
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

Apr 25, 2025 • 46min
Why the iPhone defies tariffs and trade wars
This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton talks to Tom Calver of the Times and the Sunday Times about how the iPhone has the most astounding supply chain.Susan is also joined by PwC Ireland Partner Barry Whelan to talk about the best time to reinvent your business.Plus, the economics of going to gym; Susan talks to Conor Pope of the Irish Times and Leslie Giltinan of 'Lean with Lesley' about the changing nature of people's exercising routines.

Apr 18, 2025 • 45min
Nintendo Economics and Trump's nostalgia for factories
This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton hears about Nintendo's big hopes for its new 'Switch 2' coming soon and what it might do for the Video Game industry when she talks to Tech Journalist Elaine Burke. Susan also talks to Tej Parikh of the Financial Times about why President Trump's longing for an Industrial past is misguided.Plus, Adele Bergin of the ESRI explains the 'significant' economic differences between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Apr 11, 2025 • 45min
Musk and Trump; is the bromance cooling?
This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver chats to Joe Miller, who is Washington Correspondent with the Financial Times, about how the relationship between Elon Musk and Trump is faring since the tariff wars started.Emmet also talks to Gustav Agneman, Associate Professor of Economics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, about what the people of Greenland really feel about America.Plus, there is a deep dive into 'sovereign wealth funds' and what they really mean for a country with Robin Harding who is Asia Editor with the FT.

Apr 4, 2025 • 45min
Liverpool and what it teaches us about the rest of the UK
This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver talks to Sam Wetherell about his new book 'Liverpool and the Unmaking of Britain'.Ciaran Hancock of the Irish Times and Sinead Ryan discuss a new report that shows that 27% of the wealth in Ireland is held by 'retirees'.Plus, Emmet gauges the reaction to Liberation Day in America when he talks to Elisabeth Buchwald of CNN.

Mar 28, 2025 • 46min
Should we boycott Hotdogs and Hollywood movies?
This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver talks to Rob Picheta of CNN about a growing trend for Europeans to boycott American goods in response to what's coming out of the White House. Emmet also talks to journalist Mick Clifford about some of the 'small' changes that he feels could drastically improve the housing situation in Ireland.Plus, Adrian Weckler discusses his use of '23andMe' and what happens to his DNA now that they've gone bust.

Mar 21, 2025 • 46min
The future is quantum & who is new Canadian PM Mark Carney?
This week on Taking Stock:Irish quantum computing company, Equal1, made waves earlier this week by announcing it had created the world’s first silicon-based quantum server but what is it and why is it so significant? John Goold, Professor of Quantum Physics at Trinity College joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.Jamie Smith, US Energy Editor from FT.com joins Emmet to discuss why Greenpeace has been ordered to pay at least $660m to US pipeline company, Energy Transfer.Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney took the reins last week and lost no time in defending his country despite the noises from south of the border - Emmet speaks to Robert Fife, Ottawa Bureau Chief of The Globe & Mail to find out more about him.

Mar 14, 2025 • 50min
The economics of Spotify and calling out bad bosses
This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver talks to economist John Fitzgerald about how to avoid the impact of President Trump's tariffs. Arts Journalist Aoife Barry details how costly to the music business Spotify really is. Plus, Oliver Balch who writes for the Financial Times tells us about a growing trend of 'calling out' bad bosses.

Mar 7, 2025 • 45min
What is the Dark Enlightenment?
This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver talks to Rana Foroohar of the Financial Times about the troubling philosophy at the heart of the MAGA Movement.Emmet also reflects on the early days and uses of Skype with Chris Stokel-Walker with the news that the platform is closing down.Plus, Emmet asks if the Petrol Engine is actually here to stay when he talks to Philip Nolan of the Daily Mail.

Feb 28, 2025 • 47min
Streaming Wars, Sanction-Busting and the best day to get paid
This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver talks to Gearóid O’Sullivan, Chartered Accountants Ireland tax lead, and asks him is there really a best time to get paid—weekly or monthly?Newstalk's own John Fardy tells us who is winning the 'streaming war' and we hear about Netflix's 'Great correction'.Plus, Ed Conway of Sky News looks at what impact sanctions have actually had on Russia.

Feb 21, 2025 • 45min
Greenlash, Germany on the brink and Bubble Tea
This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver hears about the 'Greenlash' when he talks to Pilita Clark of the Financial Times about large sections of society turning their backs on environmentalism. In advance of elections in Germany Emmet chats to Wolfgang Münchau author of 'Kaput; The End of the German Miracle'. Plus, what exactly is Bubble Tea and why is it launching on the stock exchange? Emmet hears from Hilary Osborne of the Guardian.