Today’s guest is Ben Zweig — economist, data scientist, founder of Revelio Labs, and NYU Stern professor specializing in the future of work. With a PhD in economics and a career spanning IBM’s Chief Analytics Office, hedge fund strategy, and groundbreaking research on labor markets and occupational mobility, Ben brings a rare blend of academic rigor and real-world insight. His work allows him to see patterns in the job market before they happen — and understand where the biggest opportunities to make money are emerging.

On this episode we talk about:

Ben’s first sales job on the streets of New York and how “rejection therapy” shaped his career
Why thick skin and empathy are two of the most valuable skills in any high-paying field
How economics became the lens Ben uses to understand behavior, markets, and opportunity
Why getting a PhD changes your identity — and how deep expertise creates new income paths
The evolving nature of work and what signals actually matter for future money-making trends

Top 3 Takeaways

Sales skills compound everywhere. Early experiences dealing with rejection and reading people become an unfair advantage in higher-paying industries.
Economics is a framework for decision-making. Understanding incentives, equilibrium, and behavioral patterns helps you spot opportunities others miss.
Deep expertise transforms your earning potential. Immersing yourself in a field — academically or professionally — shifts how you think and positions you for unique career paths.

Connect with Ben Zweig:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-zweig

Website: https://www.reveliolabs.com/

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