Podcast
Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer
Hosted by Civic Ventures · EN
We are living through a paradigm shift from trickle-down neoliberalism to middle-out economics — a new understanding of who gets what and why. Join zillionaire class-traitor Nick Hanauer and some of the world’s leading economic and political thinkers as they explore the latest thinking on how the economy actually works.
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Poverty for Profit: How Corporations Get Rich off America’s Poor (with Anne Kim)
Feb 25, 202500:38:16Tap to summarizeThe U.S. spends billions on programs designed to fight poverty, but it appears that much of that money is actually making corporations richer instead of helping people. This week, Nick and Goldy sit down with Anne Kim, author of Poverty for Profit: How Corporations Get Rich off America's Poor, to talk about the vast industry that siphons public dollars from anti-poverty programs.. From tax prep companies skimming off the Earned Income Tax Credit to private Medicaid contractors denying care to boost their bottom line, Kim exposes the hidden ways corporations profit off economic hardship. How did we end up with an anti-poverty system that enriches shareholders instead of helping people? More importantly—how do we fix it?Anne Kim is a writer, lawyer, public policy expert, and contributing editor at Washington Monthly. She’s also the author of Poverty for Profit: How Corporations Get Rich off America’s Poor and Abandoned: America’s Lost Youth and the Crisis of Disconnection.Social Media:@anne-s-kim.bsky.socialFurther reading: Poverty for Profit: How Corporations Get Rich off America’s PoorAbandoned: America’s Lost Youth and the Crisis of DisconnectionThe TurboTax Trap: How the Tax Prep Industry Makes You PayThe True Size of GovernmentWebsite: http://pitchforkeconomics.comInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsThreads: pitchforkeconomicsBluesky: @pitchforkeconomics.bsky.socialTwitter: @PitchforkEcon, @NickHanauer, @civicactionYouTube: @pitchforkeconomicsLinkedIn: Pitchfork EconomicsSubstack: The Pitch
Transcribe →Why the Economy Feels Rigged—and How to Fix It (with Senator Chris Murphy)
Feb 18, 202500:36:32Tap to summarizeThis week, Senator Chris Murphy joins Nick and Goldy to discuss the political failure of neoliberalism and what comes next for the Democratic Party. For decades, both parties embraced free trade and deregulation, promising that economic growth would benefit everyone. But that promise went unfulfilled as wages stagnated, industries collapsed, and inequality soared. Murphy explains how these policies left millions of Americans economically adrift, why Biden’s shift toward industrial policy is a step in the right direction, and how Democrats can remake their economic narrative by focusing on unrigging the system rather than handing out subsidies.Chris Murphy is the junior United States Senator for the State of Connecticut.Social Media:@chrismurphyct.bsky.socialchrismurphyct@ChrisMurphyCTFurther reading: Chris Murphy Wants Democrats to Break Up With Neoliberalism The Democratic senator speaks out about the future of his party.The Senator Warning Democrats of a Crisis Unfolding Beneath Their NosesHow Neoliberalism Cuts Off CommunityWebsite: http://pitchforkeconomics.comInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsThreads: pitchforkeconomicsBluesky: @pitchforkeconomics.bsky.socialTwitter: @PitchforkEcon, @NickHanauer, @civicactionYouTube: @pitchforkeconomicsLinkedIn: Pitchfork EconomicsSubstack: The Pitch
Transcribe →The Gilded Age of White Collar Crime (with Michael Hobbes)
Feb 11, 202500:34:46Tap to summarizeOnly a few weeks into his second term, Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies are doing their best to dismantle the federal government's regulatory agencies. So today, we're revisiting a compelling conversation we had in 2020 with journalist and podcast host Michael Hobbes about a piece he wrote in HuffPost titled "The Golden Age of White-Collar Crime." Initially reported against the backdrop of Trump’s first presidency and its alarming erosion of regulatory oversight, Hobbes breaks down the staggering prevalence of elite deviance—where the wealthy evade accountability for crimes that cause immense social harm—and also offers insight into why white-collar crime often goes unchecked. It’s a timely reminder of the consequences of allowing the ultra-wealthy to operate above the law.This episode originally aired on March 10, 2020.Michael Hobbes is a journalist, podcaster, and former senior reporter for HuffPost, known for his in-depth investigations into social issues, economics, and media narratives. He is the co-host of If Books Could Kill and Maintenance Phase, and previously co-hosted You're Wrong About, where he debunked cultural myths and misconceptions. Hobbes has also contributed to outlets like The New Republic, Pacific Standard and Slate covering topics ranging from housing policy to moral panics.Social Media:@michaelhobbes.bsky.socialFurther reading: The Golden Age of White Collar CrimeWebsite: http://pitchforkeconomics.comInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsThreads: pitchforkeconomicsBluesky: @pitchforkeconomics.bsky.socialTwitter: @PitchforkEcon, @NickHanauer, @civicactionYouTube: @pitchforkeconomicsLinkedIn: Pitchfork EconomicsSubstack: The Pitch
Transcribe →How America Ceased to Be the Land of Opportunity (with Yoni Appelbaum)
