What actually mattered in this week’s avalanche of economic news?
We’re trying something new: A show where we talk through the week that was. I’m joined by one of my favorite econ journalists in the world — Stacey Vanek Smith, senior writer for Bloomberg Businessweek and cohost of the Everybody’s Business podcast. We want to create a show that feels a bit more relaxed, and that sounds like exactly what it is: Two econ-engaged friends trying to step back at the end of the week to figure out what really mattered. This is exactly what it sounds like when I meet a mate on a Friday arvo for a beer and a chat about the world.
In this episode, we 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. The stakes are real: oil shocks can raise the cost of everyday goods, high debt can reduce the government’s room to respond in a downturn, and AI could reshape careers faster than many families are prepared for.
Think of this show as a practical guide to what you can safely ignore, what to worry about, and where’s there’s room for a bit of hope, and how all of these headlines will affect your life.
Platypals: I would love your feedback on this pilot episode. What works, what doesn’t, what should we do more of, what should we do less of? If we’re going to produce a “week in review” show, what should it look like?
Oh, and one more thing: We also need a name for this show. All suggestions welcome.
