Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers

Justin Wolfers
  • 4.5 (428)
  • Courses
  • Updated Daily

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

  1. 21h ago

    The Fed Raised Rates. Here's What It's Fighting. | Off The Clock

    The Fed just raised rates unanimously — and Justin Wolfers explains why that 12-0 vote matters more than the rate itself. Joined by Bloomberg Businessweek's Stacey Vanek-Smith on Off The Clock, Justin unpacks what "Silent Kevin" Warsh actually signaled, why the president's dream of 1% interest rates would light a fire under inflation, and why even a government that repays its debts can end up unable to borrow again. Then, Justin and Stacey debate whether "the feelings are the data," and Stacey builds the whole global economy into one bacon cheeseburger . Finally, Justin turns thousands of YouTube comments into a data set to show Americans something the U.S. media keeps missing: just how angry Canadians are, and why they'll accept real economic pain. Subscribe: on YouTube 👉 https://youtube.com/platypuseconomics on Substack 👉 https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com the Podcast 👉 https://platypuseconomics.com/podcast Follow on Social Media @PlatypusEconomics and @JustinWolfers

  2. 1d ago

    The Hawk Behind The Hike | The Professor Is In

    The Fed just raised its target rate by a quarter of a percentage point, the first hike since 2023 — but Justin Wolfers argues the number on the front page isn't the real story. In this episode of The Professor Is In, producer Augusta Chapman brings you audience questions, and Justin explains why the bigger signal was new Fed chair Kevin Warsh convincing markets he's a genuine inflation hawk. Subscribe: on YouTube 👉 https://youtube.com/platypuseconomics on Substack 👉 https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com the Podcast 👉 https://platypuseconomics.com/podcast Follow on Social Media @PlatypusEconomics and @JustinWolfers

  3. 3d ago

    Understanding The Fed’s Rate Hike Decision | Diving In

    Understanding The Fed’s Rate Hike Decision | Diving In The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday by a quarter of a percentage point. It’s the first time the Central Bank upped rates since July, 2023. All 12 members of the Federal Open Market Committee, including Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, voted in favor of a rate hike. Justin Wolfers, professor of economics and founder of Platypus Economics, breaks down the Fed’s decision, and unpacks how it’ll impact your life. Subscribe: on YouTube 👉 https://youtube.com/platypuseconomics on Substack 👉 https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com on Apple Podcasts 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/platypus-economics-with-justin-wolfers/id1523898793 on Spotify 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/4sOVMPFJmCROADLMDdDwjs Follow on Social Media @PlatypusEconomics and @JustinWolfers

  4. 5d ago

    The Canadian Boycott is About More than Economics | The Professor Is In

    Why an "infinity percent" tariff on Canada may hurt Americans more than Canadians. The U.S.–Canada trade war just got weirder, and Justin Wolfers walks through what actually changed. After Canada answered Washington's tariffs with a measured, dollar-for-dollar response, the White House escalated again. They proposed an outright import ban on things like Canadian alcohol, dairy, and auto products. His point: banning a product punishes the American buyers who wanted it most and now can't get it at any price. That’s not the only way Americans are getting hurt. Canadian consumers are boycotting anything U.S. You can see it in the empty hotel rooms in Las Vegas and half-full convention centers. Canadians are "speaking from their heart" about sovereignty and dignity. No handshake between leaders will make that disappear. Why should you care? Because the price of the clowning around lands in your pocket. This could look like a lost bonus, a thinner paycheck, or your employer's shrinking income. If Canada decides it can't trust its neighbor and diversifies toward Europe and Asia, that shift outlasts any single election. Chapters: 0:00 Jazz hands and an update 1:00 What's changed since the last video 3:19 Meet the "infinity percent" tariff 4:30 Why a ban punishes American buyers 5:30 Do consumer boycotts actually work? 9:07 The real cost is the clowning around 11:07 How big a hit is this, really? 12:10 Should Canada diversify away from the U.S.? Subscribe — it's the one relationship with the U.S. that comes with zero tariffs: on YouTube 👉 https://youtube.com/platypuseconomics on Substack 👉 https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com Follow on Social Media @PlatypusEconomics and @JustinWolfers

  5. Sep 12

    The Hidden Link Between Government Debt and Everyday Credit | Off the Clock

    Why does the bond market matter more than the stock market for your wallet? Justin Wolfers and Bloomberg Businessweek columnist Stacey Vanek Smith take on August's inflation report, the rising odds the Fed hikes rates, and the one market that quietly sets the price of your car loan, your student loan, and your mortgage. Subscribe — it's the one interest rate that never rockets up on you: on YouTube 👉 https://youtube.com/platypuseconomics on Substack 👉 https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com Follow on Social Media @PlatypusEconomics and @JustinWolfers

  6. Sep 11

    What August’s Inflation Report Means for You

    Inflation is stuck at 3.4% and prices are outrunning your paycheck. Here's what August really showed. The August inflation report just landed, and Justin Wolfers walks you through what it means for your wallet. Plus the all-important burrito price index. Subscribe — it's the one price that isn't rocketing up this month: on YouTube 👉 https://youtube.com/platypuseconomics on Substack 👉 https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com Follow on Social Media @PlatypusEconomics and @JustinWolfers

  7. Sep 10

    Vote Republican, Get $5,000? | Diving In

    Is the promise real, and who actually pays for it? At a midterm campaign rally Wednesday night, President Trump promised every adult American citizen a $5,000 check, but only if Republicans win both the House and the Senate. He's calling them "Trump dividends." Justin Wolfers is here with a reality check, on Diving In. Subscribe — I'll owe you $5,000, and I promise about as much as the President does: on YouTube 👉 https://youtube.com/platypuseconomics on Substack 👉 https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com Follow on Social Media @PlatypusEconomics and @JustinWolfers

  8. Sep 10

    How Governments Manipulate Statistics Without Lying | Professor Is In

    Can you still trust the jobs numbers after Commerce dropped its ban on political interference? In August the Commerce Department quietly crossed out the rules that shielded official statistics from political meddling — meaning reports can now be delayed, buried, reworded, or stripped of their uncertainty. So can you still trust the numbers that shape your paycheck, your mortgage rate, and the price of your groceries?  In this episode of The Professor Is In, Justin Wolfers answers the question a whole audience asked: in light of this, why should we believe the latest jobs numbers? Most useful of all, Justin hands you a rule of thumb for telling independent statistics from political claims — trust the official statistical agencies, be wary of anything from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and remember that someone who lied to you once will lie to you again. Chapters: 0:00 An expensive way to make propaganda 0:56 Can we still trust the jobs numbers? 1:56 Which agencies are actually at risk 2:50 Why the jobs data is still protected 3:50 How statistics really get manipulated 6:22 The one report that was a lie 9:11 The tin-pot dictator club 10:02 Why propaganda destroys data's value 13:12 A rule of thumb for reading statistics 15:39 Official agencies vs. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Subscribe — it's one number you can trust to go up honestly: on YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/platypuseconomics on Substack 👉 https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com Follow on Social Media @PlatypusEconomics and @JustinWolfers

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Hosts & Guests

4.5
out of 5
428 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Justin Wolfers
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Clean

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