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Artwork for Platypus Economics

Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers

Platypus Economics
Inflation
Tariffs
Federal Reserve
Gas Prices
United States
Oil Prices
Iran
Gas Tax Holiday
Artificial Intelligence
Trump Accounts
Baby Bonds
Gross Domestic Product
Bond Market
Tax Policy
Healthcare
Federal Budget Deficit
Met Gala
US Debt
National Debt
The Effect Of School Phone Bands

From world events to everyday decisions, economics explains it all. Platypus Economics makes it clear, useful, and actually fun.

PublishesDailyEpisodes94Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CoursesEducationScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for Platypus Economics

Latest Episodes

In this bonus-sized episode of The Professor Is In, Justin Wolfers uses a strange, wonderful case study — the collapse of artisanal bootmaking in 1850s England — to think through what AI will do to your work, your wages, and maybe even where you live... more

The July jobs report just dropped, and it's time to worry. Markets expected around 80,000 new jobs — instead, the economy lost 23,000, and revisions to the prior two months erased another 100,000 we thought we had. In this video, Justin Wolfers break... more

Justin unpacks the new $100,000-a-year Truth Social API—a special "pipe" that will allow the president's posts to hit Wall Street computers a second or so before the rest of us see them. In this episode of Diving In, he explains why one second is an ... more

When the CEO of Anthropic warns AI could wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs, it's easy to picture the destruction. Justin Wolfers wants you to picture the other half of the story. In this episode of Diving In, he uses a carefully rese... more

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Recent Guests

Jamison Greer
United States Trade Representative; central figure in Trump administration's tariff agenda
Trump administration
Episode: The Lawyer’s Theory of Trade | Diving In
Brad Reese
Grandson of the Reese's founder, discussed in clip about Reese's products and skimflation
Reese's/Brad Reese open letter to Hershey's
Episode: What Reese's Cups and Canadian Wildfires Can Teach Us About Economics | Off the Clock
Justin Wolfers
Economist and professor at University of Michigan; host of Platypus Economics
Platypus Economics
Episode: Sifting Through the Wreckage of An Ill-Informed War| Slate's What Next + Platypus Economics
Stacey Vanek Smith
Economics journalist and co-host invited as a guest for this episode
Bloomberg Businessweek
Episode: Justin Wolfers Breaks Down the Week: Spirit, US Debt, and the AI Economy (with Stacey Vanek Smith)

Host

Justin Wolfers
Host of Platypus Economics; economics professor; frequent commentator on macroeconomic policy

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Too many ads

    Ugh. I want to like this, but I don’t want 5 min of ads every 5 min.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Cubafornian
    United Statesa month ago
  • Typical old school economist

    Unfortunately, Justin seems like the typical economist spouting the same old rules of economics that don’t apply anymore - plain and simple. Core inflation should never be a measure of anything. When your whole paycheck each month goes to energy and food, not just now but for years prior to now and for years going forward, then why the hell do we keep talking about core inflation? Plus he lives in MI, he knows 100% of our energy prices are controlled by the devil spawn DTE and that the war in Ir... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jas_8998
    United Statesa month ago
  • Econ from a Wolverine … and he’s good!!

    A) As a Spartan, I have to say that I honestly enjoy this.

    B) Team Zipline

    C) < $3.65 a gallon

    BUT … way too many ads, and they interrupt the flow of the discussion. Organize this better, Justin, or I’ll be forced to delete this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    WGibson648
    United Statesa month ago
  • Finally Economics Explained Clearly!

    I struggled to understand Econ. My prof assumed we all were familiar with basic concepts- most of class received C grade. Justin is a gifted educator. Look forward to every episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tune inner
    United Statesa month ago
  • Almost all of it is AI generated

    As another reviewer mentioned, its full of platitudes and cliches. Tried two episodes and didnt learn a single thing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    IfIWriteAReviewImAnnoyed
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the accessible, data-driven approach to economics and policy.
The show is praised for making complex concepts relatable and actionable.
Ad frequency and loudness in some episodes draw mixed feedback and may affect listening experience.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Should Canada answer Trump's tariffs? | The Professor Is In
Q: Given all of that, do you think it's possible to rebuild trust on trade for a post Trump America?
Yes, but it requires a return to Congress-led processes for trade agreements, clear commitments that survive changes in administration, and a reinvestment in the deep, regional integration that underpins competitiveness—especially across North American manufacturing corridors—so that future deals are about shared long-term gains rather than episodic concessions.
Should Canada answer Trump's tariffs? | The Professor Is In
Q: Okay, what are the long-term implications for the US of this new style of trade negotiation that we're engaging in?
The US risks eroding its credibility as a reliable trading partner, with American consumers absorbing tariff costs and investment flowing away from integrated regional industries. The point is to recognize that durable, mutually beneficial deals require credible commitments and stakeholder buy-in, not episodic signaling that undermines previously established trade arrangements.
Should Canada answer Trump's tariffs? | The Professor Is In
Q: Okay. So how do you think Canada should respond in this moment? What advice would you give them?
Use a long-run, countercyclical approach: avoid escalatory tariffs, emphasize interoperability under USMCA, and lean on congressional processes to create durable commitments that are harder to reverse unilaterally. The key is to protect long-term economic integration (especially auto supply chains) while signaling that Canada will resist short-term provocations without resorting to mutual destruction in trade.
Justin Answers Your Questions on Trump Accounts | The Professor Is In
Q: OK. One last question for you. Despite all the criticisms we've talked about, do you think the next administration, whether they're Democrat or Republican, do you think they will extend the $1,000? And maybe more importantly, or instead, should they?
The host argues that the sensible stance is to scrap the whole thing, while recognizing the political pull that could renew it; the guest suggests that even if renewed, the policy should be evaluated on its broader effects and whether it improves opportunity, not just as a political expedient.
Justin Answers Your Questions on Trump Accounts | The Professor Is In
Q: Your recent diving in debunked some of the hype around Trump accounts. This episode inspired a lot of debates and follow-up questions, and I'd like to dig into some of that with you.
The discussion clarifies that the Trump accounts are a bundled policy with short-term populist perks and longer-term permanent tax cuts for the wealthy, which differ in duration and fiscal impact; overall, the programs are complex, often mischaracterized, and have mixed implications for equity and growth.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Platypus Economics

What is Platypus Economics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Platypus Economics covers macro and microeconomic concepts through accessible explanations, timely policy discussions, and real-world examples. Episodes mix rigorous analysis with lighthearted banter, guest perspectives, and practical takeaways for listeners ranging from students to professionals. A notable strength is turning complex economics into relatable narratives, often tying policy signals to everyday decisions, markets, and public discourse. The format occasionally leans into ad-heavy segments, but the hosts' clarity and entertaining approach tend to keep the material engaging for a curious, educated audience seeking to understand how economic ideas apply to current events and personal finance.

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Which podcasts are similar to Platypus Economics?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Platypus Economics:

1. Economics Explained
2. Freakonomics Radio
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. EconTalk
5. The Indicator from Planet Money

How many episodes of Platypus Economics are there?

Platypus Economics launched 6 years ago and published 94 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 Platypus Economics?

Recent guests on Platypus Economics include:

1. Jamison Greer
2. Brad Reese
3. Justin Wolfers
4. Stacey Vanek Smith

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