Alan Kohler: "This Is Who Controls the Economy", Elon Musk & the Signals of an Economic Crisis
About this episode
Alan Kohler discusses the evolution of the Australian economy and its key figures with Mark Bouris.
Alan Kohler has spent more than 50 years at the centre of Australian financial journalism — and few people alive have watched this country's booms, busts, and policy shifts with more clarity. In this conversation, Mark and Alan trace the arc of Australian capitalism from the Poseidon nickel boom of 1969 through to the rise of Elon Musk and the AI era. Alan draws striking parallels between the charismatic deal-makers of the 1980s — Bond, Elliott, Skase — and the story-sellers of today, and explains why irrational exuberance always takes longer to unravel than anyone expects. He also gives a frank assessment of what Australian housing policy has got wrong, why superannuation remains the country's greatest economic achievement, and what capital gains tax reform should actually look like. We speak about: • The Poseidon nickel boom and what it taught a 17-year-old copy boy about markets • Why every major financial boom has a charismatic figure selling an irresistible story • Elon Musk, SpaceX, and whether a loss-making $2 trillion company makes any sense • How Basel banking rules quietly turned Australian banks into mortgage lenders &bull…
More episodes of Straight Talk with Mark Bouris
- Communication Expert: The 4 Psychological Drivers Behind All Self-Doubt
- Exercise Expert: Dr Stacy Sims On The Best Way to Train, Eat & Age Well (Project 100)
- Jim Jefferies on Albo's Joke Scandal, His Nephew's Tragic Death & America's Madness
- Property Expert: Why Australian House Prices Are Falling Faster Than Expected
- "It was a Disaster" Chris Joye on the Budget, Australia’s Property Correction, Trump & Bitcoin
- Socceroos Legend Mark Schwarzer on World Cup 2026, Egypt & the Italy Heartbreak That Still Stings
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Straight Talk with Mark Bouris podcast page.