Volala: Volatility is the life of our party

Does Ayeh think the One Big Beautiful Bill will fix anything or just move the pain around?This week, we dig into the One Big Beautiful Bill—a massive budget proposal that promises growth while quietly shifting costs, benefits, and uncertainty across the economy. Whether you’re trying to buy a home, pay down student loans, plan for retirement, or just make sense of where the economy is heading, this episode connects the dots.We cover:A $1,000 “baby bonus” and the new Trump Account for kidsWhy some students could see loan balances grow by 15%Stricter Pell Grant rules that leave behind working students, part-timers, and anyone with “family assets” on paper but not in real life.Benefits in the tax plan for high earners, mid-income seniors, LLCs, and self-employment incomeCuts to Medicaid and SNAP that shift financial responsibility for social programs to statesClean energy rollbacks that could shake up jobs, investments, and emissions targetsA steep new tax on university endowments—and what that means for innovation hubs and research jobsAnd if you’re wondering how all of this ties into what you’re feeling day to day? We also walk through the latest numbers:Recession risk has dropped but hasn’t disappeared—market estimates range from 25% to 40%, this yearHome sales are mixed, with builder incentives driving short-term bumps but long-term weakness in the pipelineConsumer confidence is up slightly, but still sits below neutral, especially when people look aheadGlobal growth looks stronger on paper, but a lot of it is front-loaded, driven by companies rushing to beat tariffsTreasury yields are spiking, revealing deeper worries about U.S. stability and long-term debtIt’s a wide-ranging conversation, but it comes back to one question: how do we make steady decisions when the rules keep changing? Ayeh and Jenni unpack the headlines with calm, clarity, and a little side-eye for duct tape economics.

“When there’s a feeling, there’s a bottom line.”While it’s easy to blame DEI budget cuts on politics, Ayeh argues they’re more a casualty of economic whiplash.Between 2020 and 2025, wild swings—from pandemic stimulus to inflation to investor pressure—reshaped what companies can fund and what they expect in return. Many DEI programs weren’t built to weather that volatility.But those same shifts have opened up new opportunities for diversity strategies that align with today’s tighter budgets, workforce changes, and bottom-line pressures.🎙️ In this #ItsEconomic edition of Volala: Volatility is the Life of Our Party, Ayeh and Jenni get candid about their own journeys navigating DEI in corporate and policy spaces. We also share our 7-question framework for building affordable, high-impact diversity strategies—ones that go beyond performative moves and actually boost resilience, revenue, and reach.📊 Consider this: companies with diverse leadership are 36% more likely to outperform financially. Cities like San Antonio and Wilson, NC, have grown tax bases and attracted investment by embedding equity into infrastructure and broadband.DEI isn’t dead. It’s just evolving. Let’s discuss. Drop us a line at [email protected], and we’ll cover it in our next listener episode.#economy #dei #macroeconomy #diversityequityinclusion #policy #government

In this listener-fueled episode, Jenni and Ayeh skip the script and dive into the economic questions buzzing in inboxes, group chats, and grocery store checkout lines alike. If it feels like policy is being made on the fly, that's because... it kind of is.From tariff whiplash to unexpected stock market rebounds, we unpack the pressure points shaping today’s economic reality—and what might come next.You’ll hear:Why the US Treasury market proved it was the big boss in policymaking this weekWhat signals to watch for and when it's likely to call the shots againWhat shifting global trust in the U.S. dollar actually means (yes, even for your mortgage)Why companies are pulling back on R&D, and what that signals for jobs and innovationHow long it really takes to build new manufacturing facilities—and why that matters for the future of “Made in America”Whether it’s time to rethink retirement (or just redefine it)And why taco trucks are just one of our favorite economic indicators. (Listen for more of ours and tell us where you see telltales coming up in your life!)We also talk Target foot traffic, Costco hoarding, and the quiet pullback happening in cities and states across the country.We’re focusing our wide-angle lens on where the economy’s heading, and how you can keep your footing.

In this episode of Volala, we unpack the economic "dense fog" that’s clouding business and consumer decision-making in 2025. From spiking inflation expectations to surprising shifts in jobs data, tariffs making everything from solar panels to furniture more expensive, and a deep dive into why housing plays such a huge role in inflation—this one has it all.You’ll hear why economists are worried about a possible recession, how businesses are reacting to policy uncertainty, and what history (specifically 2018) might tell us about what’s ahead. Plus, Ayeh breaks down how Fed rate hikes are driving up housing costs in some cases, and why the last mile of the inflation fight is proving so tricky.If you're trying to make sense of today’s economic headlines and what they mean for your wallet, your business, and your future, this episode is your map through the fog.

