Episodes
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Irelandâs economy is booming, bolstered by its close ties to the American economic engine. But beneath the shine of GDP growth and high living standards lies a stark reality: a growing gap between standard of living and quality of life. Why are Irish families delaying children longer than any other in Europe? Why hasnât Ireland used its wealth to solve fundamental issues like childcare, housing, and commutes? In this episode, we explore the divergence between the U.S. and European economies, shedding light on why Ireland is an economic outlier. Drawing on research from Money: A Story of Humanity, we discuss the driving forces behind American innovation, Europeâs struggles with productivity, and how Irelandâs successes mask deeper societal challenges. From satellite images of city luminescence to Belgiumâs clever solutions to vacant housing, this is a conversation about the paradox of prosperityâand what happens when governments fail to plan for the future.
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The fall of Assadâs 50-year regime marks a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern history, but what happens next? In this episode, we connect the dots between the collapse of Syriaâs government, the geopolitical power vacuum left behind, and the ripple effects across Europe. Drawing from decades of history, including parallels to regime changes from Saddam Hussein to Gaddafi, we examine the roles of Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, and the jihadist HTS in shaping Syriaâs uncertain future. Taking notes from The Great War for Civilisation by Robert Fisk for historical insights into Middle Eastern geopolitics, unpack the complexities of migration patterns, and analyse how rising far-right movementsâfrom Marine Le Pen in France to the AFD in Germanyâcould destabilise Europe's political landscape further. With millions displaced and Europe bracing for another wave of desperate migrants, this episode explores the intersection of history, politics, and human resilience.
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Episodes manquant?
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Santa exists because the people will it to exist"âa lovely line from The Miracle on 34th Street sets the stage for this episode's deep dive into Bitcoin hitting the monumental $100K mark. But is Bitcoin really money? Or just a speculative asset fuelled by belief and lobbying? As we explore the parallels between wampum shells, tulip bulbs, and digital currencies, we unravel the irony of Bitcoinâs journey from anti-establishment rebellion to Wall Street darling. Is this the dawn of a MAGA-backed financial revolution, or a precarious bet on an apocalyptic future where the dollar falters? And what happens when speculative euphoria meets institutional leverage? From New Yorkâs vibrant streets to its historical roots as a trading hub, we examine how faithâwhether in Santa Claus, Bitcoin, or the dollarâhas always been the driving force behind the worldâs currencies.
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As the global financial system shifts under the weight of geopolitical tensions and Chinese economic policy reversals, Russell Napier introduces a concept that could redefine the next decade: National Capitalism. This podcast unpacks the startling implications of a system where governments force domestic savings to fund national priorities, effectively ending the free flow of global capital. With 57.2 trillion USD in U.S. assets owned by foreigners and 77% of U.S. GDP reliant on external creditors, the stakes are higher than ever. Could rising Chinese inflation, a faltering U.S. debt system, and Europeâs internal pressures spark a new financial architecture? From how Ireland might adapt to a national savings mandate to whether young people could finally claw back wealth from older generations, this episode dives into the economic, generational, and geopolitical ripple effects of a post-globalist world.
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As Ireland inches toward a new government, the housing crisis dominates the agenda. But what if the solution lies not in political reshuffling, but in taking inspiration from unexpected placesâlike Japan? With Tokyo building 145,000 homes in a single year compared to Londonâs mere 38,000, we explore how rethinking urban density, bulldozing outdated planning laws, and embracing modular innovation could transform Ireland's housing landscape. Why are Anglophone nations stuck at 400 homes per 1,000 residents, while their European counterparts boast 560? We dive into the cultural shifts, global comparisons, and the collective effort required to address this disparityâarguing that itâs time to abandon our obsession with old, draughty houses and embrace a bold new vision.
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On the eve of Irelandâs election, we shift focus to the global forces shaping our lives. Why canât todayâs youth afford homes like their parents could? The answer lies far beyond Irelandâin decisions made in Beijing in the 1990s, the mechanics of global monetary systems, and the ripple effects of Chinaâs currency strategies on interest rates and property prices worldwide.Join us as we connect the dots between China's rise, Americaâs spending habits, and how these forces turned Irish homes into financial assets rather than affordable shelters. Plus, hear from monetary historian Russell Napier about what the unraveling of these 30-year trends could mean for the future. It's a deep dive into money, power, and policy you wonât want to miss.
