Challenging Economic Assumptions

Gerry McCartney and Carmel Williams
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  • SOCIAL SCIENCES

Challenging Economic Assumptions podcast is kind of self-descriptive. It is about challenging our assumed ideas and beliefs of the economic system we live with, which determines so much of our lives, our values and understanding of the world. In this series we hope to unpack some of the not-so-often questioned economic thinking that has lead us here and where we can go next. We talk to various thinkers and activists on the underlying economic assumptions that permeate our society, attempting to uncover new ways forward.

Episodes

  1. 22/08/2025

    Martin Hensher | Thru the eyes of a Health Economist

    In todays episode Gerry and Carmel are joined by Martin Hensher from the Menzies Institute. Martin delves into his long career working in health, his transition to health economics and the experience he has had working in both private and public organisations. He touches on some really major economic ideas and helps us unpack what they might contain. Martin Hensher is a Henry Baldwin Professorial Research Fellow in Health Systems Sustainability at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research. His work focuses on how healthcare systems can respond to the environmental, economic, and social challenges of the future. With over 30 years of experience in health economics, planning, and financing, he has held senior roles in the UK, Australia, Africa, and Europe. If you are interested in these topics and wish to learn more please check out this Master of Economics of Sustainability course, which Martin Hensher teaches in. Delivered by Torrens University Australia, the course will further your understanding of the economics of sustainability and knowledge surrounding many alternative economics approaches. This podcast is supported by ⁠⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠⁠and the ⁠⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠⁠ Feel free to follow us and share our podcast online and with anyone you think will enjoy it!

    50 min

  2. 19/03/2025

    Professor Lynne Chester | Questioning Conventional Economics in Public Policy

    In this episode, Carmel and Gerry talk to Professor Lynne Chester, a leading Australian economic scholar about the pervasive influence of conventional economics on public policy, particularly in areas such as healthcare and energy. In their discussion, they critique the assumptions of rationality and market efficiency that underpin many economic policies, arguing that they often neglect the complexities of human behaviour and the diverse needs of society. Professor Lynne Chester is a highly respected researcher andlecturer at the University of Sydney and has spent many years studying heterdox economics or non-conventional economics. Her research focuses broadly on energyaffordabilitly, the economic regulation of energy sectors and energy injustices. She provides her expertise in energy and public policy in many ways across organisations and government bodies. This podcast is supported by ⁠⁠⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠⁠⁠and the ⁠⁠⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠⁠⁠ Feel free to follow us and share our podcast online and withanyone you think will enjoy it!

    40 min

  3. 13/01/2025

    Nicki Hutley | Evolution of Economic Perspectives within Governments

    In this episode, Gerry talks to Nicki Hutley, a highly experience economist, on the evolution of economic thinking specific to climate policy and cost-benefit analysis. They discuss the realities and limitations of economic definitions along with the efforts required to compliment government processes whilst trying to consult on climate policy. Nicki Hutley is a highly experienced economist, with broad-based expertise in both macroeconomics and microeconomic policy, gained over more than three decades in financial and investment markets and in economic consulting.  After many years in the corporate world, including most recently as a partner with Deloitte Access Economics, Nicki is now an independent economist, advising government, business and not-for-profits on a wide range of policy issues, but with a focus on social and environmental impact. She is also a Councillor on the Climate Council. She is a frequent commentator in the media regularly appearing on the Drum and contributing to the Guardian. This podcast is supported by ⁠⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠⁠and the ⁠⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠⁠ Feel free to follow us and share our podcast online and with anyone you think will enjoy it!

    40 min

  4. 04/11/2024

    Sarah McKinley | Community Wealth Building

    In this episode Gerry and Carmel talk to Sarah McKinley of the Democracy Collaborative. Sarah sheds light on Community Wealth Building, an alternative economic system approach being explored in local communities around the world and how it has been improving peoples overall wellbeing. Sarah McKinley, the Director of Community Wealth Building Programs from the Democracy Collaborative, a not for profit trans-Atlantic think-do tank striving to build a democratic economy through political and economic system change. Her work is a significant driver of change in local communities, creating alternative economic and community systems which have shown to improve the quality of peoples overall wellbeing. This podcast is supported by ⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠and the ⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠ Feel free to follow us and share our podcast online and with anyone you think will enjoy it!

