With two major elections on the horizon both here and in America this week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston dives into voter patterns and surprising factors like how weather can affect turnout when she talks Kevin Cunningham from ‘Ireland Thinks’

We’ll also look at how banks are assessing risks in their commercial property portfolios and what that could mean for the economy. Catherine Sanz of the Business Post will share her findings.

And in Germany, the far-right AFD party made historic gains in recent elections. Author Katja Hoyer will discuss what this could mean for Europe.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at how Poland has decided that the next phase of its economic growth needs to be fuelled by a shiny new infrastructure project: a massive airport built away from Warsaw. Is it the type of bold thinking we could learn from here or will it end up as a folly? Raphael Minder, Central Europe Correspondent of the Financial Times explains the plan.

Laura Slattery of the Irish Times talks us through the ever more complex relationships between tech giants and world leaders.

Plus, Fashion writer Bairbre Power on the changing face of office wear and how its lead to a growth in the business of personal shoppers.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talks to Caroline Vakil of The Hill who was at the US Democratic Conference all this week and she’ll bring us the key moments from the political jamboree in Chicago.

There have been major upheavals at Starbucks with high-profile sackings making headlines. Mandy talks to Amelia Lucas of CNBC about the recent goings on.

Plus, Mandy looks at the life and legacy of Mick Lynch, the British tech mogul often compared to Bill Gates, who tragically was lost at sea this week.

In our Monthly ‘Techscape’ slot we thanks to PWC we look at the strange case of the people trying to make rain in the United Arab Emirates when we hear from Amit Katwala of Wired.

This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver is in for Mandy Johnston and he talks to Paul McArdle of the Panel.com about Netflix’s policies around under-achieving staff.

We ask where would a Trump Victory leave Ireland economically and should we be worried? Emmet talks to Economist Dan O’Brien.

And in our Monthly ‘Techscape’ slot we thanks to PWC we look at the strange case of the people trying to make rain in the United Arab Emirates when we hear from Amit Katwala of Wired.

This week on Taking Stock with Joe Lynam:

Big tech has often been seen as too big to be reined in by regulation but that might be changing as lawmakers are targeting well-known brands like Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta. We’ll be finding out about the differing approaches being taken from both Europe and the US.

As the struggle for political supremacy in Venezuela goes on, we look at the man at the centre of it all - Nicholas Maduro.

Pre-pandemic it was one of the highest-margin airlines in the world but in recent times Aer Lingus has lost its position as one of IAG’s top performers. Aviation journalist, Gerry Byrne joins Joe to discuss.

In the UK this week Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out a series of “incredibly tough choices” to fill in a £22bn fiscal hole she’s found since taking office. George Parker, Political Editor for the Financial Times joins Mandy to discuss what it will look like for the Government and the people of the UK.

How committed is business to pursuing the green agenda? Peter Stapleton of Greenscene and Raquel Noboa, CEO of Fifty Shades Greener join Mandy to discuss.

And, it was once described as "the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived, or his imagination conceived”, yet Vice Presidents have also been integral to some of the most consequential chapters in U.S. history. Joel Goldstein, author of The White House Vice Presidency: The Path to Significance, Mondale to Biden joins Mandy to explore the origins and purpose of the office.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at Defence spending and how its increasing across Europe and asks should Ireland do the same when she talks to Jackie King of IBEC

With the Olympics beginning Mandy looks back at how the games have evolved over the years when she talks to Philip Barker, the Editor of the Journal of Olympic History about the evolution of the greatest games on earth.

And you’ve heard of the Art of War in business - but what about ‘Ethics’ in war and in business?  David Rodin is an Oxford-trained philosopher of war who global leaders can't  get enough of and he has some fascinating observations on modern business practices.

For this Month's 'Techscape' on Taking Stock, with thanks to PWC, Mandy talks to Elaine Moore of the Financial Times about how big tech companies are ditching the bean bags and latte machines for tougher lines with their staff.

 “Overtourism” is a real thing in Spain right now and this week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talks to Sam Jones of the Guardian about Spain’s growing disdain for throngs of tourists.

In ‘Tech Scape’ Mandy talks to Elaine Moore of the Financial Times about how big tech companies are ditching the bean bags and latte machines for tougher lines with their staff.

Ursula Von Der Leyen made it across the line with ease in the end to become President of the European Commission for a second time.  Jack Power of the Irish Times tells us how it all panned out and what it means for Ireland.