The David McWilliams Podcast

2022 saw many ups and downs - and one notable "down" was the fall of crypto-mania. While the madness feels behind us, most still don't understand this "currency" that is shrouded in myths and lore - today, we're going to make sense of it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Like fire, money has profoundly impacted our species. So much so that it’s development has shaped how we organize together, how the world was discovered and who innovated first (and best!). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's start the new year with a fresh perspective on housing - because looking at it differently can create new ideas to solve the problem! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With inflation still very much present at the end of the year and various unions fighting to maintain their real world wages, some through strikes, let's take a look at why inflation hasn't been transitionary and how China has been able to hold it at bay for so long. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Messi apart, the player that caught most people's eye was Alexis McAlister. But how did his Irish family end up in the Pampas? Today we tell the story of the Irish Argentineans. More than 500,000 Argentineans are Irish-Argentineans, who are they and when did they leave Ireland.  The most famous of course is Che Guevara Lynch.  In February 1889, the largest single transport ship of immigrants ever to dock in Argentina was "The City of Dresden" and it came from Cork. Even Borges, Argentina's chief bard, wrote about Irish gauchos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year has been a turbulent one, across Europe, one of the countries that has felt this the most is the UK: 3 prime ministers in a year, a bank crisis and rising Scottish nationalism. Let’s explore how we got there and what might come next Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This bonus episode is brought to you by NOW.Where did movies come from? What costs and expenses are involved in making them? How has streaming platforms changed the types of movies being made? All this and more answered in this episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the latest macro-economic cycle coming to an end, let’s look at what’s next on the horizon and how to spot companies that are over-value with the help of the legend himself: Jim Chanos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we near the end of 2022 let’s look at the year that’s been, identify takeaways of what has passed and have a chat about what might be on the horizon for 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The crazy things about economics is that so much of what we’re taught growing up is actually wrong. Today we take a look at the myth about specialization by talking about Fitzcarraldo, biology and the impact that diversification has had on Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The credit cycle is an unforgiving master, as interest rates rise, different questions are asked about both companies and investments. We examine the new world of positive interest rates and what it means for the global economy. With more than $3.4 trillion wiped off the value of tech companies, far more than the entire GDP of the UK, we assess the impact. Are you ready for the next phase of this cycle? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine grinds into winter, Putin's new strategy is to destroy Ukrainian infrastructure. What it couldn't achieve on the battle field Russia aims to achieve in the living room, by trying to freeze ordinary Ukrainians. Today we have a fascinating chat with European Investigative Journalist of the Year Christo Grozev of Bellingcat on how he identified the poisoners of Alexi Navalny and how, using the same techniques, he has identified the Russia's remote killers, the civilian men and women, computer programmers, software engineers and data specialists living normal lives in Russia, who actually push the buttons and program the missiles raining down on Ukraine. It's fascinating and chilling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've always been "Doomcoiners" - yes, you guessed it, not fans of crypto. Now you know why. A passing understanding of monetary economics and monetary history would have warned anyone to be very careful. One of the biggest crypto exchange has filled for bankruptcy and across the board crypto currency valuation is in free fall - How did we end up here? And more critically, what sort of frauds will be unearthed when the dust settles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland's population is set to grow rapidly. Like a parent buying a-size-too-big-clothes for a teenagers, the State needs to be building infrastructure for an island population of 10 million. We explore this critical issue, plus musings of Toto Schilacci, the economic equivalent of playing keepy-uppies with Maradona and lots more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us on this wide ranging conversation on the nature of money that might change. the way you look at central banks, investments, spending and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm in NYC this week and caught up with Jeff Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic magazine. With the American midterm elections, the collapse of FTX exchange and Ukraine's victories in the field, we discuss the State of the Union, the American mindset as revealed in the elections, and America's role in the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Capitalism dead? There’s a new media and retail ecosystem that is controlled by a select few who use algorithms to curate what we consume and how we shop… sounds like Feudalism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking a look at the long-term economics shifts we breakdown how everything has changed since the pandemics - from international allies to cost of living crisis, it’s all here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the world’s eyes turned to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia - are the Chinese about to make a move on Taiwan while the world is distracted? Today we’re joined by angelica Oung to talk about increased tensions between China and the island. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is a buyer’s panic being followed by a seller’s panic in the housing market? Plus, what is happening in the tech sector? This week, the market valuation of tech stock went down by almost a Trillion dollars - let’s figure out what’s happening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This bonus episode is brought to you by Square.Retail has been changing drastically over the last few years, on this pod we take a look at the history of trade, the current disruptions from Covid and Ecommerce and where it might go next! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s a wind of change in the air, globally house prices are falling by double digits? What’s happening? Why now? We’re joined by The Economist’s global property correspondent: Vinjeru Mkandawire to answer all that and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Economic stability is no laughing matter - and quite a bit more fragile than people believe. The UK may have a new PM but does it have a new vision? What’s its business model? And critically how does it address the economic, political, social and regional inequalities? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pippa joins us today to talk about about the state of global geopolitics and makes a case for the world being in a third global war - just not on land but rather at sea and in space. It’s fascinating stuff and might change the way you see the world! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK is in a mess, how did it get there and how does it get out, or can it? It's much more than Truss. It's a decade of shite decisions. Lots going on in this episode, chatting to the brilliant Mark Blyth but the upshot is what is happening in London can happen anywhere and if the UK, for years the global centre of finance, can't stabilise its markets, what hope for the rest? With US interest rates heading towards 6%, buckle up for a rocky ride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When your mate loses his job it's a downturn, when you lose your's, its a recession. And you know what, the world's central bankers will not juts be cheering you losing your job, they'll be causing it. Economic policy all over the world is now aimed and bringing about a recession to bring down inflation. What this means in plain English is job losses, leading to widespread unemployment. Tighten your belt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OPEC+ has announced that it will reduce its production quota by 2 Million barrels per day - something the west has seen as OPEC+ siding with the Kremlin. What does that mean for. your life? For our economy and cost of living? Join us as we talk all about it Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the Tories lose the trust of the financial markets you know that something has gone incredibly wrong. History tells us that people need to trust the governments for them to succeed - let’s look at what Germany did post WW2, what Ireland is doing and what’s going on over in the UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In partnership with Irish Life , we bring you: The crucial link between the planet and your pension - because making the right investments can end up being more environmentally friendly than taking the bus! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The global financial markets, particularly the bond markets are in bad shape, and the UK was the first to show how bad it can get, but this is not a UK problem - its a global problem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the "mobilization" Putin reveals that he is running out of road. He is doing what he always does, escalating. To make sense of this escalation, and living with this regime, we talk to a Russian insider to guide us through these new developments. If you are interested in Russia, don't miss this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK, already the most unequal country in Western Europe, just got more unequal. We start by breaking through the internet noise with tangible facts about inequality and standard of living, comparing Ireland, UK. US and Norway. Then we examine the madness of the UK's budget, Sterling collapsing, gilts tanking and a country unhinged over there, before settling down to the predictable stability and calm of the Irish budget! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Populism is often vilified - but it’s origin is far more noble than you might think - and we might all need a bit more populism moving forward! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Housing is a global asset class now and now that rates are rising, lots of leveraged property funds are likely to go bust. How is this going to play out and what does it all mean? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The economy is full of unintended consequences - and those ripple through time for decades. How the world stopped inflation in 1970 brought on our current world view - but this time we’re fighting inflation radically differently… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few months back we talked about 1922 being the year the 20th actually began, in terms of modernism, ideology, politics and economics. We mused whether the same would be said of 2022, that this momentous year -with everything that is happening - would be the year the 21st century actually begins. There is nothing more 20th century than the British Empire and their monarchy. Is this the end of that road and what does that mean for the UK? Can the UK outlast the Queen? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rotating cast of Torie leaders continues, this time it’s Lizz Truss’s time in the spotlight. What exactly is going on in the UK, and where is the nation headed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than a few years back, I got the chance to sit down and chat to the most consequential politician of my life, Mikhail Gorbachev, the last President of the USSR - the very antithesis to Vladimir Putin in every way, politically, intellectually and emotionally. We look back at his life and a leader who drastically changed the course of the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many in China have stopped paying their mortgages - what happened to this once golden goose of investment? And perhaps more importantly: how does this end? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Within the Euro, given the vastly different economic structures and stage of economic development, some countries, like Ireland, have undervalued exchange rates and others, like Croatia/Italy/Greece have overvalued exchange rates. This means that Ireland experiences massive supply problems, in housing, transport, too much inward investment etc, while the others experience severe deficient demand problems, unemployment, emigration etc. This represents a permanent flaw at the heart of the system; will it be fixed in the next crisis? The solution is fiscal federalism, like Canada, USA or Australia, but who in Europe wants that right now? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The war on drugs has failed and the public perception of marijuana is changing rapidly, here's some numbers that underscore why legalization is long overdue! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New countries start with no money. The departing colonists take everything with them, including capital. Like all former colonies, the New Ireland had no money. Micheal Collins, revolutionary leader and Minister of Finance, as well as head of the army, laid out a plan. From crowd-funding the 1916-1921 revolution, to setting up a national bank and a new national insurance company, designed to stop capital flowing to London, from marketing Ireland abroad, to rejecting state socialism and focusing on investment both national and foreign, Collins' economic vision for Ireland was the direct opposite to either the conservatism of the first 1920s governments or twisted radicalism of De Valera. What might have been - had he not been assassinated at 31, 100 years ago this week. Here’s his incredible story and how money & economics played a pivotal role in it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today an Irish artist needs to get around 4000 streams an hour or about 300,000 per month to earn the minimum wage which we know is far below what is needed to pay the rent. How can someone survive trying to be a musician? Today we explore the "new" economics of music, what is the financial reality for young and not so young musicians, the history of the music industry and why the economic of our old friend Joseph Schumpeter is behind it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All over the world rent prices are skyrocketing and bringing unbearable pressure on the young and the most vulnerable. let’s talk about how this comes about and what can be done to fix it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In partnership with Liberty Insurance, we bring you: Nudges, choices and personalization - today's episode is all about the countless small decisions we make everyday and how those choices are being influenced in new & various ways. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Droughts in Europe, resource-wars and global warming got us thinking about Thomas Malthus and his observations about population. Can we square the world's finite resources with the demands of 7 billion wannabe consumers? We talk positive checks, why hunter gathers were taller and ate better than the first farmers, plus the big Malthusian warning from the past, the Irish Famine. In the past two hundred years ,the world prized itself free of the Malthusian Trap via technology; could we be about to fall back into the grip of Malthus? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taiwan was all over the news this week. We explore why this small island will be the most sensitive geo-strategic location for the coming showdown between the USA and China. The global economy can survive a conflict with Russia, with China all bets are off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The War in Ukraine is entering its 6th month, many predicted it wouldn't last 6 days.  As time drags on and Russia's energy strategy begins to pay off, can the West remain united? What does phase 2 of the war look like - and who is the most likely winner? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland is a manufacturing powerhouse, producing half as much as the UK per year, despite having a population that is 13 times smaller. With 1% of EU's population, Ireland produces 5% of total EU industrial output. 30 years ago, Ireland had practically no manufacturing base to speak of. How was this transformation achieved? Can it be sustained? Can a strong manufacturing base explain a countries political and social outlook and what else can developed from manufacturing prowess? If Ireland can build a manufacturing base from scratch, can other countries follow suit? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.