Economics For the People

EP27: Rent Control & Data Centers

In our February episode, we discuss the mushrooming of data centers in the Midwest. The growth of artificial intelligence is driving demand for computational power and the construction of data centers across the United States. Yet these data centers require massive amounts of water and electricity, which has led to concerns among impacted communities. We speak with Professor Madhumita Dutta of the Ohio State University, along with local activists Katie Currid, and Rachel Gonzalez, to better understand their growth. In our Dollars and Sense Debrief, Chris Sturr interviews Stephen Barton about all things rent control, which will be on the ballot in Massachusetts in November 2026. Tune in. #rentcontrol #ai #datacenters *** Dollars and Sense Debrief with Chris Sturr and Stephen Barton - 1:50 minutes Feature interview with Professor Madhumita Dutta, along with local activists Katie Currid, and Rachel Gonzalez - 21:47 minutes

EP25: The Greek Junta; Future of SNAP

In our December episode, we converse with Professor Neni Panourgia about the Greek military dictatorship of 1967-1974, known in Greece simply as the Junta. Professor Panourgia grew up during the Junta years and she shares with us her experiences of life under a military dictatorship. Does it hold any lessons for those of us living in the United States today? In our Dollars & Sense debrief, Chris Sturr interviews journalist Kalena Thomhave about the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and what changes are on the way for SNAP after the passage of the Trump administration's "Big, Beautiful Bill." #fascism #junta #greece #snap #foodstamps *** Feature interview with Professor Neni Panourgia - 3:20 minutes Dollars and Sense Debrief with Chris Sturr and Kalena Thomhave - 34:20 minutes

EP24: The Advertising Industry; Credit Score Oligopoly

‘Tis the season to advertise! In our Special Feature this month, we replay Prof. Zoe Sherman's segment from November 2023. Zoe helps us peel back the glittering layers of advertising and the holiday season where capitalism meets celebration. Our Dollars & Sense Debrief features an interview of Rob Larson about the consumer credit industry. This is especially important as credit scores are utilized increasingly across the economy and not only in loan applications (e.g., by landlords and employers). #blackfriday #consumerism #advertising #creditscores *** Feature interview with Zoe Sherman - 3:15 minutes Dollars and Sense Debrief with Chris Sturr and Rob Larson - 35:37 minutes

EP23: Economics of the Government Shutdown; Unhoused Deportees in Tijuana

In the October episode of our podcast, we discuss the economics of the government shutdown and the situation of unhoused deportees in Tijuana Mexico. First, in our Dollars and Sense Debrief, Chris Sturr interviews photojournalist David Bacon. In the U.S. media there is very little attention to what happens to most people when they’re deported. Many who are deported go home to communities far south of the border. But the people who are just dumped through the border gate and have no home to go to find themselves in cities like Tijuana. David documents their living conditions in detail. In our feature segment, Sirisha and Taki are in conversation with Professor Mathew Forstater from the University of Missouri Kansas City about the federal government shutdown. As of early November, approximately three million federal government employees have been directly impacted by the shutdown as most are on furlough. In addition, over 40 million food stamp recipients are impacted as SNAP benefits are significantly curtailed. Listen to Professor Forstater provide crucial insights as we move into the second month of the shutdown. #shutdown #immigration #mexico *** Dollars and Sense Debrief with Chris Sturr and David Bacon - 2:20 minutes Feature interview with Mat Forstater - 23:20 minutes

EP22: A History of Municipal Socialism in the US; The Military Occupation of DC

In the September episode of our podcast, we focus American cities. In our first segment, Chris Sturr interviews Professor Shel Stromquist about the history of municipal socialism in the United States. He reminds us that in the early 20th century there were over 150 municipalities across the country with socialist governments. He also emphasized that these socialist governments were directly responsible for improving the material conditions of the working class by constructing key infrastructure projects like drainage systems and clean drinking water. In our feature segment, we spoke with Professor John Willoughby about the situation in Washington DC. As of early October, the Trump administration has dispatched the National Guard to Chicago and is attempting to do so in other cities like Portland. In this context, we zoom in on DC and have a wide-ranging conversation about the repression, the organized and spontaneous resistance to what can only be called a military occupation, and the history of the movement for self-determination since the 1860s. #DC #MunicipalSocialism #occupation #FreeDC *** Dollars and Sense Debrief with Chris Sturr and Shel Stromquist - 2:23 minutes Feature interview with John Willoughby - 17:46 minutes