Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers

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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