The David McWilliams Podcast

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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 support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/DavidMcWilliams

David McWilliams & John Davis


    • May 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 38m AVG DURATION
    • 565 EPISODES

    4.7 from 183 ratings Listeners of The David McWilliams Podcast that love the show mention: economics, irish, david, informative, interesting, good, great, listening.


    Ivy Insights

    The David McWilliams Podcast is an incredibly informative and engaging show that provides insights into complex economic and geopolitical topics in a way that is accessible to non-economists. As a non-American listener, it's refreshing to hear perspectives from outside the United States. The podcast covers a wide range of topics, including world affairs, geopolitics, economics, and even what's happening back home in Ireland for Irish expats like myself living in the US. It truly offers a well-rounded view of global events.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its ability to make economics interesting and relevant to everyday life. David McWilliams does an excellent job of breaking down complex concepts and presenting them in everyday language that anyone can understand. The discussions are thought-provoking and often feature guests with diverse backgrounds and expertise, providing new ideas and fresh perspectives on various topics.

    A minor criticism would be that the host could sometimes challenge his guests' ideas more critically by asking more pointed questions or expressing disagreement. While the discussions are lively, it would be interesting to see more debate and differing opinions on certain topics.

    In conclusion, The David McWilliams Podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of economics, geopolitics, and world affairs. The show's ability to present complex topics in an accessible way makes it suitable for both economists and non-economists alike. With its informative content, engaging discussions, and unique perspective from outside the US, this podcast has earned its place as a staple in my weekly listening routine.



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    Latest episodes from The David McWilliams Podcast

    Spain's Miracle Economy: What They Got Right (That We Didn't) with Joe Haslam

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 43:38


    We're back in Spain, and I've got questions. Why is Spain growing faster than Germany, France, and even the US? Why can they build high-speed rail for a fraction of the cost, and why are they the only major EU country where immigration is boosting GDP without blowing up politics?This week, we talk to Professor Joe Haslam in Madrid about what's being called Europe's miracle economy. Since COVID, Spain's growth has outpaced every major European economy, driven by smart immigration (nearly 1 million working Latin Americans), a tourism boom (especially in the cooling north), and €160 billion in EU funds that they've actually used. But it's not all cerveza and sunshine. Spain's power grid recently collapsed for nine hours, revealing the fragility of the green energy transition. Despite the boom, Spain's productivity and housing market are heading the wrong way. Public servants now outnumber private sector workers, and even El Guapo himself, PM Pedro Sánchez, is afraid to touch buy-to-lets. We also dig into what Spain's infrastructure success says about Ireland's failure. Is it Napoleon vs. Wellington all over again? Because if you inherited the Napoleonic state, like Spain did, you can build metros, fast trains, and affordable housing. If you inherited British common law? You get planning objections and overpriced shoeboxes in Drimnagh. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Bilbao Blueprint

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 31:37


    We're in Bilbao this week, and it's got us thinking. How does a football club that refuses to sign non-Basque players manage to qualify for the Champions League, raking in close to €100 million from TV rights, match days, and UEFA money, while Dublin's best bet is a few fivers from the Conference League? The answer is in economics. The Basques were Europe's forgotten industrialists, the only region in Spain to undergo a full-blown Industrial Revolution, powered by local iron ore, steel production, and a shipbuilding boom that made Bilbao Spain's biggest port by 1900. Then they lost it all. Globalisation, China, and the EU opened the floodgates. Unlike post-industrial towns in the UK or Ireland, Bilbao didn't roll over. They moved the port. They built the Guggenheim. They chose ambition. And they proved that even a small, isolated, ancient people, who speak a pre-Ice Age language with no known relatives, can build a modern economy with global reach. What's our excuse? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Moody Blues: No More Finance Bros in LA

