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
Apr 20, 2023 • 38min
Biden, Relationships VS interests & Contemplations from TED
Countries don't have relationships, they have interests - this notion guides us as we reflect on the coverage of Biden's visit to Ireland before tackling the current economic landscape of Canada from my vantage point in Vancouver where I'm preparing to give a TED talk Friday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 18, 2023 • 27min
The benefits of longterm thinking in the TikTok age
Future citizens have, by definition, no voice but someone needs to speak on their behalf if we’re meant to build a longterm society. The solution to the global housing crisis requires longterm thinking, creating solutions that will sustain us for at least the next 100 years, not just the next election cycle… and it’s much more affordable than you might think! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 13, 2023 • 34min
Why negativity took over the news cycle
Communicating the bad before the good is an evolutionary trait that has helped us survive - but in today’s world, our ancestral instincts and the need to sell media has created a vicious circle that we need to expose and change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 11, 2023 • 33min
Global Irish Soft Power
What does Ireland do for the Irish Diaspora? Here's an idea: why not use Ireland as the re-charging battery for the Irishness of the Global Irish Tribe? Let's use Biden’s visit to Ireland this week to think about how we harness the soft power of Ireland's greatest and unique asset: the tens of millions people around the world who identify as Irish. Soft power is the power of imagination, and in the future a country's soft power will become much more important for our economy. Hope you enjoy this one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 6, 2023 • 43min
It's Easter, Ramadan, Passover take your pick! We head to Jerusalem, spiritual home of all three religions.
It's Easter, Ramadan and Passover, so let's go to the centre of the three Abrahamic religions, Jerusalem. Many years ago I spent time living and working in Israel which gave me a first hand impression of the country - both good and bad. This week we talk Israel - a country of 9 million people - as that country erupts in anti-government demonstrations, while some in that government talk openly about annexing the West Bank. We also chat to the last Jew in Cork, who emigrated from Cork to Jerusalem, and tells his story. The occupation is an abomination, and the human rights abuses and murder of innocent Palestinians is a stain on Israel, yet Israel isn't going anywhere, nor should it. So what happens next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 4, 2023 • 29min
Why a country can be rich on paper, but feel poor in reality
You've never had it so good, but you ain't feeling it. Sound familiar? We explain this dilemma at the heart of a society - in this case Ireland - but its can be applied to many countries. It is one of the reason why politics seems so unstable even in countries where economic data appears robust. Unless economic figures percolate down to how people are experiencing the economy, they are not only unhelpful but worse, they are antagonising. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
6 snips
Mar 30, 2023 • 34min
China plays chess, while Russia plays poker
Putin has managed to turn Russia into a vassal state of China, a fact confirmed by Xi’s visit to Russia. The Sino/Russo alliance against the West is solidified between them but the alliance is not one of equals. Russia is China’s petrol station, while China provides Russia with manufacturing goods. This is China's moment. This week we discuss politics, geo-strategy and the enduring appeal, despite its failings, of the West. Plus a riff on car seats, Yuri Gagarin and why in 1492, it was European not Chinese ships that crossed the oceans to conquer the New World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 28, 2023 • 41min
The Next Global Banking Crisis is Here
The easiest way to rob a bank is to run it. Banks go bad from the inside out. When interest rates shift upward, lots of mistakes and dodgy practices are revealed. We break down where we’re at globally and what comes next - spoiler alert: it ain't pretty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 23, 2023 • 39min
Apartment Living Cures Housing Viruses
The global housing crisis is significantly worse in countries that speak English. Why? Is it because far few English speakers live in flats? Flats are cheaper to build, creating more dense communities and apartment dwellers object far less than those who live in houses. We explore the joy of apartments today with the expert help of John Burn-Murdoch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 21, 2023 • 40min
Bank Carnage
You wait for bank failures for years then... three come in a week, one in the home of banking, Switzerland,. This presents central banks with a dilemma. Central banks have two key mandates. One is controlling inflation which, right now, demands higher interest rates, the other preserving the banking system, which right now requires lower interest rates. What gives? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
