Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer

Political scientist Brian Judge discusses the historical roots of neoliberalism in America, how liberalism paved the way for its rise, and the impact of neoliberal ideologies on American policymaking. The conversation explores distributive conflicts, market fundamentalism, and the intertwining relationships between financialization and neoliberalism.

Former FTC Chief of Staff, Elizabeth Wilkins, discusses the agency's renewed focus on competition and antitrust enforcement, challenging corporate power. Topics include regulating power for public welfare, preventing monopolies, evolution of antitrust laws, and the benefits of market regulation for a fairer economy.

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist David Leonhardt joins to discuss his book on the American Dream, highlighting the dismantling of post-WWII economic growth consensus. They explore the impact of academic economics, CEO pay norms, generational attitudes, and the need to challenge selfish narratives in economics education for a more equitable future.

Prominent economist Jason Furman discusses America's post-pandemic recovery, global inflation crisis, and industrial policy with insights on President Biden's economic impact. The conversation explores Biden's policies, carbon tax benefits, industrial strategies comparing China's EV success, and contrasting economic philosophies between administrations. They delve into trade policies, investment, antitrust regulations, and economic uncertainties post-pandemic, analyzing inflation debates, minimum wage dynamics, and fostering domestic industries for resilience.

This week, Nick and Goldy are joined by Whitney Airgood-Obrycki from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University to discuss the urgent issue of housing affordability in the United States. Despite its status as the wealthiest country in the world, America is grappling with a housing crisis, marked by record-high levels of homelessness and a growing number of individuals spending between 30% to 50% or more of their income on rent. Together, they unpack the housing affordability crisis, discuss how it contributes to the perception of a struggling economy, and explore the innovative solutions local governments are proposing to address it.Whitney Airgood-Obrycki is a Senior Research Associate at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. She conducts research on affordable rental housing for low-income households and served as the project manager and lead author of their recent report on America’s Rental Housing. Dr. Airgood-Obrycki's latest research includes affordable housing policy, housing affordability measures, rental housing markets, and suburban neighborhood change.Twitter: @airbrycki, @Harvard_JCHSAmerica’s Rental Housing 2024 Montgomery County has found a way to reinvigorate public housing in AmericaWhat if public housing were for everyone?Website: http://pitchforkeconomics.comTwitter: @PitchforkEconInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsNick’s twitter: @NickHanauer

Rohit Chopra, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, discusses efforts to lower financial costs for working Americans. Topics include cracking down on credit card late fees, tackling medical debt on credit reports, regulating bank overdraft charges, and promoting transparency in financial products and services.

University of Washington Professor Jeffrey Shulman joins to discuss the 2024 tech layoffs, AI impact on society, and challenges in balancing efficiency with labor standards in the tech industry.

Journalist Nick Romeo discusses his book 'The Alternative: How to Build a Just Economy' on restructuring the economy towards fairness. Topics include worker cooperatives, public-option marketplaces, job guarantee programs, challenges of monopolies like Amazon, policy interventions for a just economy, and alternatives to neoliberalism for sustainability.

Ethics professor Ingrid Robeyns challenges extreme wealth accumulation, advocating for a wealth cap. They discuss the moral and practical implications, promoting middle-out economics and addressing societal impacts of extreme wealth.

Heather Boushey, member of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, joins Nick in a live discussion on policy initiatives by the Biden administration prioritizing working families. They discuss middle-out economics, the paradigm shift in economic cause and effect, reshaping economic narratives, advocating for workers' rights, and the importance of grassroots storytelling.