
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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 51 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Government | |||

Average U.S. wages have barely budged since the early '80s — and if you account for today's labor force being older and more college-educated, wage growth basically disappears. Economists have cycled through explanations: workers lacked technical ski... more
From California to Washington to New York, states are trying to tax the very rich. The press keeps rehashing whether millionaires and billionaires will flee those states. Wrong question. The more important one is why we’re improvising tax policy stat... more
Americans used to move a lot in search of opportunity. But in 2024, the share of Americans who moved at all hit a 76-year low. Barely 2% of us moved across state lines. Some of that is by choice: people are more rooted, and that's not nothing. But wh... more
Fourteen questions. Zero softballs. Listeners from Tacoma to Montreal wrote in to ask about retirement savings, taxing capital gains, home-buyer assistance programs, corporate profits in the tariffs era, what one state employee can or cannot accompli... more
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I love this show. Goofy, fun, wonky, and insightful. Y’all do you.
Big fan of this show! I have been listening for several months now and can confirm that this show does make me more optimistic about our economy and our potential. While it is not the most polished podcast, the substance is brilliant and I appreciate the authenticity of the hosts. I especially have loved the episodes about Social Security, Health Insurance, 401k’s and Poverty, the Fed, and Boomers (even as a 20-something). I enjoy sending episodes to friends and family on each side of political ... more
You’ve made me a lover of social security. Thank you for busting myths and explaining economics & policy in easy to understand ways. Conservative policy is the reason not boomers! Needed to hear that.
THANK you Kathrine and Robin for demystifying the big words thrown around in the news. I feel disproportionately cooler for actually understanding how social security works now. What a gift that you are sharing your expertise and lovable personalities for us to get smarter. Couldn’t recommend this show more and bring it up at ALL the parties now. Xo
Becky from Annandale, VA
This is a great show. I learn a lot from every episode plus Kathryn is hilarious.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Apple Podcasts | #45 | |
Apple Podcasts | #73 | |
Apple Podcasts | #134 |
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Bright, data-driven conversations about the U.S. economy with a hopeful, solutions-focused bent. The show consistently covers how macroeconomic forces touch everyday life, from Social Security and unemployment insurance to housing affordability, healthcare, and tax policy, while mixing rigorous analysis with accessible humor. Episodes frequently thread in policy proposals (like paid family leave, decoupling health care from employment, or universal child care) and practical reforms, all aimed at giving listeners a clearer pathway to a fairer, more resilient economy. A standout trait is the blend of warm banter between the co-hosts with evidenced-based context, which makes complex topics approachable for educated, policy-minded listeners who... more
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Optimist Economy launched a year ago and published 51 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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Recent guests on Optimist Economy include:
1. Max Tejera
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