

Taking Stock
Newstalk
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'
Episodes
Mentioned books

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.

Feb 14, 2025 • 44min
When Brands beat Personalities
This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver looks at Tesla's declining sales in some countries and asks how much an owner's personality can affect sales of their products when he talks to Gretchen Larsen, Professor in Marketing at Durham University Business School.Gold is going gang busters in the era of tariffs and Emmet talks to Russ Mould of AJ Bell about why Gold will never die. Plus, Emmet talks to Professor Steven Barnett of the University of Westminster about the BBC World Service and why it may be more important than ever.

Feb 7, 2025 • 45min
We ain't ever going back
This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver talks to Chris Kane author of 'Where's My Office' about Citibank's embrace of hybrid working and why the model is here to stay. Emmet also talks to Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times and Henry Foy of the Financial Times about all of President Trump's possible Tariffs and what they might mean for Ireland and Europe. Plus, Karl Waters of Folk VML talks to Emmet about the huge money that Superbowl Ads still command ahead of this Sunday's big game.

Jan 31, 2025 • 45min
Starbucks changes gear, Deepseek takes off and Global Golf struggles
This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver looks at the changing face of customer service and why Starbucks won’t let you in unless you’re a paying customer. Emmet gets the lowdown on ‘Deepseek’ from Ciara O’Brien of the Irish Times. Plus, has LIV Golf ruined golf’s popularity? Emmet is joined by Nathan Murphy of ‘Off the Ball’ and Sports Columnist Ian Mallon.