Happy Hour Econ

Look, we all need to eat. Where there are people, there is a built-in demand for sustenance. Therefore, the existence of “food deserts” is obviously the result of late-stage capitalism deliberately keeping nutrition away from certain groups of people. Right? Well, no. In this week’s Happy Hour Econ, Lou and Phil are cooking up a spicy look at what’s behind how we feed ourselves.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

With the successful execution of Artemis II, manned space exploration is back on the scene. But sending humans to the moon raises a whole host of questions. Why are we doing this? Why did we ever do this? Should we be spending money on it? Who owns the moon, anyway? And what does any of it have to do with Spaghetti Westerns? Join your favorite space-cases, Lou and Phil, as they boldly go where no comedian and economist has gone before. Conversationally, anyway.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

It’s 4/20, and you know what that means! Love it, hate it, or fall somewhere in the middle, the simple fact is that marijuana—or cannabis, or weed, or even the Devil’s Lettuce—is having a very real moment. But how did we go from Reefer Madness-levels of social stigma to sleek, sophisticated dispensaries that will deliver directly to your door? Join Lou and Phil for this blazing episode of Happy Hour Econ as they get into the weeds of, well, weed.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

If you tried to describe Las Vegas, Nevada, to someone who’d never heard of it, the city would seem like a fever dream lifted straight out of a completely unhinged novel. In the middle of a desolate desert landscape, a glittering oasis rises as though from nowhere, filled with every form of entertainment and vice you could hope for, all cleverly designed to keep you there for as long as possible. And yet, it’s real. You can visit it! But, like, how? Lou and Phil are headed to Vegas in this episode of Happy Hour Econ to pull back the curtain on the economics of Sin City.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

What happens when bold predictions of global catastrophe meet…reality? In this episode of Happy Hour Econ, a comedian and an economist take a hilarious yet insightful deep dive into The Population Bomb and the legacy of Paul Ehrlich’s infamous overpopulation predictions.Lou and Phil dive into why humanity stubbornly refused to starve (thanks, innovation!), how government policies sometimes make things worse (oops), and why betting against human ingenuity might be the worst long-term investment strategy ever.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

Why are gas prices so high—and why does it feel like they never come back down? In this episode of Happy Hour Econ, comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness break down the real reasons behind rising gas prices, from global oil supply shocks to foreign policy chaos and everything in between.With humor and sharp economic insight, they explore how events like conflict in the Middle East, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and instability in oil-producing countries like Venezuela can send shockwaves straight to your local gas pump. You’ll also learn why gas prices vary by region, how taxes and regulations impact what you pay, and why the U.S. can’t just “become energy independent” overnight.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

This week on Happy Hour Econ, the brackets are busted, the probabilities are brutal, and your leftover lasagna might actually have better odds than your Final Four picks.Why is it nearly impossible to pick a perfect March Madness bracket? How does the NCAA make billions—and who actually gets paid? And what do your fridge leftovers have to do with economic theory?In this episode of Happy Hour Econ, comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness break down the madness behind March Madness. From busted brackets and the brutal math of probability to the concept of mutually exclusive decisions, they explain why your championship pick was doomed from the start.If you enjoy discussions about economics, politics, and history—with a comedic twist—this episode of Happy Hour Econ is for you. 🍻Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

In this episode of Happy Hour Econ, comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness walk into a bar… and accidentally start a 25-minute debate about socialism. Oops.With the Democratic Socialists of America hitting 100,000 members and socialism suddenly trending with younger generations, Lou asks the obvious question: Why?The conversation also touches on socialism vs capitalism, the role of markets in allocating resources, and how political decision-making could affect everyday life—yes, even something as simple as buying a PlayStation 5. From historical lessons about shortages and central planning to the debate over whether socialism promises equality or delivers inefficiency, Lou and Phil break it all down with humor and insight.Topics covered:·       Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)·       Socialism vs capitalism·       Why socialism is gaining popularity among young people·       Scandinavian economic models and the “Nordic myth”·       Venezuela, Cuba, and historical socialist regimes·       Central planning, shortages, and economic incentivesIf you enjoy discussions about economics, politics, and history—with a comedic twist—this episode of Happy Hour Econ is for you. 🍻Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

Why do Americans not choo-choo-choose trains?In this episode of Happy Hour Econ, comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness climb aboard the great American train debate and ask a simple question: Why does everyone on the internet suddenly want bullet trains?From Lou’s beer-blurred European train adventures to Phil’s deep dive into railroad history, they explore why train travel works in Europe and Japan but struggles in America. Along the way they unpack the real economic factors behind transportation policy, including population density, infrastructure costs, government incentives, and regulatory hurdles.You’ll also hear:·       Why high-speed rail in California has become one of the most expensive infrastructure projects in the country·       The surprising history of 19th-century railroad corruption and land subsidies·       Why cars and highways became the dominant form of transportation in the United States·       The trade-offs between trains, planes, cars, and emerging technologies like self-driving vehicles·       How government incentives can shape (and sometimes distort) infrastructure projectsWelcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

In this episode of Happy Hour Econ, comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness swap Olympic highlights for tariff takedowns—and somehow make constitutional law feel like a bar bet you didn’t know you were placing.While the rest of America was celebrating gold medals, Phil was glued to a different showdown: the Supreme Court smacking down President Donald Trump’s sweeping “Tariff Liberation Day” extravaganza. Yes, that’s right—tariffs so enthusiastic they reportedly targeted everything.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

Are you boycotting us right now?From the Boston Tea Party to the Super Bowl halftime show heard ’round the internet (featuring global superstar Bad Bunny), the guys break down what boycotts are, how they work, and why simply changing the channel may not be the revolutionary act you think it is.The conversation dives into the real-world impact of boycotts in Puerto Rico, including how shipping regulations affect island economies, why concentrated political interests often outmaneuver diffuse public outrage, and what makes some protests economically effective while others backfire.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

What’s the real cost of hosting the Winter Olympics? Why do cities go billions into debt for two weeks of figure skating and curling? And are Olympic gold medals actually… plastic?In this laugh-out-loud episode of Happy Hour Econ, comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness break down the economics of the Olympic Games, exposing the financial myths, political drama, and corruption scandals behind one of the world’s biggest sporting events.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

Can artificial intelligence replace artists, comedians, or even George Carlin? 🤖🍸In this episode of Happy Hour Econ, comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magnus dive into the economics of AI, creativity, and art—while trying to figure out if robots are coming for Lou’s stand-up career. From AI-generated comedy specials and deepfake celebrity voices to copyright law, creative authenticity, and whether Michael Caine will ever make Jaws 5, this episode explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping comedy, movies, music, and culture.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

Is ChatGPT a productivity tool, a plagiarism machine, or the first step toward a robot apocalypse?On this episode of Happy Hour Econ, comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness dive into how machines still can’t think like humans (or write a good term paper), how creative destruction has always reshaped the economy, and why nuclear power is suddenly back in the conversation. AI is already impacting jobs in research, education, and graphic design. Is there more to come?Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

WTF is the World Economic Forum—and why does it feel like every James Bond villain vacations there?From global elites and technocrats to climate change policy, net zero, and the infamous “you’ll own nothing and be happy” slogan, we unpack the biggest ideas—and strangest headlines—coming out of Davos. Topics include credit card interest rate caps, usury, central planning, AI-driven technocracy, climate hypocrisy, private jets, buying Greenland, and yes… eating bugs instead of burgers. Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

How much should you tip a bartender, waiter, delivery driver, or barista—and why does tipping feel so awkward now? In this episode of Happy Hour Econ, comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness break down the economics of tipping, America’s tipping culture, why tip screens seem to be everywhere, and how that iPad that definitely judged you.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

Cuddling in a warm blanket with your family…to prevent yourself from freezing in your rent controlled apartment. Is this the “Warmth of Collectivism” that everyone is talking about? Join your hosts as the break down the economic reality on NYC’s latest craze.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity.No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

What are you REALLY buying with that gym membership to ring in the New Year? From limiting social media to working out, your New Year’s resolutions have both economic and social impacts. What are they? Find out on the latest episode of Happy Hour Econ.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity. No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.

No more Black Friday stampedes…humbug!Let Comedian Lou Perez, and Economist Phil Magness guide your sleigh though the surprising economics of the Christmas season. From the downfall of Black Friday madness to dealing with cheap gifts and the signals they send, pull up a stool, pour a drink, and have a shot of economic reality with the debut episode of Happy Hour Econ.Welcome to Happy Hour Econ from Free To Choose Network, where comedian Lou Perez and economist Phil Magness serve up weekly shots of economic reality with a chaser of sanity. No PowerPoints, no pretense—just two guys who've figured out that the best way to understand why everything costs more is to stop taking it so seriously.Pour yourself a drink, pull up a stool, and join Happy Hour Econ—because understanding the economy shouldn’t require a Ph.D. or a hangover.