Episodes
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In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slunum, along with guest Rob Raffety, debate the new $100,000 fee. Then we have our news quiz featuring apples and our old friend EJ Antoni, PhD. Then we our economic illiterates of the week and a poorly named segment.
Chapters
02:49 Discussion on H1B Visa Fee Proposal
07:01 Economic Implications of H1B Visa Holders
22:11 ChatGPT Conversations: Interesting or Boring?
26:12 Weekly News Quiz: Government Shutdown Insights
44:09 Poorly Named Economic Concepts
47:29 Econ Illiterates of the Week
52:48 Econ in the Wild: Real-Life Applications
Subscribe in podcast form
https://open.spotify.com/show/6W1pgHpoGGhejB5CkrlHzZ?si=uhokpBurRMShTSBuR2pMjQ
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
â https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerdsâ
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Prof. Richard Sylla tells how Alexander Hamilton, a poor immigrant from the West Indies, dreamed up and then revolutionized Americaâs financial system, paving the way for 250 years of growth.
Then Prof. Sylla tells us what the architect of the U.S. National debt would think about todayâs national debt.
00:00 Hamilton's Early Life and Move to America
00:51 The Differences Between the West Indies and American Colonies
04:56 Hamilton's Education and Early Writings
08:25 Hamilton's Military Career and Role in the Revolution
11:31 Hamilton's Financial Insights and Strategies
20:32 Hamilton's Role in the Constitution's Ratification
23:30 Key Components of a Modern Financial System
27:05 The Room Where It Happened: Political Bargaining
34:53Establishing the Bank of the United States
39:20 Hamilton's Perspective on Modern Fiscal Policy
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
â https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerdsâ
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Missing episodes?
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How can you know if there is a recession coming? Are there some secret economic indicators?News Quiz! Coffee Prices and Chinese EVsThe economists are fighting over firewoodNot Investment Advice: Betting on the NY Mayor raceEcon in the Wild: Library books and Trump joins the trivia team
01:09 Recession Fears and Economic Indicators
04:57 Alternative Indices for Predicting Recessions
09:03 Current Economic Data and Concerns
14:10 News Quiz
25:05 The Economists are fighting!
35:02 Not Investment Advice: NY Mayor Bet
39:49 Econ Illiterate of the Week
44:23 Econ in the Wild
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
â https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerdsâ
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Do you have license for that haircut? Whatâs more popular socialism or capitalism? and does NPR know what a Depression is? All that on todayâs Econ Nerds live.
Noah Trudeau joins the Nerds to discuss occupational licensing. What is it? Why should you despise it? Which states are the worst offenders? Then we have anews quiz segment. Matt unveils a new segment where he fails to promote the podcast on Twitter. All that plus Econ Illiterate of the Week and Econ in the Wild.
00:00 Introduction to Occupational Licensing
09:32 The Impact of Licensing on Accessibility
11:12 State Patterns in Occupational Licensing
13:42 Reforming Occupational Licensing
15:57 News Quiz: Jobs numbers and Capitalism
30:39 New Segment: Marketing
34:55 Econ Illiterate of the Week: Planet Money Tiktok
39:50 Econ in the Wild
41:38 Sunk Cost Fallacy in Reading
44:34 Finding the Right Books to Read
47:52 Econ in the Wild: Beach Flag Systems
50:16 Asymmetric Information in Dentistry
Subscribe in podcast form
https://open.spotify.com/show/6W1pgHpoGGhejB5CkrlHzZ?si=uhokpBurRMShTSBuR2pMjQ
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
â https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerdsâ
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In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim discuss various economic topics, starting with the implications of Kawhi Leonard's signing with the LA Clippers. They explore the economics behind sports contracts, price ceilings, and market dynamics. The conversation shifts to a weekly news quiz covering economic regulations, including the de minimis loophole and its impact on trade. They also analyze misconceptions in the housing market, before concluding with a light-hearted discussion about a potential wedding-themed club and navigating child education.
01:08 Kawhi Leonard's NBA Signing and Economic Implications
13:22 Weekly News Quiz and Current Events Discussion
28:02 Ask the Experts: Understanding the De Minimis Exception
34:46 Econ Illiterate of the Week
40:16 Paper of the Week: Analyzing College Wage Premiums
41:55 Econ in the Wild: Weddings and weighted vests
Subscribe in podcast form
https://open.spotify.com/show/6W1pgHpoGGhejB5CkrlHzZ?si=uhokpBurRMShTSBuR2pMjQ
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
â https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerdsâ
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In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim have their usual news quiz. Then they discuss into the controversial firing of Lisa Cook from the Fed. Matt then summarizes Cookâs most famous paper and the data issues with it. The episode also features a segment on the 'Econ Illiterate of the Week,' focusing on Trump's dealings with Intel. Also discussed: Boeing and AI art.
