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This week on Taking Stock, Susan Hayes Culleton explores the business stories shaping our economy and markets. From the rise of AI-powered “hyper-scalers” and their impact on global bond markets with Financial Times journalist Michelle Chen, to the growing energy demands of Big Tech in Ireland with Donal MacNamee of the Business Post. Plus, as pets increasingly become a bigger part of family life, vet Laura Cuddy breaks down the real economics of owning a cat or dog.

On this week’s Taking Stock with Susan Hayes Culleton, we ask would you pay higher PRSI for a better pension? Economist Austin Hughes joins us to debate. We also unpack the euro’s slide with Rebecca Christie of Bruegel and ask whether Europe should be worried. Plus, as Lidl enters the mobile market, Daragh Cassidy of Bonkers.ie explains how your phone bill is really calculated and whether you're paying too much.

This week on Taking Stock, Susan Hayes Culleton sits down with former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer and Foreign Secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt for a wide-ranging conversation on economic crises, Brexit, leadership, and the future of the British economy. Plus, Susan explores why we need a yearly budget when she talks to economist Emma Howard.

Could Canada ever really join the EU? We discuss the economic and political implications with Euronews correspondent Shona Murray. Ahead of the Budget, Munroe O'Dwyer of PwC Ireland explains what Personal Investment Accounts could mean for savers. And economist Daniel Susskind joins us to discuss his new book, What Should My Children Do? How to Flourish in the Age of AI.

This week on Taking Stock, Susan Hayes Culleton speaks with economist Chris Giles about the realities of European work culture and productivity. She explores the changing fortunes of Airbnb with Jack Power of the Irish Times as European cities push back against the accommodation giant. Plus, Susan asks Chris Stokel-Walker whether the rapid rise of AI has become impossible to slow despite growing concerns from industry leaders.

This week on Taking Stock, Emmet Oliver sitting in for Susan, talks to Financial Times journalist Ciara Nugent who explains why the Falkland Islands remain strategically important in today's geo-economic landscape. Author Jeremy Campbell joins us to discuss the lessons from his new book After Monday and shares practical insights on achieving long-term business success. Plus, Ciara O'Brien examines Australia's move to give social media users the ability to opt out of recommendation algorithms and what it could mean for the future of the internet.

This week on Taking Stock the Financial Times' Amy Kazmin joins us to discuss the remarkable staying power of Italy's Giorgia Meloni. Finance expert and co-host of ‘The Most Important Thing’ podcast Alan O'Sullivan debunks seven investing myths that can trip up even experienced investors. And Ian Barnett of BDO makes the case that Ireland's business culture is too quick to pull the plug on companies that might still be saved.

This week, we ask whether the shine has finally come off fast-fashion giant Shein amid its IPO struggles with Arjun Alim of the Financial Times. We explore the growing battle for your TV subscriptions in the new "bundle wars" with Olivia Fahy of Press Play. Plus. the changing face of Canada as tensions over tariffs and calls for Alberta independence gather momentum when Susan is joined by Maria Cheng of Reuters.

This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver is in for Susan, and he talks to Susannah Savage of the Financial Times about how climate change is changing so many of Europe's economic models. With the return of the Premier League this weekend Emmet chats with Kieran Magurie, who is Professor of Football Finance at the University of Liverpool, about how much money is involved in the beautiful game. Plus, Katie Gatens of the Times tells us about Iceland's possible entry into the EU.

This week on Taking Stock, Susan explores the growing narrative around the 'dead internet' theory with Professor Barry O'Sullivan from the School of Computer Science and IT and University College Cork. Co-Founder, Chief partnerships and Policy Office at Circular Intelligence Mary Teehan joined Susan to discuss if the circular economy is more than just an environmental idea. Plus, what happened to the promise of blockchain? Paul Hearns, Executive Director of Blockchain Ireland joined the show to discuss what blockchain really achieved.

This week on Taking Stock, Susan looks at the economics of migration and the forces that drive people to move with Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King’s College London. The yen is back in focus after a rare US intervention in currency markets. Alan Dunn, founder and CEO of Archive Capital, explains the carry trade, what’s really at stake for Japan and the US, and why treasuries matter. Plus, Lynda Gratton, Professor of Management Practice in Organisational Behaviour at London Business School & author of 'Living the 100-Year Life: How to build a career that lasts and a life you love' argues the traditional three-stage life is breaking down, and how to plan for a 100-year life.

This week on Taking Stock, Susan asks what a Digital Euro actually is and how it differs from the “digital” money already sitting in our bank accounts. Deloitte Ireland chief economist Kate English explains.Susan speaks to Michael Bambrick, corporate lawyer and partner at ⁠Wallace Corporate Counsel, who argues founders should plan their exit from day one, from share splits and vesting to shareholder agreements, due diligence and the reality of raising funds in today’s market.Plus, Laurie Laybourn, Executive Director of the Strategic Climate Risks Initiative and Board Member of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, joins Susan to discuss the findings of the Recalibrating Climate Risk report - a joint effort by the Carbon Tracker Initiative and the University of Exeter - which warns that current climate risk models may be giving investors “faulty radar” by focusing on averages rather than extreme events.

This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton talks to Claer Barrett of the Financial Times about the seemingly decreasing employment options in 'mid-life'. Renowned Business Journalist Chris Blackhurst tells us what economic woes Andy Burnham is inheriting. Plus, Professor Colin O'Gara of St John of God's University Hospital looks at the possible problems when it comes to Prediction Markets.

This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton talks to Film Critic Darren Mooney about the money and faith Hollywood have put into Christopher Nolan. Flavia Krause-Jackson of Bloomberg reflects on 1000 days of conflict since the October 7th Attacks. Plus Seamus Coffey, chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, on the Central Bank’s warning to government.

This week on Taking Stock Susan Hayes Culleton talks to retail and fashion consultant Eddie Shanahan and Food and Wine Writer Tom Doorley about how weight loss drugs are starting to impact fashion and hospitality. Susan also talks to Ben Hall of the Financial Times about how Europe might fare militarily without the help of the USA and asks could it defend itself? Plus, Susan chats to author Andrew McNally about his fascinating book 'Debtonator; How Debt Favours the Few and Equity Can Work for All of Us'