51 episodes

Economist and Substack writer Noah Smith and investor Erik Torenberg make sense of what’s happening in the news, technology, business, and beyond, through the lens of economics. Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co

"Econ 102" with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg Turpentine

    • Business

Economist and Substack writer Noah Smith and investor Erik Torenberg make sense of what’s happening in the news, technology, business, and beyond, through the lens of economics. Econ 102 is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co

    Trump/Biden, Chomsky/Foreign Policy, & Romantic Relationships

    Trump/Biden, Chomsky/Foreign Policy, & Romantic Relationships

    In today’s episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg answer listener questions on intriguing topics from politics to personal relationships. They analyze Donald Trump, discuss Chomsky's influence on foreign policy, explore the economics of dating markets, and discuss Noah's theory 'why sex leads to love'.

    🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj
    -- 
    Recommended Podcast: The Riff with Byrne Hobart
    Byrne Hobart, the writer of The Diff, is revered in Silicon Valley. You can get an hour with him each week. See for yourself how his thinking can upgrade yours.
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-riff-with-byrne-hobart-and-erik-torenberg/id1716646486
    --
    SPONSORS: BABBEL | BEEHIIV | WARP

    🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at babbel.com/econ102

    🐝 Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. Go to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months

    This episode is brought to you by Warp. Don’t let payroll and compliance hold your startup back: visit https://joinwarp.com/peel to get started and receive a $1000 gift card when your first run payroll.
    --
    SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
    --
    LINKS:
    Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
    --
    TIMESTAMPS:
    (00:00) Intro
    (00:20) Assessing Trump's Presidency
(03:20) Trump's Presidency: The good and the bad
    (12:32) Biden vs. Trump: Second term predictions
    (16:18) Sponsor: Babbel and Beehiiv
    (18:53) Tech's shift towards Trump
    (25:20) Chomsky's influence on foreign policy
    (30:49) Sponsor: Warp
    (31:48) Anti-American sentiment: A global perspective
    (35:46) Economic schools of thought
    (37:08) Ranking federal reserve chairs
    (41:00) Paul Krugman's legacy
    (42:49) Economic models and dating markets
    (47:22) Role of sex in long-term relationships
    (53:56) Coolidge effect and human relationships
    (01:00:38) Genetics and long-term passion
    (01:03:23) Wrap

    • 1 hr 7 min
    The Macro Episode

    The Macro Episode

    In today’s episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg dive into some listener questions on economics and macroeconomics issues. They discuss the Federal Reserve's strategy on interest rates, the complexities of macroeconomic prediction, the evolution of industrial policy, and pick the best economists of all time.

    🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj
    -- 
    Recommended Podcast: The Riff with Byrne Hobart
    Byrne Hobart, the writer of The Diff, is revered in Silicon Valley. You can get an hour with him each week. See for yourself how his thinking can upgrade yours.
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-riff-with-byrne-hobart-and-erik-torenberg/id1716646486
    --
    SPONSORS: BABBEL | BEEHIIV

    🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at babbel.com/econ102

    🐝 Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. Go to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months
    --
    SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
    --
    LINKS:
    Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
    --
    TIMESTAMPS:
    (00:00) Intro
    (00:35) Federal Reserve's approach to interest rates and inflation
    (02:48) Challenges in macroeconomic predictions
    (04:46) Microeconomic foundations of macroeconomics
    (07:53) Debating the greatest economists
    (10:19) University economics departments and their cultures
    (13:25) Great financial crisis: Causes and Misconceptions
    (18:50) Sponsor: Babbel and Beehiiv
    (21:25) Stabilizing Nominal Gross Domestic Product (NGDP)
    (25:50) Mechanisms of fiscal and monetary policy
    (29:42) Embracing industrial policy
    (37:13) Challenges in U.S. industrial policy
    (42:20) Threat of bioweapons and AI
    (49:21) Economic development with AI and automation
    (51:23) Economic impacts of high interest rates
    (53:44) Engaging with policymakers and future initiatives
    (55:09) Wrap

    • 56 min
    Europe, Immigration, and Taiwan

    Europe, Immigration, and Taiwan

    Today Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg answer more listener questions covering the surge of support for the hard right in European elections, the impact of immigration in Europe and the US, the future of Social Security, the stability of banks, and the best and worst taxes in the US. They also dive into the negative impact of China conquering Taiwan and why it is important to stand up against China's aggression. 

    🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj
    --
    Recommended Podcast: The Riff with Byrne Hobart
    Byrne Hobart, the writer of The Diff, is revered in Silicon Valley. You can get an hour with him each week. See for yourself how his thinking can upgrade yours.
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-riff-with-byrne-hobart-and-erik-torenberg/id1716646486

    --
    SPONSORS: BABBEL | BEEHIIV

    🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at babbel.com/econ102

    🐝 Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. Go to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months
    _
    SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
    _
    LINKS:
    Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
    --
    TIMESTAMPS:
    (00:00) Intro
    (00:25) European elections and economic concerns
    (05:41) Comparing immigration in the US and Europe
    (12:01) Immigration in Japan and Vietnam
    (14:01) Brain drain in small countries and economic challenges
    (15:59) Sponsor: Babbel and Beehiiv
    (18:34) Social security and population growth
    (22:04) Banking crisis and regulations
    (26:56) Taxation: Best and worst practices
    (32:00) Government spending and infrastructure
    (37:16) Future of Intel and the chip industry
    (40:57) Manufacturing vs. Service-based development
    (49:54) Japan-Korea relations and generational change
    (56:49) Threat of China and global alliances
    (01:03:06) Wrap