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 32:40


    This week, we're keeping one eye on Wall Street and the other on a canal in Dublin. Moody's just downgraded the United States' credit rating, a move that quietly confirms what most won't say out loud: America's debt-fuelled growth is unsustainable, and interest payments are now outpacing military spending. Meanwhile, back home, a row of cottages literally collapsed, not abandoned, but owned by the very people lobbying to fix Ireland's housing crisis. In a country where average rents just passed €2,000. In this episode, we tie it all together: the real consequences of debt, the performative hypocrisy at the top, and how property in Ireland has become a parasitic asset, not a social good. From Donald Trump's inflationary tariff plans to the Irish State's inability to enforce basic upkeep, we're watching the scaffolding of credibility, financial and moral, fall away. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Battle for Africa with Pumi Mashigo

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 42:43


    From wine valleys to White House stand-offs, we're in South Africa as the continent's biggest economy finds itself caught between China, Russia, and a sulking Uncle Sam. Reporting from Franschhoek, we trace the Huguenot legacy, the Dutch East India Company, and how South Africa became the West's favourite refuelling stop, until now. With President “Cupcake” Ramaphosa headed to the White House this week, US aid frozen, and Afrikaner “refugees” granted asylum, tensions are flaring. South African podcaster Pumi Mashigo joins us to unpack the realignment: BRICS, Palestine, misinformation campaigns, and why the Global South is finally saying: enough. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump's New Enemies: Billionaires, Big Pharma & Bibi?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 31:29


    Trump is stealing Bernie's manifesto. In this episode, we dive into why Trump is suddenly talking about taxing the rich and slashing the cost of prescription drugs, policies lifted straight from the progressive left. Is he turning on the billionaire donors funding his campaign? And is Israel, long a pet cause of those donors, being quietly edged out of Trump's new MAGA calculus? We unpack a flurry of recent deals, from a largely meaningless UK–US trade agreement , to an urgent truce with China after Chinese exports to the US through the Port of LA fell by 50%. Behind the white smoke: a looming summer of empty shelves, rising inflation, and a reminder that America's economic dominance isn't what it used to be. Meanwhile, Ireland exports more to the US than the UK does, despite being 12 times smaller, but could soon find itself caught in the crossfire if the US starts attaching China-related conditions to EU trade. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    A Letter from Africa with Simon Kuper

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 51:16


    This week I'm in South Africa on a book and speaking tour and am chatting at the Franschoek Literary Festival, so we are all South Africa today. A country of contradictions, rich in resources, vibrant in culture, yet S.A. is held back by inequality, corruption, and the long shadow of apartheid. In this episode, we explore its uneasy present and remarkable past: from Mandela's legacy to Elon Musk's childhood, from empire and race to why Donald Trump has fixated on white Afrikaners. We travel through Cape Town and Johannesburg, unpacking it all with FT journalist Simon Kuper, and along the way, we encounter pencil tests, Springboks, slabs of the Berlin Wall, and the political ghosts of the Cold War. Is South Africa being used, once again, as a pawn in someone else's game? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Inflation for Losers with Mark Blyth

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 41:56


    Broadcast from a wine-soaked table in Italy's Valle di Comino, ancestral home of Ireland's chipper dynasties, this episode covers everything from Irish-Italian football matches and Elvis impersonators to the far more serious threat inflation poses to liberal democracy. We chat to political economist Mark Blyth about his new book Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers, unpicking why prices stay stubbornly high, who inflation hits hardest, and how it quietly fuels everything from MAGA to Farage. Is inflation just economics, or is it the force tearing apart the political centre ground? And is the UK a basket case… or just ahead of the curve? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    How Canada Became the Anti-Trump Blueprint

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 42:34


    This week, we talk about the most unexpected political shift of the year, Canada's sudden transformation into the liberal world's new playbook. We unpack how Mark Carney, once a Davos technocrat, won an election by turning it into a referendum on Trump… and won big. Along the way, we explore nationalism (the decent kind), what Trump gets wrong about trade, and why standing up to bullies actually works. Plus, we chat with Evan Solomon, now an MP in Carney's new government, about what Canadians really want, what's next for their economy, and how sometimes, all it takes to wake up a country is a common enemy. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Slowing Down in an Age of Acceleration with Elif Shafak

