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Optimist Economy

Optimist Economy breaks down the economy we have—and builds the case for the one we could have.

Each week on the podcast, economist Kathryn Anne Edwards and editor Robin Rauzi answer the question, “What would it take for the U.S. to have nice things?”

Like a minimum wage that prevents poverty? Paid sick days for everyone? Child care that doesn’t cost more than rent? Social Security that Gen Z can count on?

Season 2 coming in January 2026.

What Listeners Are Saying

Real reviews from the OE community

This podcast breaks down economic issues and presents solutions backed with research and data.

Laufengirl

Apple Podcasts

October 23, 2025

Kathryn gives PhD level insights, complete with sources and a discussion of their accuracy, limitations, etc, in a way that even a knuckle-dragger like myself can easily understand.

Duffman11s

Apple Podcasts

September 10, 2025

She is INCREDIBLE at synthesizing complex economic information into both digestible and interesting ways.

flim.flamm

Apple Podcasts

April 8, 2025

Kathryn and Robin are the kind of hosts wish I could have coffee with—they're insightful, witty, and genuinely delightful.

Jay Rhody

Apple Podcasts

July 29, 2025

These two have figured out how make economics fun. They are truly a joy to listen to and cover interesting topics.

Roadking4007

Apple Podcasts

August 22, 2025

I came because of having followed Kathryn on Substack but I stayed because of the Kathryn-Robin combo.

Kitt8888

Apple Podcasts

September 12, 2025

The reference to hand stitching a 'Better than poor parents' sash and tiara for Manchin had me cackling in my car.

Simokia654

Apple Podcasts

May 20, 2025

Expert insight into complex economic issues delivered through a veil of sarcasm and self deprecating humor.

PCONO

Apple Podcasts

October 18, 2025

Who knew data could be so much fun? Researched, witty, curious, principled, and human.

Razzellz

Apple Podcasts

September 23, 2025

I listen to Kathryn and Robin every week. Then I take everything I learned from them and excitedly regurgitate it all to my husband.

j9_g

Apple Podcasts

September 11, 2025

In fact, if you had asked me before I listened to this podcast what my executive order would be, it would be to ban all podcasts.

dcostindc

Apple Podcasts

September 23, 2025

To explain why this podcast is so great, we need to go back to the War of the Roses...

Bill Fosher

Apple Podcasts

September 10, 2025

This podcast brings me comfort and reminds me that the future looks bright, even when the news is not.

Lowest west

Apple Podcasts

October 8, 2025

I get tired of bird's eye coverage of hot button issues and appreciate so much having a bit of history and economic theory applied...

cb48185728

Apple Podcasts

July 29, 2025

Listening to this show feels like being guided to a comfy chair, handed a warm mug of tea, and given a much-needed hug during a time of chaos and confusion.

Lindsayn3

Apple Podcasts

September 29, 2025

Robin and Kathryn are the perfect antidote to existential crisis. Plus, I appreciate the frequent snickering.

MinorArtist

Apple Podcasts

September 18, 2025

Shows over and over again that we have the choice and ability to solve our problems but just don't.

stduffer

Apple Podcasts

October 8, 2025

I feel like I am more informed in a way that gives me a sense of what to look for, what to ask for from my political representatives, and what actually to be worried about.

cb48185728

Apple Podcasts

July 29, 2025

I appreciate how you present a challenge then present a viable, actionable solution.

Dukeod

Apple Podcasts

May 22, 2025

Optimist Starter Kit

The most-shared episodes according to our listeners

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Aren’t Free School Meals a Conservative's Dream Policy? - Optimist Economy Podcast Episode
Sep 2, 2025

Aren’t Free School Meals a Conservative's Dream Policy?

Free breakfast and lunch for every public school student — an idea associated more with countries like Sweden and Finland — should instead be viewed as a truly American policy that liberals and conservatives can both love. Want complete meritocracy? Then you should be furious that some kids can't focus in class or during tests because they're hungry. Want to compete globally? Eating better raises student test scores. Want to make America healthy again? Professional kitchen staff serving nutritionally balanced meals to everyone actually beats harried parents trying to cobble together a lunch sack. Want less government interference? Universal programs eliminate the invasive bureaucratic hassle of asking every student’s family about their income. School meal programs have even been found to lower grocery prices in local communities. Nine states have made free meals universal, and others have expanded access, so this ball is rolling. Read more:Solutions: Free School Meals - by Kathryn Anne Edwards [2024] How Free School Meals Went Mainstream - The New York Times [2024]School Lunch Debt Statistics: Total + Costs per Student [2025]Brown paper bags and ketchup as a VegetableA story too good to check: Paul Ryan and the tale of the brown paper bag - The Washington Post [2014]Why Michelle Obama Is Wrong on School Lunches | The Heritage Foundation [2014]U.S. Holds The Ketchup In Schools - The Washington Post [1981]U.S. Federal Register from 1981 [see page 49]

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About

Optimist Economy explores the fundamentals of the economy and the future that the U.S. can build, one problem and solution at a time. The United States has a remarkable economy — and yet for tens of millions of Americans it is not performing up to its potential. There is a long list of good ideas that could make our economy more open to aspiring workers, less hostile to change, safer for workers, less risky for retirees, and so on. We just haven't tried them.

The good news is that we can. Economist Kathryn Anne Edwards and editor Robin Rauzi tackle these questions on the podcast, in our newsletter, and across all our content.

To stay connected with Optimist Economy, subscribe to the podcast and join our newsletter to get the latest episodes and insights delivered directly to you.

The Hosts

Kathryn Anne Edwards

Kathryn Anne Edwards, a.k.a. keds_economist

Kathryn is a Ph.D. economist who wears a lot of hats. For many years she worked at RAND, which is a research institution that is hired to solve public policy problems. A few years ago she started her own policy and research business, and she's proud to run her own shop.

She's also a working writer and columnist for Bloomberg Opinion and has one foot in the Bloomberg media ecosystem, sometimes appearing on radio, TV, or live data releases to comment on economic news. But you probably know her as keds_economist, the handle she uses to make videos and posts for social media explaining the economy and policy.

Robin Rauzi

Robin Rauzi, editor

Robin is an editor who specializes in op-eds, commentary, essays and other forms of nonfiction. She was on the staff and a contributing editor at the Los Angeles Times for many years. As an articles editor for the Op-Ed page, her job was collaborating with activists, academics, politicians and other subject matter experts to craft lively and convincing opinion essays. She started her freelance editing business, Get Rauzi Editorial Services, in 2009.

When she's not editing for clients, who run the gamut from major orchestras to venture capital firms, she runs an online program for personal writing called 40 Days + 40 Writes.

Support Economic Optimism

Listener support helps us keep all Optimist Economy episodes free and accessible to everyone. It also lets us invest in quality audio production and market the show to expand the community of informed optimists. Whether you can contribute $5 or $350, every dollar helps and we're grateful.

Larger Donations: If you have a Donor Advised Fund, or would like to make a larger contribution, please reach out so that we may share our strategic plan and opportunities for partnership-level support. Optimist Economy is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Contact us at optimist.economy@gmail.com.

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