In this meditation on economic and identity erosion, Sol examines the widening divide between premium and budget lifestyles. He explores how the middle tier—in products, housing, careers, and daily life—has systematically vanished, forcing people to choose between optimization and resignation. Sol brings compassionate clarity to how this squeeze affects family decisions, mental well-being, career aspirations, and the emotional experience of feeling caught between abundance and scarcity. The episode reveals how the disappearing middle isn't just financial pressure but the erosion of an entire identity category, leaving millions feeling they're failing at the basic project of building an ordinary, decent life.

Click here to browse handpicked Amazon finds inspired by this podcast series! https://amzn.to/424pzou

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI