Economics Explored

In this candid discussion, show host Gene Tunny joins a panel to expose the shortcomings of the Australian Government’s August 2025 economic reform summit. Topics include the high cost of energy, tax policy, the ballooning NDIS and big government generally, AI regulation, and Senator Matt Canavan’s rival roundtable, which Gene attended. This episode borrows the audio from Damian Coory’s The Other...

Professor Chris Berg from RMIT University discusses the transformative potential of AI, likening it to the next industrial revolution. He argues that AI, particularly tools like ChatGPT, can boost white-collar productivity by up to 40%. Governments should cautiously avoid AI regulation to maximise these gains. Berg emphasises AI's bottom-up adoption and its exponential advancements. He also touche...

Show host Gene Tunny and Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance Chief Economist John Humphreys tackle hot topics in Australian economic policy: the case for a cash flow company tax, the politics and maths of a gas ban, why stamp duty drags the economy, the growing size of government and the cost of living crisis.   Please email Gene your thoughts on this episode via contact@economicsexplored.com . Timesta...

Kyle Touchstone, Director of Raleigh Economic Development, shares with us how Raleigh became the top-ranked large city in the US, according to the Milken Institute. Kyle and show host Gene Tunny discuss the city's success in biotech, AI, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing—all underpinned by the world-class universities and innovation ecosystem of North Carolina’s Research Triangle. The...

Show host Gene Tunny and colleague John Humphreys dissect Australia’s latest controversial Reserve Bank interest rate decision, debating inflation targeting and central bank independence. They challenge conventional economic thinking, particularly around the NAIRU—the Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment (NAIRU). The episode also tackles the implications of declining fertility rates glo...

Show host Gene Tunny delves into listener feedback on recent episodes regarding the feasibility of tax cuts preceding spending cuts ("starve the beast"), a capital gains tax on property, and the practicality of Georgist land taxes. He explores the complexities behind Australia's productivity challenges and regulatory capture issues raised by listeners. Please email Gene your thoughts on this episo...

Rebecca Homkes of Duke Corporate Education and London Business School joins the show to discuss how economic and trade policy chaos is hindering strategic decision-making in global firms. Rebecca shares how to spot the CEOs who are genuinely thinking ahead—those who anchor their choices in beliefs and prepare to adapt as conditions change. We also explore AI’s real value in business: not just savi...

Gene Tunny and John Humphreys dissect the causes behind Australia's productivity slump, analysing recent GDP data, labour market policies, and regulatory constraints. They debate whether tax cuts should precede spending cuts and question the effectiveness of central planning and government intervention (i.e. ‘picking winners’) in driving innovation. John is Chief Economist at the Australian Taxpay...

Gene Tunny and Darren Brady Nelson delve into the gold reserves at Fort Knox, exploring whether the gold is as pure as expected and what the implications might be for the U.S. dollar if it's not. They cover the history of gold confiscation, central bank policies, and the enduring allure of gold in uncertain economic times. This episode was inspired by a question Gene received at a talk he gave to...

Emmanuel Daniel, founder of the Asian Banker, explains how global economic dynamics are shifting. The discussion covers the decline of multilateral trade arrangements, the strategic blunders in U.S. tariff policy, why a BRICS currency won’t replace the US dollar as the global reserve currency, and the rise of domestic fintech infrastructures that challenge Western dominance in financial services....

Kim Flynn, President of XA Investments, discusses her 25-year career in asset management, focusing on alternative investments. She highlights the challenges faced during the 2008 financial crisis at Nuveen Investments, where she refinanced $15 billion in frozen auction rate securities. Flynn explains the structure and benefits of closed-end funds, particularly interval funds, which offer periodic...

Gene Tunny interviews William ‘Bill’ Welser IV, the visionary behind Lotic, an AI startup designed to transform personal data into actionable insights while protecting user privacy. Bill discusses how Lotic’s AI-powered digital companion is designed to help users make better decisions, improve mental health, and understand their behavior patterns. The episode dives into ethical considerations, dat...