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 34:28


    This week, we take a breath. In a world spinning faster than a speedcubing final, we step away from bond yields and geopolitics and lean into something more human: imagination. We swap global crises for quiet joys, from a Rubik's cube competition in Wicklow to the power of storytelling in uncertain times. As we always say, economics is about life and today we are joined by bestselling novelist Elif Shafak, to explore how fiction helps us make sense of chaos, how literature bridges the political and the personal, and why sometimes the most radical act in a crisis-ridden world is to imagine differently. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Art of Taxation: How a Crisis Could Save Your City

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 34:58


    Trump's global chaos might just offer an opportunity. if we're bold enough to take it. In this episode, we dive into how a crisis can give countries the political permission to reshape their economies, starting with how we tax, who we tax, and why we desperately need to rethink urban financing. From Roman emperors funding the Colosseum with "toilet taxes," to why Dublin (and most Irish cities) are economic engines shackled by a broken funding system, we explore how cities around the world are grabbing the purse strings and financing their own futures.  Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Popeonomics?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 45:41


    We mark the passing of Pope Francis by asking: is there such a thing as "Catholic Economics"? If so, what is it, and what strain of Catholic economics did the Pope represent? We start with a lad stopped by the Italian cops on a Vespa in Rome, and a most unusual and uplifting conversation with the Pope, Bono, and yours truly. Yeah, for real. We explore liberation theology, the roots of Franciscan banking, and the common and deeply embedded DNA of Catholic social teaching in the economic policy of Catholic countries, despite widespread secularism. By the way, I did pay the fine! Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The New Great Game?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 37:56


    The world shifting under our feet and US financial markets remain in turmoil. We explore whether Trump's economic war with China is backfiring, and might push Europe closer to Beijing, not Washington. We detail a likley monetary scenario for the US over the coming months which will be the backdrop to any geo-political moves. For example, could France, weighed down by debt, turn to China as creditor? Are we entering a new global “Great Game,” where America's threats drive its allies into the arms of its rivals? If Europe stops financing the U.S. bond market, what happens next? A podcast on grand strategy, with a few French wines, altar boy memories, and Machiavellian moves along the way. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Paris, Power & Picking Sides: Europe's Awakening in a MAGA World

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 35:58


    Broadcasting from Paris, we bring a bottle of wine and a warning: the transatlantic honeymoon is over. As America turns inward under the MAGA banner, Europe, led in thought (and theatre) by France, is starting to ask tough questions: Can we still rely on the US? Should we even try? From Macron's eerily prescient Sorbonne speech to the wild moves in the US bond market, this episode explores why France feels vindicated, why Ireland might soon have to pick a side, and why the real battlefield isn't Normandy or NATO, it's the balance sheet. With detours through wine laws, de Gaulle in Connemara, and why Nike's Vietnamese workforce matters more than you'd think, this is a global economic story told with Gallic flair and geopolitical bite. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Molly Bloom Model: Why Economies Should Say Yes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 35:31


    Yes has always been more of a worldview than a word. In this episode, we channel the spirit of Molly Bloom's iconic soliloquy from Ulysses to explore how saying “yes” can reshape economies. From Joyce's sensual metaphor for self-abandon to the economics of openness, growth, and transformation, we dig into what it means to embrace change. Why does resistance stagnate nations? What happens when a country dares to say yes to innovation, to risk, to the unknown? This isn't your average econ chat—this is a literary, philosophical, and economic exploration of transition, agency, and the power of possibility. Yes? Yes. Yes! Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Nike Economy: Why Vietnam Is America's Hidden Factory Floor

