Should We Actually Be Worried About the National Debt | Diving In

In this opening episode for Platypus Economics, Justin Wolfers explains why the federal budget deficit is one of the best examples of how economics can clarify a debate that politics often mangles. The central point is simple: deficits are not automatically good or bad, but a tool. And the only ser…

Welcome to Platypus Economics

Economics. Explained. Clearly.

Economics For All Your Decisions In Life - From Romance to Retirement

Think Like An Economist has taken you on a journey through the economic principles, showing you the tools of economics, and how they can be applied at home and at work. In this season finale, Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers reveal the big life choices they've made using those tools of economics…

Useful Economics in Everyday Life

We're all actors in the economy, with different habits, dilemmas and choices. And economics is about everyday decisions in our daily lives as much as it is about government policy. As economics professors, Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers have honed the ways to show how economics involves everyo…

A Conversation with Emily Oster: The Economics of Pregnancy, Parenting and the Pandemic

Emily Oster is one of the most interesting economists in the world, and she uses the tools of economics in everything she does. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers explore Emily's thoughts about how economic ideas can provide useful insight for parents and families. This audio course is about how t…

A Conversation with Larry Summers: The Influence of Economic Ideas and the Dangers of Secular Stagnation

Larry Summers has been at the forefront of economic thinking for decades - a World Bank chief economist, Professor at Harvard and U.S. Treasury Secretary. He's also warned that the global economy is in the midst of secular stagnation. In this episode, he tells Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers wh…

A Conversation with Greg Mankiw: Financial Crisis, Recessions and Communicating Economics

Professor Greg Mankiw is one of the most influential economists today: a New Keynesian, advisor to Presidents, and a good friend of Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers. In this episode, the three of them discuss what we can learn from financial crises, why globalisation has lost its shine, and how …

Behavioral Economics - We're only human!

We all can make mistakes when faced with choices. Biases and old habits can get in the way of good economic decision making. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers discuss the way our psychology affects our decisions, and they show how to make better judgements and assess the risks. Co-host: Nastaran…

Making Decisions in an Uncertain World

Uncertainty and risk are all around us. So how can we make good decisions when we don't know what will happen? Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers show you how to understand risk, and your reaction to it, as well as giving you the tools to help reduce risk. Co-host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: …

Game Theory - Thinking Strategically

In business, as in life, we often have to make decisions based on what others choose. But how do we make the right strategic decisions? Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers unpick the problems of strategic cooperation and coordination, and show you the four steps for making good strategic decisions.…