Podcast
Economics & Beyond with Rob Johnson
Hosted by Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) · EN
Rob Johnson is not your average economist, and this is not your average economics podcast. Every week, Rob talks about economic and social issues with a guest who probably wasn’t on your Econ 101 reading list, from musicians to activists to rebel economists. A podcast of The Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET).
11episodes
Episodes
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Fullerton’s journey from Wall Street to Regenerative Economics
Nov 2501:18:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Economics and Beyond, Rob Johnson and John Fullerton discuss his new book, Regenerative Economics which explores flaws in traditional economic thinking, and the need for a new framework that views the economy as a living system. They discuss the contradictions in financial theory, the role of chaos and stability, and the importance of self-governance and the commons in creating a sustainable economic future. Fullerton emphasizes the need to learn from life processes and to rethink our approach to economics and finance to align with the principles of regeneration.
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Jocelyn Benson: On Becoming a Purposeful Warrior
Jun 2300:29:16Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Economics and Beyond with Rob Johnson, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson discusses her book The Purposeful Warrior, which explores choosing courage over fear and standing up for democracy. She reflects on her experiences during the 2020 election, her work in civil rights, education, and sports, and her potential run for governor. Benson emphasizes resilience, unity, and the power of arts and activism to inspire change. She encourages young people to define their paths with strength and purpose, offering a call to action for collective progress and principled leadership in challenging times.
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Fred Block: Beyond Industrialism - Building Communities That Work for People
Jan 30, 202501:11:50Tap to summarizeFred Block, Research Professor of Sociology at UC Davis, joins Rob Johnson to discuss his latest book, The Habitation Society, which explores the need to move beyond industrial-era economic models to create an economy that prioritizes community well-being. Block critiques how economic policies have fueled inequality and stagnation while offering solutions—such as restructuring public finance—to foster prosperity for all.
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Lincoln Mitchell: Fear and Fascism: How America Reached a Political Breaking Point
Nov 14, 202401:06:20Tap to summarizeRob Johnson hosts Lincoln Mitchell, Political Science Professor at Columbia University, in a compelling conversation about the increasingly powerful fascist movement in the US. Mitchell outlines the elements of fascism present in the MAGA movement, including its dependence on a strongman leader, the scapegoating of minorities, threats of violence and curtailing of freedoms of speech and assembly. Reflecting on the failures of the media and political establishment, they discuss the importance of rebuilding democratic norms and institutions.
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David Sirota: Money Talks - The Erosion of Democracy in the Age of Billionaire Influence
Nov 7, 202400:53:02Tap to summarizeDavid Sirota joins Rob Johnson to examine the history and impact of money in U.S. politics, as explored in Sirota’s investigative podcast series, "Master Plan." Sirota discusses how a series of judicial rulings and policy changes since the 1970s enabled a system in which the voices of wealthy elites overshadow those of ordinary citizens.
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Marjorie Kelly: The Other Dangerous Supremacy - Wealth Supremacy
Oct 21, 202400:59:51Tap to summarizeAuthor and Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Democracy Collaborative, Marjorie Kelly, talks about her recently released book, Wealth Supremacy: How the Extractive Economy and the Biased Rules of Capitalism Drive Today’s Crises (Berrett-Kohler, September 2023), which also outlines a vision for democratizing the economy so that it serves the broader public good.
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Steven Herrmann: America’s Shaman-Poets’ Vision for a Better Future
Oct 10, 202401:02:51Tap to summarizeRob Johnson and Steven Herrmann, an author and Jungian analyst, discuss the concept of "spiritual democracy" as explored in Herrmann's work and the writings of American poets like Walt Whitman, Herman Melville, and Emily Dickinson and how their vision might inform a renewal of American democracy.
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America’s Burning
Aug 6, 202401:08:33Tap to summarizeWhat happened to the American dream? Rob talks with David Smick about his new film and the inspiration for the project.
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Leah Hunt-Hendrix and Astra Taylor - Solidarity: A World-Changing Idea
May 16, 202401:02:49Tap to summarizeLeah Hunt-Hendrix and Astra Taylor talk to Rob about their recently released book, Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea. The wide-ranging conversation covers the importance of solidarity in addressing the current crises of economic inequality, climate change, and democracy, emphasizing the need for collective action and social movements to bring about change, as well as the role of education and the arts in fostering a sense of community and shared identity.
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Rohinton Medhora: One Earth, One Family, One Future
Nov 2, 202300:41:16Tap to summarizeRohinton Medhora (INET's Board Chair, member of our Commission on Global Economic Transformation, and Distinguished Fellow at CIGI) discusses global social healing, India and the G20 with INET President Rob Johnson.
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