Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers

Platypus Economics
  • 4.2 (21)
  • COURSES
  • UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

From world events to everyday decisions, economics explains it all. Platypus Economics makes it clear, useful, and actually fun.

  1. 19 HR AGO

    Justin Wolfers Breaks Down the Week: Spirit, US Debt, and the AI Economy (with Stacey Vanek Smith)

    What actually mattered in this week’s avalanche of economic news? In this conversation, Justin talks to his friend, Stacey Vanek Smith, Senior writer for Bloomberg Businessweek and cohost of the Everybody’s Business podcast. Together, they sort the signal from the noise: Spirit Airlines’ collapse, the U.S. debt hitting 100% of GDP, and whether AI is really driving growth—or just the headlines. For viewers trying to determine what to worry about, what you can safely ignore, and where’s there’s room for a bit of hope, this is is a practical guide to what matters and why it affects your life. The stakes are real: oil shocks can raise the cost of everyday goods, high debt can reduce the government’s room to respond in a downturn, and AI could reshape careers faster than many families are prepared for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    Should We Actually Be Worried About the National Debt | Diving In

    In this opening episode for Platypus Economics, Justin Wolfers explains why the federal budget deficit is one of the best examples of how economics can clarify a debate that politics often mangles. The central point is simple: deficits are not automatically good or bad, but a tool. And the only serious question is whether borrowing makes sense given the economy, the emergency, and the country’s ability to pay. In a crisis, large deficits are often smart policy—stabilizing incomes, supporting jobs, and keeping an economic downturn from becoming a disaster. But today’s U.S. deficit is different. America is currently running a very large deficit—about 5.8% of GDP—without the usual crisis justification. The stakes are not instant collapse, but a slower erosion of fiscal capacity, institutional credibility, and the ability to spend on things that could actually improve your life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    15 min

  3. 4 DAYS AGO

    Welcome to Platypus Economics

    Economics. Explained. Clearly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 min
  4. Economics For All Your Decisions In Life - From Romance to Retirement

    14/12/2021

    Economics For All Your Decisions In Life - From Romance to Retirement

    Think Like An Economist has taken you on a journey through the economic principles, showing you the tools of economics, and how they can be applied at home and at work. In this season finale, Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers reveal the big life choices they've made using those tools of economics, and how you can apply economics to help make decisions throughout your life. Co-Host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media Production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    21 min
  5. Useful Economics in Everyday Life

    07/12/2021

    Useful Economics in Everyday Life

    We're all actors in the economy, with different habits, dilemmas and choices. And economics is about everyday decisions in our daily lives as much as it is about government policy. As economics professors, Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers have honed the ways to show how economics involves everyone. They discuss their method of teaching economics, and the way they show that economic tools can help us all make good decisions. Co-Host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    19 min
  6. A Conversation with Emily Oster: The Economics of Pregnancy, Parenting and the Pandemic

    30/11/2021

    A Conversation with Emily Oster: The Economics of Pregnancy, Parenting and the Pandemic

    Emily Oster is one of the most interesting economists in the world, and she uses the tools of economics in everything she does. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers explore Emily's thoughts about how economic ideas can provide useful insight for parents and families. This audio course is about how to think like an economist, and Emily models exactly how to do this. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min
  7. A Conversation with Larry Summers: The Influence of Economic Ideas and the Dangers of Secular Stagnation

    09/11/2021

    A Conversation with Larry Summers: The Influence of Economic Ideas and the Dangers of Secular Stagnation

    Larry Summers has been at the forefront of economic thinking for decades - a World Bank chief economist, Professor at Harvard and U.S. Treasury Secretary. He's also warned that the global economy is in the midst of secular stagnation. In this episode, he tells Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers why the economy is stagnant, in spite of low interest rates. The three economists also discuss why their field is so influential, and Larry reveals how policy makers get things done. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  8. A Conversation with Greg Mankiw: Financial Crisis, Recessions and Communicating Economics

    02/11/2021

    A Conversation with Greg Mankiw: Financial Crisis, Recessions and Communicating Economics

    Professor Greg Mankiw is one of the most influential economists today: a New Keynesian, advisor to Presidents, and a good friend of Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers. In this episode, the three of them discuss what we can learn from financial crises, why globalisation has lost its shine, and how best to communicate economic ideas. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
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4.2
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

From world events to everyday decisions, economics explains it all. Platypus Economics makes it clear, useful, and actually fun.

Information

  • Creator
    Platypus Economics
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers

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