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 ...
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Trump 2.0: Should Ireland Be Worried?
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We’re in the final minutes of one of the most consequential American elections ever—and 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. What’s at risk for global trade,…
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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 a…
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In this episode, we dive into the decline of Dublin’s inner city, a reflection of urban decay across the English-speaking world. Drawing on Jane Jacobs’ urban theories, we explore how cities like Kreuzberg in Berlin and Hackney in London turned around from dereliction to thriving hubs—and ask whether Dublin can do the same. We discuss the importanc…
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America at a Crossroads: Trump, Power, and the Future of U.S. Democracy
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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 victory—authoritarianism, economic upheaval, and the eros…
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Are Strong Institutions Enough? Unpacking the Nobel Prize in Economics
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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 as…
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Could Sanctions Against Israel become a Reality?
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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 Israel’s 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 histo…
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Culture vs. Economics: The Battle for America's Political Soul with Thomas Frank
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This week, we’re 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 What’s the Matter with Kansas, we explore why the working class has shifted towards the R…
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Fuelling the Fire: Middle East Tensions and Ireland's High Cost-Energy Crisis
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As tensions rise between Israel and Iran, the global energy market is feeling the strain. Oil prices have jumped from $72 to $78 per barrel, and any further escalation could disrupt key producers like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, pushing prices even higher. With Israel attempting to provoke Iran into a wider conflict, the U.S. is caught in a d…
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Middle East on the Brink: Where are the Adults?
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In this episode, we're diving straight into the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. As missiles fly and regional powers realign, we break down what’s really happening on the ground and why the Middle East is more volatile than ever. With Hezbollah in the mix, and Iran’s influence spreading across Lebanon, Gaza, and beyond, we’re looking at…
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The Tragedy of the Middle East: A Letter from Lebanon
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In this episode, we turn our focus to the Middle East, specifically Lebanon, a country currently at the epicentre of political and economic turmoil. Joined by Lebanese economist Carole Nakhle, we dive into the complexities of Lebanese society, a nation shaped by hyperinflation, war, and a delicate balance of religious and ethnic factions. Carole sh…
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Can Draghi's €800 Billion Plan Save Europe from Decline?
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In this episode, we continue our European mini-series, moving from Germany to the broader continental landscape. Europe faces mounting economic challenges as Mario Draghi, the former president of the European Central Bank and technocratic Italian prime minister, issues a bold €800 billion investment proposal aimed at closing the gap with the U.S. a…
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Germany on the Brink: Economic Fragility, Immigration Tensions, and the Rise of the Right
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In this episode, we take a hard look at Germany’s current crossroads, where economic fragility and political tensions collide. Once the bedrock of European stability, Germany now faces challenges like the rise of the far-right AFD party, factory closures at Volkswagen, and energy crises driven by its dependency on Russian fuel. We explore the deepe…
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The Vinyl Comeback: How Records Survived Streaming
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In this episode, we dive into the fascinating resurgence of vinyl and its surprising resilience amidst the digital age. We explore the economics of vinyl, the history of the music industry’s evolution, and how formats like CDs and streaming disrupted the landscape. Vinyl, once thought to be on the brink of extinction, has made an extraordinary come…
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An Apple A Day Keeps The Taxman Away
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This podcast episode dives deep into the complexities of the Apple tax ruling and its broader implications for Ireland's economic model. We explore how Ireland's low corporate tax strategy, which began in the mid-20th century to attract foreign capital, evolved into a cornerstone of its economic growth. The discussion touches on Ireland's historica…
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Hitler’s Plan to Destroy Britain with Counterfeit Money – from Money: A Story of Humanity
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In this episode, we’re diving into one of the wildest stories in the book, involving none other than Adolf Hitler. Can you imagine money falling from the sky? That's what Hitler had planned—he wanted to defeat Britain by literally dropping millions of counterfeit pounds across the country. He believed that if he could flood the British economy with…
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From Poetry to Punches: Ireland’s Journey from Michael D. to McGregor
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This week, we delve into a fascinating hypothetical for Ireland’s future: could Conor McGregor really be our next President in 2025? From the quaint leadership of Michael D. Higgins, to McGregor’s brash, larger-than-life personality, the shift would be nothing short of dramatic. But what does this say about modern Irish politics and the world we’re…
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A Letter from America with Jim Chanos
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This week, we dive into the shifting tides of the U.S. economy and its global impact on smaller countries like Ireland, who are deeply tied to American trade and investment. With the Fed’s balancing act of boosting stock markets while trying to control inflation, are we heading into another bubble? As inequality deepens, we ask what the upcoming U.…
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What Taylor Swift & Oasis Tickets Tell Us About The Economy!
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This episode, we dive into the world of Taylor Swift to explore a Delicate issue—why Ireland’s housing market is stuck in a Blank Space. We’re taking a page from the Leaving Cert’s economics exam, using a question about Taylor’s ticket frenzy to understand the bigger picture of why we can’t seem to build homes, schools, and hospitals on time. It’s …
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Arab Disunity: From Ancient Rifts to the Gaza Conflict
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In this episode, we kick things off by exploring the deep divides within the Arab world, tracing the roots of these fractures back to the early 19th century when two competing visions for Arab unity emerged. One vision, anchored in religious conservatism, sought to unify Arabs under the strict interpretation of Islam, as seen in the rise of the Hou…
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A Kick In The Jackson's Hole
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In this episode, we kick things off by delving into the secluded world of Jackson Hole, where central bankers and economic elites gather in a remote Wyoming enclave, musing over the fate of global economies while casting their lines into serene rivers. It's a world of high-stakes policy decisions and economic riddles, wrapped in the calm of the Ame…
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Economics of Trust: What's Next for the UK?
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In this episode, we dig into the UK’s recent social unrest with Andy Haldane, former Chief Economist at the Bank of England and now head of the Royal Society of Arts. We explore the deeper economic and social fractures that led to riots in marginalised communities and highlight the critical role of social capital—trust, community, and cohesion—as v…
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Can Ireland Fix Its Infrastructure Crisis Before It's Too Late?
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In this episode, we're kicking off with a classic Irish disaster—a ladder, a man, and gravity having a scrap, but then we're diving deep into something even more painful than a sprained ankle: Ireland's shocking inability to build anything on time or on budget. We're talking about the Children's Hospital fiasco, the never-ending MetroLink saga, and…
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How to Destroy a Country: Venezuela with Noah Smith
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In this episode, we explore the dramatic downfall of a once-wealthy nation that is now one of the poorest: Venezuela. How does a country with vast natural resources find itself in such dire straits? We delve into the devastating effects of misguided economic policies, rampant corruption, and the political missteps that led to hyperinflation, mass p…
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Can Dublin Avoid the Donut Effect?
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This week, we delve into the growing crisis facing Dublin’s city center, exploring the troubling "donut effect" where the heart of the city becomes hollowed out due to rising crime, unaffordable rents, and a lack of residential footfall. Drawing parallels to the decline of once-thriving cities like San Francisco, we examine how Dublin’s vibrant cen…
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The Downward Spiral of Upward Social Mobility
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This week, we delve into the unsettling reality that this generation in Ireland might be the first in two generations to be poorer than their parents. We explore the ripple effects this could have on career choices, social class, and societal structure. For years, class snobbery in Ireland has intrigued us, from the rigid social hierarchies of the …
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