The Gustonomics Podcast

On the Downside - Economic Risks and the Likelihood of a Recession

Economists don’t like to talk with certainty about the future of the economy. Instead, they talk about probabilities. Liz breaks down the risks to the economy and why it means that a downturn is currently more probable than continued growth, even if neither is as likely as a stable outlook.
Show notes
A Brief History Of U.S. Government Shutdowns and Why Other Countries Do Not Have Them [PGPF]

The Jobs Report Isn’t What It Seems

The economy added twice the expected number of jobs in September - 336,000. Liz breaks down the jobs report, explains why the top-line number is becoming less useful, and why not everyone is feeling “good job market” vibes.

Loan and Behold: Student Debt Repayments Are Back

About 43.5 million Americans resumed payments on $1.8 trillion dollars of student debt on October 1st. There's widespread concern about potential economic fallout. Liz breaks it down to describe what borrowers, businesses, and economists can expect.
Show notes
Income-Based Repayment Program [FSA]
Employer-Sponsored Student Loan Assistance [US Chamber]

Bonus Explainer - How Low Interest Rates Raise Stock Prices

Liz explains the connection between interest rates and stock prices. This is a companion to “The Stock Market is Not the Economy”

The Stock Market is Not the Economy

When the economy is doing well, shouldn’t the stock market be too? Not necessarily. Liz breaks down why the stock market and the economy don’t always go together, and what you should pay attention to if you want to understand what’s ahead for you.
 
Show notes
The equity market and GDP: Less linked than you might think

GDP: The Mother of All Economic Metrics

Gross domestic product, aka GDP, is the best known economic indicator out there. It gets thrown around by news reporters, politicians and commentators, all the time, and without much context. So what is it really? And is it really that great at telling us anything about the economy. Liz breaks it down.

What Are U(nions) Telling Us?

Labor unions are having a moment. Or several actually. But in the grand scheme of things, the labor activism of the last couple of years isn’t necessarily a sign that unions are making a comeback. In this week’s episode, Liz puts the recent strikes in context, and explains how to think about them.

The Fed’s Next Big Meeting

The Federal Reserve’s next Federal Open Market Committee meeting is coming up and Liz Wilke is here to explain it to you.

The Price of Everything | Inflation and the Consumer Price Index

Inflation has been on everyone’s mind for the last couple of years. In this episode, Liz tackles the hottest topic in economics, how it makes us feel, and why we should care about it for more than its impact on our wallets.
Show notes
Inflation calculators:
Barron's
Truflation
Financial Times

Pay Transparency Is Anything But Clear

Eight states and six metro areas have enacted pay transparency laws in the last few years. The benefits of these policies to workers are well known and much celebrated, but the drawbacks less so. Liz explains both sides and what your position on the debate might say about you.
 
Show notes
Equilibrium Effects of Pay Transparency [HBS]Pay Transparency and the Gender Gap [AEA]