The Corporate Beanbag Podcast

Hosted by Andrew Mortimer

Business

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Aug 2026

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About the show

The Corporate beanbag offers key insights and delves into the world of Business, Economics, Technology, Sustainability and Finance with a historical and philosophical edge. In the high-tech era and amid the push towards net zero by 2050, the Corporate beanbag dissects global initiatives and necessary requirements in health, education and technology. Please email me your thoughts to info@keops.com.au

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September 7, 202611 min

The Corporate BeanBag: Critical Market Update

https://andrewmortimerbooks.com/ https://medium.com/@andrewmortimer https://thecorporatebeanbag.com/ linkedin.com/in/akbmortimer https://www.amazon.com.au/Glittering-.. September and October 2026 market update: AI deals, strong macro, and what Anthropic could trigger This episode is a fast-moving market briefing on why AI continues to dominate capital flows, why NVIDIA's latest moves matter, and why the broader economy still looks resilient despite sticky inflation and geopolitical noise. AM argues that the real story is not a bubble bursting yet, but a market still absorbing massive AI investment, with Anthropic's expected float potentially causing temporary sell pressure before the next leg up. In this episode: AM frames NVIDIA's reported moves with Hugging Face and Poolside as a major shift in AI power, arguing that NVIDIA now sits at the center of open models, frontier models, and infrastructure. The episode highlights why open models are becoming harder to regulate out of existence, especially when backed by a company as large as NVIDIA. AM says August results season and the latest U. S. jobs data point to an economy that remains strong, even if inflation stays mildly uncomfortable. A Treasury market angle is discussed, including Scott Bessent's bond purchases and the idea that traders may be less willing to hold leveraged bond bets through the weekend. AM recommends Bloomberg's market coverage, Bloomberg Technology, Bloomberg Close, Bloomberg Wall Street Week, and the All In podcast as essential market information sources. Anthropic's expected IPO or float is positioned as a likely short-term catalyst for sell-offs and cash raising, similar to the dynamics seen around SpaceX liquidity events. AM argues this is still an AI boom, not an AI bubble, though circular financing and vendor financing could become a bigger concern in 2027 or 2028. SpaceX is described as having multiple businesses, making it potentially cheaper than pure-play AI firms like Anthropic and OpenAI on a relative basis. The discussion emphasizes that premium AI products from OpenAI and Anthropic can coexist with NVIDIA's open model strategy, rather than eliminating it. AI video generation is described as promising but still far from feature-length cinematic quality, with Martin Scorsese cited as using it for storyboarding and vision development rather than final film production. AM sees the market as strong through at least 2028, with a major correction more likely several years out than immediately. Commodities such as copper and gold are also described as strong, reinforcing the view that the global market backdrop remains broadly constructive. Timestamps: 00:00 - NVIDIA, Hugging Face, and the shift in AI power 00:51 - Why one market commentator's AI take matters 02:07 - Strong jobs data, Treasury moves, and bond trader behavior 03:31 - Bloomberg, All In, and the market info diet 04:55 - Why Anthropic's float could create temporary sell pressure 06:33 - Premium AI products, Rory Sutherland's Alchemy, and NVIDIA's edge 08:02 - Sam Altman, AI video, and where it is not ready yet 09:37 - Why the All In interviews matter for market context 10:04 - Why a major correction may still be years away 11:24 - Revenue, ROI, inflation, and why the AI theme still dominates 12:50 - Anthropic, sell-offs, and strength in commodities Andrew Mortimer is a Multi-Company Founder, Author, specialist fund manager, professional gold explorer, and lifelong gold investor, holding the position of Chairman for several gold mining companies. Successfully led numerous gold exploration teams, achieving significant discoveries in regions known for their complex geological and legal challenges. My exploration efforts have mainly concentrated on the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Currently, the Chairman of Keops Group, a corporate advisory and finance firm in Sydney, Australia, that focuses on mining and clean technology. Keops Group supports both small and large, public and private companies in executing initial public offerings (IPOs) in Australia and internationally. I studied History and Law at the University of Sydney and trained as a lawyer with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in New South Wales, becoming an officer of the Supreme Court in 2003. I am now part of the Keops Group team, providing advice to companies regarding their exploration projects, strategies, and funding options.

