The Gustonomics Podcast

If confidence and sentiment were candy and consumer spending, wouldn’t it be a Merry Christmas? Unfortunately, using consumer feelings to predict consumer behavior has long vexed economists everywhere. Liz Wilke explains how to think about a long cherished holiday tradition—consumer confidence.

Talk to any small business owner and they’ll likely have choice words about their big business rivals. They suck up all the talent, they have all the influence, they make all the money, etc. Less talked about is how big businesses help create fertile ecosystems for entrepreneurship. In fact, they may be essential for starting the next generation of successful big businesses. Liz Wilke explains.

The US workforce is getting a little long in the tooth, but there’s a lot that we can like about that. Liz explains what an aging workforce means for businesses and the broader economy. Show notes Why labor shortages aren’t going anywhere [Marketplace]   Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey [Bureau of Labor Statistics] More than 1 in 10 people in Japan are aged 80 or over. Her...

The Federal Reserve declined to raise its benchmark interest rate in its most recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Liz Wilke breaks it all down.

The economy’s performance between July and September shocked observers. Liz breaks down the latest GDP numbers, and what to expect for future growth.

Economists don’t like to talk with certainty about the future of the economy. Instead, they talk about probabilities. Liz breaks down the risks to the economy and why it means that a downturn is currently more probable than continued growth, even if neither is as likely as a stable outlook. Show notes A Brief History Of U.S. Government Shutdowns and Why Other Countries Do Not Have Them [PGPF]

The economy added twice the expected number of jobs in September - 336,000. Liz breaks down the jobs report, explains why the top-line number is becoming less useful, and why not everyone is feeling “good job market” vibes.

About 43.5 million Americans resumed payments on $1.8 trillion dollars of student debt on October 1st. There's widespread concern about potential economic fallout. Liz breaks it down to describe what borrowers, businesses, and economists can expect. Show notes Income-Based Repayment Program [FSA] Employer-Sponsored Student Loan Assistance [US Chamber]

Liz explains the connection between interest rates and stock prices. This is a companion to “The Stock Market is Not the Economy”

When the economy is doing well, shouldn’t the stock market be too? Not necessarily. Liz breaks down why the stock market and the economy don’t always go together, and what you should pay attention to if you want to understand what’s ahead for you.   Show notes The equity market and GDP: Less linked than you might think

Gross domestic product, aka GDP, is the best known economic indicator out there. It gets thrown around by news reporters, politicians and commentators, all the time, and without much context. So what is it really? And is it really that great at telling us anything about the economy. Liz breaks it down.

Labor unions are having a moment. Or several actually. But in the grand scheme of things, the labor activism of the last couple of years isn’t necessarily a sign that unions are making a comeback. In this week’s episode, Liz puts the recent strikes in context, and explains how to think about them.

The Federal Reserve’s next Federal Open Market Committee meeting is coming up and Liz Wilke is here to explain it to you.

Inflation has been on everyone’s mind for the last couple of years. In this episode, Liz tackles the hottest topic in economics, how it makes us feel, and why we should care about it for more than its impact on our wallets. Show notes Inflation calculators: Barron's Truflation Financial Times

Eight states and six metro areas have enacted pay transparency laws in the last few years. The benefits of these policies to workers are well known and much celebrated, but the drawbacks less so. Liz explains both sides and what your position on the debate might say about you.   Show notes Equilibrium Effects of Pay Transparency [HBS] Pay Transparency and the Gender Gap [AEA]

Everyone worries about recessions. Whether one is coming, or is already happening, or if it’s over. But can we really know if one is happening? If so, how? And what about all the experts that try to predict them? Do they really know more than us? Liz Wilke walks you through it.   Show notes Current economic conditions by state [Gusto]

The Federal Reserve sure is in the news a lot. But what is it exactly? What does it do and why? How does it affect regular people and businesses? Gusto’s Lead Economist, Liz Wilke, explains.

The ratings agency Fitch downgraded the U.S. debt rating from AAA to AA+ setting off a deluge of commentary. Is America destined for financial ruin? Is it really “arbitrary” as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen suggests? Liz cuts through the noise to explain why you should care, but also why you can relax.

How are commercial real estate (CRE) loans, and this year’s bank crisis related? And why should small businesses care? Gusto’s Lead Economist Liz Wilke explains in this inaugural edition of The Gustonomics Podcast.   Show Notes Is Your Bank Safe? Here’s How To Find And Assess Your Bank’s Balance Sheet [Next City]

Join Gusto's Lead Economist, Liz Wilke, as she charts the economic landscape for busy owners of 21st-century businesses. In each 10-minute episode, Liz discusses economic concepts and trends for entrepreneurs who want to make smarter business decisions in a changing world.