Economics Explored

Darren Brady Nelson joins Gene Tunny to discuss the evolution of competition policy in Australia over the past few decades. Darren draws on his experience as an economist in the NSW Treasury and the Queensland Competition Authority. Gene and Darren reflect on the successes of the original National Competition Policy reforms and assess the more limited scope of the subsequent competition policy rev...

This episode explores the resurgence of industrial policy in the US and Australia. We critically analyze whether government interventions can truly shape industries or if they are doomed to repeat past mistakes, such as those experienced during the 1970s and with the Concorde project. The episode includes clips featuring Saxon Davidson from the Institute of Public Affairs and Eamonn Butler from th...

Daniel Lawse, Chief Century Thinker at Verdis Group, helps many organizations, such as Seattle Aquarium, become more sustainable and contribute positively to the environment. Daniel joins Gene Tunny to discuss how organisations can make meaningful climate and environmental actions. They cover regenerative practices, the journey from sustainability to net-zero emissions, and the crucial role of lon...

Consumers have noticed bags of chips, chocolates, and many other products have shrunk, but prices have not come down. This episode of Economics Explored features a detailed discussion on shrinkflation with Gene Tunny and Arturo Espinoza Bocangel. They analyze various examples of shrinkflation and its impact on the cost of living. The episode also considers the potential for regulatory and other me...

Stephen Brittain, co-founder of Insurtech Gateway, explains how insurance technology, ‘insurtech,’ provides solutions to real-world problems. From aiding farmers in India to deal with the ‘hot cow’ problem to rethinking commercial flood insurance in the US, startups incubated by Insurtech Gateway are crucial players in helping people and businesses better handle risks. If you have any questions, c...

This episode delves into Adam Smith’s four maxims of taxation and examines their relevance in today's economic environment. Host Gene Tunny explores the balance between efficiency and equity, discussing historical perspectives and contemporary debates, such as the proposed billionaire tax. Please email us at contact@economicsexplored.com or send a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/econom...

This episode explores the profound influence of Reaganomics and its enduring legacy in American economic policy with tax expert and former US Treasury attorney Ed Oswald. He is the author of a new book, “From Ronald to Donald: How the Myth of Reagan Became the Cult of Trump”. Oswald discusses the transition from Reagan’s tax reforms to Trump's tax policies, highlighting the continuity in supply-si...

According to the Wall Street Journal, this episode’s guest, Andy Lee, is “The Tax Whiz With the Strangest Hustle on Wall Street”. He’s the founder and CIO of Parallaxes Capital, and he joins us to talk about tax receivable agreements (TRAs). Andy explained what TRAs are, how they come about for companies going public such as Shake Shack in 2015, and why he’s investing in them.  Disclaimer: Nothing...

This episode of Economics Explored features a deep dive into the ongoing housing crisis in Australia with John August, a Pirate Party of Australia official and Sydney radio host. Gene and John discuss the significant influence of immigration rates and building restrictions on housing availability and prices. They also consider potential policy solutions to ensure more equitable housing access, inc...

In this episode, show host Gene Tunny engages with Dr Dan Mitchell in a frank discussion about the US’s looming debt crisis. The conversation covers Dan’s new book, co-authored with Les Rubin, The Greatest Ponzi Scheme on Earth: How the US Can Avoid Economic Collapse. In the episode, Dan talks about the unsustainable trajectory of federal debt, the consequences of government overspending, and the...

In this episode, we delve into the controversy surrounding the Prospera charter city in Honduras, which has embraced libertarian principles and adopted Bitcoin as legal tender and a unit of account. The city is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the Honduran government. Gene asks Jeffrey Mason, from Charter Cities Institute, what it all means for the future of charter cities. Jeffrey provi...

Michael Johnston, CFA of WealthChannel and show host Gene Tunny dissect the pressing issues facing the US Social Security system. Amid predictions of future insolvency, they discuss the demographic trends, financial realities, and policy adjustments needed to safeguard retirement incomes for future generations. Please contact us with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at contac...

