Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Episode Summary featuring Austan Goolsbee

Release Date: April 12, 2025

Introduction

In this lively episode of NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!", host Peter Sagal welcomes back Austan Goolsbee, a prominent figure in the economics world and the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The show is set at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, featuring panelists Shane O'Neill, Rachel Koster, and Peter Gross, alongside listener contestants Jen Ainslie and Lori Riccio.

Listener Contestant Quiz

The episode kicks off with the traditional Listener Contestant Quiz, where Jen Ainslie participates. Peter Sagal introduces the participants and the panelists before presenting three humorous news-related quotes for Jen to identify or explain correctly.

• Economy and Tariffs Discussion (03:13-05:43):

  • Peter Sagal humorously compares President Trump's tariff policies to "using an explosive to clear a clogged drain," referencing Goolsbee's past metaphor (03:13).
  • Austan Goolsbee chimes in with a witty remark: "If you're buying European brands of cat food, you deserve to lose a ton of money. My cat won't eat anything but El Jamon Spanish Iberico" (05:19).
  • The panel engages in playful banter about the implications of tariffs, consumer behavior, and even European cat food preferences.

• Extinction of the Dire Wolf (05:51-07:48):

  • Bill Curtis presents a quote about the dire wolf's extinction: "Holy crap. That's the first time in 12,000 years that this species has howled" (05:51).
  • Peter Sagal explains the dire wolf's reintroduction and its impact, with Goolsbee adding, "A dire wolf is like bigger and stronger and more powerful than a regular wolf" (05:19).
  • The discussion includes humorous takes on genetic resurrection and pop culture references, such as "Game of Thrones."

• Dating Apps and Accountants (07:56-09:58):

  • Bill Curtis shares a quote from the New York Post about singles using dating apps to find someone who can help them with taxes: "They're not looking for love, they're looking to file" (07:56).
  • The panelists joke about the intersection of dating and financial expertise, with Rachel Koster quipping, "People who do their own taxes are also sexier because they're probably, like, in a lot of trouble with the law," (08:35).

Jen impresses the contestants by correctly identifying two out of three quotes, earning her a perfect score and a spot in the prize pool.

Collectible Bluff Game

Next, the Collectible Bluff game challenges Rachel Koster to discern which of three presented collectible trends is genuine:

1. Shane O'Neill introduces "ogisan cards," trading cards featuring middle-aged men from a Japanese town designed to bridge the generation gap (15:17).
2. Rachel Koster describes a fictional trend where boys collect tobacco pipes and smoking jackets after an Xbox mishap (16:40).
3. Austan Goolsbee narrates a fabricated craze of collecting baby bell cheese wax in Coldwater, Ohio (17:47).

After deliberation, Rachel correctly identifies Shane's "ogisan cards" as the true collectible trend, awarding Shane a point for getting Peter Gross's story correct.

Austan Goolsbee's Segment

In the Not My Job segment, Austan Goolsbee discusses his role as the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago:

• Roles and Responsibilities (21:35-27:15):

  • Peter Sagal asks Goolsbee to elaborate on his day-to-day responsibilities, to which Goolsbee humorously likens the Fed's functions to parts of a hand, emphasizing monetary policy as the "opposable thumb" (21:35).
  • Goolsbee shares insights into the Federal Open Market Committee meetings, highlighting regional pride and the logistical nuances of economic decision-making (22:20).
  • The panel engages in light-hearted exchanges about the responsibilities and rivalries within the Federal Reserve, with Goolsbee showcasing his expertise and humor.

• Goolsbee Goolsbee Shopping Quiz (27:14-30:20):

  • Host Peter Sagal quizzes Goolsbee on Spirit Halloween-related trivia, which Goolsbee answers flawlessly, securing his win in the game.
  • Notable Quote: Peter Sagal remarks, "Austan Goolsbee playing for Aaron Davis of Sacramento, California?" (27:57), leading to a playful and engaging interaction that highlights Goolsbee's quick wit.

Listener Limber Challenge

The Listener Limber Challenge features Lori Riccio from Providence, Rhode Island, participating in a limerick game:

• Limerick Solutions (38:16-42:35):
  • Bill Curtis presents limericks related to recent news stories for Lori to complete. Lori successfully identifies the missing words in two out of three limericks, earning her a perfect score.
  • Highlights include a limerick about a Nevada man's unauthorized tiger collection and the resurgence of lower back tattoos, to which Riccio responds accurately.

Lightning Fill in the Blank

The episode progresses to the high-energy Lightning Fill in the Blank game:

• Questions and Responses (43:51-48:54):
  • Shane O'Neill leads the competition, answering rapid-fire questions about recent news events, including Supreme Court decisions and quirky stories like a car being converted into a bus overnight (44:22).
  • Rachel Koster participates but finds the questions challenging, securing fewer points.
  • Austan Goolsbee triumphs by answering all his questions correctly, bringing his total score to 15 points and winning the game.

Closing Remarks

Peter Sagal wraps up the episode with acknowledgments to the guest Austan Goolsbee and the hardworking production team. He teases future segments and encourages listeners to join upcoming live shows in Portland, Maine, and Western Massachusetts.

Notable Quotes

• Austan Goolsbee (05:19): "If you're buying European brands of cat food, you deserve to lose a ton of money. My cat won't eat anything but El Jamon Spanish Iberico."
• Peter Sagal (03:13): "Using a tariff to fix your economy is like using an explosive to clear a clogged drain."
• Peter Sagal (25:12): "Aunt Trina's lasagna was stuck in the pipes, now it's Aunt Trina. She's down there. Nothing else is going down."

Conclusion

This episode of "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" offers a blend of humor, insightful economic discussions with Austan Goolsbee, and engaging listener interactions. The panelists and contestants navigate through witty banter and challenging quizzes, making it a memorable and entertaining listen for both regular fans and newcomers.