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 33:44


    What do Nike runners, IKEA furniture, and half a million Vietnamese workers have in common? They're all caught in the crossfire of Trump's tariff tantrum. This week, we trace the hidden supply chains behind the global economy, from Vietnam's rise as a manufacturing powerhouse to how a sneaker company now employs more people abroad than Ford and GM do at home. We break down how the MAGA tariff regime threatens to crater entire economies, sour U.S. relations in Asia, and hand China the long game. Plus, what it all means for Ireland, Africa, and the American empire itself. Are we witnessing a pivot, or a pullback from the world stage?  Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tariffs & Other Fantasies

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 38:03


    This week, we watched the world's biggest economy base its entire trade policy on a formula so dodgy it wouldn't pass the Leaving Cert. We break down how Trump's tariffs are chaotic, as well as economically illiterate, dangerously populist, and could have slammed Ireland with more than a 39% hit if not for the EU. This isn't just bad maths. It's billionaires mistaking personal instinct for macro strategy, and a White House mistaking nationalism for economic policy. We're talking supply chains, tanking markets, flying cars in China, Trump channeling FDR, and why the U.S. might be about to run the world like a family business, forever. Strap in. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Goodbye Shareholders, Hello Stakeholders

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 33:32


    What if the future of capitalism isn't tech or tax, but trust? This week, we're talking about Employee Ownership Trusts: a radical rethink of who gets to own the companies we work for. We're joined by Alan Coleman of Wolfgang Digital, the first Irish company to take the leap and hand ownership to its staff. It's a story about building businesses that are more productive, more democratic and maybe even more human. From colonial corporations to AI takeovers, we trace why this small idea could be the start of something huge. And if you're a digital marketer who wants to own where you work, Wolfgang is hiring. Head to wolfgangdigital.com/careers to find out more. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Jeffrey Goldberg Has Entered the Chat

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 50:43


    On Wednesday, we watched in real time as America's trade policy devolved into a parody of itself. Trump's Liberation Day was part Caesar, part Mattress Mick, all empty bluster. A dodgy chalkboard of made-up numbers, a crowd in high-vis, and a president who thinks tariffs are just theatre. You may also have heard that Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic and friend of the pod, was accidentally added to a Signal group chat planning actual U.S. airstrikes. He joins us to talk about what it revealed: a deeply unserious administration where war, trade, and global diplomacy are being handled like a lad's WhatsApp group. We break down the chaos, the consequences for Ireland and Europe, and why standing up to this kind of performative thuggery might be the only option left.And by the way you can get $20 off a digital sub to The Atlantic at theatlantic.com/dmwpod. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Did Ferris Bueller Predict the Trade War?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 38:49


    What do tariffs, the Laffer Curve, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off have in common? More than you'd think. This week, we dive into the world of trade policy, culture wars, and deflated middle-aged fatherhood, all from the basement. From Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" of tariffs to secret WhatsApp groups planning military strikes, this episode examines how America's trade war is about identity, masculinity, and a long-festering grudge against Europe. With a history lesson on Smoot-Hawley, Reaganomics, and the ghost of Arthur Laffer, we ask: if America is only barely exposed to global trade, why the war on Europe? And is this all just economic policy reimagined as culture war th Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Why Do Good People Make Bad Decisions?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 39:32


     From Dublin's housing crisis to stalled metros and blocked wind farms, this week's episode explores how well-meaning people, and governments, have tied themselves in knots. We ask the simple but provocative question: if we could build Ardnanacrusha in three years a century ago, why can't we build homes or rail lines now? Blame over-regulation, hyper-democracy, and good intentions gone rogue. Whether it's zoning laws, environmental red tape, or endless consultations, we've made it nearly impossible to build anything at scale or speed. Drawing on lessons from China, Spain, and Dublin 1, this episode is a call for a Second Irish Republic, one that resets the country to make allow it to achieve its potential. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump's First 65 Days

