Shadi Hamid, a columnist at The Washington Post, alongside Heather Long, who focuses on the middle class economy, and Monica Hesse, who explores gender dynamics, tackle the intriguing issue of America's declining birth rates. They discuss millennials' evolving views on parenthood, the impact of economic instability, and the emotional complexities of having children. The conversation highlights societal shifts and questions whether the declining birth rate is truly a crisis or an opportunity for new perspectives and policies.

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

Binyamin Appelbaum, economist and journalist at The New York Times, Scott Horsley from NPR, Greg Ip of The Wall Street Journal, and Heather Long from The Washington Post dive into Trump's economic plans. They analyze the potential impacts of proposed tariffs on consumer prices and American industries, exploring the 'Grinch Effect' on toy costs. The conversation shifts to the implications of mass deportation on the labor market and housing, stressing the vital roles of undocumented workers while addressing inflation and budget deficits. A thought-provoking dissection of economic policy awaits!

In this discussion, Shadi Hamid, an opinions columnist, and Heather Long, who focuses on economic issues, join style columnist Monica Hesse to unpack the reasons behind declining birth rates in America. They delve into how economic pressures, shifting societal values, and personal choices shape these trends. The conversation questions whether the current worries about a fertility crisis are justified and emphasizes the need for family-friendly policies. Humorously, they touch on the trials of parenting in public, highlighting the chaotic yet relatable moments every parent faces.

Heather Long, an Economy columnist at The Washington Post, and Molly Roberts, an editorial writer and columnist, dive into the murky waters of America's tipping culture. They discuss the pressure consumers face with preset tips and how this complicates the wage structure for service workers. The conversation also explores global tipping practices and political implications of tipping taxation. With a humorous critique of the absurdities in tipping, they advocate for clearer compensation systems to support service workers more fairly.