logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2023
18m 30s

Do We Actually Need Debt?

Economics Explained
About this episode

Is there such a thing as "good debt"? And how could something good cause so many issues? On top of this is there any way that we could just run an economy without debt and would we be better off for doing so. Well, it turns out we probably can, and in fact, there are many economies around the world today that are developing rapidly while going without this system that we just assume is a given. If we can critically explore these questions it will offer insight into how our modern financial system works, and why it means that despite our best efforts we are almost destined to go into a recession once every 10 years or so.

Up next
Jul 7
Have Europe's Great Powers Given Up?
Germany, Italy, and France—once the powerhouses driving Europe’s economy—are now grappling with some tough problems. We’ve put together this collection of videos to give a broader picture of Europe’s economic struggles. From Germany’s industrial slowdown to Italy’s stalling econo ... Show More
50m 50s
Jul 3
China’s Debt Problem Is 300% Bigger Than America’s
From state-owned enterprises to real estate issues - how does China’s economy operate under different rules? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
25m 8s
Jun 23
Denmark Should Not be Rich
How does tiny, cold Denmark defy the odds to become one of the richest nations? Despite sky-high taxes and a lack of oil wealth, it boasts free education, universal healthcare, and global giants like Novo Nordisk. Unpack the Nordic model, flexicurity, and explore why high taxes h ... Show More
21m 45s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2020
Good Debt/Bad Debt
Recent studies show us what many of us already know: debt is about so much more than money. Join Sim & Sonya as they explore the fear behind the psychological aspects of debt, good debt' and 'bad debt' and the two most popular ways to pay off your debt: debt snowball and debt ava ... Show More
28m 44s
Dec 2023
Why are we so bummed about the economy?
Would you say that you and your family are better off or worse off, financially, than you were a year ago? Do you think in 12 months we'll have good times, financially, or bad? Generally speaking, do you think now is a good time or a bad time to buy a house? These are the kinds o ... Show More
23m 54s
Apr 2023
Get your debt under control
Life happens, and so does debt. Unexpected car trouble, the high price of food, a family emergency — there is no shortage of reasons why debt can pile up. In this episode, we offer shame-free solutions for digging out of debt. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoi ... Show More
14m 12s
Dec 2019
Get Rid of Debt for Good (with Michael Bovee)
I've got a question for you. What would it feel like to be debt-free, to start over from a blank page, to not have that stress and worry hanging over you? I would imagine pretty good – but becoming debt-free takes time, some tips and tricks and as Michael Bovee says, it’s all abo ... Show More
46m 27s
Nov 2015
Technical Debt vs. Mental Debt
The concept of mental debt is something that developers never talk about. We're obsessed with pointing out technical debt, but isn't there value in worrying about our limited mental energy? There's only so much complexity we can take in. 
8m 27s
Nov 2023
Inflation is The Problem. Inflation Is The Solution
 On today’s show, we are talking about four ways to liquidate debt. Our entire economy is driven by access to credit. Credit facilities of all types are essentially a claim on future earnings. I don’t have the money today, but I will in the future if you lend me some of that exce ... Show More
5m 56s
Jun 2020
Covid-19 : 10 Questions sur les conséquences économiques
L’épisode du Coronavirus, que certains qualifient de pire crise depuis 1929, est aussi inattendu qu’inédit. Inédit puisque pour la première fois il ne s’agit pas d’une crise due à l’éclatement au grand jour de fragilités internes du système économique mondial, mais d’une crise pr ... Show More
36m 55s
Feb 2023
Jay & Shai's debt ceiling adventure
Every year, the U.S. government spends more money than it takes in. In order to fund all that spending, the country takes on debt. Congress has the power to limit how much debt the U.S. takes on. Right now, the debt limit is $31.4 trillion dollars. Once we reach that limit, Congr ... Show More
26m 6s
Jun 2020
Buy, Borrow, Steal
Policymakers have a tried-and-true game plan for jump-starting the economy in times of severe recession: Push stimulus packages and lower interest rates so Americans will borrow and spend. But economist Amir Sufi says the way we traditionally address a recession is deeply flawed. ... Show More
48m 34s