Optimist Economy

Kathryn Anne Edwards and Robin Rauzi
  • 4.9 (224)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Optimist Economy

On this show, we believe the U.S. economy can be better, and we talk about how to get there, one problem and solution at a time. Ask us questions, or send us your worries, at: optimist.economy@gmail.com Support us at https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy Get our newsletter, show notes and more at optimisteconomy.com

Episodes

  1. AI Suggested Five Horrible Titles for This Episode

    15H AGO

    AI Suggested Five Horrible Titles for This Episode

    A recent article in the Washington Post proposed that U.S. labor data has just started to show the bite artificial intelligence is taking out of U.S. jobs – in this case, for computer programmers. Is AI going to cause mass joblessness? Silicon Valley bros seem to think so. Journalists seem to think so. So what’s with Kathryn’s ho-hum reaction? The long view: The United States has seen lots of technological progress over time, but technology has been the most villainized since 1980—also the era of declining worker power. It’s our gutted worker protections that make periods of technological transition so painful. Read More: More than a quarter of computer-programming jobs just vanished. What happened? [The Washington Post] Majority of U.S. adults think AI will eliminate jobs over next two decades, but experts’ views are more mixed [Pew Research Center] You can also find Optimist Economy on: TikTokYouTubeInstagramSubstack Support us by becoming a paid Substack subscriber or at https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy

    46 min
  2. Work Rules for the Modern World

    APR 15

    Work Rules for the Modern World

    Never heard of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938? It’s why there’s a minimum wage, overtime pay, and 12-year-olds can’t legally have a job. It’s also due for a 21st-century update. What would these “New Work Standards” include? Let’s start with the right to request remote work, part-time schedules, or non-traditional hours. This shift would be a game-changer for folks with disabilities, parents juggling young kids, or anyone going through tough personal times. This is also a way to grow the economy by keeping people attached to the workforce. Consider this part one of – if Kathryn has her way – a 63-part series on how to update the FLSA. Read More: Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 [U.S. Dept of Labor history page] Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau [PDF] The TurboTax Trap [ProPublica] The 988 Lifeline You can also find Optimist Economy on: TikTokYouTubeInstagramSubstackSupport us by becoming a paid Substack newsletter subscriber or at https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy

    38 min
  3. Robin Loves a Tax Story

    APR 8

    Robin Loves a Tax Story

    The United States is more than 20 years into a tax experiment – an era of a cumulative $7 trillion in tax cuts. How’s that working out? Well, we have worsening income inequality and public faith in the tax system is cratering. Meanwhile every social policy is conceptualized as some kind of tax cut/credit. The question for our optimistic future is, are you ready for tax fairness if that means you don't get that deduction? You can also find Optimist Economy on: TikTokYouTubeInstagramSubstack (Coming soon!)

    33 min
  4. Social Security Don’t Miss

    APR 1

    Social Security Don’t Miss

    What’s with the persistent narrative of Social Security's impending doom? Are the baby boomers draining the trust fund? Are Americans living too long? No and no. There are just two of the many misunderstandings people have about what Kathryn will tell you (for hours if you let her) is, truly, the most popular and effective public program in U.S. history. She’s also optimistic that Congress will make necessary reforms just before the trust fund is depleted in 2035. Which is good. Because Robin does want to be able to retire. Read More: A Young Person’s Guide to Social Security Ten Years Since Hurricane Katrina | SSA You can also find Optimist Economy on: TikTokYouTubeInstagram

    53 min
  5. Is This a Recession or Not?

    MAR 28 · BONUS

    Is This a Recession or Not?

    Wouldn’t it be funny if we launched a podcast called “Optimist Economy” at the very moment the economy started to slide? Nice timing, us! In this bonus episode we dive into the data that has folks spooked. We also talk about if willy-nilly tariff policy (technical economic term there) is to blame, whether a recession is more like a wildfire or a hurricane, and how a recession might affect you. Also, who gets to declare, “Recession on!” Can we squeeze an ounce of optimism out of a recession episode? We try. You be the judge. Some of the stuff we talk about: GDP NowThe NBER’s Business Cycle Dating CommitteeEconomic News Releases from the Bureau of Labor StatisticsWSJ: The U.S. Economy Depends More Than Ever on Rich PeopleYou can also find Optimist Economy on: TikTokYouTubeInstagram

    47 min
  6. An Elegy for the DEI Boogeyman

    MAR 25

    An Elegy for the DEI Boogeyman

    Rapidly changed government and corporate policies mean the era of DEI is coming to a screeching halt. But gross racial discrimination in the U.S. labor market persists. Just one example: The black unemployment rate is almost always double the white unemployment rate. In this episode we muddle through what can be said about DEI now at its funeral that wasn’t said during its lifespan.

    31 min
  7. All We've Tried is Nothing!

    MAR 18

    All We've Tried is Nothing!

    Who are we and what in the world is an “optimist economy?” For our first show, we (Kathryn and Robin) introduce ourselves, explain how we met, and lay out our goals for our new podcast. We want Optimist Economy to empower listeners to understand the economy we have, but also the one we can have so they feel good about the future. The truth is, America’s best economic era is yet to come. It has to be, because there are so many good solutions out there that U.S. policymakers have never tried.

    18 min
  8. Welcome to Optimist Economy

    TRAILER

    Welcome to Optimist Economy

    Here at Optimist Economy, we recognize that today’s economy isn’t great for a lot of Americans. That is exactly why now’s the time to talk about how it could be so much better — whether you’re hunting for a first job or worried about the future of Social Security. Co-hosts Kathryn (a labor economist) and Robin (an editor) decided to make Optimist Economy because everyone deserves an economy worth looking forward to. Join us here every week as we work through what that is, one problem and solution at a time. New episodes every Tuesday wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also find us on TikTokYouTubeInstagram Music from #Uppbeat License code: JZHPJQCUS5BJ8LML

    1 min

    Trailer

    4.9
    out of 5
    224 Ratings

    About

    On this show, we believe the U.S. economy can be better, and we talk about how to get there, one problem and solution at a time. Ask us questions, or send us your worries, at: optimist.economy@gmail.com Support us at https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy Get our newsletter, show notes and more at optimisteconomy.com

    Information

    • Creator
      Kathryn Anne Edwards and Robin Rauzi
    • Years Active
      2K
    • Episodes
      8
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © Optimist Economy 2025
    • Show Website
      Optimist Economy

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