Nathan Gower
@nathanjgower.bsky.social
BBC audio journalist working on, amongst other programmes, More or Less.
Trying to make a career out of splicing together complex explanations with stupid, stupid jokes. Results pending.
Trying to make a career out of splicing together complex explanations with stupid, stupid jokes. Results pending.
Reposted by Nathan Gower
Reading the OBR report before the chancellor starts. An illicit thrill.
November 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Reading the OBR report before the chancellor starts. An illicit thrill.
Finally got round to watching TV highlights of day 2 of the Perth Test. That Head knock was quite something to witness, the lightness of heart and confidence running through the innings.
I know it's a shocker for England, but hard not to appreciate the brutal glory of an Ashes series in Australia.
I know it's a shocker for England, but hard not to appreciate the brutal glory of an Ashes series in Australia.
November 24, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Finally got round to watching TV highlights of day 2 of the Perth Test. That Head knock was quite something to witness, the lightness of heart and confidence running through the innings.
I know it's a shocker for England, but hard not to appreciate the brutal glory of an Ashes series in Australia.
I know it's a shocker for England, but hard not to appreciate the brutal glory of an Ashes series in Australia.
As Richie Benaud would say - morning, everyone.
November 21, 2025 at 5:37 AM
As Richie Benaud would say - morning, everyone.
Reposted by Nathan Gower
I was in a meeting where the chart in the Budget showed they were missing the rule. Gordon asked if they could just make the line fatter, so it appeared to meet the axis.. and a certain SPAD (now with a popular podcast) responded "well yes, but we did that last time... there are limits" 🤣
November 14, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I was in a meeting where the chart in the Budget showed they were missing the rule. Gordon asked if they could just make the line fatter, so it appeared to meet the axis.. and a certain SPAD (now with a popular podcast) responded "well yes, but we did that last time... there are limits" 🤣
Boy, I sure wish someone would make a radio documentary about how budgets and bond markets interact, eh, @duncanweldon.bsky.social?
Oh wait:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
(From April this year)
Oh wait:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
(From April this year)
Currently - Of Budgets and Bond Markets - BBC Sounds
Duncan Weldon explores the political and economic reality of relying on the bond markets.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Boy, I sure wish someone would make a radio documentary about how budgets and bond markets interact, eh, @duncanweldon.bsky.social?
Oh wait:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
(From April this year)
Oh wait:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
(From April this year)
Bank of England getting out of the bond-buying game as it announces plans to drop a seminal prog rock album.
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Bank of England getting out of the bond-buying game as it announces plans to drop a seminal prog rock album.
Discussing the prospects of a financial crash was so fun, we made an extended podcast cut.
Very happy with this episode of the Briefing Room I produced this week, though almost all the credit goes to our excellent guests, @katie0martin.ft.com, @duncanweldon.bsky.social and Simon French.
Very happy with this episode of the Briefing Room I produced this week, though almost all the credit goes to our excellent guests, @katie0martin.ft.com, @duncanweldon.bsky.social and Simon French.
The Briefing Room - Is there a crash coming? - BBC Sounds
Could an AI bubble or so-called ‘shadow banking’ threaten the global economy?
www.bbc.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Discussing the prospects of a financial crash was so fun, we made an extended podcast cut.
Very happy with this episode of the Briefing Room I produced this week, though almost all the credit goes to our excellent guests, @katie0martin.ft.com, @duncanweldon.bsky.social and Simon French.
Very happy with this episode of the Briefing Room I produced this week, though almost all the credit goes to our excellent guests, @katie0martin.ft.com, @duncanweldon.bsky.social and Simon French.
Reposted by Nathan Gower
2-in-5 men die prematurely according to charity Movember, but what exactly do they mean?
It was great to be able to join Tim Harford and the 'More or Less' team on BBC Radio4 this morning to discuss life expectancy statistics and what they really mean.
This one may not mean what you think it does!
It was great to be able to join Tim Harford and the 'More or Less' team on BBC Radio4 this morning to discuss life expectancy statistics and what they really mean.
