logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2020
48m 34s

Buy, Borrow, Steal

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode

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. He argues that by encouraging "sugar-rush" solutions, the nation is putting poor and middle-class Americans and the entire economy at even greater risk. This week we look at the role of debt as a hidden driver of recessions, and how we might create a more stable system.

Up next
Jul 7
You 2.0: The Passion Pill
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” The idea is that pursuing your passion will feel invigorating — almost magical. But passions can easily wane over time. This week, behavioral scientist Jon Jachimowicz looks at how to ... Show More
49m 25s
Jun 30
You 2.0: What Is Your Life For?
What should you do with your life? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. But there are scientifically-tested methods that can help you to feel more in harmony with yourself and the world. This week, and in a companion conversation for Hidden Brain+, researcher Vic ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 23
Win Hearts, Then Minds + Your Questions Answered on Identity and "Covering"
There’s a saying that’s attributed to the Dalai Lama: in the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher. It’s a nice idea. But when people don’t share our values, it’s hard for us to tolerate theirs. This week, we bring you a favorite episode with sociologist Robb Wil ... Show More
1h 25m
Recommended Episodes
May 2022
Money Talks: The next recession
Since 1900, the global economy has fallen into a recession about once a decade on average. In 2020, the world experienced the deepest downturn since the second world war. Just two years on, is another recession on the way? This week, hosts Soumaya Keynes and Mike Bird focus on th ... Show More
39m 34s
May 2022
Money Talks: The next recession
Since 1900, the global economy has fallen into a recession about once a decade on average. In 2020, the world experienced the deepest downturn since the second world war. Just two years on, is another recession on the way? This week, hosts Soumaya Keynes and Mike Bird focus on th ... Show More
39m 34s
May 2023
Unraveling America's Dance With a Debt-Ceiling Disaster
The US debt ceiling is all anyone in Washington (and increasingly elsewhere) can talk about these days. For months, politicians have been in a stalemate triggered by Republican demands for spending cuts as the price for paying America's debts. With next week seen as the point at ... Show More
34m 38s
Jun 2022
Why Inflation's Fallout Is Becoming Increasingly Global
US inflation is at a 40-year high and the UK is effectively in recession as demand slows for Chinese-made goods. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, though addressing the British economy, could have been speaking for the whole world when he said in a recent interview that “we’re going ... Show More
24m 56s
Aug 2023
Another Economic Headwind
The mainstream media continue to push the narrative that the US and Canadian economies are strong. Unemployment is low and the service sector of the economy is doing great.  This is what is driving the soft landing hypothesis.  But what is being overlooked is the economic headwin ... Show More
4m 35s
Jun 2023
Recession? What recession?
Some economists have been warning of an imminent recession in the United States for over a year now. But so far, it has yet to strike. We’ll get into the different ways economists are thinking about how a so-called recession might play out. Also, humans are having a profound, lit ... Show More
17m 30s
Aug 2022
Seth Carpenter: Is a Global Recession Upon Us?
Amid global shocks across supply, commodities and the U.S. Dollar, central banks continue to fight hard against inflation, leading many to wonder if a global recession is imminent. ----- Transcript -----Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Seth Carpenter, Morgan Stanley's chief ... Show More
3m 47s
Feb 2019
Two Minus One Equals Three
On today’s show we are talking about the most insane statements to come from economists in recent memory.  I’m acutely aware as I’m sure many of our listeners are, of the unsustainable levels of government debt in the US, Canada, the UK, France, Switzerland, Italy. I could go on. ... Show More
5m 25s
Nov 2022
Amid Rising Inflation and Slowing Growth, How is the U.S. Consumer Faring?
As the holiday shopping season kicks off — against a backdrop of high inflation and slowing economic growth — will consumers continue to remain a bright spot in the U.S. economy? In the latest episode of Exchanges at Goldman Sachs, Goldman Sachs Research’s David Mericle, chief U. ... Show More
22m 45s