In episode eight of Shifts Happen, Luke Gromen returns to discuss the current fiscal situation and its implications for rates trading, explaining how his views on the fiscal situation have made him unpopular among rates traders, as his predictions suggest that their industry may become obsolete. We also discuss the possibility that policymakers either don’t understand the situation, refuse to acknowledge it, or are too deep in to change course, and Luke also highlights the need for a new benchmark for pristine collateral, which he believes will be gold. Also under the microscope is the latest CBO report, which shows the need for a “super bubble” in the US, and Luke offers an explanation as to why he believes a recession in the US is unlikely. Finally, we conclude by looking at the potential outcomes of the current fiscal situation, including the possibility of retrenchment and reshoring or a dangerous escalation leading to nuclear war. Plenty to think about here with Luke once again on top form. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory and Shifts Happen, is available to Copper, Silver and Gold Tier subscribers at my website www.Grant-Williams.com.  Copper Tier subscribers get access to all podcasts, while members of the Silver Tier get both the podcasts and my monthly newsletter, Things That Make You Go Hmmm… Gold Tier subscribers have access to my new series of in-depth video conversations, About Time.

A long-overdue episode seven of Shifts Happen sees Luke Gromen return to discuss the pace at which three things are happening: the acceleration of the US fiscal crisis and debt spiral, the Fed’s policy mistake of not letting inflation run hot enough, and the de-dollarization of global oil markets. Luke explains that China needs to de-dollarize its oil imports and commodity imports to avoid a currency crisis, which is driving the de-dollarization of global oil markets and also highlights the importance of gold in this process, as China needs gold to work in order to improve its standards of living and avoid a crisis. Luke believes gold will continue to rise in price, and that the pace of events is accelerating towards a US fiscal crisis. He explains the US is facing a fiscal crisis due to its high debt and deficits, and the lack of price-sensitive buyers for its treasuries and that the Fed’s choice is not inflation or deflation, but rather how it wants to lose the long end of the yield curve Plenty of food for thought here with Luke on fine form. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory and Shifts Happen, is available to Copper, Silver and Gold Tier subscribers at my website www.Grant-Williams.com. Copper Tier subscribers get access to all podcasts, while members of the Silver Tier get both the podcasts and my monthly newsletter, Things That Make You Go Hmmm… Gold Tier subscribers have access to my new series of in-depth video conversations, About Time.

The subject at hand in episode six of Shifts Happen is the potential for a new commodity-backed BRICS currency and, joining us to kick the idea around is Josh Crumb, Founder and CEO of Abaxx Technologies. Through his work at Abaxx, Josh is perfectly placed to discuss the importance of physical settlement in the commodity markets and the practical limitations of introducing a currency that requires settlement through physical transfer. Also up for discussion is the wider connection between energy and interest rates as Josh shares with us the lessons learned from decades of experience, with his diverse background as a mining engineer, trader and the Co-Founder of Goldmoney, giving him a rare perspective into the significant change taking place in the world of commodities.   Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including This Week In Doom, The End Game, The Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, Kaos Theory and Shifts Happen, is available to Copper, Silver and Gold Tier subscribers at my website www.Grant-Williams.com. Copper Tier subscribers get access to all podcasts, while members of the Silver Tier get both the podcasts and my monthly newsletter, Things That Make You Go Hmmm… Gold Tier subscribers have access to my new series of in-depth video conversations, About Time.

Episode Five of Shifts Happen brings into focus the recent 'quickening' around the de-dollarization narrative and the impossible-to-ignore elevation in comments from world leaders questioning the logic underpinning their forced adoption of the US dollar in many cross-border trades. From the numerous bilateral trade agreements being struck that circumvent the dollar to the rising percentage of cross border trade being conducted by China in renminbi, Grant and Luke discuss the crucial difference between the dollar as a reserve currency and its role as a reserve asset - one of which is coming under significant threat, one of which remains rock solid. The extraordinary level of dogmatism on both sides of the argument comes under the microscope and Luke turns to Lucille Ball for an analogy which provides the perfect illustration of the problem facing the US Treasury. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including The End Game, Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, This Week In Doom and the new series, Shifts Happen, featuring Luke Gromen is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at my website Grant dash Williams dot com. Copper Tier subscribers get access to all podcasts, while members of the Silver Tier get both the podcasts and my monthly newsletter, Things That Make You Go Hmmm… So if you enjoy what you hear on this show and want more high-quality content like it, make your way over to Grant dash Williams dot com and join our exciting community today!

Episode Three of Shifts Happen focuses on a fast-moving world that seems to get trickier by the day. The importance of energy self-sufficiency is revealing itself and that is shifting the power from formerly strong hands into the hands of those once considered weaker players. The war in Ukraine is amplifying the situation in mainstream media headlines but, away from those, there is a balance sheet contest taking place that reveals an entirely different pecking order - one which potentially upends the global power structure. Western sovereign debt markets are now under immense pressure with liquidity concerns escalating dramatically and currencies starting to move in directions and at speeds that are confounding central banks. What happens next? Luke has a few ideas and, as always, they are pretty thought-provoking. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including The End Game, Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, This Week In Doom and the new series, Shifts Happen, featuring Luke Gromen is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at my website Grant dash Williams dot com. Copper Tier subscribers get access to all podcasts, while members of the Silver Tier get both the podcasts and my monthly newsletter, Things That Make You Go Hmmm… So if you enjoy what you hear on this show and want more high-quality content like it, make your way over to Grant dash Williams dot com and join our exciting community today!

Episode Two of Shifts Happen shines a spotlight on the shift between the ‘paper’ markets and the ‘real’ markets as the importance of energy supplies becomes ever more apparent in a world where battle lines are being drawn, supply lines are being stretched and, in the case of the EU, economic suicide is being committed. What happens to the dollar? Will the US balance of payments finally start to matter and what are the chances of a hyperinflationary outcome? All of these questions and more are pondered in the wake of the surprising strength of the rouble and the increasing inflationary pressure being heaped upon Western governments who can’t seem to get out of their own way. Every episode of the Grant Williams podcast, including The End Game, Super Terrific Happy Hour, The Narrative Game, This Week In Doom and the new series, Shifts Happen, featuring Luke Gromen is available to Copper and Silver Tier subscribers at my website Grant dash Williams dot com. Copper Tier subscribers get access to all podcasts, while members of the Silver Tier get both the podcasts and my monthly newsletter, Things That Make You Go Hmmm… So if you enjoy what you hear on this show and want more high-quality content like it, make your way over to Grant dash Williams dot com and join our exciting community today!