AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Andrew Yang Podcast
Is the American Dream DEAD? The Real Reason You Can’t Get Ahead
Mar 3, 2025
Yoni Appelbaum, a historian and journalist at The Atlantic, dives deep into the American Dream's decline. He reveals how zoning laws and discriminatory policies have created barriers, trapping many in poverty. Yoni discusses the historical roots of these issues, using examples like Cambridge, and highlights the resilience of marginalized communities, including Chinese-American entrepreneurs. He argues for the need to rethink housing and urban development to restore mobility and opportunity for future generations.
56:40
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Zoning laws and discriminatory policies have historically restricted mobility, entrenching economic disparities and trapping lower-income families in poverty.
- The cultural shift towards diverse living arrangements among younger generations presents an opportunity to foster community growth and inclusivity.
Deep dives
The Decline of Mobility in America
Over the past few decades, the rate at which Americans move to pursue better opportunities has sharply declined. Historically, relocating from economically disadvantaged areas to thriving cities was a common path that led to greater financial success. However, current trends show that individuals moving from poorer regions, like a janitor from Alabama to San Francisco, find their increased earnings wiped out by skyrocketing housing costs, making relocation less appealing. This shift has created a stagnation where many feel trapped in their current situations due to rising costs that invalidate the benefits of moving.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode