The Fed Chair Won't Talk (But Markets Listened Anyway) | Off the Clock
Aug 29, 2026 · 1h 2m
Summary
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." They discuss the escalating US-Canada trade tensions, noting that while current tariffs are small, the risk of escalation mirrors geopolitical conflicts like those with Iran. The episode emphasizes that economics is fundamentally about cooperation rather than zero-sum competition, concluding with a segment on the economic themes in Dolly Parton’s work.
Topics discussed
Intro: RingCentral AI and podcast welcome
Jackson Hole and Kevin Warsh's Fed nomination
Warsh's hawkish history and Trump's influence
Silent Kevin: Warsh's lack of transparency
Market reactions and the 'glass handcuffs' theory
Greenspan comparison and forward guidance
Sponsors: DeleteMe and NerdWallet
US-Canada trade tensions and tariffs
Economic sanctions on Iran and cooperation
Chart vs Chart: Warsh's impact on rates
Chart vs Chart: Women's labor force participation
The economics of Dolly Parton's music
Outro and MaintainX sponsor
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