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Artwork for Capitalisn't
Capitalism
Artificial Intelligence
Social Media
Economics
Education
Regulation
Federal Reserve
Immigration
Trump Administration
Poverty
Wall Street
Economic Mobility
Department Of Government Efficiency
En-Shitification
Private Equity
Democracy
Behavioral Economics
Big Tech
Interest Rates
Influencer Industry

We investigate how capitalism is—or more often isn’t—working in our world today. Hosted by economist Luigi Zingales and business journalist Bethany McLean, our podcast explains why capitalism can go wrong and what we can do to fix it. Send us your questions or comments by emailing capitalisntpod@gmail.com Cover photo attributions: www.chicagobooth.edu/research/stigler/about/capitalisnt.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes246Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Capitalisn't

Latest Episodes

Were the foundations of American governance engineered to protect the wealthy? Harvard Law professor Michael Klarman argues that the US Constitution was actually a counter-revolutionary coup to constrain democracy rather than protect it.

This episod... more

Is personal finance rigged against ordinary people? Economists John Campbell and Tarun Ramadorai argue the system rewards the wealthy and financially savvy at the expense of everyone else.

Their book Fixed points to a troubling pattern: the fees you... more

Free trade was never actually free? That's the case Katherine Tai, Joe Biden's former U.S. Trade Representative, brings Bethany McLean and Luigi Zingales this week.

For decades, the economic consensus treated free trade as an engine for cheaper good... more

Corporations are people in the eyes of the law. But how did that happen, and why does it hand them rights you don't have?

UCLA law professor Adam Winkler, author of "We the Corporations", traces a 200-year campaign by business to win the constitutio... more

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Recent Guests

John Campbell
Economist and author of Fixed
University of Oxford? (based on book authoring; research context)
Episode: Our Personal Finance Mistakes Are The Industry's Profits - ft. John Campbell & Tarun Ramadorai
Tarun Ramadorai
Economist and author of Fixed
University affiliation mentioned in the book discussion
Episode: Our Personal Finance Mistakes Are The Industry's Profits - ft. John Campbell & Tarun Ramadorai
Katherine Tai
As Joe Biden's trade representative, she advocated a worker-centered approach to trade
United States Trade Representative (USTR)
Episode: Was Free Trade Ever Really Free? - ft. Fmr. Biden Trade Rep. Katherine Tai
Adam Winkler
UCLA law professor and author of We the Corporations
UCLA School of Law
Episode: Why Corporations Always Win At The Supreme Court - ft. Adam Winkler
Jimmy Wales
Founder of Wikipedia
Wikipedia/Wikimedia Foundation
Episode: You Can't Buy Trust - ft. Wikipedia Co-Founder Jimmy Wales
Zack Cooper
Associate Professor of Public Health and Economics at Yale
Yale University
Episode: Is Healthcare Making Capitalism Sick? - ft. Zack Cooper
Quinn Slobodian
Professor of international history at Boston University; co-author involved in discussion of Muskism
Boston University
Episode: How “Muskism” Is Changing American Capitalism - ft. Quinn Slobodian
Steve Kaplan
Neubauer Family Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance, University of Chicago; founder of the New Venture Challenge
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Episode: Is Capitalism Delivering For The Majority? - ft. Steve Kaplan
Arin Dube
Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst; author of The Wage Standard
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Episode: The Real Cause Of Wage Stagnation - ft. Arin Dube

Hosts

Bethany McLean
Co-host with a background in journalism and finance commentary; linked with Capitalisn't and related university/press affiliations.
Luigi Zingales
Co-host with economics background; noted author and professor contributing market and policy perspectives.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Stakeholder capitalism

    Prior to Ronald Reagan, we followed stakeholder capitalism, which equally benefited labor, shareholders, and the community

    After Reagan, we switched to shareholder capitalism, which only Benefits shareholders ~ the owners. Under this form of capitalism, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

    After Reagan GDP continued to increase and wages flatlined

    See the Robert Reich last semester of economics he taught at Uc Berkeley entitled “ wealth, and poverty“ on YouTube.

    Also, we need to... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lee Esq
    United Statesa month ago
  • Wiki Truth?

    Enjoy the show. However most recent episode (Wiki) seemed to ignore the bias in Wiki these days. Great example is origin of COVID:

    The virus was derived from a bat-borne virus and most likely was transmitted to humans via another animal in nature, or during live wildlife trade such as that in food markets.

