The David McWilliams Podcast

This week, we're connecting the dots between the Irish electoral cycle, immigration, and the global aftershocks of Trumpism. Ireland’s housing crisis, surging immigration, and emigration of young talent all tell a story of a country grappling with rapid change—but are the political elites ready to face the challenge? We discuss how immigration fuels innovation and economic growth but also sparks social tension. With over 149,000 immigrants arriving this year alone and rents skyrocketing, is Ireland equipped to balance supply with surging demand? Plus, we explore how Trumpism is reshaping the world order and challenging elites globally—posing a question for Ireland’s leaders: can they rise to the occasion or will they repeat the mistakes of the past? 

This week, we're tackling two seismic shifts in politics: Ireland’s sugar-rush election and Trumpism’s ripple effects across Europe. As Irish politicians shower voters with freebies—from energy credits to student grants—are they ignoring the storm clouds brewing overseas? Meanwhile, Germany is picking up the phone to Russia, reshaping the geopolitics of Europe as Trump’s influence pushes allies to rethink old alliances. What does Ireland’s obsession with giveaways say about its political class, and how will Trumpism challenge Ireland's economic model? From Olaf Scholz to selection boxes, and from bounties (both the chocolates and political ones) to balanced budgets, join us as we explore how the world—and Ireland—may be on the cusp of monumental change.

This week, we’re diving into Germany's political shake-up as the country heads for a snap election this February. Beyond coalition drama, there’s a deeper story here: Germany’s cultural obsession with saving and fiscal restraint—a "fetish for frugality" that hasn’t always served them well. Seen as both a national virtue and a strict economic doctrine, balanced budgets are gospel, and spending is often viewed with suspicion. How will this election impact Germany's economic direction? And could a new leadership shift the country's stance on growth, flexibility, and spending? Join us this week to find out.

Live from Kilkenomics, we unpack the ‘Trump Epoch,’ a transformative shift that’s reshaping America and reverberating across the globe. From disrupting political dynasties to setting the stage for a new supercycle, we dive into how Trumpism is redefining the world’s economic and political landscapes. Expect a deep dive into the rise of disaffected voices, shifting priorities like immigration and cost of living, and the lasting impact of this new era. If you’re curious about where America—and by extension, the world—is headed, this episode maps out the road ahead.

In this episode, we delve into the essence of power ahead of the American election. What happens when the warrior, priestly, and merchant castes converge—and who ends up on top? We explore how the modern United States exemplifies this ancient struggle through its billionaires, technocrats, and military-industrial complex. With billionaires investing nearly $700 million into the election, we ask: does this solidify their dominance, or could we be nearing a tipping point, a "peak billionaire" era? From McKinley's front-porch politics to Roosevelt's crackdown on the robber barons, history has lessons for today's plutocrats. Could the pendulum swing against them again?Pre-order the new book Money: A Story of Humanity now: https://linktr.ee/moneydavidmcwilliams

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, jobs, and even the power of NATO itself? With 14% of Ireland’s jobs tied to U.S. companies, the world could be on the verge of a seismic shift. So here’s the question: if Trump wins, how ready is the rest of the world to play by a new set of American rules?

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 amidst newfound economic growth, sparked by an influx of wealth from trade routes and ventures (like Scotland's ill-fated attempt to build a canal in Panama). But unlike France, where revolutionary fervor overthrew established order, Scotland’s intellectual revolution developed under the stability of the British Empire, with Scots integrating into its growing power. As thinkers flocked to Glasgow's and Edinburgh’s salons and Masonic lodges, they fostered advancements in empiricism, economics, and even steam technology, laying foundations for the industrial age. With Ireland facing a similar boom today, we explore whether prosperity will again inspire an era of transformative thinking.Buy the new book here: https://linktr.ee/moneydavidmcwilliams

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 importance of repopulating cities with residents, not just tourists, and why mixed-use spaces are crucial for community vibrancy. Can initiatives like “meanwhile use” transform dead zones into lively areas again? Or is Dublin—and cities like it—stuck in a cycle of neglect and decay? Join us as we explore the future of urban living and what it will take to revive dying cities.