Decode Econ
by Abdullah Al Bahrani
About Decode Econ: The PodcastThe economy touches everything — from the price of your morning coffee to the decisions shaping our future. Decode Econ breaks it all down. Hosted by Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani (“Dr. A”), economist, educator, and storyteller, this podcast makes economics personal, practical, and easy to understand.Each episode explores the trends behind the headlines — inflation, jobs, technology, policy, and the everyday decisions that drive them. Through stories, data, and conversations with thinkers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, Decode Econ helps you connect what’s hap
Episodes
-
Econ With Sarah on Health Care Economics
We recorded this the day before the midterm election, in the middle of open enrollment, when many people were opening their new premiums and wincing. Sarah Schutz, the health economist behind Econ with Sarah, joins me and this week's co-host, Brooklyn Stephens, to talk about why health care costs...
-
The power of mentorship in education
This is our monthly Office Hours episode, and this time we talk about mentorship. I taught Brooklyn, Brooklyn taught Frannie, and we cover mentorship and student development. We start with two headlines about the entry-level job market, then explore how mentoring gets passed from one person to…
more -
The Leaky Cup: Teaching Economics at Community Colleges, with Meena Beri and Brian Lynch
How do you explain inflation to a student who is working two jobs and raising kids? Brian Lynch hands them a cup of water with holes in it. This week I sit down with Brian Lynch and Meena Beri, co-editors of TRECC (Teaching Resources for Economics at Community Colleges). The newsletter reaches...
-
Money Habits Start at the Kitchen Table with Stephen Day
After eight years of apps, podcasts, finance influencers, and new high school requirements, the average American adult still gets about half of basic personal finance questions right. Gen Z, the generation that grew up with a budgeting app on every phone, scores 38%. Adults with the lowest scores...
-
What Students Bring to Day One, with Brandon Sheridan
ABOUT THIS EPISODE Brandon Sheridan is back on the show. In August, he told us the economy was moving sideways. A month and a half later, I asked him if anything had changed. Short answer: not much. Then we got into the conversation I've wanted to have with him for a while: his new paper, with 25...
-
It's a Cold Labor Market
Here’s my takeaway up front: in this job market, you have to prove yourself more than ever. Friday’s jobs report was the last one before the midterm elections, and it was boring. Boring the way a cold labor market is boring. Nobody is getting laid off in big waves. Nobody is getting hired either....
-
Is Econ Worth It? What do econ majors do and what do they earn?
This week on the Decode Econ Podcast, I sat down with Matt Holian, an economics professor at San Jose State. When Matt was department chair, he needed an honest answer to the question every recruiter gets: what jobs do econ majors actually get? He went looking for the data. Subscribe now Using...
-
How Studying Abroad Changes the Way You See Economics
In a classroom, I can teach you how the world is supposed to work. Study abroad shows you how it actually works. Dr. Darshak Patel joins me to talk about taking students to Kenya to watch a universal basic income program up close, and why he would rather learn a new country alongside his students...
-
Development Economics: Micro vs Macro
Development economics explained simply: what's the difference between the macro and micro sides of the field? Development economics sounds like a topic for "somewhere else." It's not. In my latest Decode Econ conversation, I sat down with two economists who study the same big question — how...
-
AI in the Classroom: One Professor's Radical Teaching Experiment
No homework. No midterms. No final exam. In this episode of Decode Econ, I sit down with Dr. Shishir Shakya, an economist at Appalachian State University, who redesigned his entire econometrics and statistics courses around one question: what happens if we stop preparing students for the job…
more -
The Economics of Entrepreneurship
Startups just had a record funding quarter — $285 billion in Q1 2026. Here's what the headline doesn't tell you: 43% of that went to one company's raise, and the rest of the money is piling into AI. So if you're a student founder building anything else, what does "record year" actually mean for...
-
Bond Market Warning Signs Explained By Miami Professor Ej Ume
The bond market has been sending us warning signs. I sat down with Monetary Economist EJ Ume from Miami University’s Farmer School of Business to explain what is happening and what it means to you. If you don’t already do so, make sure to connect with EJ on LinkedIn. We would love to hear your...
-
You can't cut taxes and raise spending forever— Brandon Sheridan and Abdullah Al Bahrani
Is the economy stalled, or are we about to hit a wall? Dr. Abdullah Al-Bahrani and Elon University's Dr. Brandon Sheridan break down a week of noisy data — and land on the one number nobody's talking about: you can't cut taxes and raise spending forever. Something gives.In this episode:01:12 —…
more -
Should the Fed provide forward guidance?
In this conversation, Jack Marx and Dr. Al Bahrani discuss the Federal Reserve and the recent changes being proposed by Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. Jack and Dr. A have different views on what the correct approach is for the Fed. The discussion centers around the frequency of FOMC meetings and the...
-
ClaudeFishing- Will this be the death of the newsletter?
Last week, Substack released a new feature to detect AI-written text. They partnered with Pangram to let readers scan a post and see how much of it is AI-generated. I both love and hate this update, and I want to share my views with you.As I read it, they’re attempting to solve for two problems:...
