Hubbard OBrien Economics Podcast

Join authors Glenn Hubbard & Tony O’Brien as they discuss rising long-term bond yields and their economic implications. Topics discussed include the federal government's large budget deficit, concerns about fiscal credibility, and the Federal Reserve's inability to meet its inflation target. The discussion also touched on the connection between federal budget deficits and trade imbalances, highlighting how large deficits do require the U.S. to borrow from foreign investors.

Hubbard O'Brien Economics Podcast - 04-11-26 - Federal Reserve, Inflation, and AI Security by Hubbard OBrien Economics

Hubbard O'Brien Economics Podcast - 02-28-26 - Tariffs & AI's Impact on the Economy by Hubbard OBrien Economics

In their recent podcast, Glenn Hubbard and Tony O'Brien discuss the current state of the U.S. economy amid data gaps caused by government shutdowns, highlighting persistent inflation and the Federal Reserve's dilemma over interest rate cuts. They explore the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market, noting uncertainty about whether recent layoffs are a sign of deeper structural changes or typical market churn. The conversation also covers the effects of tariffs, emphasizing the complexity of predicting price changes and the dual goals of protection and revenue generation, while underscoring the importance of monitoring these developments for future economic policy.

In today’s episode, Glenn Hubbard and Tony O’Brien take on three timely topics that are shaping economic conversations across the country. They begin with a discussion on tariffs, exploring how recent trade policies are influencing prices, production decisions, and global relationships. From there, they turn to the independence of the Federal Reserve Bank, explaining why central bank autonomy is essential for sound monetary policy and what risks arise when political pressures creep in. Finally, they shed light on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), unpacking how its data collection and reporting play a vital role in guiding both public understanding and policymaking. It’s a lively and informative conversation that brings clarity to complex issues—and it’s perfect for students, instructors, and anyone interested in how economics connects to the real world.

Join authors Glenn Hubbard and Tony O'Brien as they discuss the impact of new tariff policies on trade but also on the larger economy. They delve into the Fed, monetary policy, and the impact on inflation. They also discuss some of the history back to when tariffs used to be a high proportion of government revenue and analyze the mix of products that are imported & exported by the US. Should the Fed change it's current behavior due to the tariff environment?

Hubbard O'Brien Economics Podcast - 01-17-25 - Pros/Cons of Tariffs & Impact of AI by Hubbard OBrien Economics

Join authors Glenn Hubbard & Tony O'Brien as they provide an update on the Macroeconomy. They offer thoughts on the likelihood of a soft landing and if the actions of the Federal Reserve helped or hindered that process. The monetary and fiscal challenges facing the new administration are real and the Fed will begin its process of rate-cutting this week in the upcoming FOMC meeting. Gain insight into this evolving situation through listening to this podcast.

Join authors Glenn Hubbard & Tony O'Brien as they react to the jobs report of over 300K jobs created which was way over expectations of about 200K. They consider the impact of this report as the Fed considers the next steps for the economy. Are we on a glide path for a soft landing at 2% inflation or will the Fed reconsider its long-standing target by adopting a higher 3% target? Glenn and Tony offer interesting viewpoints on where this is headed.

Join authors Glenn Hubbard & Tony O'Brien as they reflect on the Fed's efforts to execute the soft landing, ponder if the effect will stick, and wonder if future economies will be tethered to an anchor point above two percent.