Can I afford that big summer vacation?

It’s a question many people ask this time of year. And the answer may hinge on greater economic forces at play.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May that costs were up 3.8%. Moody’s – a financial services company – tells CNBC that the average American household is spending $450 more on gas and energy since U.S. airstrikes began in Iran earlier this year.

We'll explore how public policy and politics are impacting consumer spending this summer.

Guests:
Mark Blyth, professor of international and public affairs, Brown University
Rachel Lenda, director of tourism, Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development
David Standridge, chef, The Shipwright's Daughter restaurant
Paul Brault, owner, Lobster Tales food truck

Can I afford that big summer vacation?
It&rsquo;s a question many people ask this time of year. And the answer may hinge on greater economic forces at play.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm">reported in May</a>&nbsp;that costs were up 3.8%. Moody&rsquo;s &ndash; a financial services company &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/29/energy-costs-inflation-iran-war-trump.html">tells CNBC</a>&nbsp;that the average American household is spending $450 more on gas and energy since U.S. airstrikes began in Iran earlier this year.
We'll explore how public policy and politics are impacting consumer spending this summer.
Guests:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://home.watson.brown.edu/people/faculty/watson-faculty/mark-blyth">Mark Blyth</a>, professor of international and public affairs, Brown University</li>
<li><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/decd/content/statewide-marketing-tourism/06_about_office_statewide_marketing_tourism/about-office-statewide-marketing-tourism/contact">Rachel Lenda,</a>&nbsp;director of tourism, Connecticut&rsquo;s Department of Economic and Community Development</li>
<li><a href="https://www.shipwrightsdaughter.com/team">David Standridge</a>, chef, The Shipwright's Daughter restaurant</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lobstertalesfoodtruck/">Paul Brault</a>, owner, Lobster Tales food truck</li>
</ul>

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If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.