Guest Overview

John Davis, the inquisitive everyman, serves as the perfect foil to economist David McWilliams on Ireland's beloved David McWilliams Podcast. Known for his genuine curiosity and ability to ask the questions listeners are thinking, Davis brings a unique perspective shaped by decades in the music and media industries.

Episode Journey
Join Martin Nutty and John Lee as they trace Davis' fascinating career through sound - from the music studios of Dublin and London to international productions further afield. This wide-ranging conversation explores how a music industry veteran transitioned into becoming one-half of Ireland's most successful podcast duo.

Key Topics Explored

• From Studios to Airwaves: Davis' evolution from music production to broadcasting, including his formative years working on studio albums and film soundtracks.
• BBC World Service Years: His international media experience before returning to Irish shores.
• Podcast Genesis: The story of how a childhood friendship with David McWilliams sparked one of Ireland's most popular podcasts.
• Behind the Microphone: Davis opens up about his initial discomfort with being the voice behind the mic and facing live audiences at podcast events.
• The Magic Formula: How the natural chemistry between McWilliams and Davis creates their signature approach - making complex economics accessible without sacrificing substance.

Special Moment
The episode builds to a deeply personal and moving conclusion with Davis delivering a heartfelt "Seamus Plug" for As I Am, Ireland's leading autism charity. This emotional segment reveals a cause that holds profound meaning for Davis personally, offering listeners a glimpse into the man behind the microphone.

Why This Episode Matters
A rare, intimate look at one of Irish podcasting's most recognizable voices, exploring how genuine friendship, professional adaptability, and personal passion combine to create compelling audio content that resonates with tens of thousands of listeners weekly.

Links

• Seamus Plug: As I Am
• LinkedIn
• David McWilliams Podcast
• Music Extract: Love Shines - Dave Stewart And The Spiritual Cowboys

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 28; Total Episode Count: 131

With the Aer Lingus College Football Classic last month and Ireland’s first NFL game at the end of this one, Neale Richmond kicks off the episode with a timely gridiron tale.

“I'm not just a very old and average rugby player, but I'm the only member of the Irish Parliament who's played American football. I was a defensive tackle for the Dublin Rebels and proud holder of a Shamrock Bull medal from 2016,” says the Fine Gael TD for the Dublin Rathdown constituency and Ireland’s Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora.

The sport-mad Minister shares examples of the ways these imported American events boost Ireland’s economy and provide an ideal platform to advance his ministerial goals of fostering stronger international relations, diaspora engagement, and economic growth.

He tells of growing up in a Protestant family with Ulster-Scots roots, right down to his Orange Order grandfather, which hasn’t blunted his fatherly pride in his son’s embrace of Gaelic Football and the Irish language or his own commitment to a united Ireland.

“I'm a passionate United Irelander. I want our country to be united as an independent republic, as part of the European Union. I think that it’s in the interest of the over 7.2 million people of all backgrounds that live on this island,” he says, adding, “but one thing I'm really very clear about is that United Ireland will be different. It'll be a new Ireland; it won't be like the republic that I proudly live in today.”

He highlights the significance of Ireland's international aid programs particularly in Africa, the evolution of Ireland’s diaspora, and the necessity of supporting Irish citizens abroad, including the extension of voting rights for the diaspora in presidential elections.

He wraps with an unorthodox “Seamus Plug” for the United Nations, saying that despite its problems, the UN provides a critical forum for international dialogue and that the work of its agencies for Human Rights, Refugees, Family Planning for Women, and its World Food Program all remain vital.

Join us!

Links:

• Fine Gael Webpage
• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• LinkedIn

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 27; Total Episode Count: 130

In something of an epilogue to our “Lost in Belfast” series, former U.S. Congressman and U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland Joseph Kennedy III joins Irish Stew for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, peace, and public service. From the streets of Belfast to the tumult of Washington, Kennedy reflects on the lessons Northern Ireland can teach the wider world, the legacy of his famed family, and where his own journey is headed next.

Joe provides his deeply personal perspective on the remarkable transformation of Northern Ireland from conflict to cautious cooperation. While acknowledging the divisions that remain, he points to the extraordinary resilience of its people and leaders. For him, Northern Ireland offers a living example of what can be achieved when reconciliation and restraint guide politics, a message that resonates far beyond Ireland’s shores.

On a more personal note, Kennedy reflects on the deep imprint of public service in his own family story. He describes it as more of a calling than a career choice, whether through elected office, advocacy, or movements like the Special Olympics. His commitment continues through the Groundwork Project, an initiative supporting civic engagement in often-overlooked communities across America, seeking to rebuild trust between citizens and the political process through a strategy rooted not in messaging alone but in genuine listening and local empowerment, and through Citizens Energy, the green energy nonprofit his father founded.

Looking ahead, Kennedy sees promise in Belfast’s growth, from education and innovation to its growing spirit of community, bridging past struggles with future possibilities.

For Kennedy, service remains the thread tying it all together, whether in politics, community work, or renewable energy.

Join us for this Global Irish Conversation on politics, peace and public service in Belfast, Boston, and beyond with #JK3.

Links:
Joe’s “Seamus Plug”

• Wave Trauma Centre

Social media

• Instagram
• BlueSky
• X - Twitter
• Facebook

Groundwork Project

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• X - Twitter

Citizens Energy Corporation

• Website

Episode Details: Season 7, Episode 26; Total Episode Count: 129