Summary: The podcast outlines the problems that small local businesses face when the state forces licensing restrictions on their practices. Jestina Clayton, a local hair braiding businesswomen in Centerville, Utah shares her experience with the limiting aspects that licensing places on the U.S. economy.
Original air date: June 22, 2012
Length: 12:53 min
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/01/11/169150969/episode-429-the-price-of-things-we-love
Summary: Three short features highlight: (1) the impact on the publishing industry of the shift toward e-books; (2) why legos remain so popular and so expensive; and (3) the technological development and potential market implications of 3D printers.
Original air date: January 11, 2013
Length: 15:15
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/12/18/167265874/episode-424-how-much-is-a-firefighter-worth
Summary: A look at how changing building codes, etc. have changed the risk of fires and so impacted the market for firefighters. Considers challenges in current public policy around fire fighting, including whether policies reflect the current market.
Original air date: December 18, 2012
Length: 19:21
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/06/15/155135781/episode-379-does-medicaid-actually-help-people
Summary: NPR interviews Katherine Baicker, a health economist at Harvard University to discuss questions concerning the efficiency of Medicaid in relation to its cost and implementation.
Original air date: June 15, 2012
Length: 14:38 min
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/04/25/151365350/how-to-make-it-in-the-food-truck-business
Summary: NPR sheds light on the competitive market economy of the food truck business in Manhattan,.
Original air date: April 27, 2012
Length: 14:24 min
Discussion Prompt: Restaurants are a common example of firms operating in a monopolistically competitive type of market structure. In what way do you think food trucks do or do not fall in that same market structure category? Explain using economic thinking.
Follow-up Prompt: The podcast discusses the particular strategies that food truck drivers might employ to be successful in their goal of maximizing profits. How do you think the type of market structure in which a firm operates impacts the strategic thinking and actions that firms engage in? You can make your comments relevant to the food truck example, or think more broadly and connect to other industries or examples.
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/04/24/151224338/were-headed-for-a-fiscal-cliff-should-we-jump
Summary: The team outlines the fiscal policies slated to be enacted in January after the presidential election. Simon Johnson, an economist and professor at MIT, explains the harsh realities of the “fiscal cliff” which the year 2013 will bring for the U.S. economy.
Original air date: April 24, 2012
Length: 21:20 min
Summary: The team explains the challenges to doing business within the political and economic structure of the European Union. An office building between Germany and Netherlands is used as an example of the relationship and differences among the countries of the European Union.
Original air date: August 10, 2012
Length: 15:15 min
Summary: Discusses aspects of the Global Financial Crisis including credit shortage, credit market freeze, credit default swaps and the 2008 bailout bill.
Original air date: October 3, 2008
Length: 60:00
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/08/31/160391850/episode-399-can-you-patent-a-steak
Summary: A discussion of the intricacies of the U.S. patent system, featuring an innovator in the meat industry.
Original air date: August 31, 2012
Length: 17:48
Summary: Discussion of why the U.S. government subsidizes crop insurance for farmers.
Original air date: August 14, 2012
Length: 16:17
audioecon 