This one may not mean what you think it does!
October 15, 2025 at 10:24 AM
2-in-5 men die prematurely according to charity Movember, but what exactly do they mean?
It was great to be able to join Tim Harford and the 'More or Less' team on BBC Radio4 this morning to discuss life expectancy statistics and what they really mean.
This one may not mean what you think it does!
It was great to be able to join Tim Harford and the 'More or Less' team on BBC Radio4 this morning to discuss life expectancy statistics and what they really mean.
This one may not mean what you think it does!
Some superb details in the Guardian review of Ozzy Osbourne's autobiography.
October 7, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Some superb details in the Guardian review of Ozzy Osbourne's autobiography.
My money's on Julia Roberts.
September 25, 2025 at 10:38 AM
My money's on Julia Roberts.
Once again the implausibly hunky Eric Whitacre crashes my timeline.
September 18, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Once again the implausibly hunky Eric Whitacre crashes my timeline.
Reposted by Nathan Gower
if you’re curious, the 6.30pm slot on radio 4 attracts about 1.5m listeners
So I looked up the ratings for the network late night hosts and one thing that genuinely surprised me is how few people watch Jimmy Fallon
www.tvinsider.com/1202434/late...
www.tvinsider.com/1202434/late...
July 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
if you’re curious, the 6.30pm slot on radio 4 attracts about 1.5m listeners
Thanks to the super cool bond nerds for letting me hang out with them for a few weeks.
You know what's cool? Bonds. So cool that @duncanweldon.bsky.social did a documentary about them on radio 4 with input from @tobyn.bsky.social and me and other similarly cool cats.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Currently - Of Budgets and Bond Markets - BBC Sounds
Duncan Weldon explores the political and economic reality of relying on the bond markets.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Thanks to the super cool bond nerds for letting me hang out with them for a few weeks.
This is on on Radio 4 in ten minutes.
Some classic Easter-themed bond market content for you.
But seriously, if you want to learn about how the financial markets that the government leans on for its spending plans add up actually work, and the consequences for our public finances, listen in!
Some classic Easter-themed bond market content for you.
But seriously, if you want to learn about how the financial markets that the government leans on for its spending plans add up actually work, and the consequences for our public finances, listen in!
April 20, 2025 at 12:23 PM
This is on on Radio 4 in ten minutes.
Some classic Easter-themed bond market content for you.
But seriously, if you want to learn about how the financial markets that the government leans on for its spending plans add up actually work, and the consequences for our public finances, listen in!
Some classic Easter-themed bond market content for you.
But seriously, if you want to learn about how the financial markets that the government leans on for its spending plans add up actually work, and the consequences for our public finances, listen in!
Really enjoying Tom Service live from Iona on Radio 3. Part of more excellent seasonal programming on Radio 3. Really brings these holidays to life, and like the best live radio utterly roots you in a place.
April 19, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Really enjoying Tom Service live from Iona on Radio 3. Part of more excellent seasonal programming on Radio 3. Really brings these holidays to life, and like the best live radio utterly roots you in a place.
Reposted by Nathan Gower
Just tied up my Radio 4 documentary about the relationship of the bond market to government finances with @duncanweldon.bsky.social with a week to go before broadcast.
Now to see just how bombproof we managed to make it.
Now to see just how bombproof we managed to make it.
April 11, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Just tied up my Radio 4 documentary about the relationship of the bond market to government finances with @duncanweldon.bsky.social with a week to go before broadcast.
Now to see just how bombproof we managed to make it.
Now to see just how bombproof we managed to make it.
Do we... believe these figures, given recent ONS issues with some GDP relevant stats?
UK economy far exceeds forecasts to grow 0.5% in boost to Rachel Reeves
UK economy far exceeds forecasts to grow 0.5% in boost to Rachel Reeves
February GDP rise bigger than forecast but impact from Donald Trump’s tariff war yet to come
* Business live – latest updates
The UK economy unexpectedly expanded by 0.5% in February, according to official figures, in a boost for Rachel Reeves before an expected downturn triggered by Donald Trump’s tariff war.
