Economics For the People takes you on a journey to explore the transformative power of economics when it is harnessed for the working classes, to advance social justice, and to create an inclusive and equitable society. It is an open invitation to participate in collectively shaping and reimagining an economy that prioritizes the needs and aspirations of the working classes, marginalized communities, and individuals of different gender expressions, sexualities, and abilities. The show features diverse voices, experiences and perspectives that often remain unheard in mainstream conversations about economics, markets and numbers.
Latest episodes
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58 min
EP29: Political Economy of the Media; Macroeconomics of War
In our April episode, we spoke with Rajeev Ravisankar, a researcher and journalist whose work focuses on the political economy of media — specifically on labor organizing in newsro…
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57 min
EP28: Missouri's Budget, Trade Routes and War
In our March episode, Sirisha and Taki dissect the 2026 Missouri Budget. It is necessary to understand that any state budget is a document that reflects our values as a society. On…
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1 h 00
EP27: Rent Control & Data Centers
In our February episode, we discuss the mushrooming of data centers in the Midwest. The growth of artificial intelligence is driving demand for computational power and the construc…
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58 min
EP26: Political Economy of Voting Behavior, Insurance Markets
In our January episode, we engage in a dialogue with Professor Pavlina Tcherneva about formulating a winning policy agenda. What is the role of vision in elections and the policy p…
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59 min
EP25: The Greek Junta; Future of SNAP
In our December episode, we converse with Professor Neni Panourgia about the Greek military dictatorship of 1967-1974, known in Greece simply as the Junta. Professor Panourgia grew…
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59 min
EP24: The Advertising Industry; Credit Score Oligopoly
‘Tis the season to advertise! In our Special Feature this month, we replay Prof. Zoe Sherman's segment from November 2023. Zoe helps us peel back the glittering layers of advertisi…
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54 min
EP23: Economics of the Government Shutdown; Unhoused Deportees in Tijuana
In the October episode of our podcast, we discuss the economics of the government shutdown and the situation of unhoused deportees in Tijuana Mexico. First, in our Dollars and Sens…
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56 min
EP22: A History of Municipal Socialism in the US; The Military Occupation of DC
In the September episode of our podcast, we focus American cities. In our first segment, Chris Sturr interviews Professor Shel Stromquist about the history of municipal socialism i…
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59 min
EP21: Class and Inequality in India and China, Military Keynesianism
In the August episode of Economics for the People, we interview Professor Vamsi Vakulabharanam about his book Class and Inequality in India and China, 1950-2010. On the eve of Indi…
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1 h 00
EP20: Cryptocurrency
Our July episode is all about crypto. We present two different perspectives on how to understand cryptocurrency. In our Dollars & Sense Debrief, Chris Sturr interviews economist Ge…
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57 min
EP19: Wildcat strikes in Asia, Socialism in Seattle
In our June episode, we spoke with Kshama Sawant about her campaign to win the House seat in Seattle's 9th Congressional district. Kshama was a member of city council in Seattle fo…
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54 min
EP18: Fusion of state and finance, work intensification
In the May edition of our podcast, Chris Sturr speaks with Mike Prokosch about the widespread practice of short staffing, which is basically polite language for work intensificatio…
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57 min
EP17: American Possibilities
We are back with apologies for our brief hiatus. Our April episode featured John Miller discussing the economics of Trump’s tariff policy, while Michael Yates shared his insights a…
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58 min
EP16: The Political Economy of the Middle East
In our feature segment this month, Taki and Sirisha have a wide-ranging conversation with Professor Adam Hanieh about the Gulf Countries. We spoke about class, highlighting that th…
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60 min
EP15: The fires in Los Angeles and Syria
In our feature segment this month, Taki and Sirisha have a conversation with Professor Yasser Munif about the current state of the Syrian Revolution. From the beginning of the revo…
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58 min
EP14: Deindustrialization and migration in rural Pennsylvania, the Trumpian moment
In our feature segment this month, Taki and Sirisha interviewed socialist blogger Carl Beijer (carlbeijer.com) in a wide ranging conversation about the Trumpian moment in the Unite…
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60 min
EP13: 50th Anniversary Celebration for Dollars and Sense Magazine
Our December episode is dedicated to celebrating the 50th anniversary of our partners at Dollars & Sense Magazine. Dollars & Sense is a national magazine published six times per ye…
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59 min
EP12: Analysis of the US Presidential Election, the Evolution of GOP Economic Policy
In our feature this month, we interview economist Richard Wolff about the US election that was held on November 5th. He emphasized many important points, including that in the cont…
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57 min
EP11: The Decline and Fall of Neoliberalism, Trump’s Tariff Proposal
In our feature this month, we speak with Professor David Cayla about his latest book, focusing on the decline of neoliberalism and populism. If neoliberalism is disappearing, what…
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60 min
EP10: HUD Policy in Our Region, Who Finances the Democrats and Republicans
In our feature this month, we interview Ulysses “Deke” Clayborn, the administrator of HUD in the Great Plains Region, which includes Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska. We discus…