Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers

14:26

Better Lawyers, Worse Economics: Inside Trump's...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/06/17

Trump's trade war just won't die. After the Supreme Court struck down his "Liberation Day" tariffs and courts blocked his emergency global surcharge, the White House is back with a third attempt — this time wrapped in language forced labor, unfair trade practices, and a legal paper trail designed to survive court challenges. It's a new legal strategy, but the same chaotic trade war that's been whipsawing businesses, allies, and consumers for months. The problem isn't just legal — it's

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17:30

The Job Numbers Will Probably Get Revised—That’s Not...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/06/15

Justin Wolfers breaks down the biggest myths surrounding the monthly jobs report, starting with why strong hiring doesn't always move the unemployment rate. He also addresses the recurring claim that new jobs are low quality or mostly second jobs, explaining that the jobs report simply doesn't contain enough detail to support those conclusions in real time. The conversation then goes deep on revisions, seasonal adjustments, and benchmark updates — and why none of these are signs of

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51:01

Inflation Is Up—Temporary Bedfellow or Long-term...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/06/15

The work week may be over, but the economy really never takes time off. In this week’s episode of Off the Clock, Justin Wolfers and Stacey Vanek Smith help you cut through the noise and figure out what you should actually care about from this week’s economic news. They skip the SpaceX hype and dig into the stuff that shapes your real life—inflation eating into your paycheck and the slow-motion crisis threatening Social Security. Justin argues this is the biggest story no one is

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8:24

Are Markets Getting Suckered By Trump's Truth...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/06/11

What happens when markets have to price the risks of war and presidential credibility at the same time? In this episode, Justin Wolfers explains why U.S. stocks keep rising and falling with Trump’s Truth Social posts, despite their questionable truthfulness. The core point: even if investors discount what the president says, they continue to react because the stakes are so large. And the repeated claims that peace is just around the corner create a deeper problem. If investors come to treat

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19:17

Trump Tried to Mess With the Jobs Report. It Didn't...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/06/10

When the latest jobs report showed strong numbers, the internet exploded with accusations of fraud and government manipulation. And given everything the Trump administration has done—firing the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, attempting to install a partisan loyalist in her place—that skepticism isn't entirely unfounded. But skepticism and dismissal are two very different things. In this video, I want to give you the tools to evaluate the data yourself, rather than simply asking

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24:10

The Future of Work Is Care—Can Men Adapt? | The...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/06/08

America keeps talking about manufacturing — but the labor market is growing elsewhere. In this Q&A, Justin Wolfers answers audience questions and responds to subscriber comments from his recent episode diving into the gender gap in recent job growth. Topics addressed include: how the gender wage gap fits into the story, what’s standing in the way of more men entering care jobs, and whether the demand for labor in traditionally masculine fields has been overhyped. It’s a

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51:20

Why The Stock Market Hated May’s Strong Jobs Report |...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/06/06

In this episode of Off the Clock, Justin unwinds the week’s economic news with his friend, Stacey Vanek Smith—senior writer for Bloomberg Businessweek and cohost of the Everybody’s Business podcast. The goal of this series is to help you understand what to actually be concerned about, what you can safely ignore, and where there’s room for a bit of hope. They dig into May’s better-than-expected jobs report, the stock market’s confusing reaction, and the recent

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13:23

The Pink-Collar Economy Is Here | Diving In

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/06/03

Since the start of President Trump’s second term, women have received 86% of net new payroll jobs and now hold slightly more non-farm payroll jobs than men. In this episode, Justin Wolfers explains why that shift is happening and what it says about our modern U.S. economy. This trend is not driven by employers suddenly preferring women over men, but by which parts of the economy are actually growing. The industries adding jobs are disproportionately female-heavy – especially healthcare

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22:28

A Gas Tax Holiday Is Performative Nonsense | The...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/05/30

What happens when politicians try to look like they’re fixing high gas prices without actually fixing them? Justin Wolfers explains why a federal gas tax holiday is bad economics, good theater, and a gift to oil companies. In a follow-up to his explainer episode, Justin answers audience questions about windfall taxes, what smarter relief could look like, whether a diesel tax holiday make any more sense, and why gas prices carry so much psychological weight in American politics. Like and review

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17:33

A Gas Tax Holiday Would Miss the Point—And the People...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/05/27