00:00 Introduction
02:46 News Quiz
08:31 Holographic Crime Prevention in South Korea
11:06 Federal Reserve and Lisa Cook's Controversy
16:17 Analysis of Lisa Cook's Research and Its Implications
18:59 The Controversy Surrounding Lisa Cook's Research
23:12 Econ Illiterate of the Week
32:21 AI's Role in Creativity and Personal Connection
34:53 Consumer Surplus and Deadweight Loss in our personal life
Subscribe in podcast form
https://open.spotify.com/show/6W1pgHpoGGhejB5CkrlHzZ?si=uhokpBurRMShTSBuR2pMjQ
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
â https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerdsâ
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In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim discuss various economic topics, including the recent turmoil at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) following the firing of its head. They explore the implications of this event on data accuracy and public trust in economic statistics. Additionally, they introduce a new segment called 'Economic Illiterate of the Week.
Chapters
00:00 News Quiz
14:08 The BLS Firing and Its Implications
31:37 Economic Illiteracy of the Week
40:18 Consumer Surplus and DWLs of the week
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
â https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerdsâ
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Kelly Vedi from https://kellyvedi.substack.com/ comes on to explore the significance of apprenticeships as a viable training strategy in the U.S., contrasting them with traditional education models. She outlines the historical context, current state, and cultural differences surrounding apprenticeships, emphasizing their potential benefits for both employers and young people.
We discuss barriers to expanding apprenticeship programs, the role of AI, and the social aspects of vocational training compared to college education.
00:00 The Importance of Apprenticeships
05:47 Cultural Differences in Apprenticeship Models
10:30 Apprenticeships vs. Traditional Education
17:48 Barriers to Expanding Apprenticeships in the US
22:19 The Value of Practical Learning
27:30 Career Exploration Through Apprenticeships
31:01 The Impact of AI on Apprenticeships
33:52 The Social Aspects of College vs. Apprenticeships
38:22 The Need for Viable Alternatives to College
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
â https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerdsâ
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In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, we dive into the transformative world of driverless car technology with Andrew Miller, author of the substack: Changing Lanes and the forthcoming book "The End of Driving."
We start with a transportation quiz before discussing the technological, regulatory and cultural barriers to a driverless car future.
In the end, we get Andrew's takes on some prediction market driverless car bets.
Check Andrew's substack here: https://www.changinglanesnewsletter.com/
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
â https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerdsâ
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In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim first have a news quiz before discussing Fed Independence and Trump v. Powell.
The conversation shifts to vacation experiences, highlighting the cost of living and consumer surplus, before wrapping up with a discussion on economic observations from their travels.
02:46 News Quiz
14:28 Federal Reserve Independence and History
20:03 Volcker's Impact and Political Relationships
22:49 Fed Speak vs. Trump Speak
26:45 Vacation Talk: Experiences and Observations
33:49 Consumer Insights from Travel
38:26 The Price is Right? Camping Economics
42:58 Consumer Surplus and Deadweight Loss in Daily Life
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
â https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerdsâ
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In this episode, we have economic historian Price Fishback on to bust Great Depression myths, including:
What Hoover actually did
Whether the New Deal was truly Keynesian
Unemployment vs. underemployment
Whether the New Deal was a cohesive policy
The role of HOLC redlining maps
Check out Fishback's JEL article here https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jel.20161054
And his book chapter in this volume:
https://www.amazon.com/Government-American-Economy-New-History/dp/0226251284
Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:
https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerds
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In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, host Matt Hill and co-host Ariel Slonim welcome Jadrian Wooten from Monday Morning Economist (https://www.mondayeconomist.com/).
They start with a news quiz. Then talk about their favorite Monday Morning Economist posts:
How much would the pizza from Home Alone be today?Why do we buy fancier eggs when egg prices rise?Does Taylor Swift actually add to the economy?Then the conversation also gets very nerdy with a discussion on confusing terminology used in Economics.
00:00 Introduction to Monday Morning Economist
02:27 News Quiz
18:39 Pop Culture Economics and Home Alone
20:09 Challenges in Adjusting Prices Over Time
24:10 Comparing Historical Prices: Time vs. CPI
28:10 The Alchian-Allen Effect Explained (why are you buying more expensive eggs?)
