Kelly Vedi from https://kellyvedi.substack.com/ comes on to explore the significance of apprenticeships as a viable training strategy in the U.S., contrasting them with traditional education models. She outlines the historical context, current state, and cultural differences surrounding apprenticeships, emphasizing their potential benefits for both employers and young people.

We discuss barriers to expanding apprenticeship programs, the role of AI, and the social aspects of vocational training compared to college education.

00:00 The Importance of Apprenticeships

05:47 Cultural Differences in Apprenticeship Models

10:30 Apprenticeships vs. Traditional Education

17:48 Barriers to Expanding Apprenticeships in the US

22:19 The Value of Practical Learning

27:30 Career Exploration Through Apprenticeships

31:01 The Impact of AI on Apprenticeships

33:52 The Social Aspects of College vs. Apprenticeships

38:22 The Need for Viable Alternatives to College

Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerds⁠

In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, we dive into the transformative world of driverless car technology with Andrew Miller, author of the substack: Changing Lanes and the forthcoming book "The End of Driving."

We start with a transportation quiz before discussing the technological, regulatory and cultural barriers to a driverless car future.

In the end, we get Andrew's takes on some prediction market driverless car bets.

Check Andrew's substack here: https://www.changinglanesnewsletter.com/

Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerds⁠

In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim first have a news quiz before discussing Fed Independence and Trump v. Powell.

The conversation shifts to vacation experiences, highlighting the cost of living and consumer surplus, before wrapping up with a discussion on economic observations from their travels.

02:46 News Quiz

14:28 Federal Reserve Independence and History

20:03 Volcker's Impact and Political Relationships

22:49 Fed Speak vs. Trump Speak

26:45 Vacation Talk: Experiences and Observations

33:49 Consumer Insights from Travel

38:26 The Price is Right? Camping Economics

42:58 Consumer Surplus and Deadweight Loss in Daily Life

Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerds⁠

In this episode, we have economic historian Price Fishback on to bust Great Depression myths, including:

• What Hoover actually did

• Whether the New Deal was truly Keynesian

• Unemployment vs. underemployment

• Whether the New Deal was a cohesive policy

• The role of HOLC redlining maps

Check out Fishback's JEL article here https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jel.20161054

And his book chapter in this volume:

https://www.amazon.com/Government-American-Economy-New-History/dp/0226251284

Be sure to check out the Econ Nerds on youtube here:

https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerds

In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, host Matt Hill and co-host Ariel Slonim welcome Jadrian Wooten from Monday Morning Economist (https://www.mondayeconomist.com/).

They start with a news quiz. Then talk about their favorite Monday Morning Economist posts:

• How much would the pizza from Home Alone be today?
• Why do we buy fancier eggs when egg prices rise?
• Does Taylor Swift actually add to the economy?

Then the conversation also gets very nerdy with a discussion on confusing terminology used in Economics.

00:00 Introduction to Monday Morning Economist

02:27 News Quiz

18:39 Pop Culture Economics and Home Alone

20:09 Challenges in Adjusting Prices Over Time

24:10 Comparing Historical Prices: Time vs. CPI

28:10 The Alchian-Allen Effect Explained (why are you buying more expensive eggs?)

31:54 The Impact of Taylor Swift on Local Economies

38:13 Teaching Economics: Challenges and Insights

41:03 The Challenge of Economic Terminology

55:03 Consumer Surplus/ DWL: Transformers, home buying, Delta

Referenced in the podcast:

https://www.mondayeconomist.com/

Planet money on sugar prices: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2013/04/26/179295426/episode-454-the-lollipop-war

Subscribe to our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EconNerds

In this episode, Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim discuss the fertility crisis with guest Susannah Petitt. They explore the decline in birth rates, the impact of education and marriage trends, and the economic implications of a shrinking population. The conversation delves into the importance of innovation, the role of social media, and potential policy solutions to encourage family growth.

Susannah shares insights on the misconceptions surrounding fertility and the need for supportive community structures. The episode concludes with reflections on the cultural narratives surrounding parenthood and the opportunity costs associated with raising children.

Chapters

04:16 The Shift from Overpopulation to Depopulation Concerns

19:11 Housing and Its Impact on Family Planning

25:08 The Influence of Technology and Social Change on Fertility

34:41 Balancing Childbearing and Career

45:29 Current Reads and Interesting Finds

57:16 Current Events: Tariffs and Trade Agreements

Check out Susannah’s substack Upward Bound: https://theupwardbound.substack.com/

In this episode of the Econ Nerds podcast, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim explore various economic themes ranging from pole vaulting incentives to the impact of tariffs on job creation. They discuss the implications of NYC's free bus proposal, the economic contributions of K-Pop sensation BTS, and the evolving landscape of creative jobs in the age of AI.

Then a life advice involving Bitcoin and personal finance decisions.

The episode concludes with reflections on community initiatives like the Buy Nothing group and the hidden costs associated with them.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and News Quiz Kickoff

16:52 AI and Art: The Future of Creativity

32:25 Life Advice

35:47 Consumer Surplus vs. Deadweight Loss: Buy Nothing

In this episode of Econ Nerds Live, hosts Matt Hill and Ariel Slonim delve into the pressing issue of national debt, exploring its implications and the government's options for managing it. Then a news quiz segment, where they test each other's knowledge on current events and economic trends. Then they unveil their new segment: "Not Investment Advice", where they give investment advice. The episode wraps up with discussions male friendships, homesteading and Lego Masters

00:00 - Government Spending and Economic Consequences

10:15 - Transitioning to Current Economic News and Quizzes

Investing Insights: Predictions and Market Trends

23:24 - NOT Investment Advice: Tattoo Removal

30:12 - Consumer Surplus and Deadweight Loss: Male Friendships, Homesteading and Lego Masters

Articles mentioned

All articles for the news quiz can be found at our substack: https://econnerds.substack.com/

Supersonics are back

https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2025/06/supersonics-takeoff.html

Male Friendships

https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/male-friendship

Homesteading:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2025/06/05/i-tried-homesteading/