September 2, 202613 min

Physics and Economics Collide in the AI Job Controversy

https://andrewmortimerbooks.com/ https://medium.com/@andrewmortimer https://thecorporatebeanbag.com/ linkedin.com/in/akbmortimer https://www.amazon.com.au/Glittering-.. AI is not going to erase work - it is going to force more of it. That is the blunt case here: why computers, tech, and generative AI can change tasks, but not eliminate the deeper economic need for human labor as entropy keeps rising. This episode connects physics and economics in a way most AI conversations miss. Using the second law of thermodynamics, the argument is simple but provocative: as disorder increases, societies need more maintenance, more building, more coordination, and more work to keep civilization functioning. Money, markets, and technology become the systems that make that work possible at scale. You'll discover why AI can absolutely reduce certain tasks, especially repetitive entry-level work like loan application assessment, while still leaving the overall number of jobs higher over time. The episode also examines why robotics has already displaced some dangerous and dull work without shrinking the global labor market, and why generative AI is best understood as a tool, not a replacement for human judgment. We break down the idea that when people can do more, they usually do more - creating more transactions, more complexity, and more demand for human problem-solving. The discussion also pushes back on the assumption that large language models are the same as intelligence itself, arguing instead that the human brain is the real large language model and that human-to-human interaction remains essential. If you are worried about AI taking your job, or trying to understand which parts of work automation will actually change, this episode gives you a sharper framework. It is especially relevant if you want a grounded, economics-meets-physics take on the future of labor instead of the usual hype cycle. A fast, thought-provoking listen for anyone tracking AI, jobs, productivity, and the long-term shape of work in a world that keeps getting more complex. Andrew Mortimer is a Multi-Company Founder, Author, specialist fund manager, professional gold explorer, and lifelong gold investor, holding the position of Chairman for several gold mining companies. Successfully led numerous gold exploration teams, achieving significant discoveries in regions known for their complex geological and legal challenges. My exploration efforts have mainly concentrated on the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Currently, the Chairman of Keops Group, a corporate advisory and finance firm in Sydney, Australia, that focuses on mining and clean technology. Keops Group supports both small and large, public and private companies in executing initial public offerings (IPOs) in Australia and internationally. I studied History and Law at the University of Sydney and trained as a lawyer with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in New South Wales, becoming an officer of the Supreme Court in 2003. I am now part of the Keops Group team, providing advice to companies regarding their exploration projects, strategies, and funding options.

August 21, 202614 min

Should We Be Optimistic? Trade-offs, Technology, and Human Progress

https://andrewmortimerbooks.com/ https://medium.com/@andrewmortimer https://thecorporatebeanbag.com/ linkedin.com/in/akbmortimer https://www.amazon.com.au/Glittering-... This episode argues that optimism is justified when you look at long-term human progress in health, poverty reduction, communication, and economic output. AM weighs the gains of modern technology and markets against real losses in community, attention, and certainty, then explains why the right response is to manage trade-offs rather than fall for Faustian bargains. Key topics AM makes the case that the world has improved overall through medicine, technology, education, and reduced superstition, even if some older forms of community have been weakened. He argues that modern information technology has a clear upside, but also creates screen addiction, distraction, and less participation in local community. On the economic side, AM points to the long-term reduction in abject poverty through freer markets, individual enterprise, and modern commerce. He references Malthus and Paul Ehrlich to argue that humanity has consistently outgrown old fears about mass starvation. AM says geopolitical risks remain, but the world is more stable and more legible than it was during the era of the world wars. He pushes back on AI doom narratives, arguing that automation tends to create new work rather than permanently destroy overall employment. AM frames business as something that expands as human needs expand, tying this to entropy and the ongoing need to manage disorder and desire. He says one major benefit of AI is that it can answer endless questions without embarrassment, helping people reduce uncertainty and ignorance. He acknowledges AI hallucinations and warns that its answers are not always reliable, especially outside straightforward domains. The episode closes by returning to meaning and purpose, arguing that human life is rooted in our physical reality and that community, spirituality, and the environment still need active repair. Timestamps 00:00 - Are we justified in being optimistic? 02:20 - Why technology has raised human utility over time 06:44 - Free markets and the long decline of abject poverty 08:13 - Why the world is more stable than it was in the era of world wars 09:11 - Why AI is not the same kind of job-destroying shock as past industrial revolutions 12:10 - Business, entropy, and why economic activity keeps expanding 13:37 - Why even AI creators are warning about AI disruption 15:06 - Human attention as the real organizing problem 16:04 - AI as a low-friction way to ask questions and reduce embarrassment 17:33 - Meaning, purpose, and why human life is tied to physical reality 19:18 - Why optimism still makes sense despite trade-offs 20:22 - Repairing community, spirituality, and the environment without falling for Faustian bargains Andrew Mortimer is a Multi-Company Founder, Author, specialist fund manager, professional gold explorer, and lifelong gold investor, holding the position of Chairman for several gold mining companies. Successfully led numerous gold exploration teams, achieving significant discoveries in regions known for their complex geological and legal challenges. My exploration efforts have mainly concentrated on the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Currently, the Chairman of Keops Group, a corporate advisory and finance firm in Sydney, Australia, that focuses on mining and clean technology. Keops Group supports both small and large, public and private companies in executing initial public offerings (IPOs) in Australia and internationally. I studied History and Law at the University of Sydney and trained as a lawyer with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in New South Wales, becoming an officer of the Supreme Court in 2003. I am now part of the Keops Group team, providing advice to companies regarding their exploration projects, strategies, and funding options.

August 11, 20265 min

Gold Back On The Rise!

https://andrewmortimerbooks.com/ https://medium.com/@andrewmortimer https://thecorporatebeanbag.com/ linkedin.com/in/akbmortimer https://www.amazon.com.au/Glittering-... In this episode, we explore the recent surge in gold prices, the resilience of AI markets, and the implications for investors looking at diversification and long-term trends. Takeaways Gold is approaching 5,000 US dollars, showing strong upward momentum. Central banks and digital tokens are driving real gold purchases. Despite a tech wreck, markets are bouncing back, especially in AI. Diversification into gold and cryptocurrencies is a common strategy. AI market growth is based on profits and earnings, not just hype. Andrew Mortimer is a Multi-Company Founder, Author, specialist fund manager, professional gold explorer, and lifelong gold investor, holding the position of Chairman for several gold mining companies. Successfully led numerous gold exploration teams, achieving significant discoveries in regions known for their complex geological and legal challenges. My exploration efforts have mainly concentrated on the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Currently, the Chairman of Keops Group, a corporate advisory and finance firm in Sydney, Australia, that focuses on mining and clean technology. Keops Group supports both small and large, public and private companies in executing initial public offerings (IPOs) in Australia and internationally. I studied History and Law at the University of Sydney and trained as a lawyer with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in New South Wales, becoming an officer of the Supreme Court in 2003. I am now part of the Keops Group team, providing advice to companies regarding their exploration projects, strategies, and funding options.

July 21, 20267 min

Artificial Intelligence - AI BOOM or BOM?

Is the current AI bubble ready to pop or is this sustainable AI growth? Analyze the data center trends and market signals here. This analysis examines the rapid expansion of the artificial intelligence market to determine if current valuations align with long-term technological progress. We break down the imagery of recent infrastructure investments and compare them against historical market behavior to provide a realistic outlook for investors and tech enthusiasts. By focusing on strategic development rather than hype, we look at whether the artificial intelligence market can maintain its current trajectory. You will walk away with a clearer understanding of the forces driving the AI bubble and the metrics that signal a potential correction versus a permanent shift in the economy. Subscribe for weekly technology and market breakdowns, and comment your thoughts on whether the industry is overvalued right now. https://andrewmortimerbooks.com/ / andrewmortimer https://thecorporatebeanbag.com/ linkedin.com/in/akbmortimer https://www.amazon.com.au/Glittering-... Andrew Mortimer is a Multi-Company Founder, Author, specialist fund manager, professional gold explorer, and lifelong gold investor, holding the position of Chairman for several gold mining companies. Successfully led numerous gold exploration teams, achieving significant discoveries in regions known for their complex geological and legal challenges. My exploration efforts have mainly concentrated on the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Currently, the Chairman of Keops Group, a corporate advisory and finance firm in Sydney, Australia, that focuses on mining and clean technology. Keops Group supports both small and large, public and private companies in executing initial public offerings (IPOs) in Australia and internationally. I studied History and Law at the University of Sydney and trained as a lawyer with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in New South Wales, becoming an officer of the Supreme Court in 2003. I am now part of the Keops Group team, providing advice to companies regarding their exploration projects, strategies, and funding options.

