In this limited series, Odd Lots explains some of the thorniest issues facing the US economy through the medium of … chicken. Chicken occupies a unique position in the US diet, but issues facing the poultry industry illustrate wider points about the development of the US economy and the decisions being made about how it's structured and who benefits from it. So why has the chicken industry evolved in the way that it has? What’s been driving the price increases in eggs and meat? And what does it all say about things like inflation, the labor market and the nature of American capitalism? Check out Beak Capitalism on Odd Lots wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exploring Taylor Swift's presence in cultural and political realms, the podcast discusses conspiracy theories surrounding her, societal discomfort with her at football events, pressures on her personal life disclosures, her influence in politics, business success, and branding prowess in the music industry. Taylor Swift remains a fascinating figure amidst controversies and scrutiny.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, a key player in the Democratic primary, sheds light on the shifting dynamics of Black voters ahead of the 2024 election. He discusses the waning enthusiasm among young Black voters toward Biden and the hurdles they face, such as gerrymandering and restrictive voter ID laws. The conversation highlights the disappointment in the Biden administration’s failure to advance voting rights, the impact of celebrity culture, and the critical need for renewed engagement and mobilization to ensure Black voices are heard in the upcoming election.

Latinos represent the US electorate’s second fastest-growing voting group, with about 36.2 million Latinos expected to vote in the 2024 presidential election. Latino voters have tended to have low turnout rates in elections, but this hefty increase in that electoral pool is due to the mobilization of enthusiastic and engaged younger and US-born Latino voters. Latino voters have strong regional differences in their cultures and values and this plays out around what they care about: Entrepreneurial opportunities, abortion, voting rights, citizenship, and immigration, among other issues. Latino voters played a pivotal role in Joe Biden’s 2020 victory and they will figure prominently in a 2024 presidential race in which Donald Trump can leverage strides he’s made courting them. Maria Teresa Kumar is the CEO of Voto Latino, an influential advocacy group that mobilizes Latino voters around a range of issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first act in the Republican Party’s presidential primary season, the Iowa caucuses, has come and gone. Other contests in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Michigan, and the collection of 15 Super Tuesday states all lie ahead. Donald Trump registered a resounding win in Iowa and if polls are to be believed, he is situated to easily continue his sprint to the GOP nomination – the flagbearer of a party shaping itself in his image. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden comes to the race with his own strengths and weaknesses. Nancy Cook is a political reporter for Bloomberg News. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this podcast, the host and guest discuss the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. They explore topics such as the international support for Ukraine, Russia's transition after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Putin's misjudgment in invading Ukraine, the consequences of stopping support for Ukraine, the current state of the war, and the potential challenges of a Russian victory. They also wrap up the episode with sponsor ads.

It’s been one year since Crash Course launched, and what a year it’s been! From Trump to Putin, Climate Change to Artificial Intelligence, SVB to SBF, Florida to Gaza, the Supreme Court to Barbie, and so much more – we covered a lot of ground this year, and we learned a lot. That’s a key part of Crash Course: we want to learn something new in every episode. So to mark the one year anniversary of Crash Course, Tim wanted to listen back through the tape and remember some of the key learnings from the past year. We’ll remember the people, conflicts, and cultural moments that made this year one for the history books. The full episodes mentioned in this episode include:  Elon Musk vs. the Twitterverse Putin’s Russia vs. Ukraine Sam Bankman-Fried vs. the Crypto Grift Trump vs. The Law Israel vs. Hamas Silicon Valley Bank vs. the Fed Fox News vs. The Big Lie Mother Nature vs. Life As We Know It Pity City vs. The Workplace Artificial Intelligence vs. Humanity Barbie vs. The Men, and The Real World See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evangelical Christian, Robert Netzly, discusses the conflict between faith-based investing and ESG strategies. The podcast explores the criticism faced by ESG investing and the biases in the investment world. It debates neutrality in businesses and values, and explores the historical context and differences of socially responsible investing. It also delves into the influence of political beliefs on ESG approaches and the challenges faced by money managers balancing profit and social responsibility.

Remember the early days of COVID-19 lockdowns when, practically overnight, it seemed that every shop closed its doors? Do you remember how all of those small businesses you might have taken for granted – the ones that gave life and an identity to your community – suddenly felt essential to you? Tim watched lots of small businesses in his small town in New Jersey struggle, including his favorite local bakery, Montclair Bread Company. We first published this episode back in March, marking three years since the initial lockdowns in the US. But the holiday season is the most important time of year for small businesses, so it feels fitting to share this episode again now. In this episode, Tim tracks the trials and tribulations this unimaginable public health and economic crisis threw at the bakery and its owner, Rachel Wyman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The podcast discusses Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in New York, where a state judge will rule on the case. If found guilty, Trump may face a $250 million fine and be banned from doing business in New York. The episode explores the role of prosecutors in society, Letitia James' case against Trump for financial fraud, his use of inflated valuations for his assets, his unusual behavior as a defendant, and the impact of his legal cases on the rule of law and democracy.