The Indicator from Planet Money

A little doomsday feeling is weighing on the economy

56 snips
Dec 4, 2025
Tom Barkin, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, shares his insights on the economic narratives that shape monetary policy. He discusses the importance of local anecdotes in understanding consumer behavior and economic slowdowns. Barkin highlights the challenges firms face in planning layoffs and the disparity between thriving sectors and those struggling, such as agriculture. He also addresses concerns about job prospects for college graduates and the need for better training in blue-collar careers to attract workers.
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INSIGHT

Beige Book's Unique Qualitative Value

  • The Beige Book compiles qualitative economic anecdotes from 12 regional Fed banks into a single report.
  • Tom Barkin and Jay Powell value these qualitative insights as unique information about local economies.
ANECDOTE

Colorful Local Examples Of Economic Shifts

  • The Kansas City Fed noted relaxed appointment wait times for tattoo artists during a slowdown.
  • The Cleveland Fed described a "collective holding of breath" around rapid AI data-center build-outs.
ANECDOTE

Fed President On-the-Ground Outreach

  • Tom Barkin travels his district to gather hundreds of stories and asks open questions about hiring and layoffs.
  • He uses those conversations to anticipate turning points rather than to predict exact outcomes.
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