Prof G Markets Unemployment Climbs to a Four-Year High
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Dec 17, 2025 
Kathryn Anne Edwards, a labor economist and host of the Optimist Economy podcast, discusses rising unemployment rates and the challenges in the labor market. She highlights the impact of economic uncertainty and sector variations on hiring trends. Joining her is Jon McNeill, CEO of DVX Ventures and former Tesla executive, who shares insights on the EV industry, including Ford's recent setbacks and Tesla's robo-taxi ambitions. They explore global EV demand and the competitive landscape between U.S. and China, and Ed reveals TikTok Shop's potential to disrupt traditional retail.
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Labor Market Is Clearly Slowing
- The November jobs report shows a clear slowing: only 64,000 jobs added and unemployment rose to 4.6%.
- Kathryn Anne Edwards says rising unemployment signals hiring isn't keeping up with the number of people seeking work.
Re-Entrants Drive Unemployment Rise
- Rising unemployment reflects that hiring isn't keeping pace with people wanting jobs, especially re-entrants.
- Kathryn Anne Edwards highlights re-entrants as the largest group among the unemployed, not just new entrants.
Uncertainty Is Choking Hiring
- Economic and policy uncertainty is suppressing firm hiring decisions and slowing expansion.
- Edwards ties uncertainty from tariffs, immigration enforcement, and policy flip-flops to weaker hiring.