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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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