The Pie: An Economics Podcast

Becker Friedman Institute at UChicago
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Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 46min

The Economics of Early Childhood: Why the First Five Years Matter Most

Nobel laureate James Heckman explains why ages zero to five are critical for brain development and lifelong outcomes. He discusses the Perry Preschool Program's surprising health benefits 35 years later, why low-cost home-visiting programs that engage parents outperform expensive institutional interventions, and how "dynamic complementarity" means early skills beget later skills. Heckman also critiques economics' "credibility revolution," arguing the field has traded big-picture understanding for narrow "clean" answers—illustrated by his recent Wall Street Journal op-ed showing that contrary to popular belief, the China trade shock created net job gains for the US. 
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Sep 30, 2025 • 23min

The Law of Unintended Consequences: How Dobbs Changed Contraceptive Choices

Yana Gallen, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago, dives into the impact of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision on contraceptive choices. She reveals the surprising spikes in long-acting contraceptive methods like IUDs and sterilization following the ruling. Analyzing health insurance data, Yana discusses how young adults saw lasting increases in sterilization. The conversation also tackles broader implications, revealing how policy changes can lead to unexpected shifts in reproductive behavior, while noting that overall fertility impacts may be minor.
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4 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 35min

Finding Your Why at Work: The Economics of Purpose

Virginia Minni, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, explores the impact of personal purpose on workplace motivation. She reveals insights from a trial with 3,000 employees who attended a 'Discover Your Purpose' workshop, highlighting how individual meaning can boost productivity. Minni discusses the surprising benefits, including improved satisfaction and team cohesion, and emphasizes that connecting personal goals to work not only enhances fulfillment but also drives better business outcomes.
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7 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 50min

Stuck: How Housing Regulation Ended America's Mobility Revolution

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!
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Aug 19, 2025 • 25min

Building Costs vs. Housing Prices: Why Construction Isn't Driving the Crisis

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.
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Aug 5, 2025 • 30min

Pay Isn’t Everything: How Economists Put a Price on Job Perks

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.
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Jul 22, 2025 • 27min

Decoding Educational Content: A Computational Comparison Between Public and Religious School Textbooks

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.
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Jul 8, 2025 • 23min

When Religion Meets the Marketplace: Faith, Farming, and Trade-Offs

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.
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Jun 24, 2025 • 27min

Green Bubble Stigma: Texting, Status, and Market Power

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.
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10 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 25min

AI, the Economy, and Public Policy

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.

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