Best T. A. Acker Podcasts (2024)

1
Robert Sangster - First past the Post 14:09

2+ y ago14:09

14:09

ROBERT SANGSTER: First past the Post The bloodstock business is a multi-billion dollar industry employing thousands of people around the globe. John Swinfield made a TV documentary about Robert Sangster who was an axial figure in the rarefied and risky bank-balance stakes. It’s a business closely linked to the lucrative and exploitative gambling in…

1
Ed Acker of Pan Am: Triumphs and Tragedies 15:50

2+ y ago15:50

15:50

SYNOPSIS ED ACKER of Pan Am: Triumphs and Tragedies Flying taxis, private space shots, aircraft powered by electricity, solar and even hydrogen. Aviation has witnessed swift and tumultuous developments from the heady days of the intrepid Wright brothers taking to the skies over North Carolina at the dawn of the 20th century. As Covid and its variat…

1
Red Letter - Into the Red - How a gift company fell to earth 13:31

2+ y ago13:31

13:31

SYNOPSIS INTO THE RED: how a gift company fell to earth A high number of different businesses have gone bust lately, many being the victims of Covid. But life in business has always been precarious with more stories of calamity than success. Way before the pandemic Red Letter Days was a small British company which took off but subsequently failed. …

1
HEAVENS ABOVE: Sir Freddie Laker’s low fares and cheap travel. 14:53

2+ y ago14:53

14:53

HEAVENS ABOVE: Sir Freddie Laker’s low fares and cheap travel. In the capricious airline business low cost fliers battle it out. The Hungarian based Wizz Air has collared a chunk of the market and is widely thought to have put in a so-far unsuccessful bid for easyJet. The Irish Ryanair, run by the ebullient Michael O’Leary, is planning to quit the …

1
MARKS & SPENCER: M&S Weathering the storm 19:59

2+ y ago19:59

19:59

MARKS & SPENCER: Weathering the storm Britain’s ubiquitous Marks & Spencer (M&S) with over a 1,000 shops and 78000 workers began as a market stall in the Yorkshire city of Leeds in 1884. Like other familiar high street names it’s had a difficult time but new financial figures are encouraging. John Swinfield has known the company for decades. He rec…

1
STRICTLY DELFONT: The impresario Lord Delfont. 16:52

2+ y ago16:52

16:52

STRICTLY DELFONT: The impresario Lord Delfont. Lord Bernard Delfont began as a dancer and rose to the top of the entertainment industry. A powerhouse in London’s theatre land and New York’s Broadway he was part of a media and entertainment dynasty and worked with myriad superstars from Frank Sinatra to Judy Garland. His brothers were Lew and Leslie…

1
PARTY TIME: Clive Sinclair and Jeffrey Archer 15:10

2+ y ago15:10

15:10

PARTY TIME: Clive Sinclair and Jeffrey Archer Legendary inventor and computer genius Sir Clive Sinclair was a friend of many years standing of John Swinfield. They met up again at a party given by the Tory peer and novelist Jeffrey Archer and his wife Mary at their Grantchester home in Cambridge. John recalls a colourful cast including Lord Archer,…

1
Profits to Popeye - Granada Tv and the Disney Empire 17:33

2+ y ago17:33

17:33

PROFITS TO POPEYE The world’s biggest mouse house and why Gerry Robinson of Granada TV chose profit over priesthood. Robinson ran Britain’s Granada company. It triggered a takeover battle which changed the face of British TV and enraged the comedian John Cleese of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. In America, John Swinfield made a TV documentary about …

1
Big Bucks and Bold Breakthroughs - Autonomy 12:07

2+ y ago12:07

12:07

Big Bucks and Bold Breakthroughs Hi-tech is hi-risk. It’s built into the DNA. People and companies make fortunes, others fall by the wayside. In some the science is strong. In others it’s flaky. Deals can be imperilled by myriad factors - not just the purity or effectiveness of the science. John Swinfield looks at the roller-coaster world of earth-…