Reversing a modest fall in January, the increase in gross domestic product in February could mark the last period of expansion before the threat of a global trade war dampens business investment and consumer spending. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
April 11, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Do we... believe these figures, given recent ONS issues with some GDP relevant stats?
Reposted by Nathan Gower
I have a nitpick about the bond vigilantes claim — it was systemic stress/deleveraging that happened to wreak havoc in global bond markets this week that forced the issue, not some discretionary fundamental repricing of government long bonds.
April 10, 2025 at 12:52 AM
I have a nitpick about the bond vigilantes claim — it was systemic stress/deleveraging that happened to wreak havoc in global bond markets this week that forced the issue, not some discretionary fundamental repricing of government long bonds.
Reposted by Nathan Gower
V sharp moves in US govt bonds.
There’s an easy narrative that this is the markets losing faith in the US. That would be a nice mortality tale. But the reality is probably more concerning in the short term.
The market could well be breaking because of structural issues in how it trades & volatility.
There’s an easy narrative that this is the markets losing faith in the US. That would be a nice mortality tale. But the reality is probably more concerning in the short term.
The market could well be breaking because of structural issues in how it trades & volatility.
April 9, 2025 at 6:57 AM
V sharp moves in US govt bonds.
There’s an easy narrative that this is the markets losing faith in the US. That would be a nice mortality tale. But the reality is probably more concerning in the short term.
The market could well be breaking because of structural issues in how it trades & volatility.
There’s an easy narrative that this is the markets losing faith in the US. That would be a nice mortality tale. But the reality is probably more concerning in the short term.
The market could well be breaking because of structural issues in how it trades & volatility.
Unhedged has been particularly good in this latest period of chaos, and it is (worryingly) becoming increasingly essential listening for everyone.
@robarmstrong.bsky.social and i recorded the latest pod in that brief window yesterday when stocks looked OK(ish) and we were saying
- nope, not buying that dip
- why it's bad when bonds wobble in a crisis
So have a listen www.ft.com/content/8372...
- nope, not buying that dip
- why it's bad when bonds wobble in a crisis
So have a listen www.ft.com/content/8372...
Surveying the wreckage
As markets bounce around, China announces its own tariffs
www.ft.com
April 9, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Unhedged has been particularly good in this latest period of chaos, and it is (worryingly) becoming increasingly essential listening for everyone.
Reposted by Nathan Gower
That 5D chess plan to bring down yields in full.
10-year yield going vertical here. Something’s gonna break.
April 9, 2025 at 5:22 AM
That 5D chess plan to bring down yields in full.
Sure, I want to learn about the feasibility of an annual wealth tax, but ONLY if it's in a programme that uses Enter Sandman in a critique of Keir Starmer's claims on the economy.
What's that? Tomorrow morning's episode of More or Less does BOTH of those things?
What's that? Tomorrow morning's episode of More or Less does BOTH of those things?
March 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Sure, I want to learn about the feasibility of an annual wealth tax, but ONLY if it's in a programme that uses Enter Sandman in a critique of Keir Starmer's claims on the economy.
What's that? Tomorrow morning's episode of More or Less does BOTH of those things?
What's that? Tomorrow morning's episode of More or Less does BOTH of those things?
Reposted by Nathan Gower
Having your currency best charted with a log-scale is just such an awful place to be.
March 19, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Having your currency best charted with a log-scale is just such an awful place to be.
I have a very specific work request. Does anyone know of any Welsh academics / authors / mathematicians / statisticians who work in the 'small world' / network science field? E.g. familiar with the work of Duncan Watts.
And yes they *have to be* Welsh.
And yes they *have to be* Welsh.
March 11, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I have a very specific work request. Does anyone know of any Welsh academics / authors / mathematicians / statisticians who work in the 'small world' / network science field? E.g. familiar with the work of Duncan Watts.
And yes they *have to be* Welsh.
And yes they *have to be* Welsh.