READ: Finance Geek Alert

If you've been wondering how the near-collapse of financial markets in the last month originated and why the bailout is needed, or if you're simply a finance geek like me, you need to check out the latest episode of This American Life.  In typical TAL style, the show brings testimonies from people from the gut, heart and brain of the capital markets.   

The guys who made this episode, authered an episode 5 months ago which I consider to be the most comprehensive guide to the subprime mortgage debacle, once again with interviews from the various actors in this tragedy.  Or for some fun subway/bathroom reading, get the full transcript here.