    While other explanations, such as speculations that SARS-CoV-2 was accidentally released from a laboratory have been proposed,such explanations are not supported by evidence.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    UofC Optimistic Sceptic
    United States2 months ago
  • Insightful thinking--thank you!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Janis
    3 months ago
  • Shareholder capitalism versus stakeholder capitalism~ continued

    The federal trade commission act addresses Monopoly.

    Congress needs to re-draft the FTC act and the FTC J, which implement the reg’s need to draft new rules and regulations.

    As a lawyer for these big monopolistic corporation I don’t write the law that’s the legislative branch.

    I have to take the facts apply them to the laws and regulations as written, advise my clients and draft the contracts accordingly.

    The antitrust law exam for my LLM at NYU earned an A+++ in the 1970s. Today th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Lee Esq
    United States5 months ago
  • Why wouldn't anyone listen to this?

    This show is just two clueless people making one illogical argument after another. How did these people graduate college? Why would anyone listen to this?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ________________uh
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The hosts' banter and ability to connect theory with real-world implications keeps complex topics engaging.
Guests are high-caliber experts offering rigorous, evidence-based insights.
The show consistently delivers nuanced, data-driven analyses that challenge conventional wisdom.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#24
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#48
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#64
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#4
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Apple Podcasts
#26
France/Government
Apple Podcasts
#38
Germany/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Was Free Trade Ever Really Free? - ft. Fmr. Biden Trade Rep. Katherine Tai
Q: You have said that free trade isn't actually free. Could you elaborate on what you mean by that?
Free trade in practice often operates as capture trade, where rules and dispute mechanisms privilege multinational corporations over workers and the public, undermining the proclaimed benefits of cheaper goods and growth.
You Can't Buy Trust - ft. Wikipedia Co-Founder Jimmy Wales
Q: How do you resolve disputes in Wikipedia when editors disagree?
The discussion centers on consensus-building, sourcing standards, and a preference to avoid voting; editors aim for a collaborative compromise and rely on a structured process to reflect credible, well-sourced viewpoints.
You Can't Buy Trust - ft. Wikipedia Co-Founder Jimmy Wales
Q: What is the business insight given that Wikipedia is not-for-profit?
Wales suggests that trust and purpose matter deeply—Wikipedia operates on a model where information is produced through voluntary, reputation-driven contributions and a focus on accuracy and public good, which can coexist with capitalist themes when used as a benchmark for trust and informational integrity.
You Can't Buy Trust - ft. Wikipedia Co-Founder Jimmy Wales
Q: Did you ever have a moment of doubt about Capitalism and whether greed's a good idea?
The hosts acknowledge that capitalism has winners and losers and that trust and fairness are essential; they emphasize learning from markets while remaining mindful of the people left behind and the need for humility and balanced perspectives in economic systems.
Is Healthcare Making Capitalism Sick? - ft. Zack Cooper
Q: Can you explain to our listeners why the skin substitute policy change happened and what it teaches about regulated prices?
Medicare set a market-like rate but doctors' fees were tied to whatever price they used, which encouraged doctors to push the expensive substitutes. Once policy changes were made to adjust that, spending swung dramatically, illustrating how policy design and price schedules can create large, unintended cost shifts.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Capitalisn't

What is Capitalisn't about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A data-driven economics-focused show that probes how capitalism operates in today's world, often through the lens of policy, institutions, and power. Episodes frequently feature leading scholars, policymakers, and business thinkers debating topics like healthcare markets, wage dynamics, regulation, technology's impact on society, the role of central banks, tax systems, and the global history of capitalism. Notable strengths include rigorous analysis from prominent academics and practitioners, a willingness to challenge orthodoxies, and a consistent emphasis on practical reforms that could realign incentives in markets and institutions. The format tends to blend empirical evidence with accessible storytelling, and guests span economics, law,... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Capitalisn't?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Capitalisn't:

1. The Pie: An Economics Podcast
2. Big Brains
3. Macro Musings with David Beckworth
4. Odd Lots
5. Conversations with Tyler

How many episodes of Capitalisn't are there?

Capitalisn't launched 9 years ago and published 246 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Capitalisn't?

Recent guests on Capitalisn't include:

1. John Campbell
2. Tarun Ramadorai
3. Katherine Tai
4. Adam Winkler
5. Jimmy Wales
6. Zack Cooper
7. Quinn Slobodian
8. Steve Kaplan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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