Optimist Economy

Kathryn Anne Edwards and Robin Rauzi•optimisteconomy.substack.com

On this show, we believe the U.S. economy can be better, and we talk about how to get there, one problem and solution at a time.

Ask us questions, or send us your worries, at: [email protected]

Support us at https://buymeacoffee.com/optimisteconomy

Get our newsletter, show notes and more at optimisteconomy.com

Follow on

Episodes

Work Rules for the Modern World

Never heard of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938? It’s why there’s a minimum wage, overtime pay, and 12-year-olds can’t legally have a job. It’s also due for a 21st-century update. What would these “New Work Standards” include? Let’s start with the right to request remote work, part-time schedules, or non-traditional hours. This shift would be a game-changer for folks with disabilities, parents juggling young kids, or anyone going through tough personal times. This is also a way to grow the e...

Apr 15, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Robin Loves a Tax Story

The United States is more than 20 years into a tax experiment – an era of a cumulative $7 trillion in tax cuts. How’s that working out? Well, we have worsening income inequality and public faith in the tax system is cratering. Meanwhile every social policy is conceptualized as some kind of tax cut/credit. The question for our optimistic future is, are you ready for tax fairness if that means you don't get that deduction? You can also find Optimist Economy on: TikTok YouTube Instagram Substack (C...

Apr 08, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Social Security Don’t Miss

What’s with the persistent narrative of Social Security's impending doom? Are the baby boomers draining the trust fund? Are Americans living too long? No and no. There are just two of the many misunderstandings people have about what Kathryn will tell you (for hours if you let her) is, truly, the most popular and effective public program in U.S. history. She’s also optimistic that Congress will make necessary reforms just before the trust fund is depleted in 2035. Which is good. Because Robin do...

Apr 01, 2025•53 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Is This a Recession or Not?

Wouldn’t it be funny if we launched a podcast called “Optimist Economy” at the very moment the economy started to slide? Nice timing, us! In this bonus episode we dive into the data that has folks spooked. We also talk about if willy-nilly tariff policy (technical economic term there) is to blame, whether a recession is more like a wildfire or a hurricane, and how a recession might affect you. Also, who gets to declare, “Recession on!” Can we squeeze an ounce of optimism out of a recession episo...

Mar 28, 2025•47 min

An Elegy for the DEI Boogeyman

Rapidly changed government and corporate policies mean the era of DEI is coming to a screeching halt. But gross racial discrimination in the U.S. labor market persists. Just one example: The black unemployment rate is almost always double the white unemployment rate. In this episode we muddle through what can be said about DEI now at its funeral that wasn’t said during its lifespan.

Mar 25, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 2

All We've Tried is Nothing!

Who are we and what in the world is an “optimist economy?” For our first show, we (Kathryn and Robin) introduce ourselves, explain how we met, and lay out our goals for our new podcast . We want Optimist Economy to empower listeners to understand the economy we have, but also the one we can have so they feel good about the future. The truth is, America’s best economic era is yet to come. It has to be, because there are so many good solutions out there that U.S. policymakers have never tried....

Mar 18, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Welcome to Optimist Economy

Here at Optimist Economy , we recognize that today’s economy isn’t great for a lot of Americans. That is exactly why now’s the time to talk about how it could be so much better — whether you’re hunting for a first job or worried about the future of Social Security. Co-hosts Kathryn (a labor economist) and Robin (an editor) decided to make Optimist Economy because everyone deserves an economy worth looking forward to. Join us here every week as we work through what that is, one problem and soluti...

Mar 17, 2025•1 min

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android

Open in Metacast