Some economists and business leaders remain (overly) optimistic about the economy. Here we bring look at diverse sets of data and conclude that consumers do not share that optimism and for good reason.

In this episode we explore not just what Amazon has done to alter consumer behavior, which is considerable, but also what it might continue to do moving forward. Adam Smith worried about the ability of sellers to control or influence the market...

In this episode we interview Brian Levine, a three-term mayor of a NJ town and former council member. Brian is a Republican who got elected and re-elected in a town that typically votes overwhelmingly Democrat. Good local government helps make ...

In this episode we explore the causes of inflation and the potential harm to consumers. We include a look at interest rates, which tend to be used as a tool against inflation.

Here we look at the risks and limited reward of broad tariffs, the disfunction of an unclear tariff policy, and the usefulness of selected, shorter-term tariffs.

In this episode we explore an aspect of private equity investments that have raised concerns regarding their impact on prices, employees, and communities.

In this episode we explore the changing job outlook and the role of higher education. 

In this episode we look at the impact of increasing income and wealth disparities and prices on consumer spending. For example, the top 10% of all US households now accounts for 50% of consumer spending and the average house price ($500K) is no...

This episode digs into the current enthusiasm for government downsizing and disinvestment. Adam Smith, ever the pragmatist, wrote that in addition to providing a defense from external threats and a fair and effective judicial system, the govern...

We begin by looking at banking as the financial services industry impacts everyone. Then we look at a dominant manufacturer – Boeing. Each of these companies have had years-long legal and ethical problems while spending millions on lobbying and...