Julia Pollack, Chief Economist at ZipRecruiter, and Cardiff Garcia, a labor market reporter, dive into the intricate relationship between jobs and the economy. They discuss the dilemma of automation in factories and the uncertainty faced by workers. In agriculture, rising wages aren't drawing in workers, highlighting a disconnect in the labor market. The episode explores how changing job dynamics affect both skilled and unskilled labor, and the innovative strategies some businesses are employing to adapt to these challenges.

For this special end of the year edition of Macro Musings, Heather Long, Ryan Avent, and Cardiff Garcia rejoin the podcast to reflect on the biggest economic surprises and stories of the past few years, while giving their outlook and predictions for the future. Heather Long is an editorial writer and columnist for the Washington Post, Ryan Avent is the trade and international economic editor for the Economist Magazine, and Cardiff Garcia is a veteran journalist for the Financial Times and NPR as well as the host of the New Bazaar podcast and the co-founder of Bazaar Audio. Specifically, this returning panel of guests discuss the major economic themes throughout the pandemic, the most overrated and underreported stories that have dominated the headlines over the past few years, what issues are primed for prominence within the next decade, and a lot more.     Transcript for the episode can be found here.   Support the podcast by making a donation during this holiday season!   Heather’s Washington Post profile Heather’s Twitter: @byHeatherLong   Ryan’s Economist profile Ryan’s Twitter: @ryanavent   Cardiff’s Twitter: @CardiffGarcia Bazaar Audio’s website   David’s Twitter: @DavidBeckworth Follow us on Twitter: @Macro_Musings Click here for the latest Macro Musings episodes sent straight to your inbox! Check out our new Macro Musings merch here!   Related Links:   *Measuring Monetary Policy: the NGDP Gap* by David Beckworth   *Danger Zone: The Coming Conflict with China* by Hal Brands and Michael Beckley   *David Beckworth on the Facts, Fears, and Functionality of NGDP Level Targeting* by the Macro Musings Podcast   *Ryan Avent, Cardiff Garcia, and Heather Long on Lessons from the Great Recession* by the Macro Musings Podcast