    • 1 hr 4 min
    The Vibecession & the Future Economy under Trump vs Biden with Kyla Scanlon

    The Vibecession & the Future Economy under Trump vs Biden with Kyla Scanlon

    In this episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg are joined by Kyla Scanlon, creator, writer, analyst, and author of new book “In this Economy?" They discuss the vibecession, the housing crisis, leader fatigue, and the impact of the economy on political polarization and the age of austerity. The conversation also covers the impact of Trump's economic policies, the risk of hyperinflation, and the potential for war with China. Crush your 2024 goals and learn a new language with Babbel - get 60% off at Babbel.com/econ102

    🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj
    
    --
    Recommended Podcast: The Riff with Byrne Hobart
    Byrne Hobart, the writer of The Diff, is revered in Silicon Valley. You can get an hour with him each week. See for yourself how his thinking can upgrade yours.
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-riff-with-byrne-hobart-and-erik-torenberg/id1716646486

    --
    SPONSORS: BABBEL | BEEHIIV

    🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/econ102

    🐝 Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. Go to https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months
    _
    SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
    _
    LINKS:
    Kyla Scanlon: https://kylascanlon.com/
    Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
    --
    TIMESTAMPS:
    (00:00) Intro
    (00:27) Understanding economic misconceptions
    (02:27) Vibecession
    (03:36) Interest rates and inflation debate
    (08:05) Generational wealth and housing
    (15:06) Sponsor: Babbel and Beehiiv
    (17:41) Monopolization of land and housing
    (22:55) Speculation and financial nihilism
    (28:40) Political influence on economic perception
    (36:44) Economic polarization and bifurcation
    (37:12) The Age of Austerity
    (41:44) Trump's economic policies and potential impact
    (50:34) Global elections and geopolitical fragmentation
    (58:10) Comparing Trump to global leaders
    (59:55) Identifying the biggest risks amidst inflation
    (01:06:20) Wrap

    • 1 hr 8 min
    Elite Overproduction and the Future of the Right

    Elite Overproduction and the Future of the Right

    Today Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg discuss the recent angry posts on X from David Austin Walsh, a history postdoc at Yale, and what this controversy says about the social and economic trends of the elite in the US. They also cover the the rise of right-wing muckrakers, discuss what the conservative movement needs now, and who they consider the smartest thinkers today are - on the left and the right.

    🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj
    --
    Recommended Podcast: The Riff with Byrne Hobart
    Byrne Hobart, the writer of The Diff, is revered in Silicon Valley. You can get an hour with him each week. See for yourself how his thinking can upgrade yours.
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rANlV54GCARLgMOtpkzKt
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-riff-with-byrne-hobart-and-erik-torenberg/id1716646486
    --
    SPONSORS: BEEHIIV
    Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months
    --
    SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
    --
    LINKS
    https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-case-of-the-angry-history-postdoc
    --
    TIMESTAMPS:
    (00:00) Intro
    (00:52) Twitter Blow-Up: David Austin Walsh controversy
    (04:10) Elite Overproduction and academia
    (08:09) Racial Disparities in academia
    (14:12) Sponsor: Beehiiv
    (15:23) Elite overproduction’s implications for politics and academia
    (20:46) Right-Wing muckrakers and progressive institutions
    (30:37) Misconceptions about Barack Obama
    (31:08) The Rise of Mike Solana
    (33:00) Evolution of progressive and conservative labels
    (38:33) Smartest leftist
    (40:48) American Roots of Wokeness
    (54:20) Future of Conservatism
    (59:59) Wrap

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Controlling US Inflation, Global Trade, and the Future of India and Japan

    Controlling US Inflation, Global Trade, and the Future of India and Japan

    In today’s episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg respond to pressing questions on US inflation, the possibility of the US becoming a petro-state, global trade dynamics in the context of geopolitical shifts, the potential impacts of de-dollarization, and the sustainability of defense strategies. They also cover the impact of recent wars, and discuss India and Japan. Thanks to all the listeners who continue to send in their questions!

    🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj
    --
    Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns
    Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episodes are on Reddit, Twilio, Klaviyo and Rubrik.
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0epyYBAxLeF0PsNagdDJAJ
    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/company-breakdowns/id1743119197
    --
    SPONSORS: BEEHIIV
    Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 https://beehiiv.com and use code "MOZ" for 20% off your first three months
    _
    SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
    _
    LINKS:
    Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
    --
    TIMESTAMPS:
    (00:00) Intro
    (01:45) Exploring Biden's influence on inflation and policy suggestions
    (05:21) Inflation's impact on national debt
    (09:34) Role of industrial policy in inflation dynamics
    (15:47) Is the U.S. Becoming a Petro State?
    (17:28) Sponsor: Beehiiv
    (18:39) Discussing federal reserve's balance sheet and monetary policy
    (23:49) Student loan forgiveness and tariffs
    (25:38) WTO's role in trade disputes
    (28:23) Rethinking global trade rules
    (31:28) Trade agreements and military alliances
    (32:35) China and Russia: Trade relations and aggressiveness
    (33:28) China’s capital inflow tax
    (40:13) India's political landscape and Modi's impact
    (50:10) Reassessing U.S. military interventions: Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq
    (53:44) Role of conventional forces in preventing nuclear war
    (56:46) Japan's currency intervention
    (57:47) Invitation to Lithuania
    (58:10) Wrap

    • 59 min

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