Decode Econ

Here's what the data doesn't say: saving for retirement at 22 has an opportunity cost. Every $7,500 someone parks in a Roth IRA is $7,500 that isn't going toward tuition, a certification, or the thing that increases their income over the next twenty years. I've watched students skip a semester of school to save money. That is not what I would call financial literacy. We have pushed...

Wednesday's digest flagged the Levi's logo story in two sentences. This week's episode is the full decode — and it's worth watching, not just reading about. Quick recap of where we left it: FIFA strips every sponsor logo off a host stadium, no exceptions. Levi's got blacked out like everyone else — except their silhouette happened to read like a comic-book bat symbol, someone turned it into a joke...

This week’s episode looked different. For the first time, Jack and I sat down at a table together instead of across the internet, and we brought a second student voice into the discussion. Meet Claire Claire Maddox  is a first-year student; she starts her second year in August at the Haile College of Business, and she's my research assistant on a project we’re running this summer on housing afford...

The savings rate just hit 2.6%. Disposable income dropped for the second straight month. And somewhere under all the tariff headlines, a quiet shift in American family life is telling us something the Wall Street Journal got almost entirely wrong. This week, Dr. A and Jack work through three data points that don't look related on the surface — falling savings, rising childcare costs, and fathe...

The Economy Is Messy. That’s the Point. Consumer sentiment just hit its lowest level since the 1950s — yet Americans are still spending. Inflation is picking up, and your grocery bill is getting out of hand. Economists even have a name for what’s happening:  doom spending  — spending freely because the future feels too uncertain to save for. This week on  The Weekly Rap , Dr. A and Jack sit down w...

Nobody Trusts the Numbers. (The Economy Is Fine. For Some People.) 73% of Americans say they're financially stable. That number is up 10 points from 2013. So why does nearly everyone say the economy isn't working for them? Dr. A and Jack break down the K-shaped economy, congressional stock trading, prediction market addiction, and why trust — not data — is the real economic crisis right no...

Last Wednesday, we reported that the CPI came in at 3.8%. The next day, the BLS reported the PPI, the prices producers pay, hit 6%. What does that mean?  The PPI leads CPI. What businesses absorb today, consumers are likely to pay tomorrow. If producers are paying more, they will eventually pass that on to consumers. That means consumers should brace themselves for even higher prices in the near f...

115,000 jobs. Unemployment unchanged. And almost nobody feels good about it. The April jobs report came in more than double what economists expected — and the labor market still feels fragile to most people. That gap isn't a vibe problem. It's a data problem. In this episode, Dr. Abdullah Al-Bahrani and Jack Marx break down what the headline number misses: a 445,000-person spike in part-ti...

Subscribe to www. DecodeEcon.comIs the U.S. economy actually strong—or just riding an AI bubble? In this episode, Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani and Jack Marx break down GDP growth, rising U.S. debt (now at 100% of GDP), Federal Reserve pressure, and whether AI investment is artificially propping up the economy. We also discuss inflation, wages, oil prices, and what history (like Japan’s zero interest ra...

In this episode of Decode Econ Podcast, Dr.  Abdullah Al Bahrani  and  Jonathan Marx  break down why starting your career feels harder than ever—and why it’s not just in your head. Subscribe now From real conversations at Eggs & Issues to insights from the Notes app, this discussion connects what students are experiencing with what’s actually happening in the economy. We also have some importa...

What does a donut have to do with monetary policy—and why did it earn a round of applause? In this week’s Decode Econ Weekly Rap, we unpack what makes a “perfect lecture,” rethink how we teach economics (hint: fewer multiple-choice exams, more real thinking), and break down the surprisingly doable path to saving $2 million starting from your first paycheck. Along the way, we tackle a deeper issue:...

n today’s fast-moving world, economics can feel confusing and overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this video, we break down 5 powerful insights from the Decode Econ podcast to help you better understand how the economy works and how it impacts your everyday life. Founded by Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani, Decode Econ is all about making economics simple, accessible, and relevant. Through podcasts,...