Ever feel like the economy has turned into one giant tug-of-war? In our latest Volala: Volatility is the Life of Our Party, we explore how everything from federal budget cuts to high-speed news cycles is changing the very meaning of “economic power”—both globally and right in our own communities.Here’s a quick look at what’s on the menu:• The Economy as the New Battleground While conflicts on real battlefields remain a harsh reality, economic power has taken a leading role in today’s struggles—from trade negotiations and AI ownership battles to “debt firepower.” We discuss how these shifts influence everything from military spending to control over the technology that shapes our daily lives.• The Fast-Spinning News Cycle From inflation to tech layoffs, each day brings a new “urgent” headline. With polls showing that the economy, healthcare, and immigration all vie for top concern, many of us feel pressured to micromanage every issue. We talk about why that’s overwhelming, the real scope of voter responsibility, and how Volya aims to make digestible analysis that helps people stay engaged—without drowning in updates.• DC’s Difficult TimesFederal layoffs, buyouts, and a cloudy job market have created a real sense of unease in the Capitol. But neighbors and small businesses are stepping in to help, showcasing how people can rally when big systems feel shaky. We tackle why “breaking things down” (like agencies or budgets) is easier than rebuilding—and how that reality ripples out to everyone else.• Knowledge Workers, Gather Your Lego SetsWhat if planning your career felt more like collecting and rearranging Legos? We share our “Lego Theory” to help you identify the skills you already have (and the ones you’d like to build), so you can craft a path that’s flexible and future-friendly—whether you’re in government, tech, or somewhere in between.• Federal Agency CutsAgencies like NOAA and NIH aren’t just bureaucratic acronyms; they shape critical weather forecasts, medical research, and beyond. We break down why these proposed cuts might look like a quick way to save money, but can carry deeper, long-term costs for innovation, education, and even everyday community life.If you’re looking for a friendlier, more accessible take on today’s headline frenzy, this episode is for you. Send your feedback and ideas for future episodes to [email protected]. We’d love to hear what keeps you awake at night—so we can turn it into something a little more hopeful.

What does Ayeh think about DOGE? There's a difference between efficiently knocking down a house and efficiently running a construction site. On this episode of Volala: Volatility is the Life of Our Party, we talk sustainable efficiency - opportunities for the government to save while considering the full economic toll of uncertainty– after we touch on the economic throughlines where uncertainty will impact bottom lines:🔹 Inflation ticking up hasramifications. We take a look at what’s driving the 3% CPI inflation rate, why it's expected to be sticky longer, potential tax cuts, and why high interest rates amidst tariff-driven inflation could result in stagflation. 🔹 The economy is re-re-re-readjusting after COVID, WFH, RTW, wars, and a new U.S. presidential administration. Where it lands depends on what risks take up our brainshare in the coming years.🔹 Trade policies are changing, but not everything is a crisis. We break down what tariffs, supply chains, and labor markets mean for small business owners, workers, retirees, investors, and entire industries—from agriculture to tech to transportation.🔹 Plus, AI ownership and control are up for grabs. We look at how AI policy is being shaped through tariffs, taxes, and even the Sovereign Wealth Fund Trump has floated.We’re still constructing a podcast that’s clear, engaging, and—dare we say—enjoyable. If you have feedback on what you’d like to see in future episodes, email us at [email protected]. #Macroeconomy #Inflation #Tariffs #EconomicTrends #Podcast #AI #TradePolicy #DOGE

We’re Building the Podcast We Wanted to HearA lot has changed in just two weeks—and if you’re trying to make sense of it all, you’re not alone. Welcome to the “It’s Economic!” edition of Volala: Volatility is the Life of Our Party. Ayeh Bandeh Ahmadi, with over 20 years of experience across federal agencies—including managing trillions in U.S. debt at Treasury during the first Trump administration—breaks down the latest policy shifts, focusing on how tariffs, AI, and government restructuring are shaping the economy. We dive into the second- and third-order effects of these changes on businesses, paychecks, prices, and more—without the panic or the hype. On the menu: 🔹 The Fed is stepping back, and policy is stepping in—tax cuts, tariffs, and trade are now key drivers.🔹 Businesses are recalibrating—how investment, risk, and strategy are shifting.🔹 AI is evolving—but not as the headlines suggest.🔹 The government is restructuring—what that means for jobs and Big Tech.🔹 A quick guide to tariffs—how they’re impacting inflation, supply chains, and strategy. This is only the second episode of Volala, and we’d love your feedback and ideas for future episodes. To learn more about Volascope Labs, visit www.volascope.com. To subscribe to our substack, visit volala.substack.com. To submit your questions for future episodes, email us at [email protected]. #ItsEconomic #Tariffs #Macroeconomy #Podcast #EconomicTrends #TradePolicy

Welcome to the debut episode of Volala: Volatility is the life of our party! Host Jenni Ruiz sits down with Ayeh Bandeh-Ahmadi, founder of Volascope Labs, for a lively discussion about making economic insights accessible, engaging, and downright fun. Ayeh shares her fascinating journey from her early career at the U.S. Treasury to her deep dive into logistics at Transfix, finally culminating in her latest venture, Volya. Volya, a groundbreaking app, aims to cut through the noise of financial news and help users get straight to the economic insights that matter most. Ayeh opens up about her experiences building tools for the modern user, insights gathered from real people frustrated by confusing financial jargon, and the importance of thoughtful design in making sense of complex topics. Discover how Volascope Labs, with its blog Volala, mixes serious insights with a splash of creativity—plus, how music adds a unique twist to the conversation around economics. To learn more about Volascope Labs, visit volascope.com. To read the Volala blog, visit volala.substack.com. -- Music track titled "Easy Hike" courtesy of composer, Yari. All rights reserved.