The Human Risk Podcast

By: Human Risk
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  • Summary

  • People are often described as the largest asset in most organisations. They are also the biggest single cause of risk. This podcast explores the topic of 'human risk', or "the risk of people doing things they shouldn't or not doing things they should", and examines how behavioural science can help us mitigate it. It also looks at 'human reward', or "how to get the most out of people". When we manage human risk, we often stifle human reward. Equally, when we unleash human reward, we often inadvertently increase human risk.
    Copyright Human Risk
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Science Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Duncan Mavin on Meltdown: The Collapse of Credit Suisse

    Duncan Mavin on Meltdown: The Collapse of Credit Suisse
    Jan 12 2025
    How does a major global bank keep surviving crises; until it doesn't?


    Episode Summary
    On this episode, I’m joined by Duncan Mavin, author of Meltdown: Scandal, Sleaze, and the Collapse of Credit Suisse.

    Duncan’s book dives deep into the bank’s dramatic downfall, uncovering decades of mismanagement, scandals, and cultural clashes that eventually led to its collapse.

    As someone with intersecting touchpoints with Credit Suisse throughout my career, I couldn’t wait to have this conversation.

    During our discussion, we explore the intricate dynamics that defined Credit Suisse’s rise and fall, from Swiss banking secrecy laws to the revolving door of executives who struggled to fix a broken culture. Duncan shares eye-opening stories, including the mind-boggling choices made by individuals who valued short-term gains over long-term survival.

    This is more than just a tale of one bank’s failure—it’s a masterclass in understanding human behavior, organizational dynamics, and the systemic issues that plague the financial industry.

    Whether you’re a financial services expert or a curious observer, this episode will leave you questioning how much has really changed since the financial crisis.

    Guest Biography
    Duncan Mavin is a financial journalist and author. Over his 20-year journalism career, Duncan has worked at renowned publications like The Wall Street Journal, where he served as Finance Editor for Europe, and Bloomberg News.

    Before becoming a journalist, Duncan spent a decade as a finance professional and accountant.

    His latest book delves into the story of Credit Suisse, a firm he became intimately familiar with through his reporting and his earlier book on the Greensill scandal.

    Duncan’s insightful analysis and gripping storytelling bring to life the human decisions and cultural dynamics that contributed to Credit Suisse’s collapse.

    AI-Generated Timestamped Summary
    [00:00:00] Welcome and Duncan’s background as a financial journalist.

    [00:01:00] How Duncan’s first book on Greensill led to Meltdown.

    [00:02:00] Credit Suisse’s litany of scandals and its survival against the odds.

    [00:06:00] Swiss banking secrecy laws and their unintended consequences.

    [00:08:00] Cultural clashes between Swiss and American banking styles.

    [00:15:00] The short-term thinking and CEO turnover at Credit Suisse.

    [00:25:00] Archegos and Greensill—critical moments in the bank’s collapse.

    [00:29:00] How social media accelerated Credit Suisse’s final downfall.

    [00:35:00] The reaction in Switzerland to the collapse and the book.

    [00:42:00] The ongoing legacy of Credit Suisse and lessons for banking.

    [00:50:00] Reflections on regulation and the future of financial services.


    Links

    Meltdown - https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/duncan-mavin/meltdown/9781035037469

    Pyramid of Lies, Duncan's book on Greensill — https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/duncan-mavin/pyramid-of-lies/9781529088922

    Duncan on Twitter/X - https://x.com/dumav

    The Swiss government report on the collapse of Credit Suisse: https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-103689.html
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Kit Holden on Played in Germany -  a footballing journey through a nation's soul

