This one’s a special one: we’re coming to you from Inis Meain, the middle island of the three Aran islands to discuss how Covid and connectivity has enhanced our ability to thrive in remote locations, how going upmarket is the way forward and how this small Irish-speaking community is preserving its (and our) roots while at the same time, adjusting to this new modern reality. Ultimately we are witnessing the death of distance, and, in the future, the more distant you are, the more you will benefit.

The Death of Distance - direct from Inis Meain

You wait for bank failures for years then... three come in a week, one in the home of banking, Switzerland,. This presents central banks with a dilemma.&nbsp;Central banks have two key mandates. One is controlling inflation which, right now, demands higher interest rates, the other preserving the banking system, which right now requires lower interest rates. What gives?

Bank Carnage

On St Patrick's Day we go to the US, home to thirty five million Irish/Americans - there are only 7 million of us on the island.&nbsp; In the country that, more than any other, has been shaped by Irish immigrants, we take the pulse of the US with Brooklyn's finest, Bernie Sanders. We chat about the deep problems that exist in the US, but also the way America can be renewed. Don't miss this one and Happy Paddies Day wherever you are. Plus we've got some brilliant new Irish music for you too.

On St Patricks Day, a US State of the Nation special with Bernie Sanders

We explain why SVB went bust, why yield curves matter and what comes next. Banks go bad from the inside out, but is this the first or the last bank crash of 2023?

SVB Bank Run. Is 2023 a re-run of 2008?

This week we visited the richest and poorest parts of the UK and it didn't feel right. London, so long the dynamo for productivity, growth and taxation is spluttering and stagnating, while up the road in Northern Ireland; the poorest people now have a healthy life expectancy on par with Sierra Leone. Something has to give. What are Britain's options, will it take them or is the national decline now endemic and irreversible?

The UK is stuck in a political, economical and social cul de sac is there a way out?

AI has really come into its own in 2023 with the mainstream use of ChatGPT - but beyond the headlines and the initial curiosities, what does the ascent of AI mean for our economy and our society?

The end of economists

In the mindset of the West, Russia is a big, significant, military power with significant resources, but is this perception based in reality? Is the reality that Russia is a decrepit state that has failed its people and ransacked its resources? Have the Russians done what they've done for years, which is lie and spin about its real potential, taking hostages and threatening all around them? In truth it's a large, leaky petrol station with nukes. As we go into the 2nd year of the war, lets examine, the reality of Russia.

Russia - A Giant Hostage Situation?

The way out of the housing crisis, both in Ireland and abroad is going to require us to think as a collective and reject individualistic, speculative instincts. Let’s look at what can be done to create better cities and communities, it’s actually pretty simple.

Addressing land capture and the new face of the world bank 

On the eve of the invasion of Ukraine, we examine how fragile this idea of liberal democracy, where the individual is valued and protected, has become. Yes it has its problems and yes, on a number of fronts, it has not delivered for all, but would you change the combination of liberal democracy and capitalism? There are alternatives out there, I'm not sure I'd like to live in any.

In defence of Democracy

It’s finally happening, the government is going to tax vacant land! Or at least, they’re thinking about it. As a listener to the podcast, you'll be aware that taxing land to bring it into use has been a cornerstone of what is necessary to bring about a more efficient use of land. Not surprisingly, those with most to lose - major landowners/speculators are pushing back. This fight is the future of housing in Ireland (and everywhere). The State must hold the line and win.

The housing fix might be here - if we hold strong

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 com...

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.

The David McWilliams Podcast

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The Death of Distance - direct from Inis Meain

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On St Patricks Day, a US State of the Nation special with Bernie Sanders

SVB Bank Run. Is 2023 a re-run of 2008?

The UK is stuck in a political, economical and social cul de sac is there a way out?