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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes51Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Government

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Artwork for Optimist Economy

Latest Episodes

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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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
Economist with focus on policy implications and economic reform; co-host and frequent commentator.
Robin Rauzi
Editor and co-host, known for accessible explanations and engaging banter.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 805 ratings
  • Please don’t stop giggling!

    I love this show. Goofy, fun, wonky, and insightful. Y’all do you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mulkmonster
    United Statesa month ago
  • A+ for Substance

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    indy#572
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love this podcast!

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Definitely- Maybe-
    United Statesa month ago
  • Avid podcast consumer (since early 1930s) inspired to leave first review EVER!

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BDubsVA
    United States2 months ago
  • Love this show!

    This is a great show. I learn a lot from every episode plus Kathryn is hilarious.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Secularity
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many praise the show's ability to tackle complex topics without doom scrolling and with practical policy ideas.
Listeners describe it as informative, optimistic, and entertaining with banter that makes economics approachable.
Audience appreciates data-driven insights and relatable explanations, often noting the hosts' chemistry and humor.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#9
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#15
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#133
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#45
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#73
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#134
Germany/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?

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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Which podcasts are similar to Optimist Economy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Optimist Economy:

1. Pivot
2. Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov
3. On with Kara Swisher
4. Pod Save America
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Optimist Economy are there?

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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What guests have appeared on Optimist Economy?

Recent guests on Optimist Economy include:

1. Max Tejera

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