Kevin Kennon, an award-winning architect, discusses the future of cities, housing affordability, and the role of architecture in urban life. He emphasizes the importance of smarter density, mixed-use developments, and integrating residential, commercial, and community spaces. Kennon highlights the impact of tariffs on housing costs and the need for free trade. He also discusses the benefits of pre...

Nineteenth-century American economist Henry George blamed poverty and depressions on landlords. George argued that their rents were associated mainly with public investments and should be shared with the community. Show host Gene Tunny speaks with returning guest John August about Georgism—the economic philosophy of Henry George that advocates for a single tax on land value. They explore the ethic...

Gene Tunny and Nicholas Gruen dive deep into the economic implications of Trump's sweeping tariffs. They explore the micro and macroeconomic dimensions—from optimal tariff theory to trade deficits and geopolitical fallout. With humour, clarity, and urgency, they unpack why these tariffs will do more harm than good, both economically and politically. A video version of this episode will appear as a...

Are Trump’s tariffs a masterstroke of economic negotiation or a blunder with global consequences? Show host Gene Tunny and returning guest Darren Brady Nelson debate the rationale behind punitive tariffs, the backlash from markets, and whether this is all part of a broader deal-making strategy. They also discuss Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative and Darren’s run-in with a wild turkey on Wisconsin’s spec...

Show host Gene Tunny and the World Bank’s Nilima Ramteke delve into the transformative impact of fast payments. They discuss how Project FASTT (Frictionless Affordable Safe Timely Transactions) bridges financial gaps and drives inclusive economic development worldwide. For example, they cover how QR codes and mobile apps make digital payments more accessible for small merchants and rural communiti...

There’s an upcoming election in Australia, and housing will be a big issue. Show host Gene Tunny chats with Fusion Party candidate Owen Miller about Fusion’s sweeping housing policy proposals. Topics include eliminating negative gearing, taxing capital gains on owner-occupied homes, and increasing public housing. They also discuss ideas like charter cities, high-speed rail, and a government-run re...

Show host Gene Tunny speaks with Louis O’Connor, CEO of Strategic Metals Invest, about the increasing demand for strategic metals like gallium, hafnium, and indium—essential for modern technology. They discuss China’s dominance in rare earth processing, the geopolitical stakes, and how supply chain vulnerabilities could impact global markets. Louis also shares insights into investing in these scar...

In this episode, Gene Tunny interviews Prof. Adam Boddison, CEO of the Association for Project Management. They explore why projects—whether in construction, IT, or public infrastructure—often go over budget and run late. Adam shares insights on project planning, risk management, and the importance of stakeholder engagement. They also discuss real-world case studies, including the Sydney Opera Hou...

Show host Gene Tunny sits down with Professor Cordelia Fine to discuss her latest book, Patriarchy Inc. Professor Fine argues gender biases are embedded in jobs and organizational structures, affecting women's career prospects. Topics include ‘greedy jobs,’ the undervaluation of feminized professions, the limits of diversity programs, and the role of evolutionary psychology in shaping gender assum...

Kate Schecter, CEO of World Neighbors, returns to the show and reveals how empowering local communities leads to long-term self-sufficiency in developing economies. She explains that roads connecting isolated communities to local markets can massively improve opportunities. She also explains that even modest interventions, like access to municipal water, can have profound impacts. From disaster pr...

Is free trade always good for workers? Gene Tunny explores the Stolper-Samuelson theorem, which shows how trade can lower wages for some while benefiting others. He discusses key economic insights from Wolfgang Stolper and Paul Samuelson, real-world historical examples, and the implications for today’s global trade debates.  If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for Gene, please emai...

Ian Fletcher, co-author of Industrial Policy for the United States, published by Cambridge University Press, joins the show to argue that free trade does not always serve national interests. Fletcher defines industrial policy as government intervention to support better industries, emphasizing that some industries are inherently more valuable. He highlights successful industrial policies in Japan,...

Donald Chew discusses the evolution of corporate finance, emphasizing the shift from old-fashioned corporate finance, which focused on steady earnings growth, to modern corporate finance, which aims for high returns on capital. He highlights the decline of conglomerates in the 1970s and the rise of private equity. Despite criticism, Chew argues that modern corporate finance has been a success stor...