The Economics Show
Financial Times
The Economics Show with Soumaya Keynes is a new weekly podcast from the Financial Times packed full of smart, digestible analysis and incisive conversation. Soumaya Keynes digs deep into the hottest topics in economics along with a cast of FT colleagues and special guests. Come for the big ideas, stay for the nerdery.Soumaya Keynes is an economics columnist for the Financial Times. Prior to joining the FT she worked at The Economist for eight years as a staff writer, where as well as covering trade, the US economy and the UK economy she co-hosted the Money Talks podcast. She also co-founded the Trade Talks podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
13 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 31min
The limits of monetary policy, with Agustín Carstens
Agustín Carstens, former general manager of the Bank for International Settlements and ex-governor of the Bank of Mexico, shares insights on the challenges faced by central banks in maintaining trust amid political pressures. He discusses the limits of monetary policy post-2008 and the risks associated with multiple private money issuers. Carstens also critiques cryptocurrencies while highlighting the potential of central bank digital currencies. His thoughts on the necessity of modernization in central banking are both timely and thought-provoking, especially in our evolving financial landscape.
30 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 33min
What economics gets wrong about human behaviour, with Richard Thaler
Richard Thaler, a Nobel Prize-winning behavioural economist and professor at the University of Chicago, challenges the traditional view of humans as rational decision-makers. He discusses why people often act against their best interests, highlighting concepts like sunk costs and the ultimatum game as examples of human irrationality. Thaler also explores the impact of nudging in pensions and critiques failed policies like presumed-consent organ donation. His insights reveal the complexities of human behaviour that traditional economics often overlooks.
12 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 33min
Are Trump’s tariffs legal? With Jennifer Hillman
Jennifer Hillman, a law professor at Georgetown University and former WTO judge, dives deep into the controversial legalities surrounding Trump’s tariffs. She analyzes the power struggle between Congress and the President over trade regulations, reveals the historical roots of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and discusses how this case could reshape presidential authority. Hillman also warns about the risks of expanding national security claims, emphasizing how this could undermine global trade credibility.
58 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 32min
How to kickstart the UK economy. With Tim Leunig
Tim Leunig, a London School of Economics professor and former adviser, shares insightful strategies to revitalize the UK's sluggish economy. He highlights the historical and international contexts of the UK's performance, discusses the fiscal stance needed to restore market confidence, and advocates for easing planning restrictions to boost housing supply. Leunig also emphasizes the importance of smarter tax policies and eliminating cash transactions to recover significant lost revenue. His pragmatic approach to transport and local planning aims to balance development with environmental protections.
8 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 2min
Introducing Untold: Toxic Legacy
Laura Hughes dives into a hidden lead poisoning crisis in the UK, revealing how this invisible toxin can silently impact health. She discusses the subtle symptoms that can accumulate over time, making it hard to diagnose. A two-year investigation uncovers alarming levels of lead exposure across the country. The lasting damage from lead is profound, and finding remedies is a daunting challenge. Hughes also critiques the lack of routine child testing for lead and questions government accountability in protecting public health.
29 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 25min
What’s up with the US economy? With Austan Goolsbee
Austan Goolsbee, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, shares insights on the US economy. He discusses the impact of the current AI investment boom against a backdrop of sluggish hiring and inflation challenges. Goolsbee explains the Fed's cautious stance on interest rate cuts and addresses concerns about tariffs and their longer-term effects on manufacturing. The conversation also underscores the importance of maintaining the Fed's independence in policy decisions amidst political pressure.
15 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 32min
The economics of birth control. With Martha Bailey
Martha Bailey, an economics professor at UCLA and director of the California Center for Population Research, discusses the transformative impact of the contraceptive pill on women's economic choices. She highlights how contraception led to delayed marriages and increased workforce participation among young women. Bailey also addresses its role in narrowing the gender pay gap and improving outcomes for disadvantaged groups through Title X. With recent policy changes looming, she emphasizes the need for access to contraception to avoid regressive economic consequences.
26 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 34min
How to get immigration right. With Adam Ozimek
Dr. Adam Ozimek, chief economist at the Economic Innovation Group and co-author of "Exceptional By Design," discusses the essential role of immigration in driving economic growth. He critiques current U.S. policies, rating them a mere three out of ten, and emphasizes how high-skilled immigrants can elevate demand for lower-skilled jobs and boost wages. Ozimek argues for reforms to the H-1B visa, supports public interest in high-skilled immigration, and exposes issues with current graduate visa practices, all while advocating for a fairer immigration landscape.
45 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 34min
China’s economy vs the world. With Michael Pettis
In this enlightening discussion, Michael Pettis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment and former founder of a Chinese indie record label, dives into the complexities of China's economy. He explores how China's growth model has fostered unprecedented savings and investment yet led to cycles of overcapacity. Pettis examines the misconceptions outsiders have about China's structure, the implications of its trade policies on U.S. deficits, and the challenges the nation faces in escaping the middle-income trap. He also shares insights on music and book recommendations.
34 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 33min
The ugly truth about Trump’s ‘beautiful tariffs’. With Martha Gimbel
Martha Gimbel, Executive Director of Yale's Budget Lab and former White House adviser, joins to dissect Trump's ambitious tariff plans. They discuss how tariffs, once vital for US funding, are now back in focus but bring baggage. Gimbel highlights the balance between revenue generation and economic drawbacks. The conversation delves into the legal challenges, the pressures on the labor market, and the lasting impacts tariffs may have until 2029. Tune in for a thought-provoking take on a hot-button issue!
