Platypus Economics with Justin Wolfers

Latest Episodes:

Elasticity - What will you do when prices change? Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

When prices go up, buyers want less and sellers want more. But how much more? Economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers discuss how responsive people are to price changes, and why.

Co-host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production.

Equilibrium - Balance in a Busy World Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

Where Supply meets Demand. Markets are everywhere, but what happens when buyers and sellers get down to business? Leading economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers reveal how markets find their equilibrium

Co-host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production.

Supply - Getting the Best Out of What You Sell Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

We're all suppliers. But how do we decide how much to sell? Economists and the authors of the 21st century textbook on economics, Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers, steer us through the influences and decisions we face in business or in the home.

Co-host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production.

The Law of Demand - How You Choose to Buy Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

Do you need to buy that? Should you buy one more? Economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers explain how you as a buyer can stay in control - and how to make the Law of Demand work for you.

Co-host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production.

Juggling Work and Childcare During a Pandemic Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

Betsey and Justin help you figure out how to decide how much time to spend working versus looking after your family, when everyone needs more attention these days. Could the decisions you make now affect your career in the future?

We’ll be back with a full episode on September 8th, when we’ll be looking at the decisions you make as a buyer - that foundation of the economy, Demand.

Is now the time to improve yourself? Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

Betsey & Justin are getting ready for another year of teaching economics. And with all the recent challenges in the world, Betsey and Justin have some real-world advice for you - does investing in skills or education make sense right now?

We'll be back on September 8th, looking at that old favourite - Demand.

Core Principle 1 - The Cost-Benefit Principle - The Pros & Cons Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

Making a pros-and-cons list when you’re stuck isn’t a bad piece of advice, it’s actually a staple of Thinking Like An Economist. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers walk us through thinking about the costs and benefits of every decision, and also warn of red flags that can lead us astray.

Co-host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production.

Core Principle 2 - The Opportunity Cost Principle - Or What? Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

What would you do instead of taking that dream job? What would you eat for dinner instead of that burger? And how would you spend your lunch hour if not at the gym? Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers get us to think about the next best alternative to anything, and how that can transform the decisions we make.

Co-host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production.

Core Principle 3 - The Marginal Principle - Just One More? Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

How many hours should you work? How many people should you hire? How many children should you have? Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers teach us how to make decisions about ‘how many’ of pretty much anything and in any circumstance.

Co-host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production.

Core Principle 4 - The Interdependence Principle - No Decision is an Island Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

Buying an extra cup of coffee means less money for a cup of tea. It also means less coffee for the next person, it will change the prices of milk and sugar and effect the countries which make the coffee beans for your cup of joe. Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers teach us about how our decisions are interlinked, and how this can help you to make better decisions.

Co-host: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. Editor: Alastair Elphick. A Modulated Media production.