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 34:17


    Trump is back, and in just 75 days, he's issued half as many executive orders in two months than Biden did in four years. Beyond the chaos, there's a bigger story: what happens when a country, like Ireland, finds itself up against a global heavyweight? From Trump's tariffs and economic incoherence to America's shift toward isolationism, We argue it's time for smaller nations to find their rope-a-dope—a strategy borrowed straight from Muhammad Ali's legendary win over George Foreman - who just died. Meanwhile, are we looking at a US recession? Markets slumping, second-hand designer gear is flooding resale apps, and dreadful survey data hint at a looming Trump Slump. Plus: a trip to Wales, the wisdom of Gus O'Donnell, and why Foreman's grill might have more to teach us than we think. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump, Putin & McGregor: Ukraine & the New World Order with Olesya Khromeychuk

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 45:06


    Ukraine is being carved up—again. This week, Trump and Putin are rumoured to be discussing Ukraine's future, and the Ukrainians aren't even invited to the table. This is about a world order being torn up and rewritten, where might is right and small nations; whether in Eastern Europe or the West of Ireland, are left to fend for themselves. Enter Conor McGregor, backed by MAGA kingmaker Steve Bannon and bankrolled by Elon Musk, McGregor's potential bid for the Irish presidency is no joke. It's part of the same global chaos strategy that has seen Trump cozy up to Putin and turn on America's allies. The playbook is simple: disrupt, distract, divide. In this episode, we speak to Ukrainian historian Olesya Khromeychuk about what's really happening behind closed doors in Washington and Moscow, why European leaders are scrambling, and what it means when small nations lose their voice. If you're not at the table, you're on the menu, and right now, Ukraine is the main course. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Doonbeg Doctrine: Trump and the Chaos Economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 40:03


    St. Patrick's Day diplomacy, a shifting global order, and Trump whispering in Micheál Martin's ear; he's nursing more than a hangover with his front-row seat to the chaos economy of Trump's America. This week, we break down the Irish leader's White House shindig, the Doonbeg-ification of Irish diplomacy, and why Trump sees Ireland as a useful pawn in his battle with Europe. Meanwhile, Brexit is floundering, Germany is rearming, and Britain is quietly edging back toward the EU. Could Keir Starmer be the man to undo Brexit? And why does Trump's economic vision for America sound suspiciously like Ireland in the 1970s; low-wage, low-productivity, and stuck making three-in-one stereos? From the horse whisperer to the Trump whisperer, from NATO to Naas Road manufacturing, this one has it all. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is America the Next Big Short? With Michael Lewis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 41:12


    In a week where the U.S. stock market has been rocked by recession fears and escalating trade tensions, we sit down with renowned author Michael Lewis, known for works like Liar's Poker, The Big Short, and Moneyball, to dissect the economic landscape. The S&P 500 plummeted 5.7%, marking its worst week since September, while the Nasdaq Composite saw a 4% drop, largely due to concerns over trade wars and slowing economic growth. Tesla's stock took a significant hit, falling 15% in a single day and marking a 50% decline from its all-time high in December. Michael Lewis shares his insights on how trust, or the lack thereof, shapes financial markets, especially under the unpredictable policies of the Trump administration. We delve into the psychology driving economic decisions and explore whether America's current trajectory mirrors the conditions that led to previous financial crises. So, is the U.S. economy teetering on the edge of another "big short"?  Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Germany Wakes Up: Britain Breaks Out

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 35:17


    For 70 years, Germany kept its head down; an economic juggernaut, but a military lightweight, happy to let America call the shots. Not anymore.J.D. Vance's off-the-cuff dismissal of Europe as a lost cause, combined with Trump's America First foreign policy, has done something extraordinary: it's forced Germany to step up. And when Germany steps up, the whole world shifts. And one of the shifts could well be, the UK running back to the EU and for the first time in 10 years Britain needs Europe and Europe need Britain. The great reconciliation is next! Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Casement, Congo & the Comeback of Empire: Is Trump Reviving Imperialism?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 33:38


