Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer

Why do you continue to do this work?

Sep 24, 2024

In a celebratory milestone, hosts reflect on their journey and the inspiring motivations behind meaningful work. They explore how progressive activists prioritize impactful contributions over financial gain. Guests share insights on legislative achievements that tackle economic inequality and gun violence. The importance of building a community through authentic conversations is highlighted. Personal stories shed light on the responsibility of privilege and the drive for social change, emphasizing the necessity of addressing systemic inequalities.

32:01

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Quick takeaways

The personal motivations behind progressive economic work emphasize social betterment over financial gain, driving individuals to make impactful changes.

Engaging discussions and audience support create a meaningful platform for sharing essential economic ideas, enhancing the hosts' dedication to their work.

Deep dives

The Personal Nature of Economics

Economics is portrayed not just as a collection of mathematical models and theories, but as a deeply personal endeavor that influences people's lives. The hosts highlight how most individuals engaged in progressive economic work could earn significantly more in other fields, yet choose this path out of a desire to effect positive change. This raises questions about the motivations behind their work and the personal experiences that drive them to prioritize social betterment over financial gain. Such motivations often stem from their own struggles and a sense of obligation to give back to a society that has granted them opportunities.

Intro

2min

Motivations Behind Meaningful Work

10min

Significant Legislative Impact on Inequality and Gun Violence Prevention

3min

Building a Loyal Community Through Unadulterated Content

2min

Motivations for Social Change

13min

The Responsibility of Privilege and the Drive for Change

2min

It’s our 300th episode! To mark this milestone, we’ve gathered some of the most thoughtful and inspiring answers to one of our favorite questions: Why do you do this work? Plus, Nick and Goldy share what keeps them in the fight for a better economy. We're deeply grateful for the wisdom of our incredible guests and, most of all, for YOU—our listeners—who’ve supported us along the way. Here’s to many more conversations unpacking who gets what and why in our economy, and how to build the economy from the middle out.

Love what you’re hearing on the pod? Follow us on social media using the links below for updates and spicy takes on the economy! And if you haven’t already, make sure to follow the show so you never miss an episode. While you’re at it, give us a rating and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts—it helps us reach more people interested in rethinking or better understanding the economy and want to build a better future. Thanks for listening!

Guests Featured:

Jared Bernstein - Chair, White House Council of Economic Advisors

Reshma Saujani - Founder, Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms

Mark Blyth - Political Economist and author of Diminishing Returns: The New Politics of Growth and Stagnation

Rohit Chopra - Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

Joseph Stiglitz (3-time guest) - Economist and author of The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society

Caitlin Myers - Professor of Economics at Middlebury College and Co-Director of the Middlebury Initiative for Data and Digital Methods.

Kim Stanley Robinson - American Science Fiction writer and author of The Ministry for the Future

Marshall Steinbaum (2-time guest) - Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Utah and a Senior Fellow in Higher Education Finance at Jain Family Institute.

Elizabeth Anderson - Professor of Public Philosophy at the University of Michigan and author of Hijacked: How Neoliberalism Turned the Work Ethic against Workers and How Workers Can Take It Back

Bharat Ramamurti - Former Deputy Director of the White House National Economic Council

Elizabeth Wilkins - Senior Fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project and former Director of the Office of Policy and Planning at the Federal Trade Commission

Website: http://pitchforkeconomics.com

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