POC Podcast - Progressive Opinions of Color

Nina Li Coomes is a writer based in Chicago. Nina grew up in Japan and I grew up in China, so we talk about our experiences immigrating to the U.S. and growing up in the U.S.. We also talk about her writing, language barriers in activism, talking to Asian parents about politics, public school education, patriotism, citizenship, national borders, books recs from Asian American authors, and how hot Gong Li is!

(2:30) - Nina introduces herself and her writing.
(5:00) - Nina's newest essay on Chicago public schools.
(12:00) - Immigrating to the U.S. from Japan, living as a mixed race child in the U.S. and Japan.
(18:00) - The importance of translation and reducing language barriers in activism.
(20:00) - Having political conversations with Asian parents
(23:00) - Patriotism, Imagined Communities
(27:00) - How is citizenship awarded, when is it taken away, how do you prove you're a citizen? Chinese citizenship.
(30:00) - Regional dialects.
(32:00) - Nina's book recs by Asian American authors!
(34:15) - Asian American representation in literature and film. Amy Tan, Crazy Rich Asians, The Half of It, Mulan.


Contact Nancy at:
[email protected]
Website
POC Podcast has an Instagram now!
And a Twitter!

Nina:
Twitter
Instagram
Ode to a Chicago Public School

Book recs: 
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
How Much of These Hills is Gold by C Pan Zhang
Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong
Harmless Like You by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan
Starling Days by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan

Welcome to Progressive Opinions of Color (POC), a podcast that seeks to create space for more people of color in politics and economics. With the 2020 presidential election coming up and the state of the economy during COVID-19, it is more important than ever to think about who we include in the conversations about politics and economics. I am Nancy Wu, your host. I’m also an Asian American woman, an economist, and a huge politics and policy nerd. I triple majored in Economics, Government (Political Science) and Gender Studies at Dartmouth and have a Master’s in Development Economics from Oxford. I work as an Economist full time and have previously worked in economic policy at the White House (under Obama, of course) and progressive think tanks. The goal of this podcast is to engage the Asian American community and other POC and BIPOC voices in an industry that is so heavily represented by old white men. The POC Podcast will host conversations on the 2020 Presidential Election, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, the coronavirus pandemic, the state of the economy, and other pressing topics in politics, economics, and culture, all through perspectives inclusive of the lived experiences of people of color. Whether you're new to politics or already a huge politics nerd, I hope this podcast inspires community and conversation among us. Join me in reimagining politics and economics with underrepresented voices. The economy is complicated enough. Learn about it through stories from real people.

Support the show

Economist Nancy answers all your questions about the economy!
S&P 500 and Nasdaq at record highs (and as of 9/3, dropping again)? What is GDP and is it the right measure of an economy's success? What are alternatives to GDP? What's up with the rising deficit? Will we have inflation? What about interest rates?

(1:15)- What are flaws of using the S&P 500, Dow Jones, or NASDAQ to measure the economy?
(1:45)- What are these stock indices?
(3:15) - S&P 500 and Nasdaq set new records in September, showing optimism in the economy.
(4:00) - THE STOCK MARKET IS NOT THE ECONOMY!  The economy is still far from recovering. 16 million people are still unemployed.
(4:45) - THESE INDICES ARE NOT THE STOCK MARKET! These indices give disproportionate weight to tech.
(5:30) - How should we be measuring the strength of the economy, if not the stock market? What is GDP?
(5:45) - Downfalls of GDP. What does high GDP mean for the environment?
(7:15) - Alternatives to GDP: Andrew Yang's human metrics and Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics theory.
(9:10) - My thoughts on how to measure economic success.
(9:30) - Is the national deficit increasing not a problem or a huge problem? I’ve heard both!
(9:45) - Difference between deficit and debt.
(10:00) - What the media is saying about the dangers of rising deficits and it's all bullshit.
(11:00) - Debt to GDP.
(11:15) - Deficit in the context of the CARES Act and COVID.
(11:40) - Goal of deficits is to raise GDP and prevent a WORSE AND LONGER RECESSION.
(12:00) - Interest rates are low. What that means for the deficit and debt.
(12:30) - When stimulus packages work: is the economy demand constrained or supply constrained?
(13:45) - SHOULD WE WORRY ABOUT INFLATION?
(14:10) - What happened to the economy during COVID?
(15:30) - How do we finance the stimulus? Not taxes!
(15:50) - Inflation again, and interest rates.
(17:25) - My thoughts on dumb economics and politicians. What is the goal here? To ensure that people have necessary resources, not an artificial metric that critics don't even understand!
(19:25) - My investment strategy with index funds and S&P 500 long term investment and returns for retirement.

Contact Nancy at:
[email protected]
POC Podcast has an Instagram now! 

