Podcast Episodes

415. How Rahm Emanuel Would Run the World

Episode 415

As a former top adviser to presidents Clinton and Obama, he believes in the power of the federal government. But as former mayor of Chicago, he says that cities are where real problems get solved — e…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

414. Will Covid-19 Spark a Cold War (or Worse) With China?

Episode 414

The U.S. spent the past few decades waiting for China to act like the global citizen it said it wanted to be. The waiting may be over.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com fo…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

413. Who Gets the Ventilator?

Episode 413

Should a nurse or doctor who gets sick treating Covid-19 patients have priority access to a potentially life-saving healthcare device? Americans aren’t used to rationing in medicine, but it’s time to…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

412. What Happens When Everyone Stays Home to Eat?

Episode 412

Covid-19 has shocked our food-supply system like nothing in modern history. We examine the winners, the losers, the unintended consequences — and just how much toilet paper one household really needs…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

411. Is $2 Trillion the Right Medicine for a Sick Economy?

Episode 411

Congress just passed the biggest aid package in modern history. We ask six former White House economic advisors and one U.S. Senator: Will it actually work? What are its best and worst features? Wher…

Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

410. What Does Covid-19 Mean for Cities (and Marriages)?

Episode 410

There are a lot of upsides to urban density — but viral contagion is not one of them. Also: a nationwide lockdown will show if familiarity really breeds contempt. And: how to help your neighbor.

Host…

Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

409. The Side Effects of Social Distancing

Episode 409

In just a few weeks, the novel coronavirus has undone a century’s worth of our economic and social habits. What consequences will this have on our future — and is there a silver lining in this very b…

Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

Why Rent Control Doesn’t Work (Ep. 373 Rebroadcast)

As cities become ever-more expensive, politicians and housing advocates keep calling for rent control. Economists think that’s a terrible idea. They say it helps a small (albeit noisy) group of rente…

Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

408. Does Anyone Really Know What Socialism Is?

Episode 408

Trump says it would destroy us. Sanders says it will save us. The majority of millennials would like it to replace capitalism. But what is “it”? We bring in the economists to sort things out and tell…

Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

407. Is There Really a “Loneliness Epidemic”?

Episode 407

That’s what some health officials are saying, but the data aren’t so clear. We look into what’s known (and not known) about the prevalence and effects of loneliness — including the possible upsides.

Published on 5 years, 10 months ago