Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer

LIVE from DC: Redefining the Center (with Heather Boushey)

Apr 16, 2024

Heather Boushey, member of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, joins Nick in a live discussion on policy initiatives by the Biden administration prioritizing working families. They discuss middle-out economics, the paradigm shift in economic cause and effect, reshaping economic narratives, advocating for workers' rights, and the importance of grassroots storytelling.

31:41

Episode guests

Heather Boushey

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Middle out economics prioritizes investing in the middle class to enhance economic growth and reduce inequality.

Shifting economic narratives towards middle out economics challenges traditional theories and promotes equitable resource distribution.

Deep dives

Middle out economics promotes building the economy from the middle up

Middle out economics advocates for constructing the economy from the grassroots and middle-class levels rather than top-down approaches. The podcast emphasizes that the middle class plays a vital role in economic growth, stating that a thriving middle class leads to a healthier economy for everyone. By prioritizing investments in the middle and bottom segments of society, middle out economics aims to empower workers, reduce inequality, and enhance infrastructure, ultimately creating a more sustainable and inclusive economy.

Introduction

4min

Middle Out Economics: Theory and Practice

11min

Rethinking Economic Theories and Inequality

6min

Exploring the Influence of Economic Narratives on Societal Perceptions and Policies

5min

Advocacy for Workers' Rights and Economic Paradigm Shifts in the White House

5min

This special episode of Pitchfork Economics features a live conversation from the "Redefining the Center: How to Make Middle-Out Economics the New Mainstream" conference hosted by Democracy Journal in Washington, D.C. Heather Boushey, a member of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, joins Nick for a wide-ranging discussion moderated by Michael Tomasky, editor of Democracy Journal. Hanauer & Boushey explore the policy initiatives being pursued by the Biden administration that prioritize working families and promote economic growth from the middle out and discuss the crucial role of the middle out as a paradigm shift in how people think about economic cause and effect. This dynamic and thought-provoking discussion was a great start to an outstanding conference.

Heather Boushey is an economist and policy advisor who serves as a key member of President Biden's White House Council of Economic Advisors and Chief Economist for the President’s Invest in America Cabinet. Prior to joining the Biden administration, she was the President and CEO of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, a think tank focused on advancing evidence-based policies to reduce inequality. In her role in the White House, she plays a crucial role in shaping economic policy and advising the President on issues related to labor, income inequality, and economic opportunity.

Twitter: @hboushey46

Further reading: The Middle-Out Moment Is Here

Website: http://pitchforkeconomics.com

Twitter: @PitchforkEcon

Instagram: @pitchforkeconomics

Nick’s twitter: @NickHanauer