1
Little Big Man: Lord Forte global hotelier 20:20

2+ y ago20:20

20:20

FORTE Little Big Man: Lord Forte The legendary Charles Forte built a hotel and catering empire which straddled the globe, only to see it snatched away in his twilight years in one of the City’s most ferocious takeover battles. John Swinfield knew Forte, and his son Rocco, who has built his own portfolio of exclusive hotels. John Swinfield’s essay, …

1
Chips with Everything - Arm Silicon Chips 19:09

2+ y ago19:09

19:09

SILICON FEN: CHIPS with EVERYTHING The Cambridge hi-tech phenomena has produced myriad outstanding companies, scientists and engineers. A dozen engineers broke away from the once-legendary Acorn computers and started ARM – Advanced Risc Machines - in an 18th century barn in the Cambridgeshire village of Swaffham Bulbeck. Today it’s a global player …

1
New York 14:03

2+ y ago14:03

14:03

New York is one of John Swinfield’s favourite cities. He’s always admired its insomniac energy and insatiable drive. But it was a violent and dangerous place when he first visited, spiralling into a vortex of murder and narcotics. Financially it was on its knees, with City Hall at daggers drawn with the unyielding trade union boss Victor Gotbaum. G…

1
Show Business - Pete Waterman, of pop music fame. 14:50

2+ y ago14:50

14:50

That’s Showbiz As well as making TV documentaries about business leaders for Enterprise (ITV/C4), having previously been a reporter with The Money programme (BBC2), John Swinfield made 26 half-hour interview programmes for London News Radio which he called ‘The Boss’. Among his guests were Pete Waterman, of pop music fame, and Christopher Bland and…

1
Mobile Phones - John Caudwell and Charles Dunstone of Carphone Warehouse and TalkTalk 18:05

2+ y ago18:05

18:05

John Caudwell of Phones4U and Charles Dunstone of Carphone Warehouse and TalkTalk have made a fortune out of the explosion in mobile phones and telecommunications. But it’s a tough sector and there have been casualties as well.By John Swinfield

1
Minding the shop: Tesco and Sir Leslie Porter 19:52

2+ y ago19:52

19:52

Minding the shop: Tesco Secrets of the retail trade with Britain’s biggest shopkeeper. Sir Leslie Porter was the boss of Tesco – Britain’s largest supermarket chain. He was the son-in-law of Jack Cohen, the inventor of supermarkets and the founder of Tesco who started with a market stall in London’s east end. Cohen’s slogan was ‘Pile it High and Se…

1
Gloria Vanderbilt - The heiress Gloria Vanderbilt was an actress, novelist and painter. 19:02

2+ y ago19:02

19:02

Gloria Vanderbilt: The Vanderbilt’s were one of the legendary families with the Rockefeller’s, Henry Ford, JP Morgan and Andrew Carnegie, who built America. The heiress Gloria Vanderbilt was an actress, novelist and painter. An entrepreneur and business woman, she was also famous for her textiles, designs and the best-selling Vanderbilt jeans. Marr…

1
Lotus goes Italian! 18:34

2+ y ago18:34

18:34

After the death of motor racing legend Colin Chapman, his Lotus car company was bought by Italian car boss Romano Artiolli, who had previously resuscitated fabled Bugatti cars. Artiolli later sold Lotus to Proton cars of Malaysia. Today it’s controlled by Geely cars of China. During his ownership of Lotus Artiolli met with the boss of Ford Cars, a …

1
Dorm Disaster 6:48

2+ y ago6:48

6:48

Before the fall semester began, some students were already dealing with housing still under construction. Could this have been prevented? Take a listen!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
Cars, Turkeys and Double Glazing 18:03

2+ y ago18:03

18:03

Three industrialists who began with nothing and built empires were all friends and lived near each other in the East of England. George Williams built a window company – Bernard Matthews had a turkey business and Colin Chapman created Lotus cars which dominated Grand Prix motor racing.By John Swinfield

1
Regine's and Playboy Club 16:43

2+ y ago16:43

16:43

In this podcast John Swinfield tells the story of a 30 minute film he was making about international nightclub owner Regina and the Playboy club. Please do subscribe to this podcast to listen to weekly podcasts.By John Swinfield

1
Robert Maxwell Part 2. Follow John Swinfield's Big Business Podcast 19:34

2+ y ago19:34

19:34

This is the second part of Robert Maxwell. Please subscribe to keep informed of the latest stories and we hope you enjoy this episode.By John Swinfield

1
Robert Maxwell: Trying to pin down an International fraudster. 20:40

2+ y ago20:40

20:40

Documentary film maker and journalist John Swinfield tries to get to grips with the business tycoon and international fraudster Robert Maxwell. Making a one hour TV movie about the manipulative Maxwell proved an elusive and at times hilarious endeavour.By John Swinfield

1
Introduction to Big Business with John Swinfield 5:48

2+ y ago5:48

5:48

Introduction to the Big Business Podcast with John Swinfield. More episodes within the series will follow every Wednesday at 11am (GMT). Next episode is a two part series on the legendary tycoon businessman Robert Maxwell when John was interviewing and filming him for a one hour documentary that aired on Channel 4 and the international television n…

1
Summer Term may not be for you if... 18:06

3y ago18:06

18:06

The summer term differs from the fall and spring terms in several ways. It may require changes some students aren't eager to make. Attending college during the summer is voluntary for many first and second year students before declaring a major or working on major courses. Self-evaluate to determine if it is a good move for you mentally and emotion…

1
"Stop Bashing Algebra, Please" 7:52

3y ago7:52

7:52

For the folks that think some required high school courses don't apply to their livess today. But there are instances where we use algebra, geometry, etc. more than we know. Take a listen!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
Loan Forgiveness: Almost caught by taxation 11:52

3y ago11:52

11:52

With the 2021 stimulus bill passing in Congress, the student loan forgiveness subject is included. While direct cancellation is not mentioned, forgiveness of student loan is now non-taxable! While this a great thing, there's another concern worth addressing.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support…

1
Should we still call college a "good debt"? 7:50

3y ago7:50

7:50

College can be a rewarding experience, but it can be a costly one as well. Calling it a "good debt" only works if one understands that what they will pay is less than the starting salary of their career upon graduation. Thus, student loan debt is important to weigh, for that amount can quickly grow higher than one's pay. Research and evaluate the r…

1
Customizing Your Education 10:16

3+ y ago10:16

10:16

Just as we customize and add accessories to our wardrobe, we can do that to college majors! You may have the same field of study as another person, but what is custom to you may only fit you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
Gifts: Conquer your needs first 19:44

3+ y ago19:44

19:44

"What do you want for...?" This question comes around whenever it's holiday, birthday, or even graduation season. So when asked by family members and friends, college students should consider their needs first and/or what they may need in their near future. Things like rent paid, gift cards for gas or food, new textbook or supplies, new appliance i…

1
Communication with Credentials 17:37

3+ y ago17:37

17:37

We hold credentials in our working world--degrees, certifications, board affiliations, etc., and they are attached to our names. When communicating via email, letters, and just regular signature, is it possible we are using them incorrectly at times? Should it matter? After all, they are ours, right?--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spot…

1
Academic Sacrifice 12:27

3+ y ago12:27

12:27

At times, you may have a busy schedule, and have many exams on the same day or within a day of each other. You can sometimes feel the need to sacrifice the time and energy for one class and put that into another. Listen to my story and the lesson I learned from it. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/su…

1
Accommodation 13:50

3+ y ago13:50

13:50

Just like eyesight, sometimes as a student, your path can be blurry. Having the right corrective lenses can get you on track and enhance your vision.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
Career paths: money owed vs. money earned 9:42

3+ y ago9:42

9:42

Careers based on the traditional college path (as well as the graduate and professional degrees obtained) are always compared to programs taught in technical colleges/trade schools. In this episode, listen to how a social media posts comparing the two sides can provide great information, but also be misleading. --- Support this podcast: https://pod…

1
Sampling college 12:49

4y ago12:49

12:49

Some people are successful without completing a degree. They go to college for a while, get what they need out of it, and move on from it. Some students obtain a degree and use it and their skills to propel them into other careers later.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support…

