In This Economy?!
Real people with real problems get realistic solutions. Your guide to understanding an unpredictable economy.
Are you stressed out about your finances? Feel like the odds are stacked against you? We are too. It feels like we should be able to afford all of these things as adults — a house, a car, raising children...even just a social life— but so many of us simply find it out of reach. How did the economy find itself here? Why are things the way they are? And how can we make it work anyway?
Each week, we take one of your problems and bring it straight to the experts. We find out how we ended up in this mess, and what you can do to achieve your personal goals. The economy might be unpredictable, but your success doesn’t have to be.
Latest episodes
Apr 6, 2025 • 28min
How short-sighted was Trump's Liberation Day?
US President Donald Trump dubbed it 'Liberation Day', and it seemed like numbers across the North American stock market took the word 'liberate' and headed south. Besides the historic plunging of some of Wall Street's benchmarks as a result of the Trump's latest tariff announcement on April 2, his long-term goal of a stronger America seems more farther in the distance than he might've originally projected.
But what exactly did he project? And was there any sort of input from the big players he's now backing into a corner to make his domestic-grown dreams come true?
Host Mike Eppel speaks to Chief Deputy Economist at Desjardins, Randall Bartlett to make sense of the numbers. Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be
happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us
at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!
Mar 29, 2025 • 16min
Is Canada's economy in a strong place these days?
A Canadian economy once regaining its strength and gusto, is seeming to slip in its grip on success. GDP numbers from Statistics Canada were on the up to start off 2025...but the data now shows a different picture. So, where do we go from here? What's in store for Canada's economy amid Trump tariff threats? Are we in for a 'stagflation' scenario? And what does this all mean for your pocket?
Host Mike Eppel speaks with Richard Forbes, Principal Economist of the Conference Board of Canada about what the current inflation numbers mean, how Trump's tariffs (and possibly new ones) could further impact the economy, and what we can look for in the coming weeks.
Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us at rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thanks for listening!Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be
happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us
at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!
Mar 14, 2025 • 10min
How Canadian business operators are dealing with so much uncertainty
Trying to run a business in this economy is anything but easy. Uncertainty, unease and pressure from so many different factors are creating a very difficult situation for Canadian operators.Host Mike Eppel speaks with Mike Tzimas, president of the Napoleon Group of Companies about the current situation, the impact on tariffs, and how difficult it is to be a Canadian business operator in this climate.
Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!
Mar 7, 2025 • 15min
Forecasting what's next...In This Economy!?
It's been another week of uncertainty for the financial markets. With back and forth announcements on tariffs happening this week, it's been next to impossible to gauge what will happen next.Host Mike Eppel is trying to make sense of it with Avery Shenfeld, Chief Economist at C-I-B-C.
Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!
Feb 22, 2025 • 12min
Where to find the money to make an RRSP contribution
You want to save for your retirement - but where do you find the money? Head's up - the RRSP deadline is coming up on March 3, 2025. Host Mike Eppel is talking to an expert on why it's imperative to start saving for your retirement and how to make it less stressful.
Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!
Feb 14, 2025 • 12min
How far are you willing to go to buy Canadian?
The "buy Canada" movement remains strong in the wake of tariffs levied against Canada, with more being tariffs reportedly on the way. So how far would you go to buy Canadian? Host Mike Eppel speaks to retail analyst Bruce Winder about economic show of patriotism and whether or not it's sustainable in this economy.
Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!
Feb 8, 2025 • 17min
Is anything making sense anymore in this economy?
Is anything making sense anymore in this economy? Between the ping-ponging markets, the on and off tariffs and the latest economic data, the week's been far from boring.To make sense of it all, host Mike Eppel speaks with Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist at the Conference Board of Canada.
Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!
Jan 31, 2025 • 12min
Wintering in Florida? In This Economy!?
Going to Florida to escape the Canadian winter - pretty normal for a large number of Canadians. Going to Florida in this economy? Anything but. With the tariff threat and the weakened Canadian dollar, it's all feeling upside down. And what's happening with Snowbirds who normally spend the entire winter in the warmer U.S. climes? Host Mike Eppel speaks with Wayne Smith, Director of the Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Research, at the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Toronto Metropolitan University.
Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!
Jan 25, 2025 • 13min
What's going to happen to interest rates next week?
If you weren't sure what was going to happen with interest rates with the new U.S. administration in place, you're not alone. We're just days ahead from the first policy announcement from the Bank of Canada and it's to be interesting to see where it goes. Host Mike Eppel speaks with Royce Mendes, Managing Director and head of Macrostrategy at Desjardins Capital Markets.
Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!
Jan 12, 2025 • 20min
In This Economy week in review: fact checks, threats and the slumping Canadian dollar
Has the first week of January felt like A LOT? You're not alone. There are so many things going on in this economy right now that could impact you. Host Mike Eppel is here to break down all the headlines that have made up this very busy news week including the Canadian dollar, the threat of tariffs and takeover and Meta abandoning fact-checkers.
Do you have a topic that's confounding you in this economy? We'll be happy to dig into it for you and get you the answers you need. Email us at: rogerspodcastnetwork@rci.rogers.com. Thank you for listening!