    49 min

  5. 09/07/2024

    Mohsen Javdani | Ideological Biases within mainstream economics

    In this episode Gerry and Carmel talk to Mohsen Javdani, an Associate Professor from the Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. Offering a critical lens to the traditional or neoclassical economic approaches, Mohsen reveals the ideological biases which permeate the discourse and how mainstream economics is ill-equipped to address the complex challenges of our societies. Mohsen has journeyed from mainstream economics to become a researcher and advocate for economic equality, specifically of the labour market and the discrimination of women, migrants and ethnic minorities. His published research has uncovered evident ideological biases among economists who claim to be unbiased and value-free. This podcast is supported by ⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠and the ⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠   Feel free to follow us and share our podcast online and with anyone you think will enjoy it!

    48 min

  6. 09/07/2024

    Matthias Schmelzer | Degrowth and The History of the Economic Growth Paradigm

    In this episode Gerry and Carmel talk to Matthias Schmelzer, an economic historian, social theorist and climate activist. Reflecting on the concept of growth and its history, Matthias unpacks the deliberate decisions of the past which have lead us to our economic system today and explores the concept of degrowth as an alternative path. Matthias is a post-doctoral researcher at the Friedrich-Schiller University Jena and is active in numerous social-ecological networks and movements. He is the author of two books, “The Hegemony of Growth: The OECD and the Making of the Economic Growth Paradigm” and “The Future is Degrowth: A world beyond Capitalism." This podcast is supported by ⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠and the ⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠   Feel free to follow us and share our podcast online and with anyone you think will enjoy it!

    47 min

  7. 09/07/2024

    Philip Heimberger | Meta-Analysis and Evidence Based Research in the Field of Economics

    In this episode Gerry and Carmel talk with Philip Heimberger, an economist from the Vienna Institute for International Economic studies. As a lead researcher utilizing meta-analysis within the field of economics, Philip uncovers some of the inconsistencies across so-called 'evidence-based' theories which have been used to justify national and regional policy decisions across the world. Philip holds a PhD in economics from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and has published some incredible research papers that question whether public debt affects economic growth and if employment protection affects unemployment. His research offers some much needed reflection on the often-unquestioned economic models and theories that are still leant on today. This podcast is supported by ⁠⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠⁠and the ⁠⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠⁠   Feel free to follow us and share our podcast online and with anyone you think will enjoy it!

    40 min
  8. Dr. Katherine Trebeck | A New Economic Ecosystem

    09/07/2024

    Dr. Katherine Trebeck | A New Economic Ecosystem

    In this episode Gerry and Carmel talk with Dr. Katherine Trebeck, a political economist, writer and leading advocate for economic system change. Challenging the role of economic growth and GDP as a measure for success, Dr. Trebeck leads us to think about alternatives to our systems and what the driving purposes of government and economies should be.   Katherine is the co-founder of the ⁠Wellbeing Economy Alliance,⁠ a writer in residence at the University of Edinburgh, a strategic adviser to Australia's ⁠Centre for Policy Development ⁠and the co-author of a fantastic book ⁠"The Economics of Arrival: Ideas for a Grown Up Economy."⁠   This podcast is supported by ⁠The University of Glasgow ⁠and the ⁠Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation. ⁠   Feel free to follow us and share our podcast online and with anyone you think will enjoy it!

    43 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Challenging Economic Assumptions podcast is kind of self-descriptive. It is about challenging our assumed ideas and beliefs of the economic system we live with, which determines so much of our lives, our values and understanding of the world. In this series we hope to unpack some of the not-so-often questioned economic thinking that has lead us here and where we can go next. We talk to various thinkers and activists on the underlying economic assumptions that permeate our society, attempting to uncover new ways forward.

Information

  • Creator
    Gerry McCartney and Carmel Williams
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gerry McCartney and Carmel Williams
  • Show Website
    Challenging Economic Assumptions