What do you get when you mix taxpayer money with government priorities? A hot plate of inequality and a side of ‘WTF.’ In this episode, Max and Lisa unpack the total government spending per person in 2023, and the results are more revealing than a politician’s burner phone.

Norway’s tossing out $46K per person like it’s Mardi Gras. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s government spending looks like it came from a GoFundMe campaign. The U.S. spends $32K per person — which sounds impressive — until you realize half of it disappears into defense contractors’ yachts and overpriced prescription drugs.

Max asks: is government spending really about the people, or is it just a very expensive illusion of democracy? Lisa brings receipts (and OECD data) to dissect what this means for public trust, services, and how some countries buy dignity, while others just rent outrage.

Note: This project explores the new creative potential unlocked by generative AI, showcasing how a single person, in just two hours, can curate (not create, but curate) a polished podcast series. I recognize the critiques around AI-generated content and the potential for digital clutter but invite you to take a listen on your next walk or drive and see what you think. Audio is AI-generated by Google's NotebookLM. Images by Grok-3 and Magic Studio.