The Library of Mistakes

The Library of Mistakes

Library of Mistakes

Episodes 60
Avg. Duration 43m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.8 (40)
Since Jan 2022
Latest Episode Jun 2026

Outreach Signals

Open to Sponsors Features Guests

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
36%
Hosting
www.spreaker.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Based in Edinburgh, the Library of Mistakes is a free public library designed to improve understanding of finance, one mistake at a time. In this podcast series the Library's Keeper, Professor Russell Napier, speaks to leading financial history authors around the world, with Fraser Allen & Leila Johnston presenting an additional thread of episodes called Shelf Life.
Series produced by Fraser Allen.

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

EP 60: Blue Blood (with Robert Pickering)

Jun 09, 2026 1h

Blue Blood tells the story of Cazenove & Co., the prestigious stockbroking firm founded in 1823. Former CEO Robert Pickering reveals what happened in 2000 when the firm decided to abandon its…

EP 59: How to Get Rich the American Way (with Joseph S. Moore)

May 27, 2026 45m

There are plenty of books suggesting ways in which wealthy people can invest their money, but very few for people who lack the investment funds in the first place. After suffering his own financial…

EP 58: Observatoire des Erreurs (with François Boutin-Dufresne) Shelf Life #15

May 18, 2026 31m

Join us in Montreal as we speak with François Boutin-Dufresne who, together with Karl Gauvin, is co-founder of the Observatoire des Erreurs – Canada's very own version of the Library of Mistakes.…

EP 57: The Future Asset Takeover! (with Grace London) Shelf Life #14

Apr 20, 2026 58m

Welcome to a very special episode in which the talented young women of Future Asset stage a takeover of the podcast. Recorded at the annual Future Asset finals in Edinburgh (at which teams of girls…

EP 56: Money Beyond Borders (with Barry Eichengreen)

Apr 10, 2026 46m

Welcome to a very special episode of the podcast, as we hear from eminent economic historian and prolific author Barry Eichengreen. Barry is the man who inspired our very own Russell Napier to…

EP 55: The Swiss Franc, 1798 to 2055 (with Costa Vayenas)

Apr 02, 2026 49m

Join Russell Napier and Costa Vayenas as they explore a currency with a cult following – the Swiss Franc. Costa is author of The Swiss Franc, from 1798 to 2055 – and yes, that's not a typo. The book…

EP 54: The Weekend Of Mistakes (with Leila Johnston) Shelf Life #13

Mar 26, 2026 34m

The much-anticipated Weekend of Mistakes 2026 took place on 20-22 March, with leading investment and ecomonic thinkers such as Russell Napier, Merryn Somerset Webb and Professor Helen Thompson…

EP 53: A Practical History of Financial Markets (with Russell Napier) Shelf Life #12

Mar 20, 2026 26m

Russell Napier, founder of the Library of Mistakes, joins Fraser Allen & Leila Johnston to discuss the Library’s Practical History of Financial Markets, which has been running for almost two…

EP 52: The Smith Conversations (with Robbie Mochrie) Shelf Life #11

Feb 13, 2026 46m

In this episode, Robbie Mochrie catches up with Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen to discuss a series of events he has organised to celebrate the 250-year anniversary of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations.…

EP 51: The Business of History (with Tom Levitt)

Feb 04, 2026 40m

Tom Levitt was exploring a course on 19th century history during the pandemic crisis when he stumbled upon WH Beable’s 'Romance of Great Businesses', a 1926 book exploring 32 iconic British…

EP 50: The Weekend Of Mistakes (with Alice Sherwood & Paul Greatbatch) Shelf Life #10

Jan 20, 2026 42m

In the latest Shelf Life, we begin with a clip of Russell Napier speaking at this year's Mistake Of The Year awards at the Library of Mistakes - you can see the whole thing on YouTube (link below).…

EP 49: Good Money (with George Selgin)

Dec 11, 2025 55m

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’.…

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

Dec 01, 2025 50m

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…

EP 47: Money and Empire (with Perry Mehrling)

Nov 13, 2025 53m

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…

EP 46: Future Asset (with Jen Mair) Shelf Life #8

Oct 31, 2025 42m

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…

EP 45: Errorist In Residence (with Robbie Mochrie) Shelf Life #7

Oct 03, 2025 42m

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…

EP 44: Cents and Sensibility (with Gary Saul Morson & Morton Schapiro)

Sep 29, 2025 48m

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…

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

Sep 03, 2025 53m

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…

EP 42: The CEO (with Michael Aldous & John Turner)

Aug 13, 2025 41m

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…

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

Jul 09, 2025 33m

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…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Library of Mistakes have?

The Library of Mistakes has published 60 episodes since January 2022, covering topics in Business, History.

Is The Library of Mistakes still active?

The Library of Mistakes is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 43m.

How do I contact The Library of Mistakes for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for The Library of Mistakes, including email and social media links.

Similar Podcasts