Optimist Economy

The United States is more than 20 years into a tax experiment – an era of a cumulative $7 trillion in tax cuts. So, asks economist Kathryn Edwards, how’s that working out? Well, we have worsening income inequality and public faith in the tax system is cratering. Meanwhile every social policy is conceptualized as some kind of tax cut/credit. The question for our optimistic future is, are you ready for tax fairness if that means you don't get that deduction?✨ Support the Optimist Economy podcast at: https://optimisteconomy.substack.com/subscribe or https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy ✨You can also find Optimist Economy on:TikTokYouTubeInstagram

Dive into the misconceptions surrounding Social Security, a program often misunderstood as doomed. Discover why baby boomers aren't solely to blame for its challenges and how longevity is not the issue. Explore the vital role Social Security plays for future generations and its importance in combating wage stagnation. With a blend of humor and insight, the conversation stresses the need for reforms and the potential for bipartisan solutions. Plus, enjoy a lighthearted discussion about traffic horns and honking cultures!

Wouldn’t it be funny if we launched a podcast called “Optimist Economy” at the very moment the economy started to slide? Nice timing, us! In this bonus episode we dive into the data that has folks spooked. We also talk about if willy-nilly tariff policy (technical economic term there) is to blame, whether a recession is more like a wildfire or a hurricane, and how a recession might affect you. Also, who gets to declare, “Recession on!” Can we squeeze an ounce of optimism out of a recession episode? We try. You be the judge.Some of the stuff we talk about:GDP NowThe NBER’s Business Cycle Dating CommitteeEconomic News Releases from the Bureau of Labor StatisticsWSJ: The U.S. Economy Depends More Than Ever on Rich PeopleYou can also find Optimist Economy at:optimisteconomy.comTikTokYouTubeInstagram

Rapidly changed government and corporate policies mean the era of DEI is coming to a screeching halt. But gross racial discrimination in the U.S. labor market persists. Just one example: The black unemployment rate is almost always double the white unemployment rate. In this episode we muddle through what can be said about DEI now at its funeral that wasn’t said during its lifespan.You can also find Optimist Economy on:TikTokYouTubeInstagramSubstack Support us by becoming a paid Substack subscriber or at https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy

Who are we and what in the world is an “optimist economy?”For our first show, we (economist Kathryn Edwards and editor Robin Rauzi) introduce ourselves, explain how we met, and lay out our goals for our new podcast.We want Optimist Economy to empower listeners to understand the economy we have, but also the one we can have so they feel good about the future. The truth is, America’s best economic era is yet to come. It has to be, because there are so many good solutions out there that U.S. policymakers have never tried.You can also find Optimist Economy on:TikTokYouTubeInstagramSubstackSupport us by becoming a paid Substack subscriber or at https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy

Here at Optimist Economy, we recognize that today’s economy isn’t great for a lot of Americans. That is exactly why now’s the time to talk about how it could be so much better — whether you’re hunting for a first job or worried about the future of Social Security.Co-hosts Kathryn Edwards (a labor economist) and Robin Rauzi (an editor) decided to make Optimist Economy because everyone deserves an economy worth looking forward to. Join us here every week as we work through what that is, one problem and solution at a time.New episodes every Tuesday wherever you listen to podcasts.You can also find us onTikTokYouTubeInstagramSubstackMusic from #UppbeatLicense code: JZHPJQCUS5BJ8LML