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Optimist EconomyOptimist Economy Author: Kathryn Anne Edwards and Robin Rauzi
Optimist Economy is the anti-doomscroll economics podcast. Work rules, tax fairness, healthcare, housing costs, retirement security the economic forces shaping American life have real problems. But also real solutions. Each week, economist Kathryn Anne Edwards and editor Robin Rauzi break down one problem and solution with data, history, humor, and a belief that tools to build a better economy exist. We just haven't tried them. New episodes on Tuesdays. Support the podcast at: optimisteconomy.com Ask questions or share your economic worries with us at: optimist.economy@gmail.com Language: en Genres: Government Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Americans Feel Awful About the Economy
Episode 30
Tuesday, 20 October, 2026
The Consumer Sentiment Index has tracked how Americans experience the U.S. economy through bouts of runaway inflation, a mortgage crisis, stock market bubbles, and six recessions. And yet the scores right now are lower than at any of those moments. After nearly 50 years of tracking by the University of Michigan, Consumer Sentiment has broken through the basement. Beneath the five index questions are some clues as to why: Since 2008, the number of people who say the government is doing a poor job has grown from about a third to about three-quarters. This dissatisfaction has been a slow burn — and it’s also evidence that Americans are ready for bold, non-incremental economic change.0:00 — Opening6:25 — Retcon: Vacation Days & Moral Hazard in Healthcare11:18 — Terms & Conditions: Likert Scale14:24 — The Big Pilcrow: What’s Consumer Sentiment Telling Us?17:20 — Record Lows: Sentiment Breaks From the Other Economic Metrics20:54 — The Five Index Questions: Take Consumer Sentiment Survey Yourself!26:55 — How’s the Government Doing Managing the Economy? Survey says…Poor29:39 — It's the Economy, Stupid31:16 — Partisanship Cancels Itself Out33:11 — Why This Isn't the Same as What Happened to Biden35:25 — Who Does Feel Good?36:07 — Low Sentiment Deserves Big Policy38:07 — Executive Orders: Hold the reservation. Too many eggs. 41:52 — Spiritual Sponsors: So, so many47:17 — Credits We’re making Thanksgiving plans. Got a dinner table debate we can help with? Send it to optimist.economy@gmail.com (and put Thanksgiving in the subject line). Donate to Optimist Economy, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit: https://optimisteconomy.com All the swearing is on the Optimist Economy YouTube channel. We’re also on Instagram at @optimist_economy or TikTok at @optimist_economy. And Facebook, but you’ll just have to search for that. Chat with other Optimists on Substack. Optimist hats are back in stock at the merch store: https://merch.ambientinks.com/collections/optimisteconomy
