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The David McWilliams Podcast
Enemies to Lovers: The Conversation We Really Should Be Having Ahead of The European Elections
This week, while navigating a mid-life crisis and an intensive French course in the south of France, we've decided to reflect on the importance of Franco-German relations and what they mean for the future of Europe and the euro. We delve deep into how centuries of rivalry and reconciliation between France and Germany have shaped the continent, leading to the creation of the European Union. From the devastating conflicts of the World Wars to the visionary treaties that established economic and political integration, we explore the pivotal moments that have defined this partnership. So tune in as we examine the current state and future prospects of the euro, discussing its strengths, challenges, and the role it plays in maintaining European stability.
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11. Trump, Tariffs & the Gold Rush: The McKinley Playbook
39:03||Season 2025, Ep. 11What do Donald Trump and William McKinley have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, we dig into the economic and political legacy of America’s 25th president, the so-called Napoleon of Tariffs, and explore why Trump sees him as a role model. From trade wars to big business alliances, McKinley reshaped America’s economic landscape through protectionism and expansionism, laying the groundwork for the country’s rise as a global power. But his presidency also triggered a powerful counter reaction, one that led to the breakup of monopolies, progressive reform, and a seismic shift in U.S. politics under his unexpected successor, Teddy Roosevelt. How does McKinley’s era mirror today’s America? What lessons does his legacy hold for Trump’s economic vision? And how did a single gold discovery in the Yukon change everything? Tune in as we trace the hidden connections between past and present in America’s political and economic supercycle.10. The Population Paradox: Growth, Crisis, and the Global Economy
40:58||Season 2025, Ep. 10Is rapid population growth a sign of economic strength, or the trigger for future crises? This week, we explore how shifting demographics are reshaping economies worldwide, from booming immigration and urban congestion to strained infrastructure and rising political tensions. As governments push for economic expansion, many are running their economies just too close to the sun; fuelling population growth without the capacity to support it. We examine how this plays out in housing shortages, overwhelmed public services, and the widening gap between GDP figures and real quality of life. What happens when a country outgrows its own ability to function?From Europe to North America and beyond, we look at the consequences of failing to plan for demographic change, and what lessons history has to offer before today’s booming economies become tomorrow’s cautionary tales.9. DeepSeek, Deep State or Deep Pockets? Karen Hao on China’s AI Power Play
40:41||Season 2025, Ep. 9China's DeepSeek has done what it does best, it's made a better copy of an American product. Deepseek has disrupted the markets this week and is almost outperforming OpenAI while spending as little as one hundredth of the cost. In a world where Silicon Valley has long operated under a “winner takes all” model, DeepSeek’s breakthrough proves that sheer financial power is no longer the defining factor in technological supremacy. It's more than a story about AI, it's about geopolitics, economic power shifts, and how constraints fuel innovation. As the U.S. scrambles to maintain dominance, pouring billions into AI infrastructure and tightening restrictions on China, has it inadvertently made its biggest competitor stronger? What does this mean for Nvidia, OpenAI, and the entire American tech ecosystem? And if AI can now be built cheaper and faster, why are U.S. companies still demanding more money, more energy, and more control?8. From Fartcoin to Trumpcoin: How Memes and Tokens Are Redefining Power and Wealth
37:11||Season 2025, Ep. 8What do Fartcoin, Trumpcoin, and TikTok have in common? They’re all part of the new frontier where memes, tokens, and attention economics collide. This episode dives into how Trump’s $60 billion crypto frenzy is more than just a bubble, it’s a glimpse into a world where narratives create wealth overnight. We explore Schumpeter’s innovation theory, the rise of memeonomics, and how social media oligarchs are reshaping power, regulation, and finance in real-time. Is this the ultimate bubble or the future of economics? Tune in to connect the dots and find out why the attention economy is eating the real economy alive.7. The Coming IMF Bailout of Britain!
44:18||Season 2025, Ep. 7Is the UK teetering on the edge of economic chaos? With bond yields now higher than Greece’s and a rapidly weakening pound, we explore why Britain’s financial foundation is cracking. From the historical parallels of past currency crises to the implications of its overreliance on financial services, we break down the risks ahead. Economist Philip Pilkington joins to discuss what’s fueling the current turmoil, the role of international markets, and whether the IMF might be forced to step in. Could this spell the end of Labour’s new government, and even reshape Britain’s political landscape?6. The MAGA Era: Irish America’s New Identity
39:51||Season 2025, Ep. 6We're diving into the seismic shifts reshaping America and their ripple effects on Irish identity abroad. With the inauguration of Donald Trump marking the ultimate vibe shift in global politics, we explore how Irish America has evolved, from Kennedy-esque liberals to MAGA-loving MMA enthusiasts like Dana White. Joined by historian Niall Ferguson, we discuss Trump’s anti-fragile rise, the decline of woke culture, and how Ireland needs to rethink its relationship with its diaspora in this new era.5. King Trump and the Bubble Economy
33:53||Season 2025, Ep. 5In this week’s second instalment on bubbles, we dive into America’s tech-driven exuberance and the dangers of the Magnificent Seven. Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, and their pals commanding a third of the S&P 500. Are they truly unshakable titans, or is it the dot-com bubble all over again? As the bubble inflates, Monsignor Joe Rogan is busy offering absolution to the tech bros, preparing them for King Trump’s coronation. But history warns us: bubbles don’t burst gently, and fragility hides behind the façade of strength. Join us as we explore irrational exuberance, FOMO, and why the "next big thing" always feels unstoppable, until it doesn’t.4. Monsignor Joe Rogan and the Tech Bro Confessions: Risk, Bubbles, and MAGA Tailwinds
36:12||Season 2025, Ep. 4This week, we’re talking risk. From California’s burning insurance markets to the fragile dominance of America’s “Magnificent Seven” tech giants. Are Apple, Tesla, and their crew as unshakable as they seem, or are we teetering on another financial bubble? Meanwhile, over in the confessional, Father Joe Rogan is busy absolving tech bros like Zuckerberg of their woke sins, ushering them into the MAGA fold, complete with MMA moves and chains. Join us as we dig into the psychology of bubbles, the absurdity of concentrated risk, and why diversification isn’t just for your stock portfolio, it’s a survival strategy.3. The Epiphany: What Joyce, the Dead, Musk and Twitter Teach Us About Economic Power
33:46||Season 2025, Ep. 3We explore today's seismic changes in media and society, by tracing historical parallels between James Joyce’s The Dead (1907) and today’s digital age. Joyce’s observations on in The Dead about generational divides, the rise of newspapers, and societal shifts echo loudly in 2025, as new gatekeepers like Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos wield unprecedented influence over the flow of information. How did media transform from a tool of advertisement to the battleground for ideas? What can we learn from Joyce’s depiction of societal upheaval in 1907 as we navigate the tribalism and cultural revolutions of today? Join us from a snowy Ireland - as it was in The Dead - while we unpack history’s lessons, from the industrial age’s middle-class explosion to the rise of modernism and today’s chaotic digital landscape. Are we witnessing a similar hinge moment, and what does it mean for the future?