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 27, 2024 • 42min
2024:17 What is Éire Accelerationism and Why Does it Matter? with Will O'Brien
Exploring the concept of Éire Accelerationism in Ireland to drive progress and innovation. Discussing the stagnant infrastructure development despite economic growth. Addressing the urgent need for a paradigm shift towards embracing change and radical thinking. Exploring housing design innovations and unconventional solutions to societal challenges. Delving into the importance of infrastructure expansion in Cork and the impact on living standards.
Feb 22, 2024 • 36min
2024:16 The Joy of Maths with Colm O'Regan
Exploring the challenges of teaching maths and the lack of student engagement. Discussing the history of mathematics from Ishango Bone to Pythagoras. Emphasizing the importance of storytelling in making math engaging for students.
Feb 20, 2024 • 35min
2024:15 The Murder of Navalny - What's Next for Putin and Europe?
Guest Alexander Kabonovsky discusses Putin's regime shift to murder, impact of Navalny's death, parallels to Stalinist era, and Europe's future amidst the darkening Russian situation.
Feb 15, 2024 • 33min
2024:14 A Climate Warning from the Past
Explore the economic history and pre-industrial climate change, from the devastation of the Pont d’Avignon to the mini-ice age in the 17th century. Discover the profound impacts on society, economy, and religion, including famine, religious fervor, war, and mass migrations. Learn about the historical connection between climate change and social unrest, as well as the uncertainty climate change brings to insurance and resource conflicts.
Feb 13, 2024 • 37min
2024:13 The Return of the Kennedys with Pippa Malmgren
Political aficionado Pippa Malgram joins and together they discuss the surprising resurgence of Robert F. Kennedy as an independent candidate in the upcoming American election. They delve into the lack of media coverage, the potential impact of an independent third-party candidate, and Kennedy's grassroots political campaign. They also explore economic conditions, the aging workforce, and speculate on Joe Biden's retirement and the impact of the Kennedys in American politics.
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.
