There are a lot of great economists providing meaningful content. There are so many people doing great work, but who’s worth the time to check out? We discuss a few people who might not be household names but are definitely worth following. Our list includes both traditional academics and media-savvy economists who offer unique perspectives on economics through podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, and beyond. They are working to make economic concepts accessible and engaging for anyone curious.
In this episode, we discuss:
Economists on social media who are breaking down complex concepts through relatable and sometimes humorous content
Another podcast that provides a unique approach to discussing current economic and policy issues.
Economists studying socioeconomic issues like parenting and healthcare
And a whole lot more!
Catch up on some old episodes:
You can also listen to us on Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio, and Apple Podcasts. If one of these is your go-to podcast service, be sure to rate us and subscribe!
Watch this episode on YouTube:
Some show notes:
Matt & Jadrian logged on at the right time for a happy hour, but Jadrian was still stuck in the office. Since he couldn’t have a typical drink, Matt decided to go with a non-alcoholic one as well. Jadrian selected a Diet Coke in honor of Matt’s soda addiction while Matt went with a Run Wild IPA from Athletic Brewing Company. If you’re attending the Southern Economic Associate Meetings in DC this year, please let us know so that Jadrian can grab a drink with you!
This week’s episode focuses on a variety of economists they think listeners would enjoy checking out, especially those who make economics both accessible and entertaining. This recommendation came in from our friend, Brian O’Roark. They tried to avoid saying these were their favorite economists because they like a lot of different people for a lot of different reasons. Instead, you can think of these people as economists worth your time to check out.
First up is Craig Palsson (Utah State), who has a fun YouTube channel and Substack called Market Power. takes an innovative (and often humorous) approach to economics with viral-style videos that touch on topics like opportunity cost, using real-world scenarios to engage viewers. His video where he offers to pay Star Wars fans to see Cats instead is one of Jadrian’s favorites, blending economic concepts with humor to show economics in action.
Another great recommendation is Antony Davies, co-host of the Words and Numbers podcast. Along with co-host James Harrigan, Davies provides clear, logical discussions of economic and policy issues in a way that’s accessible to a broad audience. Their podcast offers balanced perspectives that occasionally touch on political topics, but the hosts keep the focus on economics. Matt appreciates their straightforward approach, noting how their half-hour episodes provide thoughtful and sometimes even humorous takes on big issues, making economics less intimidating for new learners.
If you’re interested in the intersection of finance and business, Matt recommends checking out Jack Hough of the Streetwise podcast. With his dry wit and clear explanations, Hough covers company strategies, financial markets, and broader business trends in a weekly show from Barron’s. His insights on CEOs, industry dynamics, and market shifts are valuable, and the podcast offers a nuanced look at what drives major companies actions and economic trends.
We’ve had the next recommendation on the show before, but we wanted to make sure to amplify his work in case you’re new to the show and haven’t checked out the archives. If you appreciate bite-sized content, check out Chris Clarke. He’s made a name for himself on social media, where he simplifies academic economics articles and addresses common economic misconceptions. One thing we like about Chris’s work is that he provides a patient, balanced delivery and often uses real data to respond thoughtfully to economic questions that his followers ask.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Finally, two others to consider checking out are Melissa Kearney and Jose Fernandez who have made thoughtful contributions to social and educational issues. Kearney is a labor economist at the University of Maryland and has written on socioeconomic challenges, particularly in her recent book The Two-Parent Privilege. Fernandez is the chair at the University of Louisville and is noted for his work within the AEA and his commitment to mentoring young economists. Together, these two economists round out Matt and Jadrian’s list of thoughtful, innovative thinkers bringing fresh, accessible perspectives to the field of economics.
This week’s pop culture references:
Matt kicks things off with a unique take on how the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen can be used to discuss the economic impact of divorce. The song "So Big, So Small" captures the emotional and financial complexities that come with the division of a household.
Matt has also been working on identifying economic concepts in Star Wars with Ben Smith, and the two of them sat down to discuss the economics of discrimination in various parts of the series. They discuss the idea of "taste for discrimination," a concept from economist Gary Becker, to explain how characters’ biases against droids impact the economic landscape of the Star Wars galaxy.
Jadrian discussed a humorous YouTube comedy clip called "Deluxe Hugs," which serves as a lighthearted introduction to product differentiation. In the video, a comedian stands next to someone offering free hugs but markets his own hugs as “deluxe” for $2.
Share this post