This episode explores the crucial role of efficient financial management in driving business performance and productivity. Guest Andrew Walker, a seasoned financial consultant, shares his extensive experience advising businesses on utilizing data for improved cash flow and strategic decisions. Walker emphasizes the transformation from traditional bookkeeping to strategic financial planning as busi...

Ben Fraser, Managing Director of Aspen Funds, argues, “There's a huge opportunity to get into fossil fuel production.” He discusses macro-driven alternative investments, investable megatrends, including the disruption to energy markets as advanced economies decarbonise, and the outlook for the US economy, particularly inflation.  Disclaimer: this episode presents general information only and is no...

This episode of Economics Explored analyzes Australia's new gender pay gap data reported by large companies. Are the data valuable or nonsense, as some critics have alleged? Host Gene Tunny interviews Dr Leonora Risse to discuss the report's methodology, findings, and criticisms. Risse provides context on factors influencing the gender pay gap, like occupational segregation. Tunny and Risse also d...

Andrew Einhorn from LevelFields shares insights into leveraging AI for financial market analysis. Their innovative platform is designed to detect critical events affecting stock prices, enabling investors to react swiftly. The conversation covers the benefits of AI in democratizing financial information and the future implications for investment strategies. Disclaimer: Nothing in this episode shou...

This episode examines the need for tax reform in Australia and reviews various options for overhauling the country's tax system. Simon Cowan joins host Gene Tunny from the Centre for Independent Studies to discuss issues like bracket creep, the tax system's progressivity, mining royalties, and negative gearing. They also analyse the political strategies around the stage three tax cuts and how expe...

This episode of Economics Explored explores the theory of Ricardian equivalence, a proposition that fiscal policy measures like tax cuts or stimulus payments may not effectively boost the economy if households anticipate higher future taxes to pay off government debt. Host Gene Tunny explains the concept originating from David Ricardo and popularized by Robert Barro, involving ultra-rational consu...

Show host Gene Tunny interviews UMass Amherst Professor Gerald Epstein about his new book "Busting the Bankers’ Club", which is about the powerful influence of banks in politics and regulation. Epstein argues the bankers’ club maintains control through political allies and regulators. The conversation also covers financial deregulation, insufficient Dodd-Frank reforms, Quantitative Easing impacts,...

Show host Gene Tunny interviews Marcos Buscaglia, former head of the Latin America economics team at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and author of the book "Beyond the ESG Portfolio, How Wall Street Can Help Democracies Survive." Buscaglia argues that, through their investment choices, many investors have inadvertently been supporting autocratic regimes, and he calls for a change in investment prac...

Economics Explored host Gene Tunny speaks with David Stockman,  President Reagan’s first Office of Management and Budget director. Stockman discusses his new book, "Trump's War on Capitalism," and shares his frank and fearless commentary on the former president's economic policies. In his foreword to the book, Robert F. Kennedy Jr wrote, “Stockman has become one of the nation’s most steadfast and...

In this episode, host Gene Tunny sits down with Simon Schillebeeckx, co-founder of Handprint, a nature tech startup. Handprint aims to help companies profitably and seamlessly integrate planet-positive actions into business activities. Simon shares examples of companies that have gone above and beyond regulatory requirements to contribute to the environment positively. Among other questions, Gene...

This episode on the limits of fiscal policy features highlights from host Gene Tunny's past conversations with the late Australian economist Professor Tony Makin and former OECD Ambassador Alex Robson. In the discussions, Tony Makin provides a balanced and insightful analysis of Australia's fiscal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, critiquing programs like JobKeeper while recognizing some justific...

This episode features highlights from the past 20 episodes. Economics Explored host Gene Tunny plays clips that illustrate key themes like using economics as a scientific framework, considering different perspectives, and remembering the limitations of models. The clips feature discussions on COVID policies, the role of experts, projections of resource depletion, nuclear energy, and the challenges...

John August, a Sydney radio host and Pirate Party of Australia official, returns to provide feedback on recent episodes about nuclear power, COVID policies, and government outsourcing and consulting. John discusses his generally positive view of nuclear energy with some qualifications and provides his thoughts on the analysis of COVID restrictions presented in a recent episode by Prof. Gigi Foster...