Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers
Episodes
The Jobs Report Beat Expectations. Will The Fed Care?
Justin Wolfers analyzes the strong August jobs report, which added 162,000 positions, significantly beating expectations.
The Bond Sell-Off Isn’t the Scary Part | Diving In
Justin Wolfers explains that rising long-term interest rates stem from increased borrowing demand due to AI infrastructure, massive US budget deficits, and geopolitical risks.
Who Actually Paid for the Trade War? | Diving In
Justin Wolfers grades the Trump administration’s tariff agenda on five promises: leverage, trade deficits, factory returns, security, and revenue.
Can You Sanction a Country That's Already Cut Off? | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers analyzes the US "Operation Economic Outcast" against Iran, comparing it to the Cuba embargo and questioning its efficacy.
The Fed Chair Won't Talk (But Markets Listened Anyway) | Off the Clock
Justin Wolfers and Stacey Vanek Smith analyze Fed Chair Kevin Walsh’s Jackson Hole speech, debating his shift toward less transparency and the concept of "glass handcuffs.
Why the BLS Guardrails Held — and the Census Bureau's Failed | The Professor Is In
How To Fake a Voting Scandal | Diving In
Justin Wolfers debunks a Census Bureau report claiming 24,000 non-citizens voted in 2020, labeling it partisan propaganda produced by Trump-aligned analysts rather than career statisticians.
America Is Reusing Cuba’s Sanctions Strategy on Iran | Diving In
Justin Wolfers analyzes Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s new sanctions on Iran, comparing them to the failed 1960s Cuba embargo.
The Economics of Feeling Ripped Off | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers and Megan Connors discuss the economic fallacy of lowering absolute prices versus reducing inflation, explaining why deflation risks severe recession.
[BONUS EPISODE] What the Heck is Going On In the Bond Market? | Diving In
Justin Wolfers and Ben Meisels analyze the surge in US bond yields, attributing it to massive government deficits and AI-driven borrowing.
Burrito-gate and the Affordability Paradox | Diving In
Justin Wolfers uses the rising cost of burritos to explain the gap between Americans' perception of an affordability crisis and data showing real wages have recovered.
How Lab-Grown Diamonds Broke the Market | Off the Clock
Justin Wolfers and Stacey Vanek-Smith analyze recent inflation and labor market data, discussing Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s opaque communication style…
If AI Does Your Job, Who Gets Paid? | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers discusses the global decline in labor’s share of income, attributing it to technological change and shifting political norms rather than just US-specific policies.
No, the K-shaped Economy Isn't Over | Diving In
Justin Wolfers explains why record stock markets feel disconnected from stagnant wages, highlighting that labor’s share of national income has hit an all-time low of 54 cents per dollar.
Inflation Is Still High. Just As We Thought. | Diving In
Justin Wolfers analyzes recent inflation data, noting headline inflation at 3.
AI's Biggest Problem May Be Its Pace | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers and Megan Connors analyze the 1850s bootmaking industry to contextualize AI’s impact on labor.
The July Jobs Report Should Worry You | Diving In
Justin Wolfers analyzes the disappointing July jobs report, which showed a loss of 23,000 jobs and significant downward revisions for previous months.
How Early Access to Trump’s Truths Will Drain Ordinary Investors | Diving In
This segment explores high-frequency trading, where firms use advanced text-reading algorithms to execute strategies at speeds incomprehensible to ordinary people.
What Victorian Bootmakers Can Teach Us About The Future of Work | Diving In
Justin Wolfers uses Hilary Verdond’s research on Victorian bootmaking to illustrate how technology reshapes work.
Economics Is Not a Subject — It's a Toolkit | Economics Matters
Justin Wolfers joins Larry Kotlikoff to discuss his research on marriage, happiness, and the role of economists.
Tariffs, Take Three: The Dumbest Round Yet | Off the Clock
How SNAP's New Rules Make Eligible Families Go Hungry | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers and Megan Connors discuss recent SNAP cuts, noting that 4 million people lost benefits due to stricter administrative burdens.
The Lawyer’s Theory of Trade | Diving In
Should Canada answer Trump's tariffs? | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers analyzes President Trump’s new tariffs on Canada, arguing they stem from political signaling rather than economic logic.
The Biggest Economic Story Nobody's Talking About | Diving In
Justin Wolfers analyzes the severe impact of recent SNAP cuts embedded in the 2025 budget law, which funded tax cuts for the wealthy by slashing food assistance.
Why Trump’s New Tariff Is Bigger Than Canada | Diving In
Justin Wolfers analyzes President Trump’s new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, arguing they serve as a warning to global partners rather than addressing specific trade disputes.
Justin Answers Your Questions on Trump Accounts | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers and Megan Connors analyze the "Trump accounts," criticizing them as temporary populist giveaways paired with permanent tax breaks for the wealthy.
What Reese's Cups and Canadian Wildfires Can Teach Us About Economics | Off the Clock
Justin Wolfers and Stacey Vanek-Smith analyze the stalled Iran ceasefire, rising oil prices, and "skimpflation," where companies swap ingredients to cut costs.
The Truth About Trump Accounts (Read the Fine Print) | Diving In
Justin Wolfers dissects "Trump accounts," revealing them as a temporary $1,000 baby bond paired with a permanent tax break for savings.
Good News on Inflation — With a Very Big Asterisk
Justin Wolfers analyzes recent US inflation data, noting headline rates fell to 3.
Could Price Comparison Apps Be Making Gas MORE Expensive? | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers and Megan Connors explore why gas prices rise quickly but fall slowly, discussing concepts like sticky prices, menu costs, and production asymmetries.
The Hidden Pattern in Gas Prices (And How to Beat It) | Diving In
Justin Wolfers explains the "rockets and feathers" phenomenon, where gas prices rise quickly with oil costs but fall slowly.
Feel Your Feelings: Jobs, Trump Accounts, and America's Big Birthday | Off the Clock
Justin Wolfers and Stacey Vanek-Smith analyze a sluggish jobs report, noting low hiring and firing rates that trap workers despite low unemployment.