Show overview
The Desert Island Investor has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 81 episodes. That works out to roughly 40 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 15 min and 38 min — with run-times ranging widely across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed yesterday, with 20 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Mark Atkinson.
From the publisher
The Desert Island Investor podcast is a series of podcasts that document the experiences and strategies of private investor Mark Atkinson. Mark's long-term investments have enabled him to become financially independent and to retire at the comparatively early age of 53. The stocks that Mark reviews on this channel are from his real portfolio and not a 'virtual' portfolio, so these are genuine win-some, lose-some stories. We hope that you'll also enjoy our regular feature 'Question in a Bottle' where Mark answers listeners' questions about investing.
Latest Episodes
View all 81 episodesAmer Sports : From Tobacco to Trainers
Why Boards Fear The 'A - Word'
When Families Fight Investors Lose
My gripes about investor relations. With guest IR manager Andrew Hanson
Is The UK Market Dying?
The Victimless Tax?
The Retirement Rug Pull
Focusrite (TUNE). My updated review for 2026
The AIM Tax Bomb?
From Orangutans to boycotts. I talk Palm Oil with RSPO CEO Joseph D'Cruz
Desert Island Discord. DEI
Diageo plc (DGE). A review of my new holding in the drink masters
Nichols PLC (NICL). My visit to their 2026 AGM
Charities. Should PLCs be giving away investors money?
I talk emigration, money and tax with financial adviser Niall Allardice
Ep 45Titon Holdings (TON). My review of the 2026 AGM
In previous episodes of the podcast about Titon Holdings PLC we've focused on Mark's concerns about the way that the board was dealing with some of the causes of the company's decline. However, after attending this year's AGM Mark has not only returned with a souvenir coffee mug, but he is also in a far happier mood. To find out what action the company has taken to cause his renewed optimism, assuming it's not just getting a free mug, listen to this, episode 45 of the Desert Island Investor. Links:Titon: https://www.titon.comThe Desert Island Investor is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research at https://www.progressive-research.com. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.Created by Mark Atkinson | Produced by Paul Kerin | SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morningLicense code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTXDisclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.
Boycotts. How cherry-picking is stifling investment in good products
Desert Island Discord is a series of podcasts where private investor Mark Atkinson talks about the aspects of investing that really grinds his gears. In this episode he discusses the problems caused for businesses when consumers cherry-pick things to boycott based on out-of-date information and moral flexibility. If your own investment journey has been tainted by some poor practice that you think Mark should drag through the mud in a future episode, use the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk to recommend a topic.Desert Island Discord and The Desert Island Investor are generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research at https://www.progressive-research.com. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.Created by Mark Atkinson | Produced by Paul Kerin | SFX from Freesound (CC-BY). Sword Fight SFX: FunWithSound. Desert Island Discord intro music by Paul Kerin and The Parrots of the Caribbean. (c) 2026Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.
Ep 44Fundsmith. My review of the 2026 ASM fresh from the event
Fundsmith, under the guidance of portfolio manager Terry Smith, invest in equities on a global basis. Mark has been invested in Fundsmith for many years and regularly attends their annual shareholder meetings. In this episode he reports back from the 2026 event in London.Links:Fundsmith: https://www.fundsmith.co.ukThe Desert Island Investor is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research at https://www.progressive-research.com. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.Created by Mark Atkinson | Produced by Paul Kerin | SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morningLicense code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTXDisclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.
Ep 43The 2025 James Halstead AGM. A review of the stock and my microphone moment!
James Halstead is a UK-based manufacturer and distributor of commercial flooring products. They offer high-quality vinyl flooring solutions under their flagship brand Polyflor, plus they are the company behind 12 other well known brands in the commercial flooring market. The company was formed in 1915 and went public in 1948 where it has gained considerable kudos for having raised its investor dividend for 49 consecutive years. In this episode of the podcast Mark provides an updated review of the company and explains why he took the unusual step of commandeering the microphone at the 2025 AGM.Links:James Halstead: https://jameshalstead.comThe Desert Island Investor is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research at https://www.progressive-research.com. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.Created by Mark Atkinson | Produced by Paul Kerin | SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morningLicense code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTXDisclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.
Secrets. Is hiding bad news from investors a cloak for insider dealing?
Desert Island Discord is a new series of confrontational podcasts from The Desert Island Investor Mark Atkinson. In Mark's regular podcast he reviews his own stocks, but in these episodes he will be talking about some of the more negative aspects of the world of investing that really grinds his gears. In this episode 'Secrets' he exposes the reluctance of many PLCs to keep private investors promptly informed about issues that can negatively impact on their ROI. The topics discussed include the late issuance and irregular timing of RNS notices and the increased likelihood of insider dealing taking place when a privileged group of investors is closer to the business than anyone else. If your own investment journey has been tainted by some poor practice that you think Mark should drag through the mud in a future episode, use the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk to recommend a topic.Desert Island Discord and The Desert Island Investor are generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research at https://www.progressive-research.com. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.Created by Mark Atkinson | Produced by Paul Kerin | SFX from Freesound (CC-BY) Sword Fight: FunWithSound. Desert Island Discord intro music by Paul Kerin and The Parrots of the Caribbean. (c) 2026Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.