Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers
Episodes
Are Your Financial Mistakes Making Someone Else Rich? | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers discusses his mission to translate complex economic research into accessible public insights, arguing that explaining established…
Why Good Money Advice Fails to Land | Diving In
Justin Wolfers delivers a keynote to personal finance instructors, arguing that financial illiteracy costs households 2–10% of annual consumption.
What Airbags Teach Us About Artificial Intelligence | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers and producer Augusta discuss AI safety trade-offs using the airbag analogy, arguing that safety features reduce performance but are necessary given existential risks.
How Much Should We Spend to Prevent an AI Catastrophe? | Diving In
Justin Wolfers applies economic frameworks to the AI safety debate, using airbags and the value of statistical life to quantify the cost of reducing existential risk.
How Accountability Shapes National Borrowing Rates | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers and Augusta discuss the economic value of a free press, using the "boss-employee" analogy to explain how media accountability prevents…
Why Trump's Diesel Export Ban Could Raise Gas Prices | Diving In
Justin Wolfers analyzes the proposed 90-day ban on US diesel exports, arguing it fails to lower domestic prices because refineries will store fuel to sell later at higher global rates.
What Would It Take to Eliminate Poverty? | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers and Augusta discuss how poverty is measured in the US, contrasting the outdated official line with the modern supplemental measure that accounts for regional cost-of-living differences.
The Economic Cost of Trump's War on The Press | Diving In
Justin Wolfers explores the economic impact of the Trump administration’s ban on major news outlets, arguing that a free press is essential for accountability and economic stability.
What If We Just Gave Poor People Money?
Justin Wolfers and Augusta analyze the latest US poverty data, contrasting the official rate with the supplemental measure to reveal how policy…
The Fed Raised Rates. Here's What It's Fighting. | Off The Clock
Justin Wolfers and Stacy Vanek Smith discuss the Federal Reserve's unanimous decision to raise interest rates, analyzing Kevin Warsh's shift toward hawkish independence amidst political pressure.
The Hawk Behind The Hike | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers analyzes Kevin Warsh’s first Fed rate hike, explaining how overnight rates influence consumer borrowing and the broader economy.
Understanding The Fed’s Rate Hike Decision | Diving In
Justin Wolfers analyzes the Federal Reserve’s unexpected rate hike, noting that new Chair Kevin Walsh defied presidential pressure to cut rates.
The Canadian Boycott is About More than Economics | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers analyzes the escalating US-Canada trade war, noting that Canadian consumer boycotts may cost the US more than formal tariffs due to concentrated impacts on tourism and retail.
The Hidden Link Between Government Debt and Everyday Credit | Off the Clock
Stacy Bennick Smith and Justin Wolfers analyze the August inflation report, noting that while core inflation is near target, energy costs remain high and the Fed is likely to raise rates.
What August’s Inflation Report Means for You
Justin Wolfers analyzes recent inflation data showing headline prices rose 3.
Vote Republican, Get $5,000? | Diving In
Justin Wolfers analyzes President Trump’s promise of $5,000 "Trump Dividends" for every adult if Republicans win Congress, arguing it is a campaign stunt rather than serious policy.
How Governments Manipulate Statistics Without Lying | Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers discusses the Commerce Department’s removal of rules banning political interference in official statistics, clarifying that this…
Hidden Ways the Government Manipulates Data | Diving In
Justin Wolfers explains how the Trump administration quietly revised Commerce Department rules to allow political interference in government statistics.
The U.S. Canada Trade War Casts a Much Longer Shadow | Diving In
Justin Wolfers analyzes the new US-Canada trade war, noting that while the immediate economic impact is minimal, the long-term damage to integrated…
Why Tariffs Can't Rebuild American Manufacturing | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers analyzes the Trump administration's trade war, grading it an "F" for incoherence and lack of strategic planning.
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 global bond yields stem from increased loan demand driven by massive AI infrastructure spending and record US budget deficits.
Who Actually Paid for the Trade War? | Diving In
Justin Wolfers grades the Trump administration’s tariff agenda on five promises: leverage, trade deficit reduction, factory repatriation, security, and revenue.
Can You Sanction a Country That's Already Cut Off? | The Professor Is In
Justin Wolfers analyzes the White House’s “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 Warsh’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
Justin Wolfers and Megan McArdle analyze the Census Bureau’s flawed non-citizen voting report, debunking its methodology and political motivations.