Southwest Economy Podcast

Dallas Fed economist Srini Ramaswamy explains how data center construction is behind a wave of company bond issuance and influencing the interest costs of debt.

Kaes Van't Hof, chief executive officer of Diamondback Energy, an independent energy producer in the Permian Basin, discusses the company's energy prospects in the region and how supporting its hometown of Midland plays a pivotal role.

Bill King, a fellow at the Rice University's Baker Institute who follows demographic trends, believes Houston's sustained, rapid growth may be over. He discusses how the metro area may want to consider a future where new residents no longer strain public services.

Texas cattleman Leslie Callahan discusses why that summertime grilling is likely to remain pricey as the industry contends with fewer ranchers and the threat of disease. Dallas Fed economists Emily Kerr and Mariam Yousuf explore with him the outlook for an iconic Texas industry.

Gary Hoover, author of Ladder or Lottery: Economic Promises and the Reality of Who Gets Ahead, discusses with Dallas Fed economist Pia Orrenius why some people who follow the rules for getting ahead instead fall behind.

Ken Simonson, chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America, discusses the outlook for construction activity amid many challenges including immigration enforcement and tariffs.

Jim Burke, the CEO of Texas-based electricity provider Vistra, discusses the challenges of serving the state and U.S. markets at a time of expanding power demand from data centers and residential users. The Dallas Fed's Pia Orrenius and Garrett Golding explore with Burke what will be needed to keep up.

Cullum Clark, director of the Bush Institute–SMU Economic Growth Initiative and an adjunct economics professor at Southern Methodist University, discusses his recent report, "Build Homes, Expand Opportunity; Lessons from America's Fastest-Growing Cities" with the Dallas Fed's Pia Orrenius.

Texas is a leader in accepting credentials from for-profit teacher certification providers. Dallas Fed economist Christa Deneault's research examines how the Texas program stacks up with credentials earned through more conventional means. She discusses her findings with the Dallas Fed's Pia Orrenius.

Garheng Kong, a physician by training, founded Austin-based private equity firm HealthQuest Capital more than a decade ago. He reflects on how changing attitudes and technology, including AI, are changing U.S. health care.