This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talks to Lawrence Donegan who is a renowned Scottish journalist, author and former musician with bands such as Llyod Cole and the Commotions. He is now based in the US and he’s back on the US election beat for what he says is the biggest story of our lifetime. He has been traveling around America covering the US Presidential campaign and he gives us his take on where things stand in the race for the White House. And the big beasts of Wall Street are no longer having it all their own way anymore as a new wave of electronic-trading firms muscle in on their patch and we hear about the companies taking over the global stock market landscape. And finally - in the budget this week fuel prices went up, but that's not the only concern for households and car owners. As tensions escalate in the Middle East Mandy looks at the potential cause for concern about yet another energy crisis with Muireann Lynch of the ESRI. Plus, Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times gives us his take on Budget 2025.

In our monthly Techscape slot with thanks to PWC Mandy talks to Chris Stokel-Walker about Telegram; the social media platform used by nearly a billion people.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at the Taoiseach’s bold new idea: a Department of Infrastructure. Does anyone really want another government department? Mandy talks to Economist John Fitzgerald and Conal Thomas of the Business Post. In our monthly Techscape slot we look at the social media platform that is Telegram and ask what really goes on there when Mandy chats to David Stokel-Walker. And the honeymoon is over for Keir Starmer, as the Labour party conference gets swallowed by black holes and the age-old 'who-paid-for-that-shirt' saga. Mark Paul of the Irish Times was there and he tells us all about it.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at the benefits of putting your foot down at work and simply saying 'no'. Michael McGrath got the Justice portfolio in the European Commission, but how did the rest of Europe fare when the big jobs were being handed out? EuroNews Reporter Jorge Liboreiro chats to Mandy. And two and a half years on Mandy looks at the war in Ukraine and where it stands now as the people of Ukraine head into another winter.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy is joined by Lauren Fedor from the Financial Times who has been covering the US Presidential debate and she breaks down the fallout for both Trump and Harris as we enter a crucial phase in the race.  The government says a €13 billion windfall from the Apple Tax ruling won’t affect this year’s Budget package. But with the Dáil set to return, how much cash will actually be available? Mandy takes stock of the promises made over the summer and what it would cost if everything the government pledged actually came to pass. Plus we turn our attention to the UK and the ongoing debate about the BBC's future. What challenges are they facing, and how might it compare to our own media landscape?

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.

At this week’s NATO Summit all eyes were on President Biden following a disastrous TV debate. This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston asks where NATO stands in the world when she talks to Alex Marquardt, CNN Chief National Security Correspondent Electoral Shocks; whether it’s the Far Right in France or Jason Rees Mogg losing his seat or even Trump winning in 2016, it seems it’s nearly impossible to really know what any future election is going to throw up. Mandy talks to Geoffrey Evans the co-author of ‘Electoral Shocks: the Volatile Voter in a Turbulent World’. During the Covid Pandemic supply chains were constantly in the news. But have things settled down? A new report from PWC tells us that supply chains are actually becoming more localized. 

This week on Taking Stock Joe Lynam is in for Mandy and he hears about the continuing phenomenon of 'Quiet Quitting'. Joe also talks to Joe Miller of the Financial Times who details why Donald Trump was given immunity and what it means for the US justice system. Plus Sean Keyes of the Currency discusses the government's role in AIB and why Revolut is going to give out mortgages.

This week on Taking Stock as the UK elections enter their final days Mandy Johnston is joined by Will Hutton, an opinion writer for the Observer and former Editor-in-Chief. He’s a respected voice in UK politics and he shares his thoughts on what we might expect and tell us about his latest book ‘This Time No Mistakes: How to Remake Britain’. Could AI be the key to closing the gender gap in boardrooms? Sue Duke, Country Lead for Ireland in LinkedIn talks to Mandy. And finally, Mandy delves into the challenges facing Jack Chambers as he takes up one of the most pressurised roles in Government when she talks to Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times.

This Month on 'Techscape' with thanks to PWC Mandy Johnston talks to Nell Watson author of ‘Taming the Machine: Ethically Harness the Power of A1’.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at Legendary Film Studio Paramount Pictures the company behind The Godfather, Indiana Jones, Chinatown and Titanic and asks whether the last major studio left in the Hollywood district can survive the streaming era? Mandy talks to journalist Justin Klawans. As Eamon Ryan exits politics - we look at his legacy beyond the environmental issues that he championed and examine how he has affected, rail, roads, airports and energy policy. Mandy talks to Daniel McConnell of the Business Post.  Plus in our monthly ‘Techscape’ slot Mandy talks to Nell Watson author of ‘Taming the Machine: Ethically Harness the Power of A1’.