Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchThe Social Security Deep Dive: From FICA Taxes to the 2035 Trust Fund Cliff
Episode 1296
In this episode, we unpack the massive machinery behind the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program, commonly known as Social Security. We explore how the system has evolved sinc…
Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago
Decoding Medicare: From Part A to Advantage, Funding Challenges, and Future Reforms
Episode 1295
In this episode, we dive deep into Medicare, the federal health insurance program established in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson,. We break down the complex structure of the system, explaining…
Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago
Medicaid Unpacked: From the Great Society to the 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill"
Episode 1294
In this episode, we take a deep dive into Medicaid, the massive joint federal-state program that provides health insurance to over 85 million low-income and disabled Americans. We trace the program’s…
Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago
The Price of Civilization? The History, Mechanics, and Morality of Taxation
Episode 1293
From the harvest tithes of Ancient Egypt to modern corporate levies, this episode unpacks the complex global history and function of taxation,. We define the tax as a mandatory financial charge used …
Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago
Taxing Times: From Ancient Origins to Modern Brackets
Episode 1292
In this episode, we explore the history, mechanics, and economic impact of income tax. While often considered a modern certainty, we trace the roots of income taxation back to 9 CE in China and the "…
Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago
Above the Line, Below the Line: The World of Tax Deductions
Episode 1291
In this episode, we unpack the complex machinery of tax deductions, the incentives used by governments to lower taxable income for individuals and businesses. Join us as we clarify the critical diffe…
Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago
Tax Credits Decoded: Rebates, Incentives, and the Power of Policy
Episode 1290
In this episode, we dive deep into the mechanism of tax credits, a powerful fiscal tool that allows taxpayers to subtract accrued credits directly from the total amount they owe the state. Unlike a d…
Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago
The Invisible Collector: How Tax Withholding Works Globally
Episode 1289
Ever wonder why your full salary never actually hits your bank account? In this episode, we explore the mechanics of tax withholding—a global mechanism designed to combat tax evasion by collecting in…
Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago
Decoding the W-2: Tax Deadlines, 1940s Origins, and the "CEO Fraud" Phishing Threat
Episode 1288
In this episode, we take a deep dive into Form W-2, officially titled the "Wage and Tax Statement". Whether you are an employee waiting for your paperwork or an employer navigating compliance, we bre…
Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago
Beyond the W-2: Unlocking the Secrets of IRS Form 1099
Episode 1287
In this episode, we dive deep into IRS Form 1099, the essential "information return" used to report income outside of traditional wages, salaries, and tips. We explore how this form serves as the bac…
Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago