the best economic podcast episodes
A hand-picked, playable selection of the best podcast episodes for this topic — each with the reason it earned its spot. Press play on any pick, or build your own playlist free.
Why these picks
7 episodes curated for "the best economic podcast episodes"
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The curated episodes
7 episodes — each chosen for a reason you can read below.
Why this pick: This Everyday Economics episode directly tackles government policy as a core driver of housing costs, a key macroeconomic issue affecting affordability, supply, and migration. It provides data-driven analysis on zoning, fees adding over $140k per home, and policy impacts in states like California, offering listeners practical insights into why markets fail due to regulation rather than pure economics. Its recent publication and focus on 2026 forecasts make it exceptionally relevant for understanding current U.S. economic pressures.
Why this pick: A timely breakdown of the U.S. housing market's standoff, inventory rises, and whether it's broken or normalizing post-low-rate era. Hosts analyze 'accidental landlords,' mortgage lock-in effects, and supply shortages using city-specific data from Austin to Phoenix, helping listeners grasp real impacts on wallets and homeownership. This complements housing policy discussions with market dynamics for a fuller economic picture.
Why this pick: Examines intersecting shocks of energy prices, tariffs, inflation, and Fed challenges under new Chair Kevin Warsh, directly addressing household economic pressures. It explains margin compression, demand destruction, and inflation as a 'hidden tax,' with clear data on real disposable income flattening. Recent and practical, it equips listeners to understand broader squeezes on spending, jobs, and investment amid 2026 uncertainties.
Why this pick: Inside Economics team analyzes fresh GDP, inflation, spending, income, home sales, and durable goods data to assess the true U.S. economy state. With three economists debating tricky statistics and listener questions, it delivers balanced, data-heavy insights from Moody's experts. Recent release ensures up-to-date relevance for understanding interconnected macro indicators beyond headlines.
Why this pick: Features Nobel laureate Paul Krugman discussing his book on winning trade wars, offering expert perspectives on fragile politics, global lessons from China, and future trade optimism. It reverses typical interview roles for deeper insights into abandoned trade rules and domestic impacts, ideal for listeners seeking high-credibility analysis on international economics. Complements U.S.-focused episodes with global trade war strategies.
Why this pick: Jessica Chen Weiss debunks the U.S.-China decoupling 'fantasy,' analyzing Beijing's critical minerals dominance, trade surpluses, and domestic challenges. It explores middle powers' advantages and nuanced geopolitics, providing expert nuance on high-stakes economic rivalry. Adds international relations depth to domestic-focused episodes, helping listeners navigate complex global supply chain economics.
Why this pick: Reflects on Brexit's 10-year economic outcomes versus dire predictions, with UK in a Changing Europe expert Anand Menon. Discusses smaller UK economy, surprising outperformance areas, Labour's trade barriers, and EU rejoining possibilities. Offers historical lessons on policy shocks' long-term GDP, unemployment, and borrowing effects, broadening the query to real-world economic experiment analysis.