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PODCAST

The David McWilliams Podcast

David McWilliams & John Davis

The aim of this weekly podcast is to make economics easy, uncomplicated and accessible. With the world at a political, technological and financial tipping point, economics has never been so important to all of us and yet, it’s made inaccessible and complicated by so many.I’ve always thought what is complicated is rarely important and what is important is rarely complicated.That will be our motto.Every week we are going to tease out some big economic or political issue facing us, not just here in

news & politics

All Episodes

34:11

The Second Republic: Reinventing Ireland for the Future

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/02/20

What if we could start over? What if instead of just stitching the North onto the South, we reimagined the whole country. new flag, new anthem, even a brand-new capital? What if Ireland’s future wasn’t just about unity, but about revolutionising how we run our society? From Swiss-style direct democracy to high-speed rail, from Athlone as a futuristic capital to a redefined relationship with the Commonwealth, this episode dives deep into bold ideas for a Second Republic. We’re talking more than a

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33:50

The End of the Affair - Europe and America's Nasty...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/02/18

The world as we know it is over. The post-Cold War order, the American-led security umbrella, the assumption that Europe will always be protected has been shattered in real time. Trump’s America is walking away. Russia has played the long game and won. Ukraine is the new Ireland, abandoned by its supposed allies. Europe is like a deer in the headlights, unarmed, unprepared, and utterly exposed. From the Swiss Alps to the ghosts of the Flight of the Earls, this episode unpacks the seismic shift

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42:51

The Economics of the Merchant of Venice: Lessons from...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/02/13

What can a city built on water teach us about the economics of the 21st century? In this episode, we dive into the economics of Venice, how a tiny republic with no natural resources became one of the most powerful trading hubs in history. From their financial innovations, like double-entry bookkeeping and reserve currency, to their mastery of diplomacy and soft power, the Venetians thrived for centuries by being nimble, opportunistic, and always thinking ahead. What led to their decline? And are

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38:54

Hard Liquor, Soft Power: The Death of Proportionality

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/02/11

Donald Trump has always been blunt about his transactional view of global politics but has he just accelerated the decline of American soft power? We unpack his latest moves, from tariffs on Canada to his surreal vision for a 'Gaza Riviera,' and explore why his worldview could redefine America's role on the global stage. With USAID shutting down, longtime allies turning away, and economic isolationism on the rise, is the U.S. shifting from a nation of influence to one of brute force? What does this

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39:03

Trump, Tariffs & the Gold Rush: The McKinley Playbook

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/02/06

What do Donald Trump and William McKinley have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, we dig into the economic and political legacy of America’s 25th president, the so-called Napoleon of Tariffs, and explore why Trump sees him as a role model. From trade wars to big business alliances, McKinley reshaped America’s economic landscape through protectionism and expansionism, laying the groundwork for the country’s rise as a global power. But his presidency also triggered a powerful

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40:58

The Population Paradox: Growth, Crisis, and the...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/02/04

Is rapid population growth a sign of economic strength, or the trigger for future crises? This week, we explore how shifting demographics are reshaping economies worldwide, from booming immigration and urban congestion to strained infrastructure and rising political tensions. As governments push for economic expansion, many are running their economies just too close to the sun; fuelling population growth without the capacity to support it. We examine how this plays out in housing shortages,

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40:41

DeepSeek, Deep State or Deep Pockets? Karen Hao on...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/01/30

China's DeepSeek has done what it does best, it's made a better copy of an American product. Deepseek has disrupted the markets this week and is almost outperforming OpenAI while spending as little as one hundredth of the cost. In a world where Silicon Valley has long operated under a “winner takes all” model, DeepSeek’s breakthrough proves that sheer financial power is no longer the defining factor in technological supremacy.It's more than a story about AI, it's about geopolitics, economic power

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37:11

From Fartcoin to Trumpcoin: How Memes and Tokens Are...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/01/28

What do Fartcoin, Trumpcoin, and TikTok have in common? They’re all part of the new frontier where memes, tokens, and attention economics collide. This episode dives into how Trump’s $60 billion crypto frenzy is more than just a bubble, it’s a glimpse into a world where narratives create wealth overnight. We explore Schumpeter’s innovation theory, the rise of memeonomics, and how social media oligarchs are reshaping power, regulation, and finance in real-time. Is this the ultimate bubble or the

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44:18

The Coming IMF Bailout of Britain!

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/01/23

Is the UK teetering on the edge of economic chaos? With bond yields now higher than Greece’s and a rapidly weakening pound, we explore why Britain’s financial foundation is cracking. From the historical parallels of past currency crises to the implications of its overreliance on financial services, we break down the risks ahead. Economist Philip Pilkington joins to discuss what’s fueling the current turmoil, the role of international markets, and whether the IMF might be forced to step in. Could

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39:51

The MAGA Era: Irish America’s New Identity

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/01/21

We're diving into the seismic shifts reshaping America and their ripple effects on Irish identity abroad. With the inauguration of Donald Trump marking the ultimate vibe shift in global politics, we explore how Irish America has evolved, from Kennedy-esque liberals to MAGA-loving MMA enthusiasts like Dana White. Joined by historian Niall Ferguson, we discuss Trump’s anti-fragile rise, the decline of woke culture, and how Ireland needs to rethink its relationship with its diaspora in this new era

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33:53

King Trump and the Bubble Economy

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/01/16

In this week’s second instalment on bubbles, we dive into America’s tech-driven exuberance and the dangers of the Magnificent Seven. Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, and their pals commanding a third of the S&P 500. Are they truly unshakable titans, or is it the dot-com bubble all over again? As the bubble inflates, Monsignor Joe Rogan is busy offering absolution to the tech bros, preparing them for King Trump’s coronation. But history warns us: bubbles don’t burst gently, and fragility hides behind the façade

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36:12

Monsignor Joe Rogan and the Tech Bro Confessions:...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/01/14

This week, we’re talking risk. From California’s burning insurance markets to the fragile dominance of America’s “Magnificent Seven” tech giants. Are Apple, Tesla, and their crew as unshakable as they seem, or are we teetering on another financial bubble? Meanwhile, over in the confessional, Father Joe Rogan is busy absolving tech bros like Zuckerberg of their woke sins, ushering them into the MAGA fold, complete with MMA moves and chains. Join us as we dig into the psychology of bubbles, the

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33:46

The Epiphany: What Joyce, the Dead, Musk and Twitter...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/01/09

We explore today's seismic changes in media and society, by tracing historical parallels between James Joyce’sThe Dead(1907)and today’s digital age. Joyce’s observations on in The Dead about generational divides, the rise of newspapers, and societal shifts echo loudly in 2025, as new gatekeepers like Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos wield unprecedented influence over the flow of information. How did media transform from a tool of advertisement to the battleground for ideas? What can we learn from Joyce’s

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32:54

America’s $30 Trillion Gamble: How Debt Could Rewrite...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/01/07

We examine the cracks forming in America’s financial dominance, with $30 trillion in debt—equal to 100% of GDP—making it the largest debtor nation in history. Drawing parallels to Britain’s fall from economic supremacy after WWI, we explore how reliance on foreign creditors, MAGA billionaires, and a dangerously overconfident debt-driven system are pushing the U.S. toward a potential reckoning. With bond vigilantes ready to re-emerge and global markets watching closely, could the U.S. be repeating

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31:26

Runways to Reality: How Airports Reflect the World...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2025/01/02

This week, we’re diving into a surprising truth: airports are the most democratic spaces in society. Think about it—everyone passes through them, from business tycoons to backpackers, families returning home, and adventurers chasing the sun. In this episode, we explore what Dublin Airport, a global hub unmatched by any other city its size, reveals about Ireland’s place in the world. With over 50 transatlantic flights a week and connections to places as unexpected as Nashville, Dublin Airport tells a

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36:06

Swiftonomics and Centrist Dads: 2024 in Review

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2024/12/31

Happy New Year! Join us as we nurse our hangovers and take a ride through 2024’s greatest hits—economic and otherwise. From the explosive surge of Swiftonomics (yes, Taylor Swift boosted Ireland’s GDP!) to the surprising resilience of the Centrist Dad Economy, we unpack the stories that defined the year. Did Apple’s €13 billion tax debacle teach us anything? Are we more Boston or Berlin as we outpace Europe in growth? And how did a housing market on the brink coexist with 160,000 fans belting out

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34:56

Putin’s Empire, the West’s Game: Revisiting Bill...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2024/12/26

As the war in Ukraine drags on, how do we untangle the web of money, power, and manipulation at the heart of Vladimir Putin’s regime? In this Christmas special, we revisit one of our most revealing episodes with financier and political activist Bill Browder, recorded in May 2022.From the origins of Putin’s rise to power to the oligarchs’ uneasy pact and the enduring corruption within Russia, Browder offers an insider’s perspective on the forces driving this geopolitical chess game. With haunting

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29:48

AI, Feudal Overlords, and the Fight for the Future: A...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2024/12/24

As we hurtle toward an AI-driven future, what’s really at stake? In this Christmas Eve special, we revisit our conversation with Martin Wolf, the Financial Times’ chief economics correspondent, and dive into his predictions for the seismic changes reshaping our world.From the rise of AI and its potential to dismantle the middle class, to the demographic time bombs ticking in the West and sub-Saharan Africa, we explore how technology, climate, and population shifts are redefining economics and

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34:01

The Bro-tocracy Rises: Top 10 World-Changing Events...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2024/12/19

Was 2024 the turning point for our economic, political, and cultural future? In this episode, we break down the top 10 seismic shifts that reshaped the world. From Trump’s polarising return and America’s brotocracy taking center stage, to the collapse of the Assad regime and the waning dominance of Germany and France, the global order is tilting. Why is Italy’s Meloni now Europe’s most compelling leader? What does China’s deflation signal for the rest of us? And how has Ireland quietly positioned

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34:40

The Prosperity Paradox: Ireland’s Boom, Europe’s...

The David McWilliams Podcast ·

2024/12/17

Ireland’s economy is booming, bolstered by its close ties to the American economic engine. But beneath the shine of GDP growth and high living standards lies a stark reality: a growing gap between standard of living and quality of life. Why are Irish families delaying children longer than any other in Europe? Why hasn’t Ireland used its wealth to solve fundamental issues like childcare, housing, and commutes? In this episode, we explore the divergence between the U.S. and European economies,

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