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Artwork for Who Makes Cents?: A History of Capitalism Podcast

Who Makes Cents?: A History of Capitalism Podcast

Jessica Levy and Dylan Gottlieb
Capitalism
African Americans
Freedman's Bank
Seth Rockman
Gun Capitalism
Racial Wealth Gap
Outdoor Industry
Mass Consumerism
Slavery
National Rifle Association
North and South
Antebellum America
American Capitalism
Reconstruction
Fireports and Domestic Violence
Urban Uprisings Of the 1960S
Gun Control Act Of 1968
Property Tax
Material Culture
Frederick Douglass

Who Makes Cents?: A History of Capitalism Podcast is a monthly program devoted to bringing you quality, engaging stories that explain how capitalism has changed over time. We interview historians and social and cultural critics about capitalism’s past, highlighting the political and economic changes that have created the present. Each episode gives voice to the people who have shaped capitalism – ... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes113Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureHistory

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Artwork for Who Makes Cents?: A History of Capitalism Podcast

Latest Episodes

It's now been over a decade since the New York Times declared that the history of capitalism was in full swing at American universities. This podcast also just celebrated its 10 year anniversary. With those milestones in mind, we wanted to take the t... more

In this month's episode Justene Hill Edwards leads listeners on a deep dive into the rise and fall of the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company, also known as the Freedman's Bank. Among the topics explored are the bank's relationship to the similarly ... more

Back in high school, my social studies teacher—who was, of course, also the football coach—told my class that entrepreneurs were the heroes of American history. If we enjoyed a dynamic economy and good jobs, it was all thanks to their genius for inno... more

Looking back from our contemporary vantage point, the United States’ global capitalist empire looks both omnipresent and inevitable. Much of the world’s trade is denominated in dollars. American financial institutions are at the helm of international... more

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Recent Guests

Justine Hill Edwards
Associate professor of history at the University of Virginia and author of the book 'Savings and Trust, The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman's Bank'
University of Virginia
Episode: Justene Hill Edwards on the Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman's Bank
Erik Baker
Lecturer in the History of Science Department at Harvard University
Harvard University
Episode: Erik Baker on the Entrepreneurial Century
Mary Bridges
Harvard University Belfer Center scholar and author
Harvard University
Episode: Mary Bridges on Bankers and the Dawn of American Empire
Seth Rockman
Associate Professor of History at Brown University
Brown University
Episode: Seth Rockman on Slavery's Material History
Andrew Kahrl
A professor of history and African American studies at the University of Virginia.
University of Virginia
Episode: Andrew Kahrl on Inequality, Theft, and Taxation in Modern America
Andrew McKevitt
John D. Winters Endowed Professor of History at Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University
Episode: Andrew McKevitt on Gun Capitalism
Rachel Gross
Assistant Professor of History at the University of Colorado and author of 'Shopping All the Way to the Woods, How the Outdoor Industry Sold Nature to America'
University of Colorado
Episode: Rachel Gross on How the Outdoor Industry Sold Nature to America
Margot Canaday
Historian and author of Queer Career
Princeton University
Episode: Margot Canaday on Queer Workers in Modern America
Brent Cebul
Assistant Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Brent Cebul on Business, Inequality, and American Liberalism

Hosts

Jessica Levy
Co-host and contributor with expertise in historical narratives and social critique, known for engaging discussions and thoughtful questioning.
Dylan Gottlieb
Co-host with a focus on historical analysis and critical theories pertaining to capitalism, recognized for insightful dialogues and interviews with authors.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 141 ratings
  • Huge Fan

    This show brings academics together in a palatable way for non-academics. I’m just such a huge fan of Jessica and Dylan and their thoughtful questioning and structuring of each episode. Awesome work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    teddyconover
    United States5 months ago
  • Still great

    Enjoy the interviews with authors. Good in-depth convos and interesting questions. Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andrew loves pods
    United States10 months ago
  • A space to learn (and un-learn)

    Who Makes Cents has quickly become a favorite for me! No matter the topic, I gain something from every episode. Really grateful for this resource... keep up the amazing work, Jessica!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Arlie K
    United States3 years ago
  • Monthly deep dives on economic and labor issue from a progressive/Left perspective. Typically academic and the interviews are a little too pre-planned but the guests and subjects are usually excellent and that's what's most important.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    curious
    3 years ago
  • The ultimate

    The best podcast in existence. Thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blitz723
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback suggests a desire for greater clarity on key conclusions drawn in discussions, as well as suggestions for improving conversational flow.
Listeners appreciate the engaging interviews and accessible discussions that connect historical narratives to present-day realities.
The podcast is praised for its quality storytelling and depth of analysis, often seen as insightful and educational.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Justene Hill Edwards on the Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman's Bank
Q: What were some of the key actions that led to the bank's catastrophic betrayal of its depositors?
Actions included the bank administrators making illegal loans and altering the bank's charter to allow these practices, ultimately prioritizing white borrowers over African Americans.
Justene Hill Edwards on the Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman's Bank
Q: What were some of the surprising insights you gained while researching the Freedman's Bank?
Edwards notes the interconnectedness of historical figures involved in the bank and details about its mission's divergence from serving African Americans.
Justene Hill Edwards on the Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman's Bank
Q: How did you come to write a book about the Freedman's Bank?
Justine Hill Edwards explains that her interest peaked when she realized the lack of comprehensive literature on the subject, especially in the context of the racial wealth gap discussions.
Erik Baker on the Entrepreneurial Century
Q: How does using your frame of entrepreneurialism change the way we see modernization theory and development thinking?
Using the entrepreneurial frame reveals that modernization efforts often include an ideological push for individual entrepreneurialism rather than merely centralized planning, influencing how policy initiatives operate at various levels.
Erik Baker on the Entrepreneurial Century
Q: What is the promise of the entrepreneurial work ethic for various actors, such as workers and capitalists?
The entrepreneurial work ethic erases distinctions between capitalists and workers, promoting a vision where everyone can create work, thereby redefining class consciousness and aspirations toward classlessness.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The focus is on the examination of capitalism through a rich historical lens, bringing together narratives that explore how economic systems have evolved. Each episode features leading historians and cultural critics who discuss pivotal moments in capitalism's history, emphasizing the intertwined nature of political, economic, and social dynamics. The storytelling format aims to engage a wide audience, making complex historical subjects accessible while emphasizing the voices of those who have influenced or challenged the capitalist system. Unique in its approach, the show not only educates on historical facts but also encourages listeners to think critically about ongoing issues related to capitalism today.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Dig
2. Behind the News with Doug Henwood
3. New Books in Critical Theory
4. Jacobin Radio
5. Macrodose

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 11 years ago and published 113 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Justine Hill Edwards
2. Erik Baker
3. Mary Bridges
4. Seth Rockman
5. Andrew Kahrl
6. Andrew McKevitt
7. Rachel Gross
8. Margot Canaday

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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