ECON-versations with NABE

In this episode of The Labor Brief, Julia Coronado is joined by guest co-host Nela Richardson, NABE Vice President and Chief Economist at ADP, to break down the latest employment data, comparing ADP’s monthly report with the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ official release. While both point to steady job growth, the conversation highlights growing volatility beneath the surface and questions about how much hiring is truly needed to keep unemployment stable.

Looking beyond the headlines, Julia and Nela explore how demographic forces—particularly an aging population—are reshaping labor supply in ways more significant than AI or cyclical demand shifts. From declining participation among older workers to persistent shortages in manufacturing and other hourly roles, employers are struggling to fill positions despite continued job availability. The episode underscores a fundamental tension in today’s economy: jobs exist, but fewer workers are willing—or able—to take them, pointing to a structural transformation in the U.S. labor market.NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders.

On this episode of The Inflation Brief from ECON-versations with NABE, hosts Greg Daco and Laura Rosner-Warburton break down the February CPI report and what it signals about the path of inflation. While headline and core readings appeared relatively steady, the data revealed a more complicated story beneath the surface. Greg and Laura examine the diverging trends across goods and services, including modest increases in apparel and recreation goods—potentially reflecting tariff pass-through—alongside continued disinflation in shelter costs and persistent strength in leisure-related services.

The conversation also explores the growing gap between CPI and PCE inflation, rising medical care prices, and the potential inflationary impact of a sharp increase in gasoline prices amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. With oil prices surging and energy costs likely to push headline inflation higher in the coming months, Greg and Laura discuss whether a new supply shock could complicate the Federal Reserve’s path toward rate cuts. As uncertainty builds across markets and global events unfold, the hosts assess what the latest data may mean for inflation dynamics and monetary policy in the months ahead.NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders.

In this episode of The Labor Brief from ECON-versations with NABE, Julia Coronado and Ellen Zentner unpack the February employment report, which delivered a surprising decline of 92,000 jobs. The hosts explore the details behind the headline number—including the role of the Kaiser Permanente strike and the unusually narrow distribution of hiring across sectors—while discussing what the data signal about the current “low-hire, low-fire” labor market. Their conversation also reflects themes raised at NABE’s recent Economic Policy Conference, highlighting the debate between demand-side and supply-side explanations for labor market softness.

Julia and Ellen also examine the broader macro implications, from the ongoing debate around the neutral interest rate to the conditions the Federal Reserve would need to see before considering rate cuts. With productivity gains from AI, demographic pressures, sticky inflation, and geopolitical risks all in play, the hosts discuss how policymakers and forecasters are navigating a period of heightened uncertainty. It’s a thoughtful look at what the latest labor market data may mean for growth, inflation, and the path of monetary policy.

NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders.

To mark the 100th birthday of Alan Greenspan, NABE is revisiting a special moment from the archives.

In this episode, we revisit Greenspan’s acceptance of the Paul A. Volcker Lifetime Achievement Award and his accompanying lecture at the 35th Annual NABE Economic Policy Conference, moderated by Constance Hunter. You may access his slides here.

One of the most influential economic policymakers of the modern era and former Chair of the Federal Reserve Board, Greenspan reflects on the evolution of monetary policy, financial markets, and the forces shaping the global economy. Beyond his public service, Greenspan has longstanding ties to NABE, having served as NABE President from 1969–70 and as a member of the NABE Board of Directors.

Join us in celebrating a century of Alan Greenspan by revisiting this memorable NABE moment.

On the latest episode of The Inflation Brief from ECON-versations with NABE, hosts Greg Daco and Laura Rosner-Warburton are joined by special guest Claudia Sahm to break down the January inflation report. The trio unpacks the mixed signals in the data—from moderating grocery prices and flat core goods readings to stickier restaurant and services inflation—while also examining the uneven pass-through of tariffs and ongoing concerns about data quality and statistical agency funding. Claudia underscores that while the data face challenges, there is no evidence of manipulation, and the broader disinflation trend—particularly in housing—remains intact.

They also dive into rising Super Core Services prices, emerging medical inflation pressures, and what recent CPI and PCE readings mean for the Federal Reserve’s next moves. With shelter inflation cooling but services still volatile, Greg, Laura, and Claudia weigh the case for a continued Fed pause and outline expectations for two potential rate cuts in the second half of the year. It’s a thoughtful, data-driven conversation on where inflation stands—and where it may be headed next.

Big ideas, bold debates, and an all-star lineup—February 22nd–24th in Washington, DC, the ⁠42nd Annual NABE Economic Policy Conference⁠ is where the economics world comes to talk realignment. Hear directly from economic heavyweights like Christine Lagarde, Lisa Cook, Austan Goolsbee, and Chris Waller as they unpack how AI, demographics, and geoeconomic shifts are reshaping the global economy.