Feb 4, 202500:44:05Tap to summarizeThis week, Nick and Goldy are joined by journalist and historian Yoni Appelbaum to discuss his forthcoming book, Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity. They explore how decades of failed economic policies and zoning regulations have restricted mobility, stifled economic growth, and worsened inequality—revealing the historical roots of our current housing and economic inequality crises. Appelbaum argues that the decline in housing affordability isn't just a housing problem but a mobility problem, as many Americans are increasingly unable to afford to move to areas of the country where they can pursue better opportunities for themselves or their children.Yoni Appelbaum is a deputy executive editor of The Atlantic and a social and cultural historian of the United States. Before joining The Atlantic, he was a lecturer on history and literature at Harvard University.Social Media:Bluesky @yappelbaum.bsky.socialTwitter @YAppelbaumFurther reading:Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity.Website: http://pitchforkeconomics.comInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsThreads: pitchforkeconomicsBluesky: @pitchforkeconomics.bsky.socialTwitter: @PitchforkEcon, @NickHanauer, @civicactionYouTube: @pitchforkeconomicsLinkedIn: Pitchfork EconomicsSubstack: The Pitch
Transcribe →The Rise of the Billionaire Oligarchy (with Thom Hartmann)
Jan 28, 202500:39:06Tap to summarizeWith billionaires pouring unprecedented sums of money into politics, corporate interests shaping policy, and the revelation that Trump has appointed a record 13 billionaires to top administration roles in the wealthiest cabinet in American history, it's clear how much sway the ultra-wealthy hold over our democracy. So, we’re re-airing our 2021 conversation with Thom Hartmann, which offers timely insights into how the ultra-wealthy consolidate power, and how concentrated wealth undermines economic fairness and democratic governance.Thom Hartmann is a New York Times bestselling author and America’s #1 progressive talk show host for over a decade. This episode originally aired on February 2, 2021.Social Media:Bluesky @hartmannreport.comTwitter @Thom_HartmannFurther reading: The Hidden History of American OligarchyWebsite: http://pitchforkeconomics.comInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsThreads: pitchforkeconomicsBluesky: @pitchforkeconomics.bsky.socialTwitter: @PitchforkEcon, @NickHanauer, @civicactionYouTube: @pitchforkeconomicsLinkedIn: Pitchfork EconomicsSubstack: The Pitch
Transcribe →How Mexico’s Post-Neoliberal Policies Offer a Blueprint for U.S. Democrats (with Kurt Hackbarth)
Jan 21, 202500:37:54Tap to summarizeThis week, Paul and Goldy sit down with journalist Kurt Hackbarth to discuss the recent electoral success of Mexico's Morena party and their progressive economic agenda. The conversation explores how Morena’s focus on middle-out policies, such as significant minimum wage increases and sweeping social safety net programs and reforms, has lifted millions out of poverty and challenged decades of neoliberal orthodoxy. Hackbarth also highlights the effective communication strategies employed by Morena's leaders, particularly their innovative use of social media, and the importance of staying connected to the base while appealing to a broad spectrum of voters, offering insights into what U.S. Democrats can learn from Mexico's left-leaning Morena party.Kurt Hackbarth is a writer, playwright, and freelance journalist who contributes to Jacobin Magazine and co-founded the independent media project “MexElects.” His writing often explores the complexities of global affairs and the impact of neoliberalism on society.Social Media:@KurtHackbarthFurther reading: Jacobin Magazine- Mexico’s Lessons for the International LeftSoberanía: The Mexican Politics PodcastWebsite: http://pitchforkeconomics.comInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsThreads: pitchforkeconomicsBluesky: @pitchforkeconomics.bsky.socialTwitter: @PitchforkEcon, @NickHanauer, @civicactionYouTube: @pitchforkeconomicsLinkedIn: Pitchfork EconomicsSubstack: The Pitch
Transcribe →The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order (with Gary Gerstle)
Jan 14, 202500:45:34Tap to summarizeThis week, Nick and Goldy sit down with historian Gary Gerstle, author of The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order, for an in-depth exploration of neoliberalism—its origins, dominance, and decline. Their conversation examines the shifting political landscape shaped by recent presidential administrations, including the Biden administration’s efforts to promote a more equitable “middle-out” economic framework. With a focus on historical context and the enduring power of neoliberal institutions, this episode offers a compelling analysis of the pathways to a new economic order and the critical role of innovative thinking in navigating today’s economic challenges.Gary Gerstle is an author, historian, and scholar of American political and economic history. He is the Paul Mellon Professor of American History Emeritus at the University of Cambridge and a Professor Emeritus of History at Vanderbilt University.Social Media:@glgerstleFurther reading: 1984 Super Bowl APPLE MACINTOSH AdThe Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order: America and the World in the Free Market EraWebsite: http://pitchforkeconomics.comInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsThreads: pitchforkeconomicsBluesky: @pitchforkeconomics.bsky.socialTwitter: @PitchforkEcon, @NickHanauer, @civicactionYouTube: @pitchforkeconomicsLinkedIn: Pitchfork EconomicsSubstack: The Pitch
Transcribe →Revisiting Trickle-Down's Stubborn Refusal to Die (with Mark Blyth)
