PODCAST · business
Economics Explored
by Gene Tunny
Hard-headed economic analysis applied to important economic, social, and environmental issues.
Episodes
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Gig Economy Pay Rises, Café Closures and the Zero-Sum Fallacy
When the award-winning Springfield café Screamin’ Beans announced its closure, Gene Tunny saw it as a symptom of a bigger problem: wage and regulatory costs rising faster than many small businesses can absorb. In this episode, Gene looks at a landmark Australian Fair Work Commission decision that...
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How Good Tax Policy Gets Made and How It Doesn't: GST vs Capital Gains Tax in Australia
Most tax debates focus on the what: rates, base, and who pays. This episode is about the how: the process by which economic policy gets made. Drawing on his time in the Australian Treasury, host Gene Tunny argues that the latest changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing reflect a…
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Dams, Development & Hyper Australia w/ Senator Matt Canavan, National Party Leader
Housing affordability, congestion and rising living costs are putting pressure on Australia's major cities. Could stronger regional development provide part of the solution? Gene Tunny shares highlights from a recent discussion with Nationals leader Senator Matt Canavan on his "Hyper Australia"...
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Taxing Capital More in a Productivity Slump? Perverse Policy in Australia
Australia has endured nearly a decade of weak productivity growth, and living standards are under pressure. In this episode, Gene Tunny and John Humphreys explore the common thread connecting several major economic debates: investment and incentives. They discuss Australia's productivity slump…
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Debt and Deficits: Have We Lost Discipline? w/ Sinclair Davidson & John Humphreys
Debt and deficits used to be political dealbreakers. So why don’t they seem to matter anymore? In this episode, Gene Tunny explores the concept of fiscal illusion with John Humphreys and Professor Sinclair Davidson. They examine whether Australia is “sleepwalking” into a more precarious fiscal...
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Have We Gone Too Far on Free Trade?
Free trade has long been a cornerstone of economic thinking, but is it still fit for purpose in a more dangerous and uncertain world? Gene Tunny is joined by Dan Ryan and John Humphreys to debate tariffs, industrial policy, and economic resilience. They explore whether Australia has gone too far…
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Housing Crisis: Supply, Demand, or Both? w/ John Humphreys and Tom Switzer
What happens when geopolitical tensions collide with domestic economic pressures? In this episode, Gene Tunny is joined by John Humphreys and Tom Switzer to unpack the economic fallout from escalating tensions with Iran. The conversation then turns to Australia’s housing affordability...
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Fuel, Fertiliser, and Fear Down Under - ep314
Are fears of fuel shortages in Australia overblown—or are we underestimating the risks? Gene Tunny is joined by Dr John Humphreys and farmer Peter Rothwell to explore how rising diesel prices, fertiliser shortages, and supply chain stress could ripple through the economy. From supermarket prices…
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AI, Jobs, and the Value of Ideas w/ Benjamin Shiller, Brandeis University
AI can write essays, generate code, and assist with research, but does that mean it will replace human workers? Economist Benjamin Shiller, author of AI Economics, joins show host Gene to discuss how AI may instead make human creativity and ideas even more valuable. In this conversation with Gene...
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Why Productivity Matters for Living Standards | Australia’s Productivity Problem
Australia’s productivity growth has slowed to its weakest rate in decades — and that matters because productivity ultimately drives rising living standards. In this episode, Gene Tunny explores why productivity is so central to higher wages, economic growth, and sustainable prosperity. The…
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Argentina’s Radical Economic Turnaround
Argentina was on the brink: inflation near 300% a year, real wages collapsing, poverty rising, and a large fiscal deficit. Voters elected libertarian economist Javier Milei, who promised deep spending cuts and radical reform. Many predicted a disaster. Two years on, inflation has fallen sharply,...
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A Pro-Growth Tax Reform Agenda for Australia
What would tax reform look like if the goal were higher wages and stronger long-term growth — rather than more revenue? In this episode, Gene Tunny and John Humphreys examine capital gains tax, bracket creep, and income tax reform through the lens of productivity and living standards. While the...
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What Would Adam Smith Make of Australia? | A C+ Scorecard
Adam Smith is often invoked as the intellectual godfather of modern capitalism — but he was also a moral philosopher. Judo Bank founder and former CEO Joseph Healy joins Gene Tunny to argue that Australia’s market economy has drifted from Smith’s vision. From weak competition and high household...
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What Counts as Economic Activity — and What Doesn’t
What do we actually count as economic activity — and what do we leave out? In this episode, Gene speaks with economist Misty Heggeness about Swiftynomics, her new book on women’s work, unpaid care, and the limits of standard economic statistics. Misty uses Taylor Swift as a narrative anchor for a...
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Why Economists Defend Free Speech
What does free speech have to do with economics? A lot more than you might think. In this episode, Gene Tunny is joined by John Humphreys to explore free speech as a core institutional pillar of prosperous societies. From Mao’s Great Leap Forward to modern Australia, they show how restricting...
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Auckland Upzoning: Hype or Housing Fix?
Auckland’s upzoning reforms have become a global case study in housing policy. Gene Tunny and John August dig into the data behind claims that loosening zoning rules boosted housing supply and eased rent pressures. They explore the statistical methods used, the critiques raised by sceptics, and…
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AI, Power & the Future of Politics w/ Bruce Schneier, Harvard Kennedy School
Show host Gene Tunny speaks with cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier of the Harvard Kennedy School about his new book, Rewiring Democracy, which explores the profound and often underappreciated ways AI is already reshaping democratic institutions. From AI-powered political campaigns and…
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Why Roman Interest Rates Collapsed After Augustus Won | Fertility Economics Questions Answered | Friedman & Reagan on the Gold Standard – ep 304
Gene responds to thoughtful listener feedback on record-low fertility rates and explores why childcare, IVF, and returning to work for fortysomething mothers can be so economically challenging. He then travels back to ancient Rome to unpack a curious moment after Augustus’s victory over Antony…
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Is Gold Flashing a Warning Sign? ep303
Gold has doubled in price in less than two years—so what exactly is happening? Gene Tunny and John Humphreys break down the economic and geopolitical forces driving the surge, from inflation fears and rising global debt to BRICS nations buying massive amounts of gold. The conversation also…
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Should Australia “Make Things Again”? - ep302
“Make things again” — it’s a powerful slogan. But what does it really mean for Australia’s economy, workers, and national security? Show host Gene Tunny and Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance Chief Economist John Humphreys dig into the heart of the debate, from the politics of nostalgia to the...
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The AI Boom: Innovation or Irrational Exuberance? w/ Aman Verjee - ep301
Venture capitalist Aman Verjee joins Gene Tunny to explore whether artificial intelligence is fuelling the next great economic bubble. Drawing lessons from history—from the 1840s railway boom to the 1990s dot-com surge—Aman argues that even frothy markets can spark long-term progress. The...
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The Great Baby Bust: Why It Happened and What It Means for Us - ep300
Australia’s fertility rate is now at a record low of 1.48 babies per woman. Gene Tunny and John Humphreys discuss the sharp fall in fertility rates worldwide and what it means for Australia’s economy and society. They explore how declining birth rates threaten our economy, government budgets, and...
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Shutdown Showdown: What It Really Means - ep299
Shutdowns are back—and Gene delves into the reasons, ramifications, and rhetoric. This episode examines the latest U.S. government shutdown, its potential to outlast previous ones, and whether it could signal deeper structural changes—or just more political theatre. Gene would love to hear your...
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Is Net Zero Achievable—or Just a Slogan? Highlights from episodes with Matt Canavan, Nicki Hutley, Tony Wood & John Humphreys - ep298
What does net zero really mean, and what will it take to get there? In this episode, highlights from past guests reveal the full spectrum of views—from urgent calls for climate action to scepticism about costs and feasibility. With perspectives on extreme weather, carbon pricing, nuclear energy,...
