Rephonic
Artwork for Optimist Economy
Social Security
Labor Market
US Economy
Minimum Wage
Income Inequality
Economic Inequality
Poverty
Health Insurance
Economic Policy
Paid Family Leave
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
U.S. National Debt
Fair Labor Standards Act
Housing Affordability
Childcare
Paid Sick Days
Immigration
Economic Growth
Inflation
Youth Unemployment

Optimist Economy is the anti-doomscroll economics podcast. Work rules, tax fairness, healthcare, housing costs, retirement security — the economic forces shaping American life have real problems. But also real solutions. Each week, economist Kathryn Anne Edwards and editor Robin Rauzi break down one problem and solution with data, history, humor, and a belief that tools to build a better economy e... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes60Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Government

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Artwork for Optimist Economy

Latest Episodes

We can’t give financial advice. Or feedback on your 20-page tax proposal. But economist Kathryn Edwards did take a run at nearly 20 listener questions in under 60 minutes. Among them: Why care about birth rates if robots are taking all the jobs? What... more

This might be the most dangerous economic assertion circulating today: the high inflation from 2021-2023 was caused by government stimulus. The talking point on the right goes: the third COVID-era stimulus checks landed in March 2021, prices took off... more

YouTube

Thirty million Americans, more or less, work for themselves. They freelance, do gig work, have solo LLCs, or — as a certain economist says — participate in “ non-employee employment.” The economics of their situation is harder than it needs to be. Ma... more

YouTube

A certain kind of wealthy American has been griping out loud lately — about taxes, about progressive cities, about how unappreciated they are for the jobs they create, the stuff they buy, and the tips they hand out. A narrative is coalescing around t... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Max Tejera
Listener who posed a question about pay transparency laws
Episode: What’s the Skinny on Laws that Make Salaries Public?

Hosts

Kathryn Anne Edwards
Host and economist on Optimist Economy (economist)
Robin Rauzi
Editor and host on Optimist Economy (editor)

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 853 ratings
  • Easy to understand economics

    It’s so common for economic discussion to end up in places that are difficult for the average person to understand. You do a wonderful job of breaking it down for us. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cweston7
    United States21 days ago
  • This podcast is time well dissaved.

    Kathryn and Robin make economics fun and understandable. Love the retcons, terms and conditions, the exec orders, and all the Social Security talk.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Trackball
    United States24 days ago
  • 60

    Altruistic, fact based, genuine and real podcast. Will call anyone out for their good or their bad. Best part of my week!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    60 and listening
    United Statesa month ago
  • Good podcast

    Fits very neatly into my favorite niche of very wonky and nerdy but also unapologetically empathetic and progressive. Demonstrating that economics isn’t just a tool for the worst people in the world to justify their greed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tatara21
    United Statesa month ago
  • Positive

    You two are so positive. It makes me smile.

    Intelligent great discussions.

    Add more history. Maybe add a historian common guest.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alleydrive
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

The humor and personal stories help translate complex topics without losing rigorous analysis.
The show is optimistic, clear, and approachable, with wonky economics made relatable for daily life.
Listeners praise the host dynamic and practical policy ideas, with calls for more diverse historical context.
Audience notes that episodes are thoughtful, data-driven, and accessible even on stubborn economic topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#6
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#11
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#77
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#17
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#35
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#88
France/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Optimists Have Questions…
Q: Erin Johnson in New York asks about rent caps as a policy tool to address affordability.
They acknowledge rent caps can distort markets and reduce supply, but discuss nuances about locality, depreciation, and caps tied to inflation or costs so policy is better tailored to different housing markets; emphasize careful design to avoid reducing maintenance or new units.
The Optimists Have Questions…
Q: Sarah McCrory in Eugene asks for explanation of the federal $1,700 tax credit scholarship program and whether it's a good idea.
The hosts describe it as a voucher-like mechanism with potential for fraud and low upfront take-up; they expect Treasury rules to clarify implementation and express skepticism about its short-term viability as a policy tool.
The Optimists Have Questions…
Q: Amber Edmanson in Tacoma asks about the first-time homebuyer tax credits and whether such subsidies would help today.
They argue the upfront subsidy can boost prices and become a subsidy for current homeowners; views differ on targeted credits, with concern that broader subsidies could fuel housing price escalation, suggesting more targeted or alternative forms of support.
The Optimists Have Questions…
Q: Max Deakin in Portland, Maine asks how dire retirement savings are and whether it's a generational issue.
The hosts emphasize that while Social Security looks solid, private retirement savings depend on automatic enrollment and employer involvement; they see strong potential to improve outcomes through auto-enrollment and government-led auto-IRAs, with some policy design debates remaining.
Optimist Q&A: Evidence for UBI, What to Do About Billionaires, and Where Will the U.S. Economy Be After Trump?
Q: What combination of policy reforms would most effectively reduce tax disparity among the ultra-wealthy?
We need to implement robust IRS audits and redesign tax laws for wealth to ensure compliance and reduce tax evasion.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Optimist Economy

What is Optimist Economy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A hopeful, data-driven look at economic policy and everyday life, with a focus on practical solutions to real-world problems like inflation, housing, retirement security, and wage growth. Episodes blend history, statistics, and accessible explanations to unpack how rules, taxes, and public programs shape households and work, while keeping a pragmatic, optimistic tone. Notable for its banter, clear storytelling, and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom with policy levers that could improve outcomes for a broad audience.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Optimist Economy:

1. Pivot
2. Maintenance Phase
3. If Books Could Kill
4. Diabolical Lies
5. On with Kara Swisher

How many episodes of Optimist Economy are there?

Optimist Economy launched a year ago and published 60 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 Optimist Economy?

Recent guests on Optimist Economy include:

1. Max Tejera

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