    Neo-imperialism is marching, loud and proud, straight into the heart of global politics. Between Trump's quiet dealmaking in Riyadh, to his open musings about annexing Canada, the last few weeks have shattered the illusion that the age of empire is behind us. The world order of the last 70 years is crumbling, replaced by raw, transactional power. Trump and Putin are set to carve up Ukraine, billionaires are circling mineral-rich territories like vultures, and Washington's foreign policy has been reduced to a simple equation: If you have resources, we'll take them. This episode draws an eerie parallel between Trump's tactics and one of the most brutal imperial heists in history; King Leopold's reign of terror in the Belgian Congo. Just as European powers once justified plunder with the rhetoric of “civilization,” today's resource grabs are wrapped in the language of “economic deals.” And at the heart of exposing that brutality was Roger Casement, a man who paid with his life for revealing the truth. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The King's Gambit: DIY Declan, Trump's Market Meltdown & Musk's 18th-Century Twin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 41:28


    What do DIY stores, French financial bubbles, and Elon Musk have in common? Kicking off with a detour into The Pope's Children and the perils of being a DIY impostor, we quickly shift gears to the real story: the Trump Dump. As financial markets recoil from the chaos of MAGA economics, we dive into history for a striking parallel: John Law, the 18th-century financial mastermind who convinced France to bet everything on his wild vision of a new economic order. Law promised a dazzling future, just as Musk does today, but his empire of speculation collapsed, taking the French monarchy down with it. What happens when the richest man in the world gets inside the head of a leader hungry for power? Are Trump and Musk unwittingly following the script of Law and the Duke of Orléans? Are we on the brink of a modern-day financial reckoning? With markets tanking, Bitcoin crumbling, and the spectre of stagflation looming, we explore the dangerous dance between speculative hype and economic reality. Will history repeat itself, first as tragedy, then as farce? Buckle up. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Deutschland Dilemma: Voting Blocs, Power Shocks & the Bundeswehr Rocks with Katja Hoyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 42:03


    Germany's latest election has sent shockwaves across Europe. The CDU has reasserted itself, but the far-right AfD continues to gain ground, fuelled by economic anxieties and social media echo chambers. Meanwhile, younger voters are breaking in radical new directions, young men shifting right, young women embracing the far left. With NATO under strain, America's global leadership in question, and the war in Ukraine forcing Germany to confront its historical reluctance to lead, Berlin is at the heart of an unfolding geopolitical realignment. As German arms manufacturers see their stock prices soar, the Bundeswehr prepares to fill the security vacuum left by the U.S. withdrawal from Europe. Will Germany finally embrace its role as the continent's dominant power, or is it doomed to remain an economic giant but a political pygmy? Historian Katja Hoyer joins us to break down the election results, the shifting tides of power in Berlin, and what it all means for the future of the European project. Is this the moment Germany finally steps up, or is Europe heading for a deeper divide? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    MAGA, Mercantilism & Mass Extinction: The Economics of a Shifting World Order

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 42:34


    Anxiety is in the air. Trump's latest outbursts underscore America's shifting economic stance. Who knows if there is a method to the madness? In this episode, we break down the logic of MAGA economics, tracing its roots back to mercantilism; the imperialist trade philosophy that once fuelled global empires. We dissect Trump's obsession with trade surpluses, the inevitable clash between MAGA and Wall Street, and why Ireland might be enemy number one in the next trade war. Just when you think things can't get more chaotic, we explore the looming "mass extinction event" set to shake Silicon Valley and the tech elite. From tariffs to TikTok bans, economic history to geopolitical strategy, this is a no-holds-barred deep dive into the forces reshaping the world, whether we like it or not. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Second Republic: Reinventing Ireland for the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 34:11