July 2, 202610 min

The Truth About AI and Its Actual Future Effect On Our Economy and Environment

https://andrewmortimerbooks.com/ https://medium.com/@andrewmortimer https://thecorporatebeanbag.com/ linkedin.com/in/akbmortimer https://www.amazon.com.au/Glittering-... In this episode, we explore the current state and future of artificial intelligence, its impact on jobs, the economy, and the environment, with insights from Jeremy Grantham and Stephen Bartlett. Key Topics AI's impact on jobs and economy The analogy of AI to historical infrastructure projects Data accessibility and AI's role in processing vast information Market trends and AI investment Environmental considerations and pollution Takeaways AI increases jobs and economic activity, not just displaces them. The current AI boom is more like water systems than railroads. AI is essential for processing the enormous data generated by humans. Despite market fluctuations, AI's utility is undeniable. Focusing on pollution can help address climate change effectively. Andrew Mortimer is a Multi-Company Founder, Author, specialist fund manager, professional gold explorer, and lifelong gold investor, holding the position of Chairman for several gold mining companies. Successfully led numerous gold exploration teams, achieving significant discoveries in regions known for their complex geological and legal challenges. My exploration efforts have mainly concentrated on the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Currently, the Chairman of Keops Group, a corporate advisory and finance firm in Sydney, Australia, that focuses on mining and clean technology. Keops Group supports both small and large, public and private companies in executing initial public offerings (IPOs) in Australia and internationally. I studied History and Law at the University of Sydney and trained as a lawyer with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in New South Wales, becoming an officer of the Supreme Court in 2003. I am now part of the Keops Group team, providing advice to companies regarding their exploration projects, strategies, and funding options.

June 16, 20264 min

The SpaceX IPO: A Historic Market Moment

https://andrewmortimerbooks.com/ https://medium.com/@andrewmortimer https://thecorporatebeanbag.com/ linkedin.com/in/akbmortimer https://www.amazon.com.au/Glittering-... SpaceX stock debuted with a 20 percent gain, marking a significant moment for the future of space exploration and private investment. This episode explores the recent SpaceX public listing and what the immediate 20 percent jump in SpaceX stock means for investors. We examine the current market performance and look ahead at the ambitious projects that define the company's trajectory, including the construction of lunar bases and the development of orbital space data centers. Whether you are tracking the SpaceX share price or interested in the engineering behind future space technology, this breakdown offers a clear look at the latest developments. We connect the financial success of the public listing to the tangible hardware currently being designed for orbit and the moon. Subscribe for weekly space industry updates, and comment below on whether you think space-based infrastructure is the next major investment frontier. Andrew Mortimer is a Multi-Company Founder, Author, specialist fund manager, professional gold explorer, and lifelong gold investor, holding the position of Chairman for several gold mining companies. Successfully led numerous gold exploration teams, achieving significant discoveries in regions known for their complex geological and legal challenges. My exploration efforts have mainly concentrated on the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Currently, the Chairman of Keops Group, a corporate advisory and finance firm in Sydney, Australia, that focuses on mining and clean technology. Keops Group supports both small and large, public and private companies in executing initial public offerings (IPOs) in Australia and internationally. I studied History and Law at the University of Sydney and trained as a lawyer with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in New South Wales, becoming an officer of the Supreme Court in 2003. I am now part of the Keops Group team, providing advice to companies regarding their exploration projects, strategies, and funding options.

