The market for Orthodox icons has been revivified by Russian money in recent years – yet the genre’s spiritual charge and innate conservatism make it a challenging field for collectors  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A concert sponsored by insurance company Direct Line aims to help time-challenged audiences snatch some shut-eye – but a wakeful FT arts writer finds that the relationship between art and sleep is not a straightforward one  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Miami’s sparkling new Perez Art Museum hosts a big retrospective of the Chinese artist’s work, the FT’s arts writer reflects on culture’s role in challenging oppression  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Christian Bale’s hairpiece in the Oscar-nominated movie caper epitomises the preposterousness of the 1970s – but the decade’s unabashed lack of polish looks increasingly appealing in our technology-dependent age  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the 1980s and 1990s cinema audiences were in thrall to powerful women in erotic thrillers such as Body Heat and Basic Instinct. But whatever became of the genre and is it ripe for a comeback?  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Though shortlisted for the prestigious photography award, Nigeria’s Abraham Oghobase has been refused a visa by the UK government. That’s a sorry state of affairs for a country that professes to be in the vanguard of cultural openness, says the FT’s arts writer. This week’s column is read by Alexander Gilmour.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A developing theme in new music sees artists navigating the fine line between criticism and complicity - and revelling in the contradictions.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Peter Aspden visits the V&A’s ‘Disobedient Objects’ exhibition and reflects on the art of protest in the age of rapid digital dissemination.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On holiday in Greece, the FT’s arts writer travels to some out-of-the-way ancient sites and wonders whether they still hold lessons for 21st-century visitors – or are just another aspect of vacation kitsch  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Art may be essentially egalitarian as it illuminates the human condition – but that hasn't stopped members of the Porsche Travel Club getting special access to the Sistine Chapel. Should we worry if the wealthy corner the finest cultural experiences?  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ludovic Hunter-Tilney uncovers the back story of Vanilla Ice’s hit Ice Ice Baby. Credits:Ultra, EMI  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David Cheal digs into the story of the Britney Spears hit Toxic finding Bollywood samples, acoustic deconstruction and a role as currency in an imagined apocalyptic future. Credits: Jive, Saregama, Beeswing Records  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How is music streaming changing the experience of listeners? Are the algorithms that guide us through this new world an adequate replacement for DJs, critics and knowledgable record shop owners? Could endless choice paradoxically be making us more conservative in our tastes? Lorien Kite discusses these questions with Spotify's Will Page and FT pop critic Ludovic Hunter-Tilney.  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It took Wilbert Harrison a long time to get traction with his ode to fidelity, but it became a hit for him, Canned Heat and later Bryan Ferry. Richard Clayton traces its progress. Credits: The Restoration Project, Marianne Melodie, Universal Music Group International, Thousand Mile Inc, Naïve  

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What makes a good Christmas song? Should it be cheesy or serious? And why do millennials love them? 

FT pop writers discuss festive classics old and new - from carols to Mariah Carey, Greg Lake to Phil Spector, Sufjan Stevens to Run-DMC. Plus, which 2017's best Christmas song: Gwen Stefani's 'You Make it Feel Like Christmas' or Sia's 'Santa's Coming for Us'?

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Set against a backdrop of protest and upheaval, the songs released in 1968 represent a turning point in music. FT pop writers David Cheal and Peter Aspden are joined by author Tot Taylor to debate the year's most important songs and artists, from Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Beatles and Pink Floyd to Joni Mitchell and Tim Buckley.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From the unstoppable rise of hip-hop to the 'millennial whoop', what does today's new music sound like? And how has social media changed the relationship between artists and fans?

Harriet Fitch Little, India Ross and Griselda Murray Brown discuss Drake, Cardi B and DJ Khaled - in particular 'Wild Thoughts' ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller from 2017, which leans heavily on the melody and mood of Santana's 1999 hit 'Maria Maria', the coming-of-age soundtrack for the oldest cohort of millennials. 

Warning: this podcast contains a live 'millennial whoop'.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fears over health systems prompt states to take early preventive measures

A history of coffee and its role in global capitalism is fact-filled and entertaining if occasionally over-caffeinated

Urgent action needed to avoid human and economic catastrophe

The continent is facing an humanitarian and economic catastrophe, reports David Pilling

Tidjane Thiam lends voice to call for private sector to join debt moratorium 

Macron also backs calls for debt relief as he seeks to be seen as champion of continent’s interests

Africans in Guangzhou evicted from hotels and had passports confiscated, officials say

Could your stock picking skills beat the market this year? In this week's FT Money Show podcast presenter Claer Barrett talks to FT Markets reporter Robert Smith about the results of our 2019 contest between readers and FT journalists. Plus we give you details of how to enter this year's competition. Next up, January's nearly over but you still have another 11 months to make good on your New Year's resolutions. If you had resolved to get a pay rise or sort out your pension this year, keep listening as help is at hand. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Have you been mis-sold pensions advice? FT Money Show presenter Claer Barrett talks to the FT's pensions expert Josephine Cumbo about the suitability of financial advice in relation to retirement planning. Next up on the show we discuss how the new bank overdraft rules could affect you. And finally, does your financial adviser speak your language? FT columnist Moira O'Neill has spoken out against the widespread use of Latin terms in the investment world - should it be allowed to continue ad infinitum?   

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is time running out for pensions tax relief? Chancellor Sajid Javid is reported to be considering a major shake-up of pensions at the Budget in a months time. The FT's pensions correspondent Josephine Cumbo talks to FT Money editor Claer Barrett about what form this could take. Next up, we debate the value of the Winter Fuel Allowance for wealthy pensioners. And finally, our resident property guru James Pickford on how the next property cycle could turn out. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Could Isas overtake pensions as the UK's tax-saving vehicle of choice? The tax benefits of pensions have been steadily eroded over the past decade but at the same time, Isas have been coming into their own. Most people approaching retirement today will rely on a combination of pensions and Isa income. In this week's show, FT Money Show presenter Claer Barrett takes a break from covering the coronavirus and what it means for your money, and interviews the FT's Money Mentor columnist about why investors like Isas so much and how these investments compare to pensions. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Claer Barrett and Lucy Warwick-Ching discuss covert and overt ways to interest children in learning about money, and columnist James Max reveals that his biggest problem during the lockdown has been keeping his house clean without his regular cleaner. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Reduction is second in under a month as country braces for an extended coronavirus lockdown

World leaders call for an urgent debt moratorium and unprecedented health and economic aid packages

Experience with other outbreaks could compensate for poor healthcare infrastructure

President urged to secure rescue deal as economy ‘on verge of collapse’

These governments desperately need financial breathing space to fight the pandemic

Rwanda’s president says continent needs at least $100bn in foreign support to weather shock

Century-old agriculture lender is latest state group in need of government support

Coronavirus package aims to protect economy and fend off looming hunger crisis

Ramaphosa administration wants phased reopening to limit damage to struggling economy

Five-week shutdown to be eased stage by stage according to a series of rolling levels  

Second wave of swarms expected just as farmers battle fallout from coronavirus

Continent has limited confirmed virus fatalities but experts warn it is too early to draw conclusions

Leaders acted swiftly as they watched richer countries’ health systems crumple

Use of community health workers to identify cases draws heavily on experience battling tuberculosis and HIV

Newer employees like their appraisals upfront and often

Which conferences are worth your time and money? Here’s how to decide

Why women must conquer their fear of networking and do it anyway

Donald Trump will be 70 next week and Hillary Clinton will be 69 in October

While you polish your CV, go and clean up your virtual existence too

Adding a sporting dimension to your career can be therapeutic

Commerce department investigation could lead to new tariffs on transformer parts