The illusion persists, despite all evidence. Americans are pessimistic about the economic future. They feel worse off than their parent’s generation. Poll after poll shows that at best, only twenty percent of Americans say the economy is doing better than it was a year ago.
More than twenty percent of Americans are doing better than they were a year ago, b ... Show More
Yesterday
Where Do America’s Colleges Go From Here?
This back-to-school season, higher education finds itself at a crossroads. Amid rising costs, pressures from the Trump administration over admissions and ideological diversity, and AI, a debate is raging about what college is actually for. Radio Atlantic host Adam Harris speaks w ... Show More
30m 6s
Aug 20
Secrets of a Jeopardy Champion
What does it take to win Jeopardy? Drew Goins—an Atlantic staff writer, a Jeopardy champion, and the creator of The Atlantic’s new trivia game, Rabbithole—shares his secrets on winning at Jeopardy and cultivating a very particular brand of curiosity. - - - Get more from your favo ... Show More
24m 53s
Nov 2023
The Bad Vibes Around a Good Economy
<p>The American economy, by many measures, is doing better than it has done in years. But for many Americans, that is not how it feels. Their feelings point to an enduring mystery: Why do Americans feel so bad when the economy is so good?</p><p>Jeanna Smialek, who covers the Fede ... Show More
21m 40s
Nov 2021
The Economy Is Good. So Why Do We Feel Terrible About It?
<p>The U.S. economy is doing better than many had anticipated. Some 80 percent of jobs lost during the pandemic have been regained, and people are making, and spending, more.</p><p>But Americans seem to feel terrible about the financial outlook.</p><p>Why the gap between reality ... Show More
25m 12s
Feb 2024
One Thing: Is the Economy Really Booming? Gen Z Isn’t So Sure.
Despite blockbuster jobs numbers, robust consumer spending, and easing inflation, many Americans do not feel good about the US economy. The negative feelings are especially strong amongst young people struggling to pay their bills. Meanwhile, many are finding it hard – if not imp ... Show More
14m 36s
Nov 2024
The Truth About the US Economy!
The US Economy has been booming in recent years and most Americans are doing better than they were a year ago, unemployment is lower, wages are growing, and inflation is declining. It’s not just the one percent either, the statistics show that Americans across ages and social cla ... Show More
19m 55s
Jun 2024
The Economic Theory That Explains Why Americans Are So Mad
<p>There’s something weird happening with the economy. On a personal level, most Americans say they’re doing pretty well right now. And according to the data, that’s true. Wages have gone up faster than inflation. Unemployment is low, the stock market is generally up so far this ... Show More
1h 31m
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
Aug 2023
If The Economy Is So Good, Why Are People So Mad?
Inflation is way down, the U.S. is faring better than other major economies, and people broadly say their own personal financial situation is good. So why are people so down on the economy?This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and ... Show More
10m 16s
Apr 2023
The case for stepping back when talking about the economy
Talking about the economy nowadays is a miserable affair — inflation, inequality, and other topics dominate an increasingly negative discussion. But over the longer term, the U.S. economy has actually outperformed when compared to nearly every other advanced economy, a recent iss ... Show More
8m 14s