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- The David McWilliams Podcast
150 episodes
The David McWilliams Podcast
by David McWilliams & John Davis · English
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 Ireland but in Europe and further afield. Globalisation has brought us all together. We all face similar challenges whether you live in Dublin, London, Minnesota or Milan. If you would like to enjoy all of our content ad-free and have early access to episodes, subscribe to DMCW+ on Apple Podcast. You can also find our early access ad-free episodes on Spotify by searching for the David McWilliams Podcast Premium Feed on the app or by clicking here. Want to join our crew? Join at davidmcwilliams.ie/crew, where you can enjoy ad-free listening, as well as exclusive bonus content such as premium episodes, our macroeconomics course, early access to episodes and pre-sale access to tickets for Dalkey Book Festival & Kilkenomics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes
All episodes
Fixing a Broken Economic System with Mariana Mazzucato (Live from Kilkenomics)
Live Kilkenomics conversation with Mariana Mazzucato on The Common Good Economy, arguing economics and capitalism are failing because policy treats the state as a “gap-filler” when markets fail,…
12 Nov 2026 · 41m · 12 chaptersJohn Burn-Murdoch on Why Hard Work No Longer Pays (Live from Kilkenomics)
Live Kilkenomics episode with John Burn-Murdoch (Financial Times) on why hard work no longer pays, focusing on income vs wealth inequality, pensions, youth disillusionment, and AI’s effects on jobs…
10 Nov 2026 · 35m · 15 chaptersThe AI Reckoning: When a Trillion-Dollar Bet Meets Rising Rates
The episode argues the AI boom is shifting from a technology story to a credit/bubble story, with rising interest-rate pressure threatening AI financing and valuations.
5 Nov 2026 · 35m · 11 chaptersBibi or Tibi? Israel’s Deadlock and the Midterms the Ayatollah Could Decide
Preview of the US midterm elections and their economic/political stakes; review of Israel’s inconclusive election and the coalition deadlock; brief look at Serbia’s student-led victory over President…
3 Nov 2026 · 37m · 9 chaptersThe Five Scariest Numbers in the Global Economy (A Halloween Special)
Halloween special episode using the story of Alice Kettler (accused witch and moneylender in 1324 Kilkenny) to argue that economic shocks often lead to scapegoating.
29 Oct 2026 · 35m · 15 chaptersIs France the Canary? The End of the Centre and Europe’s Generational Revolt
France as a “canary” for Europe’s shifting politics amid a “polycrisis” (economic, demographic, cultural, political, and race-related tensions).
27 Oct 2026 · 43m · 19 chaptersThe World’s First AI Minister: Can Democracies Make Haste Slowly? with Evan Solomon
Interview with Evan Solomon, Canada’s “world’s first” Minister of AI, on how democracies should regulate and govern fast-moving AI.
22 Oct 2026 · 45m · 13 chaptersPeak Humans: Modernity Vs. Tradition
The episode argues that 2026 is the first year global fertility falls below replacement (about 1.8 children per woman vs 2.1), driving worldwide population decline—especially among low-income…
20 Oct 2026 · 42m · 16 chaptersA View From NYC: The Diaspora and the Midterms
From New York, the episode discusses (1) how the Irish diaspora in the US shapes Ireland–US relations and proposes policies to “bring immigrants home,” and (2) the outlook for the US midterm…
15 Oct 2026 · 40m · 13 chaptersThe Tiramisu Budget: Is Ireland West European or West African?
The hosts discuss whether Ireland is managing the tech-driven “AI windfall” like a responsible European state (Norway) or like a volatile West African oil-windfall state (Nigeria).
13 Oct 2026 · 44m · 12 chaptersMr 5%: The Armenian Who Invented the Oil Industry and Gave It All Away
The episode traces how the modern oil industry was formed, arguing that Calouste Gulbenkian (“Mr.
8 Oct 2026 · 44m · 13 chaptersThe End of The Housing Crisis?
Whether Ireland’s housing crisis is ending, focusing on recent signs of price declines and what could accelerate further drops.
6 Oct 2026 · 34m · 8 chaptersAre Teenagers Getting Dumber?
Whether teenagers (and society) are getting “dumber,” using OECD PISA trends and the role of attention, screens, reading habits, and education policy.
1 Oct 2026 · 40m · 22 chaptersThe Welfare State vs Immigration: What Ireland's Numbers Actually Say
The episode argues that whether immigration is compatible with an “open” Western welfare state depends on the welfare state’s design and the types of immigrants arriving.
29 Sep 2026 · 34m · 10 chaptersXi vs Trump: Inside the Chinese Economic Machine
US–China summit (Trump–Xi) and how China’s economic “machine” drives the “second China economic shock” hitting Europe, especially manufacturing (EVs, batteries).
24 Sep 2026 · 43m · 14 chaptersThe Ed Sheeranisation of Irish Economic Policy
A “midterm snapshot” of Irish economic performance ahead of the budget, framed as the “Ed Sheeranisation” of Irish policy—avoiding a forced choice between “corporate” (American) interests and…
22 Sep 2026 · 39m · 10 chaptersPacing the Frontier: Global Capital, Bond Markets, and the AI Pivot
Global bond markets and whether the world is shifting from abundant capital to a capital shortage, with knock-on effects for inflation, interest rates, mortgages, and AI funding/IPO prospects.
17 Sep 2026 · 42m · 13 chaptersThe Death of the Night-Time Economy: Why Ireland is Closing Down After Midnight
Ireland’s “night-time economy” is collapsing after midnight—fewer pubs/nightclubs, higher alcohol prices, restrictive licensing, and weak late-night transport—creating empty, less safe streets and…
15 Sep 2026 · 38m · 16 chaptersFairway Diplomacy: How Golf Became Ireland's Secret Weapon Against Trump
“Fairway diplomacy” — using golf (courses, hospitality, and the calm “boardroom” setting) to manage Ireland–U.S. relations amid the Irish Open at Trump-owned Doonbeg and Donald Trump’s visit Sunday.
10 Sep 2026 · 41m · 17 chaptersGermany’s Seismic Shift: The Rise of the AfD
A discussion of the AfD’s 44% vote in Saxony-Anhalt and what it could mean for Germany, the EU, and global geopolitics, framed as a “seismic shift” toward radical populism and anti-EU sentiment.
8 Sep 2026 · 42m · 13 chaptersThe AI Culture Wars
The “new culture war” over AI—whether AI is mostly hype that won’t deliver broad productivity gains (and risks democracy), versus AI techno-optimism that says regulation should not steer progress.
3 Sep 2026 · 37m · 18 chaptersIreland's Immigration Numbers Don't Add Up And Housing Is Paying the Price
The episode argues Ireland’s immigration levels “don’t add up” with housing supply, claiming immigration-driven population growth is worsening an already dysfunctional housing market and shifting…
1 Sep 2026 · 37m · 6 chaptersJackson Hole Reckoning: The $40 Trillion Debt Crisis and the End of Fiscal Exceptionalism
The episode argues that U.S. fiscal credibility is deteriorating as the national debt tops $40 trillion, pushing up interest rates and threatening “fiscal exceptionalism.” It frames Jackson Hole as…
27 Aug 2026 · 36m · 14 chaptersHow A Massacre Created Modern Capitalism: The Huguenot Legacy
Commemorates the 24 August 1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of French Huguenots and argues it helped shape “modern capitalism” via Calvinism’s alliance of merchants and a new church, plus the…
25 Aug 2026 · 36m · 12 chaptersWe use cookies.They keep VO running smoothly and help us improve it. Privacy policy