Navigating Our Financial Times

While the Latino demographic makes up about one-fifth of the nation's population, research shows this cohort represents almost a third of U.S. economic growth. Dr. Jose Juardo, senior research economist at the Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University, joins us Navigating Our Financial Times to discuss the findings of the Latino Donor Collaborative Part 1 of the 2026 U.S. Latino Economic Impact Report, published in July.

AI has become a part of everyday live for Americans, whether we use the technology directly or not. AI-driven productivity and communications tools dominate the online experience. Speculation about the future of a workforce displaced by AI technology is rampant. And massive data centers built to house generative AI infrastructure are popping up nationwide, often met with opposition by local communities. Two journalists who’ve reported on the impact of AI in their respective beats, Justin Lahart of the Wall Street Journal and Matt Barnum of Chalkbeat Ideas, join us to break down these talking points.

Few things bring Americans together the way sports can: Regardless of cultural, political and generational divides, we love to get together for 'the big game,' to cheer on our teams and follow along with the victories and heartbreaks that are part of the sports narrative. But with the business side of sports evolving, fans have been subject to notable cost increases in ticket prices and home viewing access. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this year that prices for admission to sporting events increased by 123% from 2000 to 2025. This month on Navigating Our Financial Times, hosts Linda O'Bryon and Nicole Cox speak with Alex Jacquez, Chief of Policy and Advocacy at Groundwork Collaborative, former White House Economic Council staffer and writer of the opinion piece, "Happy Opening Day! Now get out your wallet" for MS Now, who breaks down some of the factors influencing the rapidly-changing fan experience.

One year has passed since President Donald Trump signed the HR 1 Reconciliation Bill, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. Amid the swath of concerns over expected cuts to healthcare coverage, Medicaid programs and health services in rural and tribal areas of Arizona, Hosts Linda O’Bryon and Nicole Cox sit down with two health experts to discuss what changes are coming. Emma Wager, a senior analyst for the nonpartisan health policy organization KFF, and Dr. Daniel Derksen, Director of the University of Arizona Center for Rural Health share insights on policy changes to the healthcare landscape, and how telehealth initiatives and AI tools are paving the way to transform access for rural patients.

With ongoing investments in new technologies, mineral extraction and missions for exploration, predictions show the “global space economy” could reach beyond $1 Trillion by the 2030s. Dani DellaGiustina, Ph. D., served as a deputy principal investigator in NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex mission. She breaks down the different ways public and private sectors are investing resources toward space exploration.

Listeners have long been learning about "the economic forces that shape our lives" on NPR podcast Planet Money. And now, thanks to contributor Alex Mayyasi and the Planet Money hosts, they can also turn to the pages of a book for anecdotes, visuals and more. Hosts Linda O'Bryon and Nicole Cox sit down with Mayassi and Kenny Malone to discuss the state of the economy through Planet Money's lens.

Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee joins hosts Nicole Cox and Linda O'Bryon for this special Financial Literacy Month episode. Treasurer Yee discusses the state’s 529 Education Savings Plan, which helps Arizonans save for a number of educational opportunities, as well as the work her administration has done to bolster financial education. GUESTS: Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee

Hosts Nicole Cox and Linda O'Bryon explore a key political issue facing the US: Housing affordability and availability. We hear from two experts from the University of Arizona whose research explores pathways to increasing housing affordability across the state of Arizona and the greater southwest region. We also check in with Wall Street Journal investing columnist Spencer Jakab for a macroeconomic look at the factors at play the housing market nationwide.

GUESTS: Spencer Jakab, investing columnist for the Wall Street Journal; Kenny Wong, University of Arizona Lecturer in Sustainable Built Environments and Co-Director, Arizona Research Center for Housing Equity and Sustainability (ARCHES); Daniel Kuhlmann, University of Arizona Assistant Professor of Real Estate Development and Planning with College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture

What are some of the economic, geopolitical and tech-based factors driving market trends this January? Nicole Cox and Linda O'Bryon speak with Wall Street Journal investing columnist Spencer Jakab for a deep-dive into the stock market outlook in 2026 and what investors can anticipate.

With reports of falling enrollment in public schools, changes to federal student aid and the dismantling of the US Department of Education, what do people need to pay attention to in today’s education landscape? Matt Barnum, editor and columnist for Chalkbeat Ideas and Jason Gonzales, Higher Ed and Legislative Matters Reporter for Chalkbeat Colorado join us to discuss these topics and more.