Healthcare is full of good intentions. It is also full of incentives. In this episode of the Decode Econ Podcast , we sit down with Beth Munnich , Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Louisville , to discuss her research published in the American Economic Review on physician ownership of outpatient surgery centers . The question is straightforward: When doctors own the facilities...

Join Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani and Jack Marx for a wide-ranging conversation on economic policy, leadership, and personal growth. From Supreme Court tariff rulings to Kentucky’s long-term tax strategy, this episode breaks down what recent policy changes mean for consumers and households. The discussion also moves beyond economics into the role of emotional intelligence in leadership—because understa...

In today’s economy, intelligence isn’t enough. Employers aren’t just hiring credentials — they’re hiring people who can think under pressure, navigate uncertainty, and solve problems no one has clearly defined yet. In this episode, we explore the one skill that quietly separates top performers from everyone else — and why research may be the most underrated competitive advantage in the modern job...

In a recent episode of the Decode Econ podcast, Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani and his student, Jack Marx, discussed the relevance and value of studying economics amid declining interest in the field. Their conversation sheds light on the unique skills economics students acquire, which not only enhance their employability but also their ability to tackle complex real-world issues. Main Content: Understan...

Summary In this episode of Decode Econ, Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani and Jack Marx discuss various economic topics, including the role of economists in monetary policy, the implications of a weakening dollar, the impact of AI on hiring processes, and the importance of storytelling in economics. They emphasize the need for economists to communicate effectively with the public and the significance of dev...

Summary In this episode of Decode Econ, Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani and his research assistant, Jack Marx, discuss various pressing economic issues, including the implications of Supreme Court bias, the current state of the dollar, and the challenges faced by young men in today's economy. They emphasize the importance of mentorship, vulnerability, and community support in navigating these challenges....

Summary In this week's episode of Decode Econ, Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani discusses significant economic trends and events, including the implications of isolation in global economics, a retrospective look at economic data from 2016 to 2026, insights from the World Economic Forum in Davos, and the bankruptcy of Saks Fifth Avenue. The conversation emphasizes the changing landscape of trade, inflation,...

Title: Navigating Economic Currents: Insights from This Week's Decode Econ Podcast Introduction: In this week's episode of Decode Econ, Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani dives into some crucial issues affecting the economy, from Federal Reserve dynamics to the impact of individualism on public health perceptions. With a professional yet conversational approach, he sheds light on complex topics in a way that...

I have been reflecting on my career. If you had asked me 10 years ago where I saw myself in 10 years, I would not have been able to describe my career as it is today. I find that beautiful. As I reflect, I've identified several things that’ve served me well, and I'd like to share them with you. Let us call them the career progression principles. I would love to know which principles you wo...

Recently, Walmart announced that it will have to increase its prices due to the tariff wars. This announcement received a harsh response from President Trump, who demanded that Walmart "Eat the Tariff." At the same time, Home Depot has announced that it will not change its prices. Today, I would like to talk about which companies will be able to “eat the tariffs” and which will pass them...

Navigating college can be tough. Kyah shares with us how one student's encouragement to attend Econ Club helped her build community. Must listen for all soon to be graduates. Get full access to Decode Econ at www.decodeecon.com/subscribe

My mentor reminds me often that my job is to create value for my organization and the people around me. The value I choose to create will vary across responsibilities and situations, but ultimately, my job is to improve the world. The same is true for you. The challenge many professionals face isn't just creating value—it's ensuring that value is recognized and properly compensated. This b...

Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve Bank chair, recently reported that the U.S. economy is at risk of experiencing slowing growth coupled with persistent inflation. This economic predicament is what economists call stagflation—a stagnating economy that simultaneously faces rising prices. Powell's candid assessment was met with sharp rebuke and even  threats of termination from the administration ....