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In this week's episode, we tackle Ireland's election season, where policies are less about vision and more about swapping slogans. We explore how a lack of imagination in housing and infrastructure could undermine one of the worldâs wealthiest nations. From Dublin's derelict buildings to Finland's solutions for homelessness, we dive into how local councils can learn to self-finance and finally address Ireland's housing crisis. We zoom out to examine the global context: Trumpism's shadow over Ireland's economic model and how a looming U.S. civil warâbetween corporate boardrooms and MAGA ideologuesâmight reshape foreign direct investment and Irelandâs reliance on American multinationals. As history shows, great decisions often emerge in hard times. Will Ireland rise to the occasion, or settle for short-term thinking?
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This week, we're connecting the dots between the Irish electoral cycle, immigration, and the global aftershocks of Trumpism. Irelandâs housing crisis, surging immigration, and emigration of young talent all tell a story of a country grappling with rapid changeâbut are the political elites ready to face the challenge? We discuss how immigration fuels innovation and economic growth but also sparks social tension. With over 149,000 immigrants arriving this year alone and rents skyrocketing, is Ireland equipped to balance supply with surging demand? Plus, we explore how Trumpism is reshaping the world order and challenging elites globallyâposing a question for Irelandâs leaders: can they rise to the occasion or will they repeat the mistakes of the past?
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This week, we're tackling two seismic shifts in politics: Irelandâs sugar-rush election and Trumpismâs ripple effects across Europe. As Irish politicians shower voters with freebiesâfrom energy credits to student grantsâare they ignoring the storm clouds brewing overseas? Meanwhile, Germany is picking up the phone to Russia, reshaping the geopolitics of Europe as Trumpâs influence pushes allies to rethink old alliances. What does Irelandâs obsession with giveaways say about its political class, and how will Trumpism challenge Ireland's economic model? From Olaf Scholz to selection boxes, and from bounties (both the chocolates and political ones) to balanced budgets, join us as we explore how the worldâand Irelandâmay be on the cusp of monumental change.
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This week, weâre diving into Germany's political shake-up as the country heads for a snap election this February. Beyond coalition drama, thereâs a deeper story here: Germanyâs cultural obsession with saving and fiscal restraintâa "fetish for frugality" that hasnât always served them well. Seen as both a national virtue and a strict economic doctrine, balanced budgets are gospel, and spending is often viewed with suspicion. How will this election impact Germany's economic direction? And could a new leadership shift the country's stance on growth, flexibility, and spending? Join us this week to find out.
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Live from Kilkenomics, we unpack the âTrump Epoch,â a transformative shift thatâs reshaping America and reverberating across the globe. From disrupting political dynasties to setting the stage for a new supercycle, we dive into how Trumpism is redefining the worldâs economic and political landscapes. Expect a deep dive into the rise of disaffected voices, shifting priorities like immigration and cost of living, and the lasting impact of this new era. If youâre curious about where Americaâand by extension, the worldâis headed, this episode maps out the road ahead.
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The unthinkable has happened: Donald Trump has swept the Presidency, Congress, the Senate, the popular voteâeven the Supreme Court stands behind him. In todayâs episode, we dive into the five emotional stages America seems to be racing through, from denial to acceptance, as a the Trumpquake sends shockwaves across the world. With Bitcoin soaring and alliances shifting, what does this all mean for the globeâfrom an empowered Netanyahu in Israel to an isolated Europe led by a wary Berlin? Weâll explore the billionaire backers pulling strings, the curious coalition of Bitcoiners and evangelicals in Trumpâs camp, and the simmering question of whether this mandate signals peak plutocracy. Tune in as we confront the realities of this bold new eraâwhere old rules donât apply, and power takes on a whole new meaning.
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In this episode, we delve into the essence of power ahead of the American election. What happens when the warrior, priestly, and merchant castes convergeâand who ends up on top? We explore how the modern United States exemplifies this ancient struggle through its billionaires, technocrats, and military-industrial complex. With billionaires investing nearly $700 million into the election, we ask: does this solidify their dominance, or could we be nearing a tipping point, a "peak billionaire" era? From McKinley's front-porch politics to Roosevelt's crackdown on the robber barons, history has lessons for today's plutocrats. Could the pendulum swing against them again?