    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 united Ireland, instead an Ireland that actually works. With special guest Paddy Cullivan, this is a no-holds-barred conversation on history, identity, and the radical ideas that could shape the next decade. Whether you think a united Ireland is inevitable or impossible, one thing's for sure: the way we do things now is broken. And maybe, just maybe, there's a way to fix it. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 33:50


    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 happening beneath our feet. Who holds power now? What happens when small nations, like Ireland, wake up to the reality that they're on their own? And why are we sleepwalking into a world where the rules are being rewritten without us?Buckle up, this is the moment history turns, and you don't want to be left behind. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Economics of the Merchant of Venice: Lessons from an Empire of Trade

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 42:51


    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 there parallels between their story and modern Ireland's role in global trade? Join us as we walk the eerie alleyways of Venice, explore its hidden economic history, and ask: what does it take to stay ahead when the world is constantly changing? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hard Liquor, Soft Power: The Death of Proportionality

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 38:54


    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 mean for global power dynamics? Is Trump simply playing for attention, or are we witnessing a true transformation in America's foreign policy? We dive into it all with Evan Solomon, examining how trust, trade, and tariffs are reshaping the world, and whether the U.S. is burning down the very system it built. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trump, Tariffs & the Gold Rush: The McKinley Playbook

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 39:03


    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 counter reaction, one that led to the breakup of monopolies, progressive reform, and a seismic shift in U.S. politics under his unexpected successor, Teddy Roosevelt. How does McKinley's era mirror today's America? What lessons does his legacy hold for Trump's economic vision? And how did a single gold discovery in the Yukon change everything? Tune in as we trace the hidden connections between past and present in America's political and economic supercycle. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Population Paradox: Growth, Crisis, and the Global Economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 40:58


    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, overwhelmed public services, and the widening gap between GDP figures and real quality of life. What happens when a country outgrows its own ability to function?From Europe to North America and beyond, we look at the consequences of failing to plan for demographic change, and what lessons history has to offer before today's booming economies become tomorrow's cautionary tales. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    DeepSeek, Deep State or Deep Pockets? Karen Hao on China's AI Power Play

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 40:41


    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 shifts, and how constraints fuel innovation. As the U.S. scrambles to maintain dominance, pouring billions into AI infrastructure and tightening restrictions on China, has it inadvertently made its biggest competitor stronger? What does this mean for Nvidia, OpenAI, and the entire American tech ecosystem? And if AI can now be built cheaper and faster, why are U.S. companies still demanding more money, more energy, and more control? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    From Fartcoin to Trumpcoin: How Memes and Tokens Are Redefining Power and Wealth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 37:11


    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 future of economics? Tune in to connect the dots and find out why the attention economy is eating the real economy alive. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Coming IMF Bailout of Britain!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 44:18


    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 this spell the end of Labour's new government, and even reshape Britain's political landscape? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The MAGA Era: Irish America's New Identity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 39:51


    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.  Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    King Trump and the Bubble Economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 33:53


    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 of strength. Join us as we explore irrational exuberance, FOMO, and why the "next big thing" always feels unstoppable, until it doesn't. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Father Joe Rogan and the Tech Bro Confessions: Risk, Bubbles, and MAGA Tailwinds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 36:12


    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 absurdity of concentrated risk, and why diversification isn't just for your stock portfolio, it's a survival strategy. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Epiphany: What Joyce. the Dead, Musk and Twitter Teach Us About Economic Power

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 32:33


    We explore today's seismic changes in media and society, by tracing historical parallels between James Joyce's The 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 depiction of societal upheaval in 1907 as we navigate the tribalism and cultural revolutions of today? Join us from a snowy Ireland - as it was in The Dead - while we unpack history's lessons, from the industrial age's middle-class explosion to the rise of modernism and today's chaotic digital landscape. Are we witnessing a similar hinge moment, and what does it mean for the future? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    America's $30 Trillion Gamble: How Debt Could Rewrite the Global Economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 32:54


