David McWilliams

David McWilliams

Keynote Speaker: Economist, Podcast Host and Author of "The History Of Money"

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David McWilliams Biography

David McWilliams is an economist, author, and podcaster who strives to demystify economics and make it accessible to audiences worldwide. His latest book, "The History of Money: A Story of Humanity," explores the evolving relationship between humans and money, and argues that money is humanity’s most impressive technology. It traces the story of money from the Stone Age to Bitcoin and was named a “Book of the Year” by the Financial Times, the Economist, the Guardian and Prospect Magazine.

David also hosts The David McWilliams Podcast, Europe’s most popular economic podcast, with over 35 million downloads. Known for breaking down complex ideas in an engaging and straightforward way, the podcast connects economics to everyday life with humor and sharp analysis. McWilliams is also the founder of Kilkenomics, the world’s only economics and stand-up comedy festival, and now the largest economic festival in the world, described by the Financial Times as “simply, the best economics conference in the world.”

He writes a weekly column for The Irish Times and is an Adjunct Professor at Trinity College Dublin. In the past, McWilliams has had a few proper jobs, working as a monetary economist at the Irish Central Bank, UBS, and Banque Nationale de Paris.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on David McWilliams and other top speakers and celebrities.

David McWilliams Speaking Topics

Economics: The Business of Everyday Life

To most people, economics feels like a foreign language – too technical, too detached, too…boring. But what if economics was actually the most important set of tools we have for decoding the world around us? In eye-opening and entertaining presentations, economist and bestselling author David McWilliams pulls back the curtain on how economics shapes the choices we make every day, from how we shop and save to how we vote, love and build community. With stories drawn from his top-ranked podcast and decades of global market experience, McWilliams shows how economics is fundamentally a story not about markets or models, but about people. Audiences leave this talk equipped with the ability to make sense of anything happening in the world and explain it to others through a new, clearer lens – what McWilliams calls “social ammunition.” Gifted with a flair for injecting humor into even the driest of charts and forecasts, McWilliams presents economics like you’ve never heard it before: accessible, actionable and unforgettable.

Money: The Most Powerful Technology Ever Invented

From Mesopotamian clay tablets to Bitcoin wallets, the history of money is the history of human civilization. In this electrifying presentation drawn from his international bestseller “Money: A Story of Humanity” (titled “The History of Money” in the U.S.), David McWilliams traces how money transformed us from tribal groups into complex societies, unlocking religion, rule of law, writing and everything we now associate with modern life. But unlike most economists, McWilliams doesn’t treat money as math, but as magic. As he explains in deeply researched and engaging sessions, money is collaborative, social, degenerate, sexy and profoundly misunderstood. With humor and storytelling prowess, McWilliams’ highly entertaining and provocative presentations make the sociology of money come alive to show leaders how financial systems shape geopolitics, identity and generational opportunity. More than a history lesson, audiences walk away with a fresh understanding on why the next phase of economic evolution – from crypto to climate pricing – demands that we understand money not only as currency, but as a culture.

David McWilliams Videos

David McWilliams - The Institute of Art & Ideas
David McWilliams: The Waterstones Interview
David McWilliams | TED

How do I book David McWilliams to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like David McWilliams for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for David McWilliams, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for David McWilliams or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book David McWilliams for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for David McWilliams, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire David McWilliams, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does David McWilliams speak about?

David McWilliams is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as European Heritage, Business, Economy, Author, Non-Fiction Authors, Podcast Host, TED and History.

Where does David McWilliams travel from?

David McWilliams generally travels from Dublin, Ireland and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for David McWilliams?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like David McWilliams for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book David McWilliams for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host David McWilliams or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


David McWilliams is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including European Heritage, Business and Economy. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. David McWilliams generally travels from Dublin, Ireland and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Yanis Varoufakis, Rob Gifford and Joseph Stiglitz. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling David McWilliams for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/11/2025.

David McWilliams Speaking Topics

  • Economics: The Business of Everyday Life

    To most people, economics feels like a foreign language – too technical, too detached, too…boring. But what if economics was actually the most important set of tools we have for decoding the world around us? In eye-opening and entertaining presentations, economist and bestselling author David McWilliams pulls back the curtain on how economics shapes the choices we make every day, from how we shop and save to how we vote, love and build community. With stories drawn from his top-ranked podcast and decades of global market experience, McWilliams shows how economics is fundamentally a story not about markets or models, but about people. Audiences leave this talk equipped with the ability to make sense of anything happening in the world and explain it to others through a new, clearer lens – what McWilliams calls “social ammunition.” Gifted with a flair for injecting humor into even the driest of charts and forecasts, McWilliams presents economics like you’ve never heard it before: accessible, actionable and unforgettable.

  • Money: The Most Powerful Technology Ever Invented

    From Mesopotamian clay tablets to Bitcoin wallets, the history of money is the history of human civilization. In this electrifying presentation drawn from his international bestseller “Money: A Story of Humanity” (titled “The History of Money” in the U.S.), David McWilliams traces how money transformed us from tribal groups into complex societies, unlocking religion, rule of law, writing and everything we now associate with modern life. But unlike most economists, McWilliams doesn’t treat money as math, but as magic. As he explains in deeply researched and engaging sessions, money is collaborative, social, degenerate, sexy and profoundly misunderstood. With humor and storytelling prowess, McWilliams’ highly entertaining and provocative presentations make the sociology of money come alive to show leaders how financial systems shape geopolitics, identity and generational opportunity. More than a history lesson, audiences walk away with a fresh understanding on why the next phase of economic evolution – from crypto to climate pricing – demands that we understand money not only as currency, but as a culture.

David McWilliams Videos

David McWilliams - The Institute of Art & Ideas
David McWilliams: The Waterstones Interview
David McWilliams | TED
  • How do I book David McWilliams to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like David McWilliams for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for David McWilliams, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for David McWilliams or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book David McWilliams for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for David McWilliams, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire David McWilliams, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does David McWilliams speak about?

    David McWilliams is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as European Heritage, Business, Economy, Author, Non-Fiction Authors, Podcast Host, TED and History.
  • Where does David McWilliams travel from?

    David McWilliams generally travels from Dublin, Ireland and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for David McWilliams?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like David McWilliams for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book David McWilliams for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host David McWilliams or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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