If you want sharp insights, candid conversations, can’t-miss networking, and a front-row seat to where policy is headed, this is the place to be. For more information and to register, visit ⁠NABE.com/PC2026⁠.

In this episode, Guy Berger joins Julia Coronado as a guest co-host to break down the latest employment report, including the annual benchmark revision and key methodology changes to payroll estimates. They explore why recent data may appear stronger than underlying trends suggest, discussing seasonal adjustment quirks, the birth-death model, and what the larger-than-expected benchmark revision reveals about labor market conditions in 2024 and 2025.

The conversation then turns to immigration policy, hiring trends, and the broader economic outlook. Julia and Guy examine how slowing net migration and demographic pressures are reshaping labor supply, wage dynamics, and industry growth—often in ways that challenge conventional expectations. They close with a forward-looking discussion of 2026, weighing potential fiscal stimulus against persistent policy uncertainty and deficit concerns.

Big ideas, bold debates, and an all-star lineup—February 22nd–24th in Washington, DC, the 42nd Annual NABE Economic Policy Conference is where the economics world comes to talk realignment. Hear directly from economic heavyweights like Christine Lagarde, Lisa Cook, Austan Goolsbee, and Chris Waller as they unpack how AI, demographics, and geoeconomic shifts are reshaping the global economy.

If you want sharp insights, candid conversations, can’t-miss networking, and a front-row seat to where policy is headed, this is the place to be. For more information and to register, visit NABE.com/PC2026.

Venezuela’s economic and political landscape is shifting fast—and the implications extend well beyond its borders. In this timely NABE Energy Roundtable webinar replay, experts unpack what’s changing in Venezuela, what’s staying the same, and why it matters for global energy markets and the broader macroeconomic outlook.Speakers:

• Matthew McManus, Visiting Fellow, National Center for Energy Analytics; Former State Department Official
• Rachel Ziemba, Founder, Ziemba Insights; Adjunct Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security

Moderator: Eduardo Martinez, NABE Energy Roundtable Co-Chair; Forecast Manager, SoCalGas

NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders.

As the U.S. housing market moves into 2026, it does so against a shifting economic backdrop—evolving monetary policy expectations, signs of labor market cooling, and persistent affordability challenges. In this webinar replay from January 30, 2026, leading housing economists unpack what these dynamics mean for the year ahead.

The discussion explores panelists’ expectations for key housing indicators in 2026, including new and existing home sales, home prices, affordability, inventory levels, and residential construction. Panelists examine how interest rates, credit conditions, income growth, and demographic trends are likely to shape outcomes, and assess where housing market imbalances may continue to linger.

Drawing on national data and industry perspectives, the conversation highlights the major risks and uncertainties facing the housing sector in 2026—and what business economists should be watching closely.

Speakers:

• Eric Lynch, Economist, NAHB
• Joel Kan, Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist, MBA
• Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research, NAR

Moderator:
Odeta Kushi, Co-Chair of the NABE Residential Real Estate Roundtable; Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist, First American

NABE ⁠is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders.

In this timely flashback episode, we revisit a standout session from the 32nd Annual NABE Economic Policy Conference in 2016 featuring Kevin Warsh, newly nominated for Chair of the Federal Reserve Board.

At the time of this discussion, Warsh was Former Governor of the Federal Reserve System and the Shepard Family Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. Drawing on his experience at the Fed, Warsh reflected on post-crisis monetary policy, discussing the challenges of economic measurement, forecasting, and the use of models in central bank decision-making. The conversation was moderated by Constance Hunter.

🎙️ A must-listen for anyone interested in Federal Reserve leadership, monetary policy history, and the perspectives shaping today’s economic landscape.

🌟Want sharp insights, candid conversations, can’t miss networking, and a front-row seat to where policy is headed? Register for the 42nd Annual NABE Economic Policy Conference, held February 22-24 in Washington, D.C.

Elaine Buckberg and Kathy Bostjancic, co-chairs of the NABE Economics Policy Conference Planning Committee, join Ellen Zentner to preview the 2026 NABE Economic Policy Conference, taking place February 22–24 in Washington, D.C.

They discuss the conference theme, “The Great Realignment,” and how AI, demographic change, and geoeconomic shifts are reshaping economic policy. The conversation highlights the standout speaker lineup—including Christine Lagarde, Fed Governors, and senior policymakers—along with key sessions, networking opportunities, and why this flagship NABE event delivers exceptional value for economists at every career stage.

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• VISIT THE CONFERENCE HOMEPAGE
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