38 episodes

Six Hundred Atlantic tells the stories of the people of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and their work to shape the historic region they serve. The podcast explores the trends, challenges, and insights uncovered by the Boston Fed’s economists, researchers, and analysts, and it reports on how the Bank is working to strengthen the New England and national economies and make sure economic opportunity is open to all.

Six Hundred Atlantic Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

    • Education
    • 4.9 • 21 Ratings

Six Hundred Atlantic tells the stories of the people of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and their work to shape the historic region they serve. The podcast explores the trends, challenges, and insights uncovered by the Boston Fed’s economists, researchers, and analysts, and it reports on how the Bank is working to strengthen the New England and national economies and make sure economic opportunity is open to all.

    New England’s opioid crisis with Amanda Blanco and Steve Osemwenkhae

    New England’s opioid crisis with Amanda Blanco and Steve Osemwenkhae

    The Boston Fed has long studied New England’s opioid crisis because of its economic impacts. In this episode, Boston Fed writer Amanda Blanco and photographer Steve Osemwenkhae discuss what they learned from talking with people fighting addiction and helping others overcome it.

    • 12 min
    Episode 2: Dirty? Fake? How the Fed keeps cash clean

    Episode 2: Dirty? Fake? How the Fed keeps cash clean

    The condition of U.S. currency–including whether it’s genuine–is the business of the Federal Reserve because healthy currency is essential to keep the economy moving. But how does the Fed know when notes aren’t “fit for commerce?” Or when they’re fake?

    • 14 min
    Has Cash Been Cancelled?

    Has Cash Been Cancelled?

    The pandemic could have wiped out cash, as people increasingly turned to online and touch-free transactions. Instead, cash usage fell, then held steady. Why? In this episode, we examine cash’s future and the Fed’s role in keeping it available.

    • 14 min
    Inheritances and racial wealth gaps with Jeff Thompson

    Inheritances and racial wealth gaps with Jeff Thompson

    Researchers have long investigated why some races have more wealth than others, and inheritances and other forms of intergenerational wealth are often seen as major factors. But Federal Reserve Bank of Boston economist Jeff Thompson says they play a minor role.

    • 19 min
    Interview: The fate of pandemic-era personal savings with Omar Barbiero

    Interview: The fate of pandemic-era personal savings with Omar Barbiero

    Personal excess savings in the U.S. reached extraordinarily high levels during the pandemic, peaking between $2.0 – $2.6 trillion in 2021. That’s equal to 10% of the nation’s gross domestic product. Economists believe these savings helped keep the economy moving during post-pandemic inflation because consumers could use that money to keep spending.
    But there’s wide disagreement about how much of these excess savings is left – and what happens when it’s gone. In this episode of Six Hundred Atlantic, Boston Fed economist Omar Barbiero discusses why excess savings matter, why estimates vary widely, and what surprised him when he studied how fast savings were being depleted across income groups.

    • 12 min
    Interview: Opioid addiction meds and the labor force with Mary Burke

    Interview: Opioid addiction meds and the labor force with Mary Burke

    Opioid-related deaths spiked more than 60% in two years during the pandemic, and that intensified the focus on treating opioid use disorder. But do some treatments impact employment prospects more than others?
    In this episode of Six Hundred Atlantic, Boston Fed senior economist Mary Burke discusses certain opioid use disorder medications and how they affect job prospects for patients and reduce the economic burden on society.

    • 12 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
21 Ratings

21 Ratings

ARLLong ,

Listen to this podcast

I enjoy this podcast. Among other things, it combines historical, sociological, and financial analysis in explaining disparities between rural and urban settings in America. Expert evaluation and contribution adds depth, yet is relatable.

Above all, it raises awareness regarding the possible trajectories for the country should these trends continue.

It piqued my interest in the subject—looking forward to more.

jenna_lin ,

Well done

Interesting subject matter. Very well done!

Papajohn3 ,

Six Hundred Atlantic: A House Divided

Great stuff for the layperson as well as expert

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