Lina Khan recently concluded her term as one of the Biden administration’s most controversial leaders. Her tenure as chair of the Federal Trade Commission raised the profile of the relatively obscure antitrust agency charged with protecting competition. Her anti-monopoly outlook and more aggressive enforcement strategies, particularly toward Big Tech market ... Show More
Nov 20
Are Big Tech’s Regulators “Cowards”? ft. Tim Wu
<p>Did you know Amazon makes $37 billion <i>a year—</i>more than double the revenue of all the newspapers in the world combined—from its sponsored results alone? Yes, the same, spammy, sponsored results at the top of a search that bilk shoppers with fake or low-quality items and ... Show More
1h 2m
Nov 6
Why Economists Should Care About Inequality, with Branko Milanovic
<p>Recently, Bethany and Luigi joined economist and wealth inequality expert Branko Milanovic in front of a live audience at the Aspen Ideas Festival to explore how capitalism, democracy, and income inequality interact. Together, the three discussed the pervasiveness of income in ... Show More
46m 41s
Oct 30
Nobel Economist Reveals Why Economic Models Keep Failing Us, ft. Richard Thaler
<p>Standard economic theory informs how we think about business strategy and the economy and presumes that people are selfish, have well-defined preferences, and consistently make welfare-maximizing choices. In other words, we are rational. But what if that is not the case?</p><p ... Show More
45m 59s
Mar 2025
625. The Biden Policy That Trump Hasn’t Touched
<p>Lina Khan, the youngest F.T.C. chair in history, reset U.S. antitrust policy by thwarting mega-mergers and other monopolistic behavior. This earned her enemies in some places, and big fans in others — including the Trump administration. Stephen Dubner speaks with Khan about he ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 2025
The Progressive Regulator Winning Over the Populist Right
<p>Is the key to freedom a life without Amazon? This week, Ross talks to Lina Khan, former Chair of the Federal Trade Commission about how unchecked corporate power has limited choice in our day-to-day lives, and how her fight against Big Tech unites left and right.</p><ul><li>02 ... Show More
1 h
Sep 4
The Landmark Google Antitrust Ruling
<p>For decades, the government has struggled with how to police monopolies in the tech industry.</p><p>This week, a landmark ruling in a case against Google became the most aggressive attempt in the modern era to level the playing field.</p><p>David McCabe, who covers tech policy ... Show More
25m 21s
Oct 2024
Unlocking Innovation Through Antitrust Enforcement — ft. Lina Khan
Scott and Ed open the show by discussing China’s stock market surge, Softbank’s investment in OpenAI, and why Gavin Newsom vetoed an AI safety bill. Then Lina Khan, Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, joins the show to discuss the need for regulation in big tech and the connec ... Show More
55m 19s
Feb 2025
VULTURE CAPITALISM UNVEILED: Grace Blakeley on the Oligarchs' Grip on Our Economy
In this episode, Max and Nafkote interview Grace Blakeley, an economist and author, about the rise of oligarchy and the relationship between billionaires, corporations, and the state.Grace discusses the close relationship between the American political establishment and the billi ... Show More
24m 5s
Aug 2024
Rational Security: The “Big Worm Energy” Edition
<p>This week, Alan and Quinta were joined by Kevin Frazier to talk through some of the week’s biggest national security news, including:</p><ul><li>“KOSA Nostra.” An overwhelming majority of senators voted to pass the Kids Online Safety Act, also known as KOSA—a bipartisan piece ... Show More
1h 10m
Aug 29
Back to School Phone Policies & Ukrainian Stock on the Nasdaq 8/2925
<p>As school season starts, the debate over phones in classrooms continues, with 35 states imposing restrictions on student mobile devices. Joanne Lipman, a Yale University lecturer, and Emily Boddy, a council member of Smartphone Free Childhood U.S., shared their perspectives on ... Show More
31m 3s