The Pie: An Economics Podcast

Can a day of self-reflection improve workplace performance? UChicago economist Virginia Minni reveals findings from a randomized trial involving nearly 3,000 employees who participated in a "Discover Your Purpose" workshop. Minni explains how bottom-up meaning-making creates lasting change, and why helping employees connect their personal purpose to their daily work benefits both human fulfillment and business results. 

Peter Ganong, an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago focusing on housing, and Yoni Appelbaum, Deputy Editor at The Atlantic and author of *Stuck*, delve into America's mobility crisis. They discuss how restrictive housing regulations have hindered economic opportunities, creating a divide where only the affluent can relocate to thriving cities. Historical insights reveal how moving once shaped American life, while today, rising costs and zoning laws limit movement and impact community dynamics. The conversation even spices up with a playful culinary lightning round!

Chad Syverson, a distinguished economics professor at the University of Chicago, shares his insights on the housing market's complexities. He reveals that construction costs and housing prices have become 'completely decoupled' over the last 75 years. Syverson challenges the belief that rising building costs are to blame for increasing home prices, highlighting broader economic factors at play. He discusses significant historical trends and regional influences, emphasizing that the housing affordability crisis extends beyond just construction expenses.

Evan Rose, an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago, specializes in labor markets and job perks. In this discussion, he reveals that job satisfaction extends beyond salaries, spotlighting the significance of flexible hours and workplace culture. By analyzing insights from over 20,000 Danish workers, Rose uncovers how hidden benefits play a crucial role in employee retention. The conversation also touches on the disparities in job value perceptions between the US and Denmark, and concludes with a light-hearted segment on creative pie-making.

Textbooks don't just teach facts, they shape how children understand the world and their place in it. In this episode, UChicago economist Anjali Adukia discusses her study of textbooks across public schools, religious private schools, and homeschools. Using advanced AI tools to analyze tens of thousands of pages, she uncovers both unexpected similarities between politically divergent states and meaningful differences in how religious and secular curricula present topics from evolution to gender representation.

In this discussion, Eduardo Montero, an Assistant Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy, dives into the economic consequences of religious prohibitions, particularly within the Seventh-day Adventist community. He reveals how restrictions on farming certain crops impact local economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, creating intriguing trade-offs for believers. Montero also explores the adaptability of religious tenets amid economic pressure, emphasizing how communal bonds transform in the face of shared sacrifices while pondering the interplay of faith and market dynamics.

A text bubble might seem trivial, until it shapes market dynamics, personal identity, and federal lawsuits. In this episode, UChicago economist Leo Bursztyn discusses how Apple’s green bubble design creates a powerful lock-in effect that reinforces Apple’s market dominance.

Anders Humlum is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Chicago Booth, while Sanjog Misra is a Professor of Marketing and Faculty Director of the Center for Applied AI at the same institution. They dive into how AI is reshaping the economy and influencing public policy. The discussion touches on AI's role in workplace automation, balancing human creativity with technology, and unexpected gender disparities in tech adoption. They also explore university initiatives that promote economic inclusion through innovative tools and the future of AI across diverse sectors.

Brent Neiman, the Edward Eagle Brown Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago and former Deputy Undersecretary of Treasury for International Finance, shares his insights on the Trump administration's tariff policies. He explains how his original research was misused to justify these tariffs, leading to significant economic miscalculations. The discussion delves into the implications of tariffs on U.S.-China trade dynamics, highlighting the uncertainty they create and questioning their effectiveness as tools for policy enforcement. Neiman also shares book recommendations and indulges in a lighthearted conversation about barbecue and savory pies.

Economist Chang-Tai Hsieh from the University of Chicago delves into Taiwan's complex political history and its crucial economic ties to China. He discusses the critical role of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and its international implications. Listeners learn about Taiwan's delicate balance between sovereignty and security amidst rising geopolitical tensions. Hsieh also examines the effects of U.S. policies on Taiwan's economy and the broader semiconductor landscape, shedding light on innovation and industry dynamics.