Welcome to Progressive Opinions of Color (POC), a podcast that seeks to create space for more people of color in politics and economics. With the 2020 presidential election coming up and the state of the economy during COVID-19, it is more important than ever to think about who we include in the conversations about politics and economics. I am Nancy Wu, your host. I’m also an Asian American woman, an economist, and a huge politics and policy nerd. I triple majored in Economics, Government (Political Science) and Gender Studies at Dartmouth and have a Master’s in Development Economics from Oxford. I work as an Economist full time and have previously worked in economic policy at the White House (under Obama, of course) and progressive think tanks. The goal of this podcast is to engage the Asian American community and other POC and BIPOC voices in an industry that is so heavily represented by old white men. The POC Podcast will host conversations on the 2020 Presidential Election, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, the coronavirus pandemic, the state of the economy, and other pressing topics in politics, economics, and culture, all through perspectives inclusive of the lived experiences of people of color. Whether you're new to politics or already a huge politics nerd, I hope this podcast inspires community and conversation among us. Join me in reimagining politics and economics with underrepresented voices. The economy is complicated enough

Support the show

David Kim joins Nancy Wu today to talk about how our Asian immigrant parents have shaped our views on economics and politics. David gives his experience as being undocumented and an Asian American, the importance of DACA, the lengthy process of applying for a Green Card. We also talk about WHAT exactly IS ECONOMICS, what are its shortcomings, and what are some personal finance tips for saving and investing for retirement. We also talk about racial microaggressions, gender and representation, and what representation means.

Contact Nancy at:
[email protected]

POC Podcast has an Instagram now! 

David Kim
Instagram 

Welcome to Progressive Opinions of Color (POC), a podcast that seeks to create space for more people of color in politics and economics. With the 2020 presidential election coming up and the state of the economy during COVID-19, it is more important than ever to think about who we include in the conversations about politics and economics. I am Nancy Wu, your host. I’m also an Asian American woman, an economist, and a huge politics and policy nerd. I triple majored in Economics, Government (Political Science) and Gender Studies at Dartmouth and have a Master’s in Development Economics from Oxford. I work as an Economist full time and have previously worked in economic policy at the White House (under Obama, of course) and progressive think tanks. The goal of this podcast is to engage the Asian American community and other POC and BIPOC voices in an industry that is so heavily represented by old white men. The POC Podcast will host conversations on the 2020 Presidential Election, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, the coronavirus pandemic, the state of the economy, and other pressing topics in politics, economics, and culture, all through perspectives inclusive of the lived experiences of people of color. Whether you're new to politics or already a huge politics nerd, I hope this podcast inspires community and conversation among us. Join me in reimagining politics and economics with underrepresented voices. The economy is complicated enough. Learn about it through stories from real people.

Support the show

Nancy Wu talks with Rachel and Adam Svatos, progressive activists in the the predominantly Republican, Inland Empire, California.

We discuss ALL ABOUT LOCAL ELECTIONS and BLACK LIVES MATTER, and some quick thoughts on the 2020 Presidential Election.
(6:30)-How every vote counts at local elections.
(7:20)-How to register to vote.
(8:40)-How much it costs to run a local campaign, financing a local campaign, why campaign funding and expenses biases many areas to Republicans and wealthier politicians.
(13:35)- How to choose which local candidate to vote for.
(15:15)-What local politicians are responsible for that the Federal level is not: Zoning, hiring locally, community benefit agreements.
(18:50)-Black Lives Matter and grassroots political organizations. Why peaceful protests don't work. Jacob Blake. Police are poorly trained. Acts in congress right now to pass legislation for police reform. The PEACE Act. Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act. Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act.
(30:30)- What you can do to get involved with grassroots organizing and the power of grassroots movements and local politics.
(32:30)- What is the difference between Progressives and Establishment Democrats?
An update to thoughts on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and the DNC. Funding Medicare for All. Why Biden might lose! Why Hillary Clinton lost 2016.

Contact Nancy at:
[email protected]
Instagram

Rachel Svatos
Instagram 

Adam Svatos
Instagram

Welcome to Progressive Opinions of Color (POC), a podcast that seeks to create space for more people of color in politics and economics. With the 2020 presidential election coming up and the state of the economy during COVID-19, it is more important than ever to think about who we include in the conversations about politics and economics. I am Nancy Wu, your host. I’m also an Asian American woman, an economist, and a huge politics and policy nerd. I triple majored in Economics, Government (Political Science) and Gender Studies at Dartmouth and have a Master’s in Development Economics from Oxford. I work as an Economist full time and have previously worked in economic policy at the White House (under Obama, of course) and progressive think tanks. The goal of this podcast is to engage the Asian American community and other POC and BIPOC voices in an industry that is so heavily represented by old white men. The POC Podcast will host conversations on the 2020 Presidential Election, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, the coronavirus pandemic, the state of the economy, and other pressing topics in politics, economics, and culture, all through perspectives inclusive of the lived experiences of people of color. Whether you're new to politics or already a huge politics nerd, I hope this podcast inspires community and conversation among us. Join me in reimagining politics and economics with underrepresented voices. The economy is complicated enough. Learn about it through stories from real people.

Support the show

The economy is complicated enough to understand as it is. Learn about it through stories from real people.

Nancy Wu talks with Isaac Miller about his experiences through work and layoffs during the coronavirus pandemic, and his experiences with unemployment insurance, the enhanced unemployment assistance benefits of the CARES act, how COVID-19 has impacted the economy, and how a pandemic has changed how we think about work-life balance. Isaac Miller works as a photographer, teacher, Uber driver, and at an LA juicery.

(1:30) - Isaac's Intro
(2:45) - Savings rate and spending from unemployment relief. Unemployment insurance and spending patterns since COVID.
(4:10) - Adjustment period between layoffs and unemployment insurance and CARES Act $600/week.
(4:30) - Isaac's Uber driving, after school teaching, photography jobs layoff story and employment on pause stories.
(9:10) - Unemployment insurance and enhanced unemployment assistance benefits.
(11:30) - Life after unemployment assistance and starting a savings account.
(16:00) - Will relief bills really make people not want to work?!
(21:00) - Isaac's method for reforming the CARES Act and stimulus bill reform calculation and implementation.
(23:00) - Where is all the money in this rich ass country going if not to stimulus bills!?
(24:15) - Andrew Yang's universal basic income.
(25:30) - What COVID made us realize about work, burnout, spending patterns, and mental health. Isaac's FIVE job!
(35:20) - The worst thing about interacting with people in person at work!
(38:00) - Brick and mortar stores, the service and hospitality economies, starting a business. How plans change post pandemic.
(39:00) - Thoughts on what life will be like after the pandemic.
(41:00) - Anti-vax community and Life after the pandemic for the Immunocompromised.
(46:00) - Isaac speaking MANDARIN!
(47:00) - Wuhan's response vs. Trump's response to coronavirus.

Contact Nancy at:
[email protected]
LinkedIn
Instagram

Isaac's Instagram


Welcome to Progressive Opinions of Color (POC), a podcast that seeks to create space for more people of color in politics and economics. With the 2020 presidential election coming up and the state of the economy during COVID-19, it is more important than ever to think about who we include in the conversations about politics and economics. I am Nancy Wu, your host. I’m also an Asian American woman, an economist, and a huge politics and policy nerd. I triple majored in Economics, Government (Political Science) and Gender Studies at Dartmouth and have a Master’s in Development Economics from Oxford. I work as an Economist full time and have previously worked in economic policy at the White House (under Obama, of course) and progressive think tanks. The goal of this podcast is to engage the Asian American community and other POC and BIPOC voices in an industry that is so heavily represented by old white men. The POC Podcast will host conversations on the 2020 Presidential Election, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, the coronavirus pandemic, the state of the economy, and other pressing topics in politics, economics, and culture, all through perspectives inclusive of the lived experiences of people of color. Whether you're new to politics or already a huge politics nerd, I hope this podcast inspires community and conversation among us. Join me in reimagining politics and economics with underrepresented voices.

Support the show

On the first episode of the POC Podcast, Nancy breaks down her thoughts on Kamala Harris and the DNC.

The questions answered:
Is Kamala Harris progressive enough?
What was her track record as Senator of California?
What does representation mean and is representation important?
What were the things that Biden and the DNC did well?
What was up with the Republican air time at the DNC?
What are ways to hold our politicians accountable beyond voting?
How has #blacklivesmatter shaped Biden's platform?
How do other countries perceive the Democrats in the U.S.?
What progress has the Democratic platform made that we can be proud of?

Contact Nancy at:
[email protected]
Instagram

Welcome to the Progressive Opinions of Color (POC) Podcast, a place to reimagine politics and economics with underrepresented voices. This podcast has a Progressive tilt and welcomes you whether you're new to politics and want to learn more what Progressivism is, or you're already a Bernie Bro. Nancy Wu, the host, is an Asian American woman, an economist, and a huge politics and policy nerd. The goal of this podcast is to engage the Asian American community and other POC and BIPOC voices in an industry that is so heavily represented by old white men. The POC Podcast will host conversations on the 2020 Presidential Election, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, the coronavirus pandemic, the state of the economy, and other pressing topics in politics, economics, and culture, all through perspectives inclusive of the lived experiences of people of color. 

Support the show

Welcome to the Progressive Opinions of Color (POC) Podcast. I am your host, Nancy Wu. I started this podcast to create space for more people of color in politics and economics. With the 2020 presidential election coming up and the state of the economy during COVID-19, it is more important than ever to think about who we include in the conversations about politics and economics. As an Asian American, I especially don't hear political podcasts from the Asian American podcast community, and I'd love to break that barrier. Whether you're new to politics or already a huge politics nerd, I hope this podcast inspires community and conversation among us.

Contact Nancy at:
[email protected]
Instagram

Support the show