
Taking Stock
Taking Stock takes a global view of the big business stories and the trends affecting the world economy. Listen and subscribe to Taking Stock on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'
Latest episodes

Jul 11, 2025 • 50min
What makes a great CEO?
This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton talks to Michael Aldous and John Turner, authors of 'CEO: The Rise and Fall of Britain’s Captains of Industry'. Susan talks to Daniel Murray of the Business Post about why Ireland has a Sovreign Wealth Fund and if economic ill winds might clip its wings. Plus, Kate English of Deloitte on how threatened Tariffs are impacting Global Stock Markets.

Jul 4, 2025 • 45min
The Economics of Being a Carer
This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton looks at the economic realities of being a full-time carer when she talks to Majella Beattie from Care Champions as well as Jaimie Williams, Co-founder and Chair of the Phoenix Rising Network. Susan also hears about Big Tobacco and their continuing attempts to turn a profit when she talks to Clara Murray of the FT.Plus, Thomas Harr on his book 'The Great Inflation Resurgence'.

Jun 27, 2025 • 45min
Is the Ad Industry moving away from diversity and inclusion?
This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton talks to Daniel Thomas of the Financial Times about how some advertising and marketing departments seem to be changing priorities in a changing world. Economist Dan O'Brien takes a look back at the financial crisis of 2008 and asks if we are repeating any of those mistakes today. Plus, Susan is joined by Dr Chinyere Almona from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce to look at the opportunity that Africa may pose for Irish Businesses.

Jun 20, 2025 • 15min
Reconfiguring the Global Food System
Susan is joined by David McGee who is PwC ESG Leader to talk about PwC's new report 'Reconfiguring the Global Food System' which looks at re-designing how we produce, process and consume food.

Jun 20, 2025 • 48min
Too much Insurance, Global food chains and a new Union for Europe
This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton looks at not just the cost of insurance but also the 'types' of insurance we're paying for and asks Sinead Ryan if we're spending too much on the wrong kind of insurance?David McGee PwC ESG Leader looks at a new report 'Reconfiguring the Global Food System.' Plus, Susan is joined by Javier Espinoza of the Capital Forum to examine what the new Savings and Investment Union might mean for Ireland and Europe.

Jun 13, 2025 • 47min
The economics of owning a pet, Nama's legacy and when to sell.
This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton looks at the growing numbers around pet ownership and asks if we have reached peak pet when she talks to Charles Cosgrove of Village Vets.John Burns of the Irish Independent assesses what NAMA did and didn't do for the country.Plus, Susan looks at a new report from global law firm Taylor Wessing which shows that confidence remains high across the Mergers and Acquisitions landscape despite geopolitical pressures.

Jun 6, 2025 • 42min
Is Ireland's economics school curriculum preparing students for the working world?
This week on Taking Stock with Susan HayesCulleton: As the OECD has slashed its global growth forecast, she speaks to OECD Economist, Isabell Koske, to delve deeper into these latest results. Susan speaks to Sinead Gogan, Chief People Officer at Deloitte, as record numbers of students begin their Leaving and Junior Cert exams, she questions whether or not our economics curriculum through school and college is adequately preparing our graduates for a changing world of work.Plus, she's joined by Elaine Teague, CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland & Bobby Hickey, who works in the Diversity and Inclusion space, on the shocking news that Ireland has the lowest rate of employment for people with disabilities in the EU.

May 30, 2025 • 48min
The economics of Ozempic
This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton looks at how weight-loss drugs are changing economic patterns all around us when she talks to Ben Spencer who is science editor with The Sunday Times.Susan talks to Jay Zagorsky of the Questrom School of Business at Boston University about his new book ' The Power of Cash: Why Using Paper Money is good for you'. Plus, with new stats showing just how much Irish people listen to music online Susan talks to arts journalist and author Aoife Barry about the popularity and numbers behind music streaming.

May 23, 2025 • 46min
The thorny economics of 'Tipping'
This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton takes a look at the issue of 'tipping' in both Ireland and elsewhere when she talks to Travel Writer Fionn Davenport and James Fahy of JustTip.Susan talks to two international mortgage experts Leigh Hodgetts and Stacy Penn about whether Ireland is any harder to buy a house in than other countries around the world. Plus, George Park of the Financial Times explains what was and wasn't signed up to in the new UK/EU deal this week.

May 16, 2025 • 47min
Should we rename charity shops?
This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton looks at the economics of charity shops and why they are becoming the 'go-to' shop for consumers. Susan is joined by Dr Esther Pugh of Leed Beckett University and retail consultant Eddie Shanahan. Susan talks to Warick Bloore of Vanguard about the staggering amount of money that is being transferred from boomers to Gen X when she looks at the growing area of 'Intergenerational' Wealth. Plus, Ian Curran of the Irish Times takes a look at the tariff deal struck between the US and China.