We trace the story of American economic crises from the crash of 1929 to today’s inflationary pressures. Moving through the Great Depression, the postwar boom, stagflation of the 1970s, financial deregulation, the 2008 housing collapse, and the pandemic shock of 2020, we examines how each cycle reshaped the fortunes of the middle and lower middle class. We trace the wake of the 2008 crisis, and dissect an economy defined by fragility, inflation, and constrained opportunity.

Drawing on insights from Lords of Finance by Liaquat Ahamed and All the Devils Are Here by Bethany McLean and Joe Nocera, the narrative offers a factual, steady account of how markets, policies, and institutions intersect with everyday lives. It is our history, an exploration of cycles and their generational pressures, allowing listeners to form their own judgments about where the economy stands today.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit codeandcouncil.substack.com