Jan 7, 202500:38:41Tap to summarizeWith a second Trump administration on the horizon, we’re bracing for a return to the same failed trickle-down policies that have dominated our politics for 50 years—policies that enrich the wealthy few at the top while leaving everyone else behind. That’s why we’re resharing our 2022 conversation with Mark Blyth, a political economist who explains why trickle-down economics refuses to die and how it continues to shape our world. In this episode, Mark exposes the myths behind these harmful ideas and makes a compelling case for a new economic paradigm.This episode originally aired on October 11, 2022.Mark Blyth is a political economist, professor, author and the Director of the William R. Rhodes Center for International Economics and Finance at Brown University. He is the author of several influential books, including Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea and Angrynomics (co-authored with Eric Lonergan), and he’s the co-author of a forthcoming book, Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers. Further reading: Inflation: A Guide for Users and LosersAngrynomicsAusterity: The History of a Dangerous IdeaWebsite: http://pitchforkeconomics.comInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsThreads: pitchforkeconomicsBluesky: @pitchforkeconomics.bsky.socialTwitter: @PitchforkEcon, @NickHanauer, @civicactionYouTube: @pitchforkeconomicsLinkedIn: Pitchfork EconomicsSubstack: The Pitch
Transcribe →How AI Could Help Rebuild The Middle Class (with David Autor)
Dec 31, 202400:39:30Tap to summarizeThis week, Nick and Goldy discuss the future of AI and its potential impact on labor markets and society with MIT professor and economist David Autor. While many pundits predict that AI will bring economic misery to working Americans, Autor optimistically argues that AI could empower the middle class by augmenting human expertise, unlocking new solutions to complex problems, and enabling individuals with fewer formal skills to excel in areas requiring advanced knowledge. Professor Autor also underscores the need for targeted investments, labor market supports, and thoughtful regulations to ensure the benefits of AI are widely and equitably distributed rather than concentrated among a privileged few. It’s a fascinating discussion about the future of AI that tackles the pressing questions about its ethical deployment, the risks of monopolization, and the societal shifts required to harness it for the greater good.David Autor is a labor economist and professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who studies how technological change and globalization affect workers. He is also co-director of the MIT Shaping the Future of Work Initiative and the National Bureau of Economic Research Labor Studies Program.Social MediaTwitter: @davidautorFurther reading: NOEMA - AI Could Actually Help Rebuild The Middle ClassNew York Times - How One Tech Skeptic Decided A.I. Might Benefit the Middle ClassWebsite: http://pitchforkeconomics.comInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsThreads: pitchforkeconomicsBluesky: @pitchforkeconomics.bsky.socialTwitter: @PitchforkEcon, @NickHanauer, @civicactionYouTube: @pitchforkeconomicsLinkedIn: Pitchfork EconomicsSubstack: The Pitch
Transcribe →Is America’s Healthcare System Having Its Own Pitchforks Moment? (with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed)
Dec 24, 202400:44:48Tap to summarizeThis week, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins Nick and Goldy to discuss how the recent assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson has thrown a harsh spotlight on the public's visceral anger toward our exploitative healthcare system. Dr. El-Sayed outlines the stark contrasts between the profit-driven U.S. healthcare system and those of other developed nations, arguing that we need a public option to alleviate the burdens of skyrocketing costs and access issues. Goldy also explains how the warnings from Nick’s viral POLITICO piece from 10 years ago, “The Pitchforks Are Coming For Us Plutocrats,” feel eerily prescient, as the public reaction to Thompson’s death was a mix of hailing the shooter as a hero, outrage, and people sharing their personal healthcare horror stories online. Is it possible that America’s healthcare system is having its own pitchforks moment?Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is a physician, epidemiologist, and public servant whose work focuses on health equity, resiliency, and environmental justice. He is the host of America Dissected, Crooked Media’s podcast that explores the intersection of health and society with leading experts in science, public health, and policy. Abdul is also the author of Healing Politics and Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide, and he serves as a visiting scientist at Harvard’s FXB Center for Health & Human Rights, as well as a Scholar in Residence at Wayne State University and American University.Social MediaBlueSky: @abdulelsayed.bsky.socialInstagram: abdulelsayedThreads: abdulelsayedTwitter: @AbdulElSayedFurther reading: America Dissected Healing Politics: A Doctor's Journey Into the Heart of Our Political EpidemicMedicare for All: A Citizen's Guide Nick’s OpEd in POLITICO: The Pitchforks Are Coming… For Us PlutocratsNick’s Ted Talk: Beware, fellow plutocrats, the pitchforks are comingWebsite: http://pitchforkeconomics.comInstagram: @pitchforkeconomicsThreads: pitchforkeconomicsBluesky: @pitchforkeconomics.bsky.socialTwitter: @PitchforkEcon, @NickHanauer, @civicactionYouTube: @pitchforkeconomicsLinkedIn: Pitchfork EconomicsSubstack: The Pitch
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