31:54 The Impact of Taylor Swift on Local Economies
38:13 Teaching Economics: Challenges and Insights
41:03 The Challenge of Economic Terminology
55:03 Consumer Surplus/ DWL: Transformers, home buying, Delta
Referenced in the podcast:
https://www.mondayeconomist.com/
Planet money on sugar prices: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2013/04/26/179295426/episode-454-the-lollipop-war
Subscribe to our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerds
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In this episode, Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim discuss the fertility crisis with guest Susannah Petitt. They explore the decline in birth rates, the impact of education and marriage trends, and the economic implications of a shrinking population. The conversation delves into the importance of innovation, the role of social media, and potential policy solutions to encourage family growth.
Susannah shares insights on the misconceptions surrounding fertility and the need for supportive community structures. The episode concludes with reflections on the cultural narratives surrounding parenthood and the opportunity costs associated with raising children.
Chapters
04:16 The Shift from Overpopulation to Depopulation Concerns
19:11 Housing and Its Impact on Family Planning
25:08 The Influence of Technology and Social Change on Fertility
34:41 Balancing Childbearing and Career
45:29 Current Reads and Interesting Finds
57:16 Current Events: Tariffs and Trade Agreements
Check out Susannahâs substack Upward Bound: https://theupwardbound.substack.com/
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In this episode of the Econ Nerds podcast, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim explore various economic themes ranging from pole vaulting incentives to the impact of tariffs on job creation. They discuss the implications of NYC's free bus proposal, the economic contributions of K-Pop sensation BTS, and the evolving landscape of creative jobs in the age of AI.
Then a life advice involving Bitcoin and personal finance decisions.
The episode concludes with reflections on community initiatives like the Buy Nothing group and the hidden costs associated with them.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and News Quiz Kickoff
16:52 AI and Art: The Future of Creativity
32:25 Life Advice
35:47 Consumer Surplus vs. Deadweight Loss: Buy Nothing
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In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim delve into the pressing issue of national debt, exploring its implications and the government's options for managing it. Then a news quiz segment, where they test each other's knowledge on current events and economic trends. Then they unveil their new segment: "Not Investment Advice", where they give investment advice. The episode wraps up with discussions male friendships, homesteading and Lego Masters
00:00 - Government Spending and Economic Consequences
10:15 - Transitioning to Current Economic News and Quizzes
Investing Insights: Predictions and Market Trends
23:24 - NOT Investment Advice: Tattoo Removal
30:12 - Consumer Surplus and Deadweight Loss: Male Friendships, Homesteading and Lego Masters
Articles mentioned
All articles for the news quiz can be found at our substack: https://econnerds.substack.com/
Supersonics are back
https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2025/06/supersonics-takeoff.html
Male Friendships
https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/male-friendship
Homesteading:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2025/06/05/i-tried-homesteading/
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In this episode of Econ Nerds, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim discuss the recent legal challenges surrounding tariffs, the economic implications of presidential power over tariffs, and the collective action problems faced by Congress. They explore how uncertainty in tariff policies affects businesses and consumers, and delve into the broader economic concepts at play. The conversation also includes a fun news quiz that highlights various economic principles. Then they try to figure out the pricing strategies of Trader Joe's. Finally, Ariel and Matt debate the best place to get wands.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes
03:00 Tariff Pause and Legal Challenges
09:02 Congressional Power and Collective Action Problems
12:10 Impact of Tariffs on Business and Consumers
18:10 News Quiz and Economic Insights
34:26 Understanding Trader Joe's Pricing Strategy
45:39 Consumer Surplus and Deadweight Loss
50:23 Experiential Marketing: The Magic of Harry Potter World
Sign up to our newsletter: https://econnerds.substack.com/
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In this inaugural episode of Econ Nerds Live, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim discuss various economic topics, including the recent decision to stop minting pennies, the impact of AI on jobs, the price fluctuations of Ozempic. They also explore the challenges of innovation and idea generation, the pricing of non-alcoholic beverages, and the economic lessons learned from personal experiences, such as dealing with crows in the backyard.
00:00 - Introduction to Econ Nerds Podcast
01:13 - The Death of the Penny
07:56 - AI and Job Market Changes
09:59 - Video of the Week: Ozempic Pricing Loophole
14:51 - Post of the Week: Scott Sumner on Populism
19:46 - Paper of the Week: Are Ideas Getting Harder to Find, Nicholas Decker summarizes the paper here
22:44 - The Price is right? Price of Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
29:48 - Consumer Surplus and Deadweight Loss of the week
33:55 - Archaeology Meets Economics - How to find ancient cities with trade theory
39:20 - The Impact of War on Economies
43:41 - Econ in the Wild: Personal Anecdotes
Other posts mentioned:
Infinite Scroll on slop: https://www.infinitescroll.us/p/stop-calling-everything-slop?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1543281&post_id=164064724
Pessimistâs Archive on Apple: https://newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org/p/thinking-different-is-never-popular?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=247795&post_id=162898051
