

The David McWilliams Podcast
David McWilliams & John Davis
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.If you would like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/DavidMcWilliams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 8, 2024 • 42min
2024:12 Unveiling the Drivers of the World Economy with Martin Wolf
Esteemed global economy expert Martin Wolf delves into the dynamic forces shaping the world economy, including demographic shifts, artificial intelligence, and the rise of Asia. They discuss the threats to the global economy, the controversial reappointment of Deloitte as auditors, major threats to global stability, and the economic implications of mathematics and AI. They also touch on drug use throughout history and the importance of addressing cyber threats.

13 snips
Feb 6, 2024 • 34min
2024:11 The Bitter Lessons of Brexit with Martin Wolf
Economist and Financial Times columnist Martin Wolf joins the podcast to discuss the destructive impact of populism on stable democracies like Brexit. They delve into the false premises of Brexit, its economic repercussions, and the threat it posed to domestic stability. They also explore the uniqueness of Britain as a former imperial power searching for its role in the world. Don't miss this insightful discussion on navigating UK politics in the aftermath of Brexit.

11 snips
Feb 1, 2024 • 40min
2024:10 The Gen Z Gender Schism
This podcast explores the political gender divide in Gen Z, with young men swinging conservative and young women moving liberal. It discusses the consequences and implications of this split on issues such as gender equality and immigration, examining survey results from the US and Korea. The podcast also explores variations in gender norms and cultural issues across different age groups and genders, highlighting the shifting attitudes towards gender among young men and women. It raises questions about the role of gender divergence in politics and elections, and its impact on party politics and public perception of politicians.

Jan 30, 2024 • 28min
2024:09 Public Sector Productivity, Who Pays?
This podcast explores the intersection between inflation, public sector pay, and productivity. It discusses topics such as the impact of inflation on the economy, comparing productivity in private and public sectors, and questions surrounding public sector pay in Ireland. The speakers delve into the challenges of measuring productivity in bureaucratic organizations and highlight the importance of addressing wage increases and work practices in the public sector. They also touch on closing the savings gap and recommend a pop culture podcast for enthusiasts.

8 snips
Jan 25, 2024 • 33min
2024:08 People Before Bonnet
This podcast explores the battle between the past and the future in Dublin's urban planning, emphasizing the need to prioritize pedestrians over cars. It discusses the potential use of surge pricing for road taxes to reduce traffic congestion and proposes a holistic approach to urban development. The impact of Airbnb on Dublin's city life is also discussed, highlighting the importance of promoting a walkable environment and regulating Airbnb for the benefit of residents.

4 snips
Jan 23, 2024 • 32min
2024:07 Javier Milei and Understanding the Political Extremes Part One
Last week at Davos, Javier Milei, delivered a fiery speech that spared no one, from Keynesians to Globalists. Despite some controversy, Milei's libertarian ideas are gaining traction both in Argentina and beyond. As people grapple with economic and geopolitical challenges, they are increasingly drawn to solutions that Milei proposes.In this episode, we explore Milei's speech, which delves into the history of economic growth where he attributes much of it to the principles of free-market capitalism. Regardless of whether one agrees with Milei's thesis, the importance lies in fostering a dialogue around these ideas. Join us as we kick off a series where we dive deeper into the factors contributing to the global explosion in growth, using Milei's speech as a thought-provoking starting point. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 18, 2024 • 35min
2024:06 The Problem of Success and Why We Need To Change Our Minds
Ireland's economic success has led to social responsibility that the government hasn't been able to meet. The housing sector is struggling with population growth, multinational investment, and increased demand. A mindset shift is needed to avoid social chaos. Factors affecting housing needs include population growth, immigration, and household size. The focus has shifted to the problems of success in Irish economics and policy.

7 snips
Jan 16, 2024 • 36min
2024:05 Protecting Global Trade - the Economics of the Houthi Problem
Explore the impact of the Houthis on global trade and the economy. Learn about maritime powers and the role of the American Navy. Discuss the vulnerability of choke points and the complexities of Yemen. Discover the potential consequences on daily life and commerce.

Jan 11, 2024 • 39min
2024:04 How Culture and Language Leads to Economic Growth
Data-driven expert John Burn-Murdoch joins the show to discuss the connection between culture, language, and economic growth. They explore the role of culture in explaining economic development, the interplay between culture, language, and economics, and the impact of cultural and societal changes on economic growth. They also highlight the importance of embracing cultural shifts and using data to tell stories in economics.

21 snips
Jan 9, 2024 • 32min
2024:03 The End of the Starsky & Hutch Super-Cycle
This podcast explores the end of a 40-year economic cycle and the start of a new long-term economic reality. They discuss the concept of super cycles, speculate on the next economic cycle, and address the impact of immigration and the rise of anti-immigration sentiments. They also explore the possibility of a bipartisan coalition with Liz Cheney as Joe Biden's running mate.