Mostly Economics

AFL-CIO Chief Economist Darrick Hamilton explains how decades of failed economic policies created the conditions for Trump's rise—but also reveals why there's reason for hope. The surprisingly effective 2020 economic response wasn't an accident; it was the result of years of grassroots organizing by movements like Black Lives Matter and Occupy Wall Street. Hamilton breaks down how social movements forced politicians to abandon austerity economics during the pandemic, and what it will take to make those changes permanent in the face of Trump's renewed politics of division.

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Why do millions of working Americans still lack health insurance? Dean Baker sits down with economist John Schmitt to break down the massive gaps in U.S. healthcare coverage and what it means for workers across the country. They look at which workers are getting left behind, how the Affordable Care Act changed the game, and why low-income workers are still struggling to get coverage. Plus, they explore the maze that is our current healthcare system and discuss what real reform might look like. If you've ever wondered why healthcare coverage is such a mess in America – or if you're dealing with insurance headaches yourself – don't miss this conversation.

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Why do communities of color still face barriers to homeownership decades after civil rights legislation? In this eye-opening episode of Mostly Economics, host Dean Baker talks with Jacob Faber, Associate Professor of Sociology and Public Service at NYU's Wagner School and co-founder of the Redlining Lab, about the deep roots of housing discrimination in America.

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In this episode, host Dean Baker speaks with CEPR co-director Eileen Appelbaum to unpack the dark world of private equity. They explore how PE firms use debt-heavy buyouts, exploit tax loopholes like carried interest, and profit from management fees while acquired companies bear the financial burden. The discussion covers PE's impact on retirement, inadequate regulatory oversight, and growing ethical dilemmas as private equity increasingly targets healthcare.

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Dean Baker breaks down Medicare Advantage with experts Emma Curchin and Brandon Novick. They expose the marketing tricks, bureaucratic roadblocks, and hidden costs that trap beneficiaries. Essential viewing for anyone navigating Medicare or advocating for healthcare reform.

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Dean Baker sits down with renowned economist Richard Freeman to explore the multifaceted role of unions-not only in securing higher wages and better working conditions, but also in empowering workers with a collective voice and boosting workplace productivity. The conversation also delves into the recent wave of unionization among graduate students and post-docs, highlighting the broader implications for the academic workforce.

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In this conversation, Dean Baker and Nick Bloom discuss the evolution and current state of remote work, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. They explore the significant increase in remote work, the productivity implications, and the hybrid work model's benefits and challenges.

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Dean Baker speaks with renowned economist Isabella Weber about her influential concept of "sellers' inflation," which examines how firms with market power drive price increases during supply bottlenecks. Weber, an Associate Professor at UMass Amherst, shares her expertise on U.S.-China trade tensions and reflects on the evolution of academic responses to her once-controversial price control proposals.

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Social Security has lifted millions of seniors out of poverty, but it's under attack. In our latest episode, Dean Baker sits down with Nancy Altman, who's spent 50 years defending this critical program. Nancy cuts through the political noise to reveal what's really happening: how interference in the Social Security Administration puts our data at risk, why the system is actually incredibly efficient, and how fraud claims are being weaponized to undermine public trust. This isn't just about retirees. Social Security affects every working American, and the threats Nancy and Dean discuss could impact your future benefits. They make the case for why we need to strengthen - not weaken - this essential safety net.

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In this episode, we are talking about the tipped minimum wage with Dr. Sylvia Allegretto, CEPR Senior Economist. unpacks the little-known but widespread practice of paying tipped workers a sub-minimum wage—just $2.13 an hour at the federal level since 1991. Dean and Sylvia discuss how this "tip credit" system effectively shifts much of the wage burden from employers to customers, enables wage theft, and leaves millions of workers vulnerable, while highlighting policy solutions and the need for reform.

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