On this week's Taking Stock Podcast:

Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times explains why mega projects like the MetroLink and the Children's Hospital take so long and cost so much in Ireland. Nigel Doolin, co-founder and managing director at Core Bullion joins Mandy to explain the value of holding your money in gold and why is it one of the most stable assets to have. And the banking sector in Ireland has revealed massive profits in recent weeks, Sean Keyes of the Currency takes us through their latest set of bumper results.

Hannah Daly, Professor in Sustainable Energy and Energy Systems Modelling at UCC joins Mandy to discuss the government's National Hydrogen Strategy.

In the political arena, the debates surrounding rail and road options have caused much debate leaving both policymakers and the public in a state of confusion. Mandy gets the insights of Edgar Morgenroth, Professor of Economics at Dublin City University Business School.

We discuss new research that discloses an alarming trend in the United States which shows a growing acceptance of violence as a means to achieve political objectives. Kira Lerner, Democracy Editor for Guardian US joins us to examine the implications of this disconcerting phenomenon.

As a raft of big companies leave the Irish Stock Exchange, this week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston asks why they are leaving and explores the importance of having a stock exchange here in Ireland with Donal MacNameee from the Business Post.

While Vladimir Putin was clearly prepared for the initial economic impact of the war in Ukraine, the conflict has dragged on far longer than he expected. As Putin runs out of options Mandy talks to Melissa Lawford of The Daily Telegraph about what it means for the future of the war.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez engineered a late swing during the final days of the Spanish election campaign to deny his right-wing opponents a majority in parliament. Mandy looks at the predictions that were made by pollsters, how things transpired and what might happen next and asks could Spain be headed for another election? She chats to journalist Aitor Hernández-Morales.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talks to the Financial Times’ Legal Correspondent Joe Miller about Donald Trump’s latest possible Indictment.

Linda Daly of the Sunday Times chats to Mandy about why Approved Housing Bodies might be the future of home building in Ireland.

And finally Mandy talks to James Mayger, China Economy Editor at Bloomberg about China’s economic wobble.

This week on Taking Stock as Irish Universities make major gains on the QS World Rankings Mandy Johnston examines their relevance as Irish students are making their choices this Summer.

As the world of work continues to change and evolve post- Covid many tech titans like Apple, Google, Meta have demanded staff show up to the office at least three days a week as new research shows that contrary to what we have come to believe, working from home is not as productive as being at work. Mandy talks to Chris Kane the author of Where is My Office? Reimagining the Workplace for the 21st Century.

And finally with three by-elections taking place in the UK next week, we hear from FT’s Political Editor George Parker about what we can expect and how they will affect Rishi Sunak’s leadership as the Tory Party heads for a political thrashing.

Numbers loomed large this week, in the economy and the Government published their summer economic statement, so this week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at inflation, spending and what lies ahead for hard pressed families with Economist Jim Power.

In France protests continued on the streets and protests have repeatedly dogged the President’s term in office. Mandy ponders what all this says about Emanuel Macron and his tenure as President of France with Elizabeth Pineau the Reuters political correspondent.

And finally, as the debate about the importance of public service broadcasting rumbles on Mandy look at the issue of misinformation and disinformation with a UK based fact checking organisation.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston discusses the relationship between RTE and politicians when she chats to former Communications Minister Denis Naughten and asks how that works in real life!

In the US there are now multiple whistle-blowers with high clearances coming forward to disclose information about their direct UFO knowledge. Mandy chats to Science Journalist Jeff Wise about what’s really going on.

Plus we get a sense of who and what the Wagner Group in Russia are when Mandy hears from Jen Kirby of Vox.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston Mandy discusses just how hard or easy it is to set up a new political party. We hear from Political Consultant Stephen O’Byrnes and from Frank Fitzgerald from UL.

Newsgroups are in the grip of a long-term battle to retain their audiences, that’s according to the latest Reuters Institute Digital News Report. Liam Collins a former news editor for the Sunday Independent and Emer Connolly is an academic who has looked at the media landscape here in Ireland and they join Mandy to examine the plight of journalists caught up this struggle.

Plus we hear we hear what exactly the Saudi Arabian Sovereign Wealth Fund is and why it’s dollars are spreading into all sorts of places.

Award-winning chef, John Torode has spent the last 18 years on our screens and his next adventure will see him tour, taste, and cook his way through Ireland.

He joins Anton to talk about his time making 'John Torode’s Ireland' which will air on RTÉ Two on Friday 30th June at 8.30pm.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston exploreS a special investigation by the Financial Times that uncovered shocking allegations of sexual assault and harassment within a prominent London hedge fund company. The FT’s Antonia Cundy tells us more about the investigation and the fallout.

Mandy also dives into the captivating world of leadership discussing why figures like Trump and Boris Johnson remain popular. Neil Jurd, OBE, renowned author and former Army Officer shares his insights.

Plus, as Dublin Airport unveils its plans for massive expansion Ellie Donnelly from the Business Post and Paul Hackett President of the Irish Travel Association discuss the airport's evolution and future plans.