Pre-order the new book Money: A Story of Humanity now: https://linktr.ee/moneydavidmcwilliams
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Weâre in the final minutes of one of the most consequential American elections everâand the stakes are high. We're back with Mark Blyth to explore what a Trump victory might mean for the world. Picture this: the return of 19th-century tariffs, mass deportations, and a push to bring American multinationals back home. Whatâs at risk for global trade, jobs, and even the power of NATO itself? With 14% of Irelandâs jobs tied to U.S. companies, the world could be on the verge of a seismic shift. So hereâs the question: if Trump wins, how ready is the rest of the world to play by a new set of American rules?
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I'm up in Glasgow and we're devoting this podcast to all things Scottish, kkicking off with the amazing Scottish Enlightenment. Why did 18th-century Scotland emerge as a crucible for radical ideas, drawing intellectuals, inventors, and innovators alike? The Scottish Enlightenment marked an era where thinkers like David Hume and Adam Smith thrived amidst newfound economic growth, sparked by an influx of wealth from trade routes and ventures (like Scotland's ill-fated attempt to build a canal in Panama). But unlike France, where revolutionary fervor overthrew established order, Scotlandâs intellectual revolution developed under the stability of the British Empire, with Scots integrating into its growing power. As thinkers flocked to Glasgow's and Edinburghâs salons and Masonic lodges, they fostered advancements in empiricism, economics, and even steam technology, laying foundations for the industrial age. With Ireland facing a similar boom today, we explore whether prosperity will again inspire an era of transformative thinking.
Buy the new book here: https://linktr.ee/moneydavidmcwilliams
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In this episode, we dive into the decline of Dublinâs inner city, a reflection of urban decay across the English-speaking world. Drawing on Jane Jacobsâ urban theories, we explore how cities like Kreuzberg in Berlin and Hackney in London turned around from dereliction to thriving hubsâand ask whether Dublin can do the same. We discuss the importance of repopulating cities with residents, not just tourists, and why mixed-use spaces are crucial for community vibrancy. Can initiatives like âmeanwhile useâ transform dead zones into lively areas again? Or is Dublinâand cities like itâstuck in a cycle of neglect and decay? Join us as we explore the future of urban living and what it will take to revive dying cities.
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As the U.S. election looms, we take a hard look at how this pivotal moment could reshape the country. With Donald Trump pulling ahead in key swing states while working at McDonalds, the stakes are higher than ever. Joined again by Tom Frank, we dive into the potential consequences of a Trump victoryâauthoritarianism, economic upheaval, and the erosion of America's institutions. How could Trumpâs policies and the cult of personality around him impact the U.S. economy and democracy? Will the billionaire-backed push for tariffs and mass deportations lead to a recession? As America edges toward a defining moment, we explore the unsettling parallels with other failed states and ask: Can U.S. institutions withstand another Trump presidency?
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In this episode, we break down the Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Darren Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson for their work on development economics. Their central claim? Strong institutions are the key to national success. But is that the whole story? With the richest 20% of countries now 30 times wealthier than the poorest 20%, we ask if focusing solely on institutions ignores deeper issues like geography, culture, and historical legacy. From South Koreaâs meteoric rise to Jamaicaâs recent turnaround, we explore whether stable institutions are enough to solve the worldâs growing inequality. Are these Nobel winners missing something critical, or is this a blueprint for global prosperity?
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In this episode, we dive into a rising question: could the European Union impose economic sanctions on Israel if the conflict continues to escalate? As Israelâs largest trade partner, the EU holds significant economic leverage, and with public opinion across Europe shifting, sanctions could become a powerful tool to apply pressure. Drawing on historical examples like South Africa and Russia, we ask: could Israel be the next nation to face international economic isolation? What would that mean for the region, and could it actually stop the bloodshed? As the ground shifts quickly in global politics, we explore whether what seems impossible today could become reality tomorrow.
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This week, weâre stepping away from the usual economic focus to dive into the culture wars dominating U.S. politics as the election looms. Despite strong job growth, voters seem more driven by cultural identity than economic gains. With Thomas Frank, author of Whatâs the Matter with Kansas, we explore why the working class has shifted towards the Republicans, while Democrats have embraced the highly educated elite. Frank breaks down how these cultural divides are playing out in key swing states, revealing how identity, not economics, has become the driving force behind voter decisions. As we head into one of the most consequential elections in recent history, we have to askâwill culture continue to overpower economics at the ballot box?
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