    Kit Holden on Played in Germany -  a footballing journey through a nation's soul
    Jan 5 2025
    What can we learn about a country from its favourite sport? A lot. Particularly when that country has a history and culture like Germany. Which is what I'm exploring on this episode.Even if you're not a football fan, this episode — in a year when Germany goes to the polls — will have something of interest.Episode Summary On this episode, I speak with Kit Holden, a British-German journalist and author whose love for German football has led him to uncover the rich tapestry of stories behind the Bundesliga.Kit's perspective as an "insider, yet outsider" allows him to explore not just what happens on the pitch but also the cultural and societal dynamics that shape the game in Germany. From the legendary 50+1 ownership rule to the passionate fan culture that prioritizes community, we discuss what sets German football apart.Kit shares his experiences writing two books: Scheisse, We're Going Up, chronicling Union Berlin’s extraordinary journey from underdog to Champions League contender, and Played in Germany, a deep dive into how football reflects the soul of the nation.Our conversation delves into topics such as fan ownership, regional identities, and the challenges of maintaining tradition while engaging a global audience. Whether you're a football fanatic or a newcomer, this episode offers insights into the intersection of sport, society, and storytelling.We also explore Kit’s craft as a journalist, how his bilingual skills and cultural curiosity enable him to connect with fans, players, and club officials, and the lessons football can teach us about resilience and identity. With stories that span the Ruhr Valley to the rise of East German clubs, this episode will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the beautiful game and its deeper meanings.Guest Biography Kit is a British-German journalist and author based in Berlin. He covers German football for Der Tagesspiegel and AFP, and his work has appeared in The Guardian, The Athletic, and Die Zeit.Through his work, Kit explores how football reflects societal values, regional traditions, and the challenges of modern commercialization.AI-Generated Timestamp Summary(00:02) German Football Bundesliga and Fan CultureGerman Bundesliga's unique fan-focused ownership structure and its connection to regional identities explored by journalist Kit Holden.(08:03) Football Fan StoriesUnion Berlin's rise to success is a testament to the dedication of its fans and the power of community in sports.(17:09) East German Football Legacy and IdentityLeipzig's role in German football history divided past and present and challenging traditional values.(21:55) Uncovering German Regional Identities Through FootballStorytelling in journalism captures historical narratives, regional identities, and football culture in Germany and the UK.(29:22) German Football and National IdentityFootball in Germany connects with the past, regional identities, and post-war narrative while acknowledging and remembering its connections to the Nazi era.(32:50) Ultras in German FootballGerman football clubs have taken responsibility for their Nazi ties, with ultras playing a vital role in preserving fan power and resisting private equity investment.(38:21) German Football and Fan ParticipationGerman football clubs, ultras, and fans debate preserving traditional culture while remaining competitive in the global market.(43:03) Resilience and Tradition in German FootballFan culture, commercial interests, private equity, club identity, competitive vitality, local connections, football clubs, and supporters' identities.(49:30) German Football Clubs and Identity ReimaginedExamining Schalke 04's decline and its impact on Gelsenkirchen while exploring diverse matchday experiences in Bundesliga clubs like Union Berlin and HSV.LinksKit's first book Scheisse! We’re Going Up! about Union Berlin's extraordinary rise: https://www.duckworthbooks.co.uk/book/played-in-germany/His latest book Played in Germany: A Footballing Journey Through A Nation's Soulhttps://linktr.ee/playedingermany and https://www.duckworthbooks.co.uk/book/scheisse-were-going-up/Kit's journalistic profilesThe Athletic: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/kit-holden/The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/author/kit-holdenTagesspiegel (in German): https://www.tagesspiegel.de/autoren/kit-holdenA football fan's guide to German football: https://www.footballingermany.com/
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    57 mins
  • Tim Houlihan & Dr Kurt Nelson on Behavioural Experiments, Podcasting, and Innovation

    Tim Houlihan & Dr Kurt Nelson on Behavioural Experiments, Podcasting, and Innovation
    Dec 27 2024
    What role does experimentation play in making big life and creative decisions? What lessons can podcasters teach us about effective communication in business?

    Show Summary

    To answer these questions, in this festive episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back two friends of the show, two of my favorite podcasters, Tim Houlihan and Kurt Nelson, co-hosts of the Behavioral Grooves podcast.

    Known for their brilliance in behavioral science and knack for experimentation, Tim and Kurt bring unique insights into podcasting, creativity, and decision-making. Together, we dive into their individual projects and collective experiments that push the boundaries of podcasting.

    Tim shares his personal behavioral experiment—searching for a new home through a disciplined, satisficing approach. He reveals the challenges and joys of balancing criteria while navigating the stress of decision-making. Meanwhile, Kurt and Tim reflect on their podcasting journey, exploring creative formats like episodic series and Groove Jams.

    They also discuss how podcasting can be a powerful tool for internal corporate communication, offering insights into storytelling and audience engagement.

    This conversation is packed with reflections on experimentation, the value of adaptability, and how behavioral science can improve our personal and professional lives.

    Whether you're a fan of behaviorual science, a podcast enthusiast, or someone looking for fresh perspectives, this episode will inspire and entertain.

    Guest Biographies
    Tim Houlihan is a seasoned behavioral science communicator. He brings years of expertise in applying behavioral insights to real-world challenges, focusing on decision-making, innovation, and communication.

    Kurt Nelson is a behavioral scientist with a passion for leveraging psychology to inspire better outcomes in business and life. Known for his engaging storytelling, Kurt brings deep knowledge of behavioral principles to both podcasting and corporate consulting.

    Both of them co-host the fabulous BeSci podcast, Behavioral Grooves, has become a go-to resource for exploring behavioral science concepts through fascinating interviews and creative formats. With over 450 episodes, they continue to redefine the podcasting space.


    AI-Generated Timestamped Summary
    (02:00) - Tim's Behavioural Science Experiment of where he should live

    (11:32) - Decision-Making and Satisfaction in Housing

    (17:26) - Navigating Choices

    (21:21) - The Power of Corporate Podcasting

    (35:01) - Effective Communication in Organizations

    (47:08) - Exploring the Evolution of Behavioural Science Podcast Mini-series

    (55:47) - Selecting Podcast Guests

    (59:18) - Building Genuine Connections Through Podcasting

    (01:07:23) - Future Plans for Behavioral Grooves Podcast

    (01:13:24) - Behavior Shift with an 'f'

    (01:22:53) - Impact of Behavioural Science Applications

    Links

    Behavioral Grooves podcast: https://behavioralgrooves.com/

    Their first ever Groove Jam with me! https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/historys-biggest-what-ifs/

    Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-houlihan-b-e/

    Kurt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwnelson/

    Hartmut Rosa's book Resonance - https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=resonance-a-sociology-of-our-relationship-to-the-world--9781509519897

    Google's Notebook LLM whcih produces an AI-generated 'podcast' summary of documents: https://notebooklm.google/
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    1 hr and 32 mins

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