The David McWilliams Podcast

By: David McWilliams & John Davis
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  • Summary

  • 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.

    Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    David McWilliams
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Politics & Government
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Episodes
  • Did Ferris Bueller Predict the Trade War?

    Did Ferris Bueller Predict the Trade War?
    Apr 1 2025
    What do tariffs, the Laffer Curve, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off have in common? More than you’d think. This week, we dive into the world of trade policy, culture wars, and deflated middle-aged fatherhood, all from the basement. From Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" of tariffs to secret WhatsApp groups planning military strikes, this episode examines how America’s trade war is about identity, masculinity, and a long-festering grudge against Europe. With a history lesson on Smoot-Hawley, Reaganomics, and the ghost of Arthur Laffer, we ask: if America is only barely exposed to global trade, why the war on Europe? And is this all just economic policy reimagined as culture war th

    Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    39 mins
  • Why Do Good People Make Bad Decisions?

    Why Do Good People Make Bad Decisions?
    Mar 27 2025
    From Dublin’s housing crisis to stalled metros and blocked wind farms, this week’s episode explores how well-meaning people, and governments, have tied themselves in knots. We ask the simple but provocative question: if we could build Ardnanacrusha in three years a century ago, why can’t we build homes or rail lines now? Blame over-regulation, hyper-democracy, and good intentions gone rogue. Whether it’s zoning laws, environmental red tape, or endless consultations, we’ve made it nearly impossible to build anything at scale or speed. Drawing on lessons from China, Spain, and Dublin 1, this episode is a call for a Second Irish Republic, one that resets the country to make allow it to achieve its potential.

    Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    40 mins
  • Trump's First 65 Days

    Trump's First 65 Days
    Mar 25 2025
    Trump is back, and in just 75 days, he’s issued half as many executive orders in two months than Biden did in four years. Beyond the chaos, there’s a bigger story: what happens when a country, like Ireland, finds itself up against a global heavyweight? From Trump’s tariffs and economic incoherence to America's shift toward isolationism, We argue it’s time for smaller nations to find their rope-a-dope—a strategy borrowed straight from Muhammad Ali’s legendary win over George Foreman - who just died. Meanwhile, are we looking at a US recession? Markets slumping, second-hand designer gear is flooding resale apps, and dreadful survey data hint at a looming Trump Slump. Plus: a trip to Wales, the wisdom of Gus O’Donnell, and why Foreman’s grill might have more to teach us than we think.

    Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast.


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

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