This episode, we dive into the world of Taylor Swift to explore a Delicate issue—why Ireland’s housing market is stuck in a Blank Space. We’re taking a page from the Leaving Cert’s economics exam, using a question about Taylor’s ticket frenzy to understand the bigger picture of why we can’t seem to build homes, schools, and hospitals on time. It’s not just Bad Blood that’s holding us back—it’s a fundamental supply problem. Tune in as we break down how Ireland’s infrastructure could use a dose of Swift’s Style to get things back on track.

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In this episode, we kick things off by exploring the deep divides within the Arab world, tracing the roots of these fractures back to the early 19th century when two competing visions for Arab unity emerged. One vision, anchored in religious conservatism, sought to unify Arabs under the strict interpretation of Islam, as seen in the rise of the House of Saud and Wahhabism. The other vision, driven by figures like Muhammad Ali Pasha in Egypt, looked forward—envisioning a modern, secular, and industrialized Arab world. As we delve into these historical tensions, we connect them to the present day, questioning why Arab nations struggle to present a united front in times of crisis, like the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Alongside this, we touch on the broader geopolitical implications, from the influence of outside powers to the challenges of creating a cohesive Arab identity. It's a conversation that sheds light on the complex interplay of history, religion, and modernity in shaping the Middle East today.

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In this episode, we kick things off by delving into the secluded world of Jackson Hole, where central bankers and economic elites gather in a remote Wyoming enclave, musing over the fate of global economies while casting their lines into serene rivers. It's a world of high-stakes policy decisions and economic riddles, wrapped in the calm of the American wilderness. But while these powerbrokers debate interest rates and inflation, we take a hard look at the other side of the global economic coin. In the Mediterranean, once-thriving wine and olive farms are now casualties of globalisation, with local agriculture outpriced by industrial farming giants from Northern Europe. Meanwhile, tourism, driven by cheap flights and the Airbnb boom, has transformed these rural communities into seasonal hotspots—leaving them deserted for much of the year. It's a clash of worlds, from the plush isolation of Jackson Hole to the abandoned farmlands of Southern Europe, as we explore the very real human costs of our modern global economy.

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 In this episode, we dig into the UK’s recent social unrest with Andy Haldane, former Chief Economist at the Bank of England and now head of the Royal Society of Arts. We explore the deeper economic and social fractures that led to riots in marginalised communities and highlight the critical role of social capital—trust, community, and cohesion—as vital as roads and railways. Andy reveals how the breakdown of trust, fueled by social media and inequality, has left communities vulnerable. We challenge conventional economics, questioning whether governments are truly leveraging their financial power to fix these systemic issues. From Brexit to the erosion of trust in institutions, we discuss how countries like the UK and Ireland can rebuild through smarter public investment and stronger social connections.

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In this episode, we're kicking off with a classic Irish disaster—a ladder, a man, and gravity having a scrap, but then we're diving deep into something even more painful than a sprained ankle: Ireland's shocking inability to build anything on time or on budget. We're talking about the Children's Hospital fiasco, the never-ending MetroLink saga, and why, despite having buckets of cash, our state just can’t get the job done. But here’s the kicker: while Ireland is dragging its feet, places like Serbia are throwing up high-speed rail links in a few years, all thanks to the Chinese. And it’s not just them. Italy and Spain have cracked the code on getting infrastructure done without bankrupting the country. So, is it time we swallow our pride, bring in the experts, and let the Italians or Chinese sort out our mess? Maybe it’s time to accept that while we’re world-class at building pubs, we might need a little help with building, well, everything else. Let’s get into it!

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In this episode, we explore the dramatic downfall of a once-wealthy nation that is now one of the poorest: Venezuela. How does a country with vast natural resources find itself in such dire straits? We delve into the devastating effects of misguided economic policies, rampant corruption, and the political missteps that led to hyperinflation, mass poverty, and the collapse of basic services. Join us as we examine how Venezuela’s leaders, blinded by ideology and short-term gains, destroyed a thriving economy, and what lessons this holds for the rest of the world.

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This week, we delve into the growing crisis facing Dublin’s city center, exploring the troubling "donut effect" where the heart of the city becomes hollowed out due to rising crime, unaffordable rents, and a lack of residential footfall. Drawing parallels to the decline of once-thriving cities like San Francisco, we examine how Dublin’s vibrant center is at risk of becoming a ghost town. With commercial property vacancies on the rise and locals increasingly avoiding the city, the stats paint a worrying picture: a 2.5% decline in hospitality spending, 40% of people cutting back on visits, and a nightlife sector that’s half the size of New Zealand’s. The discussion highlights the urgent need for bold, strategic interventions—like the tax-driven revitalization of the 90s—to prevent Dublin from slipping into irreversible decline. Without decisive action, the vibrant, living city we know could soon be a thing of the past.

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This week, we delve into the unsettling reality that this generation in Ireland might be the first in two generations to be poorer than their parents. We explore the ripple effects this could have on career choices, social class, and societal structure. For years, class snobbery in Ireland has intrigued us, from the rigid social hierarchies of the past to the dramatic social uplift during the Celtic Tiger era. However, the end of this upward mobility could bring about significant changes. Drawing parallels with the U.S., where only 50% of those born in 1980 earn more than their parents compared to 90% of those born in 1940, we examine what this means for Ireland. The discussion includes the fascinating idea of "kitchen table capital," the influence of family environment on success, and how immigrants often fill critical roles in an economy. As Ireland potentially faces stalled social mobility, we foresee increased tension and division, similar to the culture wars in the U.S. This episode provides a compelling look at the future of social mobility in Ireland and the possible societal shifts ahead.

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With financial markets on edge, the world is anxiously awaiting the Fed’s decision on whether to cut or maintain historically high interest rates. In this episode, we dive into the profound impact these choices have on commercial property, exchange rates, and stock markets. We explore the 'wealth effect' of these rates, now around 5%, and what it means for the real economy. A sharp drop in non-farm payrolls to 115,000 jobs from an average of 250,000 raises concerns about the U.S. economic trajectory—could a recession be on the horizon? We also bring the discussion home, examining how these shifts impact Ireland, especially given our reliance on multinationals like Intel, which recently saw a 30% stock drop. The Fed's data-driven decisions are not unlike ancient Assyrian stargazing, blending science with a dose of guesswork in shaping our economic future.

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This week, we dive into the issue of inheritance tax in Ireland, asking if it's time for a rethink. With house prices skyrocketing by 62% since 2012, many middle-class families find themselves unexpectedly asset-rich but cash-poor, facing significant tax bills on inherited homes. We explore potential adjustments like increasing the tax-free threshold or adjusting tax rates based on asset types, such as land and property. Could these changes ease the burden on families while fostering a more dynamic economy? Should inheritance tax exist at all, or is it crucial for maintaining economic equality? We also delve into the history of inheritance, exploring post-colonial influences on the Irish psyche and the surprising alignment of libertarian and Marxist views on wealth distribution.

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