore the intersection of personal finance, global finance trends...2024-02-2908 min
The Story Selling PodcastPurposeful Podcasting (feat. James Marriott) Podcasting is perhaps the easiest way to communicate your knowledge to the world. Most business owners find it easier to talk than to write - at least on a consistent basis! In this conversation, Rob Drummond and podcasting expert James Marriott explore the concept of 'purposeful podcasting'. If your work makes a real difference to the people you serve, then you'll want to listen to this episode! Takeaways Having a platform, such as a podcast, is essential for communicating expertise and building trust. Purposeful podcasting involves creating podcasts with a clear goal and target audience in mind. Strategy and planning ar...2024-01-2257 min
The Drawing RoomLinguist Rob Drummond on why our attitudes to accents matterStudies show that we really do like the sound of our own voice, with people rating the sound of their own accents highly on a list of ‘social attractiveness’, but it also helps us project our sense of identity and relate to others.Rob Drummond’s own accent has been described as ‘vanilla’ - an admission he makes in his new book You’re All Talk: Why We Are What We Speak.Guest:Rob Drummond, author and linguist2023-11-1516 min
Breakthrough Marketing SecretsMonsters, Sandwiches, & Storytelling Copywriters | Rob Drummond’s Simple Story Selling [interview]⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Episode Links ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐📕 Get the Simple Story Selling book, by Rob Drummond🔗 Rob's interview with ME about my Story Selling Formula☕ Wanna say "thanks" for this episode? Buy me a coffee...⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ More from Roy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🎫 BTMSinsiders: Streaming Library of Copywriting and Marketing Courses📺 Subscribe on YouTube🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast📧 Subscribe by Email🏆 Roy Furr, Fractional CMO for Direct Response MarketersSomewhere in today’s episode, Rob Drummond will reveal the #1 thing you need to do to make your story selling more interesting…And on the way to that, we talk about MONSTE...2023-04-1554 min
Mission ActivatedCrafting Your Unique Story Is More than Just Words; with Rob DrummondIn this episode I spoke with one of our long term friends and members of the 6 Star movement, Rob Drummond. I loved this conversation for so many reasons, not least of all because of his passion for helping entrepreneurs be their authentic self.We discussed many topics, and I thought he absolutely nailed the answer to the question “what does it mean to be 6 Star?”. I hope you like it as well!Here’s a summary of our conversation:03:30 - it started with barefoot running08:55 - the jo...2023-04-111h 07
Gear & BeerGear & Beer Episode 38: Dennis DrummondFOLLOW US ON IG!!!
Dennis Drummond is a guitar player and singer from Warren, OH, now living in Nashville. Dennis is a monster talent and does sessions in town and live gigs on the road with a variety of artists, as well as being, himself, an artist and he also was a featured contestant on The Voice. We discuss his time on the show, as well as his Kemper and his walnut 335, the blues and coming up as a young player, his time at Berkley, as well as Youngstown Ohio and coffee and of course our round of question...2022-06-201h 47
Making It: How to Be a Successful Online EntrepreneurNurturing Success (Rob Drummond)Special "Business Revenue Leak Checklist" offer free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Welcome to Making It! This weekly show explores the lives and stories of entrepreneurs as they share their unique perspectives on their success and the path to making it. Rob Drummond is the founder of Story Copywriters, an online business that teaches marketers how to write authentic stories that sell. Soon after embarking on his entrepreneurial endeavor, Rob found that the key to his own success was in fostering the success of others. Rob talks about the importance of experiencing a vari...2022-01-2111 minMission ActivatedHow Your Service Delivery and Communications Impact Success; with Rob Drummond & Rashid Kotwal - #8Welcome to episode 8 of the Six Star Business Podcast!In this episode we are talking to Rob from the UK, an experienced Google Ads consultant and copywriter who has done all aspects of marketing over the years, who ended up focussing on what he believed was the most critical element of engaging your audience: creating stories. Alongside him we have Rashid, originally a business coach turned marketing and sales guru from Australia who now focusses on helping businesses to reduce their sales cycles down and make a seemingly complex sales process more simple.2021-05-0450 min