-
Learning Economics at a Startup
Decode Econ is a startup. Our goal is to help you see the economy clearly — and your place in it. It is a media firm with a mission to improve economic understanding. It is fun building it and seeing its impact, but the biggest joy is in working with the team that makes this work possible. I love...
-
Dr. Jose Saavedra on the Importance of Trust in Influencer Marketing
Today’s episode is a special one. It’s a cross-collaboration with Beyond the Degree, the podcast from Haile Graduate Programs — so if you like hearing how executives and researchers actually make decisions, that show belongs in your feed too. My guest is Dr. Jose Saavedra Torres, my next-door...
-
Why Saving Money in Your 20s Might Be a Mistake
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...
-
The Economics of FIFA
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…
more -
We Recorded This One In Person — And Brought Someone New to the Table
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...
-
Is a Recession Coming? Savings Rates, Childcare Costs, and the Cracking Consumer
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...
-
The Economy is Messy- With Dr. Cecilia Cuellar
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...
-
When Trust Breaks, People Stop Investing and Start Betting
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…
more -
The Price Spiral Isn’t Over. It’s Just Getting Started.
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...
-
The Jobs Report Nobody Celebrated
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…
more -
Is the U.S. Economy Built on an AI Bubble? Debt Hits 100% GDP & Fed Pressure Explained
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...
-
The Hidden Reason Young People Can't Get Ahead
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...
-
The Lecture That Made Students Applaud
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…
more -
How to Save Capitalism
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...
-
The Economic Incentives in Healthcare with Beth Munnich
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…
more -
“Illegal tariffs should be refunded.”
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...
-
Why Research Might Be the Most Underrated Career Advantage
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…
more -
Weekly Rap- Trust in Data, Critical Thinking, and Economics Education
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...
-
Weekly Rap-Loss of Economic Influence, Storytelling, and Building Emotional Connections
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...
-
Supreme Court Bias, The Dollar, and Young Men
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...
-
Understanding Economic Isolation: Insights from the Weekly Rap Podcast
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...
-
Navigating Economic Currents: Insights from This Week’s Decode Econ Podcast
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...
-
Seven Career Tips
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.…
more -
Eat the Tariff! Welmart vs Home Depot
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...
-
Kyah Martin on the Importance of Community in Education
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
-
Communicating your Value at Work
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...
-
Jerome Power in the Hot Seat
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...
-
Building a Professional Hype Team
In an increasingly competitive and uncertain job market, the difference between those who thrive and those who merely survive often comes down to one factor that business schools rarely teach—building and maintaining your professional support network. Over decades of mentoring, I've observed...
-
Trumps Egg Policy
The current administration is breaking all of its policy rules when it comes to eggs. Their new approach can teach us a lot about the role of government and remind us why government is important. The market has seen a 50% surge in egg prices due to an avian influenza outbreak. In response, the...
-
How to write every day
I have a note in my Notes app called "Thoughts." This is where I collect ideas throughout my day. It's nothing fancy, just a collection of random things that I find interesting: Get full access to Decode Econ at www.decodeecon.com/subscribe
-
Midterms, Acheivement Gaps, and Stereotype Threats
Join Dr. A as we explore critical issues in economics education. This episode highlights: Midterm reflections for students and professors A revealing study on racial and gender achievement gaps in economics classrooms The impact of stereotype threat on student performance, especially for female…
more -
What the Dockworker Strike Teaches us About Innovation
On Tuesday, 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for the first time in decades, impacting 36 U.S. ports from Maine to Texas. This strike highlights a growing tension between technological innovation and job security, a conflict that will likely affect us all. At the core of this issue lies a...
-
Code-Switching and Insider Lingo
Today, I want to explore a topic that often goes unnoticed: how language can be used to exclude people from "being in the room." This is why I'm so passionate about teaching my students the language of professionalism and economics—it's the driving force behind this newsletter and our podcast.…
more -
Strategic Thinking for Career Success with Matt Frey
Summary In this conversation, Dr. A and Matt Frey discuss early career advice and how to navigate the transition from college to the workforce. They emphasize the importance of networking, being authentic, and strategic thinking. Matt shares his insights on the application process, including the...
-
Pursuing a Master's Degree in Economics Abroad
This week, we explore economic research and career development with Ben Reynolds, the first Haile Fellow. Now a senior research analyst for the Council of State Governments, Ben's journey showcases the versatility of economics skills across industries. He emphasizes the importance of effective...
About this show
About Decode Econ: The PodcastThe economy touches everything — from the price of your morning coffee to the decisions shaping our future. Decode Econ breaks it all down. Hosted by Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani (“Dr. A”), economist, educator, and storyteller, this podcast makes economics personal, practical, and easy to understand.Each episode explores the trends behind the headlines — inflation, jobs, technology, policy, and the everyday decisions that drive them. Through stories, data, and conversations with thinkers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, Decode Econ helps you connect what’s hap
Hosted by
Abdullah Al Bahrani
Categories