Taking Stock

The seven most valuable companies are not only linked by their financial success they are linked by Artificial Intelligence and this week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at the “magnificent seven”; who they are, how much are they valued at, and are they unstoppable in terms of their economic success? Mandy is joined by Karl Schmedders, Professor of Finance at IMD Business School in Zurich. It’s part of our new slot called ‘Tech Scape’ with thanks to PWC.

At the other end of all that technology is of course the ‘smartphone’. Mandy discusses the pressing topic highlighted in Professor Jonathan Haidt's new book “the anxious generation”. He argues that smartphones and social media are at the core of a mental health crisis affecting young people and calls for urgent action to be taken.  Mandy talks to Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids.

Plus Mandy is joined by author Daniel Susskind who has just published a magnificent history of economic growth and tells Mandy about the concept of infinite growth on a finite planet.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Jonston explores the great American transport question when she looks at everything from the Baltimore bridge collapse and the chaos at Boeing and asks are these seemingly isolated incidents indicative of a broader dysfunction? Mandy talks to Rana Foroohar a Global Business Columnist and Associate Editor of the Financial Times.

Mandy talks to Kathleen Gallagher of the Business Post about 'Reits' - or Real Estate Investment Trusts - to see if they could provide a solution in the future to funding more building here in Ireland.

Plus. what would the real cost of Irish Re-Unification really look like? Mandy talks to Professor Edgar Morgenroth of DCU.

This week on Taking Stock:

As Simon Harris prepares to take over at the helm of Government, he’s faced with the tricky task of rearranging his Cabinet - Mandy is joined by John Downing, Political Columnist with the Irish Independent & former government press officer with the Green Party as well as Gerard Howlin, Public affairs consultant, political commentator and former senior government adviser to look back at some of the leaders who have got it wrong in the past.

Following the announcement that Boeing CEO, Dave Calhoun will be stepping down by the end of the year, Zach Wichter, Travel reporter and 'Cruising Altitude' columnist with USA Today joins Mandy to discuss the iconic American manufacturer and how it can recover following a succession of safety issues and concerns around its quality control protocols.

The US & UK have set out a deal to pool technical knowledge, information, and talent on AI safety in a landmark agreement - Mandy speaks with Leigh McGowran of Silicon Republic to discuss what it means and if the Irish Government is doing anything to plan for a new age of AI technology.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talk to Josh Glancy of the Sunday Times about a recent trip to Taiwan and why it may be the place that reshapes the modern world.

What Government needs to do for Tourism; Mandy talks to Eoghan O'Mara Walsh of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and Economist Jim Power about the state of the Hospitality Sector.

Plus for the weekend that it is Mandy is joined by Susannah Savage the Commodities Correspondent of the Financial Times to look at the rapidly growing price of Cocoa and what it may mean for your favourite Chocolate Egg.

She’s arguably one of the most powerful women on the planet, this week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at Ursula von der Leyen's life, leadership and her bid for another term as President of the EU Commission. Suzanne Lynch of Politico joins Mandy to give us a profile.

Across the water Rishi Sunak started the week with a warning shot across the bows of his party. But will he last long enough to pull the plug himself? Mark Paul of the Irish Times tells us what's going on in the Tory Party.

Plus we venture into the boardroom and look at the curious phenomenon of why so few individuals hold directorships in multiple companies here in Ireland when Mandy talks to Kathleen Gallagher of the Business Post.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston has something a little different when she takes a look at the Irish Music, Movie Makers and Visitor Attractions that have proved the most lucrative. She has assembled a crack team of Newstalkers!

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston has something a little different when she takes a look at the Irish Music, Movie Makers and Visitor Attractions that have proved the most lucrative. She has assembled a crack team of Newstalkers!

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talks to Stephen O'Leary of Olytico and Mark Corcoran of Taxback about how the Revenue Commissioners are starting to turn their attention to social media influencers.

 Mandy delves into the Russian security services' use of poisoning with Financial Times special correspondent Courtney Weaver.

Plus Joshua Oliver discusses his latest book, 'The Hype Machine; The Ultimate Guide to the Crypto Boom and Bust."

Melania Trump has been somewhat absent from her husband’s side of late. But who is the woman behind the man who is fighting to return to the White House. This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The Washington Post and author of ‘The Art of Her Deal’ Mary Jordan.

John Mooney of the Sunday Times explores Ireland's role as a hub for dangerous drug cartels from all over the world.

Plus Richard Spencer of the Times discuss China’s economic shifting fortunes.

There was a lot of 'football' news in the last few days and this week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston takes a look at the money going into sports stadiums around Ireland and the League of Ireland's sudden surge in popularity with wealthy business people.

Water may be the next big issue for Irish Business and Mandy talks to Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times about how our supply is drying up. 

Plus Caroline Vakil from the Hill in Washington tells us about what’s next in the Trump melodrama across the water.