Kai Ryssdal on Why the Economy Isn’t as Strong as It Looks

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

Vox Media Podcast Network

Entrepreneurship, Business, Careers

4.4 • 5.3K Ratings

🗓️ 19 February 2026

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Kai Ryssdal, host and senior editor of Marketplace, joins Scott Galloway to assess the contradictions at the heart of today’s economy. They discuss the “low hire, low fire” labor market, why consumer sentiment feels worse than the headline data suggests, and how tariffs are quietly working their way into higher prices. Kai also shares his skepticism about the AI boom, whether white-collar workers should be worried, and why income inequality continues to widen despite record markets. The conversation also explores prediction markets, national service, military leadership, and the future of public media. Algebra of Happiness: do you have a debt? Join us in the ‘Resist and Unsubscribe’ movement: https://www.resistandunsubscribe.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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