June 9, 20263 min

SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic: The IPO Race Heats Up

https://andrewmortimerbooks.com/ https://medium.com/@andrewmortimer https://thecorporatebeanbag.au/ linkedin.com/in/akbmortimer https://www.amazon.com.au/Glittering-... The video expounds on talk related to the SpaceX IPO and the potential public listing of companies like Anthropic AI and OpenAI. We look at the numbers behind launch, Starlink and defense revenues, and compare SpaceX to both traditional aerospace and high‑growth tech names. SpaceX is expected to raise roughly 75 billion dollars in what could be the largest IPO in history, with reports suggesting a spacex valuation range between 1.75 and 2 trillion dollars at listing. We also discuss other upcoming ipos and what this means for elon musk's ventures. Andrew Mortimer is a Multi-Company Founder, Author, specialist fund manager, professional gold explorer, and lifelong gold investor, holding the position of Chairman for several gold mining companies. Successfully led numerous gold exploration teams, achieving significant discoveries in regions known for their complex geological and legal challenges. My exploration efforts have mainly concentrated on the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Currently, the Chairman of Keops Group, a corporate advisory and finance firm in Sydney, Australia, that focuses on mining and clean technology. Keops Group supports both small and large, public and private companies in executing initial public offerings (IPOs) in Australia and internationally. I studied History and Law at the University of Sydney and trained as a lawyer with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in New South Wales, becoming an officer of the Supreme Court in 2003. I am now part of the Keops Group team, providing advice to companies regarding their exploration projects, strategies, and funding options.

June 5, 20261 min

Is SpaceX Catching A Bitcoin Bid???

https://andrewmortimerbooks.com/ https://medium.com/@andrewmortimer https://thecorporatebeanbag.au/ linkedin.com/in/akbmortimer https://www.amazon.com.au/Glittering-... Is SpaceX catching a Bitcoin bid? With Bitcoin dropping below $70,000 USD, many are asking about the current state of crypto. We dive into why Bitcoin ETFs are seeing sell-offs and how this impacts the broader cryptocurrency market, including figures like Mark Cuban divesting holdings. Stay tuned for more insights on the bitcoin price and crypto news today. Andrew Mortimer is a Multi-Company Founder, Author, specialist fund manager, professional gold explorer, and lifelong gold investor, holding the position of Chairman for several gold mining companies. Successfully led numerous gold exploration teams, achieving significant discoveries in regions known for their complex geological and legal challenges. My exploration efforts have mainly concentrated on the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Currently, the Chairman of Keops Group, a corporate advisory and finance firm in Sydney, Australia, that focuses on mining and clean technology. Keops Group supports both small and large, public and private companies in executing initial public offerings (IPOs) in Australia and internationally. I studied History and Law at the University of Sydney and trained as a lawyer with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in New South Wales, becoming an officer of the Supreme Court in 2003. I am now part of the Keops Group team, providing advice to companies regarding their exploration projects, strategies, and funding options.

June 4, 20261 min

SpaceX - A Massive Tech Company Massively On The Cheap???

https://andrewmortimerbooks.com/ https://medium.com/@andrewmortimer https://thecorporatebeanbag.au/ linkedin.com/in/akbmortimer https://www.amazon.com.au/Glittering-... In this short video we break down the upcoming SpaceX IPO and why a headline valuation of around 1.75–2.0 trillion dollars could still be massively cheap over the long term. We look at the numbers behind launch, Starlink and defense revenues, and compare SpaceX to both traditional aerospace and high‑growth tech names. SpaceX is expected to raise roughly 75 billion dollars in what could be the largest IPO in history, with reports suggesting a valuation range between 1.75 and 2 trillion dollars at listing. On simple price‑to‑sales metrics it looks expensive versus the S&P 500, but when you line it up against satellite peers and consider the scale of Starlink and reusable rockets, the case for SpaceX being undervalued becomes compelling. Andrew Mortimer is a Multi-Company Founder, Author, specialist fund manager, professional gold explorer, and lifelong gold investor, holding the position of Chairman for several gold mining companies. Successfully led numerous gold exploration teams, achieving significant discoveries in regions known for their complex geological and legal challenges. My exploration efforts have mainly concentrated on the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Currently, the Chairman of Keops Group, a corporate advisory and finance firm in Sydney, Australia, that focuses on mining and clean technology. Keops Group supports both small and large, public and private companies in executing initial public offerings (IPOs) in Australia and internationally. I studied History and Law at the University of Sydney and trained as a lawyer with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in New South Wales, becoming an officer of the Supreme Court in 2003. I am now part of the Keops Group team, providing advice to companies regarding their exploration projects, strategies, and funding options.