    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 the mistakes of past empires? Join us as we unravel the hidden fragilities, bold financial tactics, and the high stakes of America's economic future.P.S you can check out Elizanomics here, I'll be posting at least weekly in 2025: https://elizanotaro.substack.com Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Runways to Reality: How Airports Reflect the World Around Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 31:26


    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 fascinating story about how interconnected and diverse Irish society has become. Airports aren't just gateways—they're barometers of economic growth, diversity, and even innovation. Why is Ireland exporting microchips instead of machinery? And what does all this mean for a country that's striving to avoid the perils of economic monoculture? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Swiftonomics and Centrist Dads: 2024 in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 36:06


    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 Anti-Hero in Croke Park? It's Ireland's year of contradictions, featuring corporate tax quirks, and the existential debate about whether we're Connecticut with bad weather or the EU's cheekiest tax haven. We're diving deep into the economics of everything that happened this year.  Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Putin's Empire, the West's Game: Revisiting Bill Browder's Insight on Russia

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 34:56


    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 parallels to today's events, we explore the enduring dynamics of Russia's kleptocracy, the Western response to the war in Ukraine, and the grim calculus of prolonging conflict to pursue regime change. What's the West's real endgame? Can sanctions and military aid shift the balance, or are we destined for years of grinding stalemate? And what does it say about global power when wars are dictated not just by ideology, but by who controls the money? Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    AI, Feudal Overlords, and the Fight for the Future: A Conversation with Martin Wolf

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 29:48


    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 geopolitics. Are we headed for a new era of prosperity, or a feudal system ruled by techno-overlords? And what role does socialising the means of production play in protecting democracy? Happy Christmas! Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Bro-tocracy Rises: Top 10 World-Changing Events of 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 34:01


    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 itself as a winner in the chaos? These are the moments that matter, and this is the year that changes everything. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Prosperity Paradox: Ireland's Boom, Europe's Bust, and the Price of Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 34:40


    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, shedding light on why Ireland is an economic outlier. Drawing on research from Money: A Story of Humanity, we discuss the driving forces behind American innovation, Europe's struggles with productivity, and how Ireland's successes mask deeper societal challenges. From satellite images of city luminescence to Belgium's clever solutions to vacant housing, this is a conversation about the paradox of prosperity—and what happens when governments fail to plan for the future. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What's Next for Syria?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 34:59


    The fall of Assad's 50-year regime marks a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern history, but what happens next? In this episode, we connect the dots between the collapse of Syria's government, the geopolitical power vacuum left behind, and the ripple effects across Europe. Drawing from decades of history, including parallels to regime changes from Saddam Hussein to Gaddafi, we examine the roles of Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, and the jihadist HTS in shaping Syria's uncertain future. Taking notes from The Great War for Civilisation by Robert Fisk for historical insights into Middle Eastern geopolitics, unpack the complexities of migration patterns, and analyse how rising far-right movements—from Marine Le Pen in France to the AFD in Germany—could destabilise Europe's political landscape further. With millions displaced and Europe bracing for another wave of desperate migrants, this episode explores the intersection of history, politics, and human resilience. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Economics of the Miracle on 34th Street

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 35:26


    Santa exists because the people will it to exist"—a lovely line from The Miracle on 34th Street sets the stage for this episode's deep dive into Bitcoin hitting the monumental $100K mark. But is Bitcoin really money? Or just a speculative asset fuelled by belief and lobbying? As we explore the parallels between wampum shells, tulip bulbs, and digital currencies, we unravel the irony of Bitcoin's journey from anti-establishment rebellion to Wall Street darling. Is this the dawn of a MAGA-backed financial revolution, or a precarious bet on an apocalyptic future where the dollar falters? And what happens when speculative euphoria meets institutional leverage? From New York's vibrant streets to its historical roots as a trading hub, we examine how faith—whether in Santa Claus, Bitcoin, or the dollar—has always been the driving force behind the world's currencies. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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