The David McWilliams Podcast

By: David McWilliams & John Davis
  • 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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Episodes
  • Goodbye Shareholders, Hello Stakeholders
    Apr 6 2025
    What if the future of capitalism isn’t tech or tax, but trust? This week, we’re talking about Employee Ownership Trusts: a radical rethink of who gets to own the companies we work for. We’re joined by Alan Coleman of Wolfgang Digital, the first Irish company to take the leap and hand ownership to its staff. It’s a story about building businesses that are more productive, more democratic and maybe even more human. From colonial corporations to AI takeovers, we trace why this small idea could be the start of something huge. And if you're a digital marketer who wants to own where you work, Wolfgang is hiring. Head to wolfgangdigital.com/careers to find out more.

    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
  • Jeffrey Goldberg Has Entered the Chat
    Apr 3 2025

    On Wednesday, we watched in real time as America’s trade policy devolved into a parody of itself. Trump’s Liberation Day was part Caesar, part Mattress Mick, all empty bluster. A dodgy chalkboard of made-up numbers, a crowd in high-vis, and a president who thinks tariffs are just theatre. You may also have heard that Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic and friend of the pod, was accidentally added to a Signal group chat planning actual U.S. airstrikes. He joins us to talk about what it revealed: a deeply unserious administration where war, trade, and global diplomacy are being handled like a lad’s WhatsApp group. We break down the chaos, the consequences for Ireland and Europe, and why standing up to this kind of performative thuggery might be the only option left.

    And by the way you can get $20 off a digital sub to The Atlantic at theatlantic.com/dmwpod.

    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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    51 mins
  • 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

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Incredibly Interesting and Funny

Incredible content, so informative and delivered with fantastic energy and humour. A great podcast for anyone interested in Irish, UK and global economics and politics.

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With McWilliams economics is entertaining

The shows are like listening to your smart mates chatting in the pub. So easily informative 👌

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Favourite podcast

Each podcast full of diverse interesting info, interviews from around the world, liberally smattered with informative chats and jests between David and John. My go to podcasts despite no knowledge/ training in economics or anything related!

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