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Debt, Inflation & Unrest: Western Warnings - ep297
Gene Tunny and John Humphreys unpack the economic troubles brewing in the UK, France, and the US—rising debt, social unrest, inflation, and faltering productivity. They explore why bond markets are sounding alarms, why governments are struggling to respond, and what this all means for Australia....
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Don’t Fight the Market: A Price Mechanism Masterclass - ep296
Show host Gene Tunny breaks down why price controls are one of the most consistently failed economic policies. Using vivid historical examples from the 1970s US, the Soviet Union’s command economy, and Venezuela’s toilet paper crisis, he illustrates how interfering with the price mechanism leads…
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Beyond the Roundtable: Real Solutions for Australia’s Productivity Plunge - ep295
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…
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AI’s Economic Disruption: Infinite Intelligence at our Fingertips? w/ Prof. Chris Berg & John Humphreys - ep294
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…
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Cash Flow Tax, Gas Bans & Big Government w/ John Humphreys - ep293
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…
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Raleigh’s Rise: America’s #1 Best-Performing City w/ Kyle Touchstone, Raleigh Economic Development
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…
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Interest Rates, Australia’s 3 Biggest Challenges, Global Fertility Crash, & the Tobin Tax Debate w/ John Humphreys, Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance
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...
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Listener Mailbag: Starve the Beast, Property Tax, and NDIS & Productivity Debates
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...
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Chaos is Costly: Navigating Economic Uncertainty w/ Rebecca Homkes, Duke Corporate Education
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…
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Australia’s Productivity Problem: Can It Be Fixed? w/ John Humphreys, Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance
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...
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What if Fort Knox Gold is Impure or Missing?
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…
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The Global Economic Chessboard: Trump, Trade, and Transformation w/ Emmanuel Daniel
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…
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Beyond Stocks and Bonds: Exploring Alternative Assets, e.g. private credit, VC, farmland, infrastructure w/ Kim Flynn, XA Investments
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...
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Exploring the Future of Personalized AI w/ Lotic CEO Bill Welser
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...
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Smarter Density: A Blueprint for Better Cities w/ top US architect Kevin Kennon
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…
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Rethinking Property and Taxation: The Georgist Approach w/ John August
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...
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The Gangster Method in Tariff and Trade Negotiations: w/ Nicholas Gruen
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...
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Trump’s Tariffs: Art of the Deal or Economic Disaster? w/ Darren Brady Nelson - Bonus Episode
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....
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Inside Project FASTT: Real-Time Payments for All w/ the World Bank's Nilima Ramteke - EP278
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...
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Fixing Australia’s Housing Crisis: Fusion’s Plan w/ Owen Miller - EP277
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…
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Gallium, Hafnium & the Strategic Metals Shaping Our World w/ Louis O’Connor, Strategic Metals Invest - EP276
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…
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What HS2, Channel Tunnel & Sydney Opera House Teach Us about Project Management w/ Adam Boddison OBE - EP275
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…
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Patriarchy Inc. - Gender and Workplace Dynamics w/ Cordelia Fine - EP274
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...
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Bang for Your Buck in Economic Development: Access to Town Water, Roads to Connect Isolated Communities w/ Kate Schecter, World Neighbors - EP273
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...
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Does Free Trade Benefit Everyone? A Deep Dive into the Stolper-Samuelson Theorem - EP272
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...
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Industrial Policy vs Free Trade w/ Ian Fletcher, Coalition for a Prosperous America - EP271
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…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hard-headed economic analysis applied to important economic, social, and environmental issues.
HOSTED BY
Gene Tunny
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Economics Explored have?
Economics Explored currently has 323 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Economics Explored about?
Hard-headed economic analysis applied to important economic, social, and environmental issues.
How often does Economics Explored release new episodes?
Economics Explored publishes regularly with 323 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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Who hosts Economics Explored?
Economics Explored is created and hosted by Gene Tunny.
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