1
Protect the Free Money 8:28

4y ago8:28

8:28

If you are blessed with a scholarship or grant to help pay for school, you now have important jobs to do: don't waste it and work hard to maintain and obtain it again. Protect your money!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
Embracing Unavailability 9:21

4y ago9:21

9:21

There are times where you must separate yourself from friends (even the good ones) because your priorities require that. Also, having friends that hold you to your priorities is a plus. It's about balancing time and energy together as well as apart.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support…

1
To Whom Are You Connected? 19:02

4y ago19:02

19:02

Listen as I talk about $120 million donation from Netflix CEO to Morehouse and Spelman Colleges as well as the United Negro College Fund. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
Student Loan Forgiveness Veto 17:40

4y ago17:40

17:40

Hear my perspective on the latest student loan forgiveness bill veto by the current administration. Hear why students need to take heed to this and make sound financial decisions in college. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
The Roommate Effect 9:01

4y ago9:01

9:01

Whether in college or post-graduation, having a roommate can offer opportunity to build savings and pay off debt. But this can only happen if you have the right roommate.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
Who do you know with student loan debt? 10:12

4y ago10:12

10:12

In this episode, T. A. has a small assignment for students heading to college: find someone you know that is already dealing with student loan debt. How do they feel? How has student loan repayment/debt affected their lives? The goal is show students what a projected future looks like, so that they can either plan for it or avoid it altogether.--- …

1
Are You Having a Conversation? 20:32

4y ago20:32

20:32

This episode is speaking to both the parents as well as the teen who is thinking about college. Are parents being transparent and honest enough when explaining their own financial struggle, financial outlook, current student loan debt (if applicable) to their soon-to-be college child(ren). The same perception (mistakes) could be made if parents giv…

1
Transition to online learning 17:20

4y ago17:20

17:20

Due to recent coronavirus outbreak, academic institutions are switching to online instruction. Here, I break down transition tips to help students make it through their semesters.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
Should you have a plan B? 16:48

4y ago16:48

16:48

Even when we know what we want to pursue (as a major, dream or goal), we may find ourselves at a point that questions whether we should continue on that path, or start planning in another direction. Sometimes we can merge the two. But for some, plan A is the only plan and that works for them. In either case, time, money, and one's capability has to…

1
Immediately vs. Waiting to start 12:55

4y ago12:55

12:55

Should high schoolers try to begin college directly after high school ends? Should they take time off beforehand until they are "ready" to attend? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
Stop the Pressure 8:11

4+ y ago8:11

8:11

At times, being the first and/or the only one to accomplish something comes with unwanted pressure. If not careful, the pressure can prevent you from performing your best. No one can get the diploma, degree, etc but you, so don't let the pressure hinder you. It's not when you finish, but that you finish.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.…

1
G.P.A.: What it can or cannot do for you? 18:16

4+ y ago18:16

18:16

"A great GPA (grade point average) can get you into school and keep you there, but it may not get you the job." In this episode, I explain why I said this quote and how students should know when their GPA is/isn't the main focal point of their education.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support…

1
Out-of-state tuition fees being dropped in MS 16:34

4+ y ago16:34

16:34

Jackson State University is the latest public college/university in Mississippi that has drastically lowered the tuition fees for out-of-state students. Here I discuss potential pros and cons of that decision. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
Who are YOU? 16:47

4+ y ago16:47

16:47

In the midst of rigorous academic life, finances, etc, how can a student create balance and protect their mental and emotional state? How can they tap into their personalities, hobbies, skills, etc to help them be successful in the classroom?--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support…

1
The Flavor of Graduate School 15:02

4+ y ago15:02

15:02

Degrees are like seasoning in recipes, and getting a Master's degree can add flavor to the careers of some, but not all. It's about blending and complementing the right seasoning/flavors together. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support

1
High school classes: Deciphering what should be mandatory. 21:41

4+ y ago21:41

21:41

Many people feel that instead of (or in addition to) the English, Math, Science, etc., classes about money, careers, home economics, and others should be mandatory. In this episode, let's look at why and why not.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/flipthecoinover/support…

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T. A. Acker Podcasts

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