EconoFact Chats
Podcast by EconoFact Chats
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Latest posts
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How Can the Government Raise Revenues?
The US ran a budget deficit of $1.9 trillion in 2026 -- nearly 6% of GDP. Ongoing deficits have led to publicly-held federal debt rising to almost 100% of GDP, with Congressional Budget Office projections showing it rising to 120% by 2036. A necessary part of closing the budget…
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The Challenges Facing Federal Fiscal Lifelines
Recent policy changes have affected some of the more vulnerable people in the United States, including those who rely on Medicaid for their health insurance, people who are retired or disabled and get by month-to-month with their Social Security benefits, and workers whose…
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The Long Shadow of Gender Discrimination in Hiring
In 1958, Eastman Kodak advertised openings for chemical engineers, accountants, and lawyers, but only for men, while women were asked to apply for jobs as secretaries or stenographers. The 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawed such ads. Yet, firms that expressed a stronger preference…
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Online Prediction Markets: Benefits, Costs, and Regulation
Do online prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket provide a service beyond the entertainment of gambling? Prediction markets are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the same agency that oversees futures contracts. Is this agency well-positioned to serve…
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Cross Purposes in Dollar Policies
In July, the US Treasury joined Japanese authorities in a joint intervention to prop up the yen -- the first US action in support of the yen since 1998. Maurice Obstfeld joins EconoFact Chats to discuss why the intervention reflects the pursuit of conflicting goals --…
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Inflation, the Fed, Tariffs, and AI: Making Sense of the Economy Heading into the Midterms
Since EconoFact Chats last hosted a panel of economic journalists in June, oil supply disruptions due to the war in Iran have kept gasoline prices high. Inflation reached 3.4% in August. In response, the Fed raised its policy interest rate for the first time in over three years.…
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The Risks of Politicizing the Federal Reserve (Re-broadcast)
Kenneth Kuttner joins EconoFact Chats to discuss how and why central banks are set up to be insulated from political pressure, and the economic consequences of a failure of central bank independence. Ken is the Robert F. White Class of 1952 Professor of Economics at Williams…
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AI and National Debt
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to bring major economic changes, including raising productivity, widening inequality, and causing widespread job displacement. There are associated consequences for federal debt which is now historically high relative to national income.…
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The Challenge of Energy Security (Re-broadcast)
Billy Pizer discusses how energy security goes beyond the price of oil or liquified natural gas since these prices do not fully capture all the costs of using fossil fuels. One well-known externality, a cost beyond the price at the pump, is global warming and the corresponding…
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Principles of Economics: Insights for Better Policy (Re-broadcast)
The basic principles of economics are not only worthwhile reading for students, but for the wider public, and perhaps especially, for those involved in policy. Greg Mankiw, the author of best-selling textbooks for Macroeconomics and Principles of Economics joins EconoFact Chats…
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How to Win a Trade War (Re-broadcast)
While the best trade war strategy is to not have a trade war, this seems to no longer be an option. In their new book 'How to Win a Trade War' the goal of Soumaya Keynes and Chad Bown is to “… arm you with the knowledge to fight [because] these battles are going to last for a…
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Real Finds Podcast: Why Everything You Believe About Trade Deficits Is Wrong
Michael Klein switches from asking questions for EconoFact Chats to answering those posed by Gordon Lamphere’s in this rebroadcast of his Real Finds podcast. Michael discusses issues related to trade and the exchange rate, as well as the Federal Reserve, affordability, housing…
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Managing AI Risks (Re-broadcast)
Risks from the use of Artificial Intelligence range from autonomous vehicle fender benders to truly cataclysmic events. Managing these risks becomes more urgent with the increased prevalence of AI across a widening set of uses. Josephine Wolff joins EconoFact Chats to discuss…