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Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers

Justin Wolfers
Inflation
Federal Reserve
Tariffs
United States
Artificial Intelligence
Iran
Gas Prices
Oil Prices
Gas Tax Holiday
Census Bureau
Bond Market
Trump Accounts
Geopolitical Risk
Canada
Baby Bonds
Gross Domestic Product
Tax Policy
Healthcare
Donald J. Trump
Public Policy

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes120Founded6 years ago
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CoursesEducationScienceSocial Sciences

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Artwork for Platypus Economics

Latest Episodes

The Fed just raised rates unanimously — and Justin Wolfers explains why that 12-0 vote matters more than the rate itself. Joined by Bloomberg Businessweek's Stacey Vanek-Smith on Off The Clock, Justin unpacks what "Silent Kevin" Warsh actually signal... more

The Fed just raised its target rate by a quarter of a percentage point, the first hike since 2023 — but Justin Wolfers argues the number on the front page isn't the real story. In this episode of The Professor Is In, producer Augusta Chapman brings y... more

Understanding The Fed’s Rate Hike Decision | Diving In

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday by a quarter of a percentage point. It’s the first time the Central Bank upped rates since July, 2023.

All 12 members of the Federal Open ... more

Why an "infinity percent" tariff on Canada may hurt Americans more than Canadians.

The U.S.–Canada trade war just got weirder, and Justin Wolfers walks through what actually changed. After Canada answered Washington's tariffs with a measured, dollar... more

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Recent Guests

Ben Meissel
From Midas Touch, invited guest to discuss bond market dynamics and policy signals
Midas Touch
Episode: What the Heck is Going On In the Bond Market? | Diving In
Hillary Vipond
Author of the research on Victorian bootmaking
(mentioned as author in interview)
Episode: What Victorian Bootmakers Can Teach Us About The Future of Work | Diving In
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; Bloomberg columnist
Bloomberg
Episode: Is Inflation Going to Ruin the Summer? | Off the Clock

Hosts

Justin Wolfers
Host associated with Platypus Economics and frequently guides discussions on policy, economics, and the future of work.
Megan Connors
Co-host moderating discussions and audience Q&A segments, helping translate complex econ concepts into accessible dialogue.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Fan girl

    Major fan after 3 pods. Good to hear an Aussie accent in American economics! Logical, easy to follow, on the right topics. Get on it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SazetteFNQ
    Australia9 days ago
  • Wonderfully clear exposition

    The U.S. tariff attack on Canada brilliantly explained (though the episode aired before the latest Trump round) . I think now more than ever the advice given to Carney is so sound- cry squirrel and point in a different direction!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Travelmia
    New Zealand11 days ago
  • Economics made simple

    Justin Wolfers is the Carl Sagan of economic communicators. He has a singular ability to explain complex economic concepts in terms that are relatable to everyone.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CCI_Grampaw
    United States22 days ago
  • Essential listening.

    Important information delivered in an entertaining manner.

    Excellent.******

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zed_55
    United Statesa month ago
  • Smart podcast - and fun!

    Justin is my newest “who would you invite to a dinner party” answer. Smart, witty, well researched.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cfpnh
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Engaging, accessible economics with practical real-world examples.
Occasional ad-heavy episodes can interrupt the flow for some listeners.
High-quality explanations that make complex topics understandable.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Governments Manipulate Statistics Without Lying | Professor Is In
Q: How can we trust the most recent jobs numbers given potential political interference?
There is no evidence of widespread manipulation in most numbers, with a notable exception related to the 2020 election voter fraud report; overall, trusted official agencies remain the baseline, and skepticism should focus on the political context rather than the data itself.
What the Heck is Going On In the Bond Market? | Diving In
Q: Why are bond yields rising, and what is actually happening with Scott Bessent's program?
Yields rose due to heavy government borrowing and expected higher inflation risk, but the Treasury's program is intended to smooth market functioning by providing liquidity in parts of the bond market that have few buyers or sellers, potentially signaling a short-term stabilizing intent.
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.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Platypus Economics

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

Plenty of episodes center on big-picture economics made practical, with hosts unpacking how technology, policy, and markets shape everyday life. Frequent threads include wage trends, the distribution of income between labor and capital, the impact of AI and automation on work, and how policy design—welfare programs, tariffs, and tax rules—affects households. The show blends rigorous economic concepts with real-world examples, audience questions, and occasional humor to illuminate how macro forces translate into personal decisions, business strategy, and public policy. A notable edge is the willingness to explore nontraditional scenarios (like AI-owned capital) and to compare domestic and international policy dynamics, which can be especiall... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Platypus Economics?

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1. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
2. Stay Tuned with Preet
3. To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
4. Talking Feds
5. Prof G Markets

How many episodes of Platypus Economics are there?

Platypus Economics launched 6 years ago and published 120 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. Ben Meissel
2. Hillary Vipond
3. Jamison Greer
4. Brad Reese
5. Justin Wolfers
6. Stacey Vanek Smith

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