A gas tax holiday sounds like relief, but gets the economics wrong in almost every direction. Today’s high prices are a war problem — not a tax problem. And cheaper gas is the exact wrong response to a shortage. When something is scarce, higher prices send a signal to conserve, but a tax cut blunts that signal and encourages more demand at exactly the wrong moment. It's akin to subsidizing showers in a drought. Even more frustrating, the difference between impact and incidence means that

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43:57

Is Inflation Going to Ruin the Summer? | Off the Clock

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/05/23

Justin Wolfers is back with Stacey Vanek Smith to break down three of the biggest stories in economic news. Starting with the arrival of new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh — and the question of which Kevin Warsh will show up for the job: the inflation hawk from the Great Recession, or a more political figure likely to echo President Trump's calls for lower interest rates. Next, Justin and Stacey cover Bond Market 101, with Justin explaining why the U.S. government sells Treasury bonds, why investors

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17:14

What Really Happens When Schools Lock Away Phones? |...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/05/20

What happens when students can’t instantly reach for their phones? In this episode of Diving In, Justin Wolfers breaks down the latest research on school phone bans and finds a result that’s more complicated—and more interesting—than many parents, teachers, and policymakers expected. Here's the broader lesson: removing a distraction does not automatically create a better outcome. In economics, that’s the problem of substitution. If less phone time turns into more sleep,

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13:47

Justin Wolfers Answers Your Questions on the National...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/05/16

In this follow-up to an episode diving in to the federal deficit, Justin Wolfers responds to audience comments and questions including: where are interest payments going? Why can’t the government just print more money? And how do changes in immigration impact our ability to pay back our debt? If you'd like Justin to answer your question in a future segment of The Professor Is In, leave a comment below. And don’t forget to rate and review!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

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17:50

How to measure the true cost of war: Justin Wolfers...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/05/13

The Pentagon said the war with Iran has cost Americans $25 billion. But that number only accounts for missiles fired and equipment destroyed. The true cost of war is measured by the future we’ve given up. In this video — my Director’s Cut of an Op-Ed I wrote last week for the New York Times — I explain why that figure is dangerously misleading and show you the math for a less precise, but far more honest answer. Using the economic concept of opportunity cost, I walk through

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13:51

Are Met Gala Tickets Too Cheap? | Diving In

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/05/11

In this episode of Diving In, Justin Wolfers breaks down the economics of the Met Gala using two big ideas from economics: signaling and non-price competition. The basic point is simple: the high price of luxury goods isn't a bug in the system, it's the whole point. So instead of competing through discounts, brands must compete through spectacle: celebrity placements, giant flagship stores, fashion shows, editorial buzz, and events like the Met Gala — which Wolfers argues is a less-bad outlets

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38:29

Justin Wolfers Breaks Down the Week: Spirit, US Debt,...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/05/10

What actually mattered in this week’s avalanche of economic news? In this conversation, Justin talks to his friend, Stacey Vanek Smith, Senior writer for Bloomberg Businessweek and cohost of the Everybody’s Business podcast. Together, they sort the signal from the noise: Spirit Airlines’ collapse, the U.S. debt hitting 100% of GDP, and whether AI is really driving growth—or just the headlines. For viewers trying to determine what to worry about, what you can safely ignore,

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15:28

Should We Actually Be Worried About the National Debt...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/05/06

In this opening episode for Platypus Economics, Justin Wolfers explains why the federal budget deficit is one of the best examples of how economics can clarify a debate that politics often mangles. The central point is simple: deficits are not automatically good or bad, but a tool. And the only serious question is whether borrowing makes sense given the economy, the emergency, and the country’s ability to pay. In a crisis, large deficits are often smart policy—stabilizing incomes,

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1:15

Welcome to Platypus Economics

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2026/05/06

Economics. Explained. Clearly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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00:21:20

S E53: Economics For All Your Decisions In Life -...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2021/12/14

Discover how economic principles can be used throughout your life

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21:20

Economics For All Your Decisions In Life - From...

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers ·

2021/12/14

Think Like An Economist has taken you on a journey through the economic principles, showing you the tools of economics, and how they can be applied at home and at work. In this season finale, Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers reveal the big life choices they've made using those tools of economics, and how you can apply economics to help make decisions throughout your life.Co-Host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media Production.

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