Shows
Toast n' TopicsDeepening Debts - Fiscal Deficits and Their SustainabilityIn this episode, Ben and Sachin dive into the trajectory of U.S. debt and consider its sustainability in the years and decades ahead. 2025-06-2114 min
Toast n' TopicsNightmare at Newark: Challenges and Struggles In Air Traffic ControlIn our latest episode, we discuss the recent string of technical failures that unfolded at Newark Airport, including the longer-term problems of outdated infrastructure and staffing shortages in the industry, as well as what could be done to improve them. 2025-06-0218 min
Toast n' TopicsCommand of Commerce: America's Enduring Economic Power Advantage with Ben VagleIn this episode, Sachin interviews Ben on his new coauthored book, Command of Commerce: America's Enduring Economic Power Advantage over China. The book is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Command-Commerce-Americas-Enduring-Advantage/dp/01978023032025-05-1924 min
Toast n' TopicsClinics and Cash: A Conversation on Healthcare and Foreign Aid in Uganda With Nikhil KamdarIn this episode, we interview Nikhil Kamdar, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and a current med student at George Washington University, about a recent medical service trip that he made to Uganda and his observations on the ground2025-04-2631 min
Toast n' TopicsAid Under Attack - The Implications of Recent Drawdowns in Foreign AssistanceIn this episode, Ben and Sachin examine recent cuts to foreign aid spending and consider the effects of it being removed. 2025-04-1615 min
Toast n' TopicsApplications of AI: Exploring How AI Is Transforming Our EconomyIn this episode, Ben and Sachin discuss the progress that has been made in generative AI technology and the tangible evidence that it could be improving productivity.See a sample of Ben's webpage mentioned in the podcast here: https://commandofcommerce.com/2025-03-2920 minToast n' TopicsScrambled Up: Unpacking Recent Egg Supply DisruptionsIn this episode, Ben and Sachin examine the drivers of recent egg shortage in the United States. 2025-03-1515 min
Toast n' TopicsThe Deepseek Dilemma: Recent Developments in the Global AI RaceIn this episode, we unpack the latest developments in the global AI race including the recent breakthroughs from Deepseek, a Chinese AI startup, and what it could mean for the future in the race for global AI dominance. 2025-02-0918 min
Toast n' TopicsDeconstructing Deficits: Revisiting Issues in Trade PolicyIn this episode, Ben and Sachin revisit trade policy, analyzing tariff proposals under the Trump Administration, the causes and effects of global trade imbalances, and potential remedies. 2025-01-2524 min
Toast n' TopicsHealthcare: A Conversation on Access, Availability, and Outcomes Healthcare plays a massive role in the American economy at 18% of GDP, however, data on US health outcomes has not been as encouraging, with the highest rate of infant mortality in developed nations, the lowest life expectancy, and the highest rate of preventable deaths. Our first episode of 2025 dives into some of these issues, with a discussion on the US health system, how it compares to others in the world, and possible reform that could improve outcomes. 2025-01-1224 minToast n' TopicsLooking Toward the 2025 New YearThanks for listening to Toast n' Topics this year! In this episode, Ben and Sachin share with you their plans for the show in 2025. 2025-01-0103 min
Toast n' TopicsHow Unions Make Our Economy And Democracy Stronger: A Conversation With Sachin Shiva, Center For American ProgressIn our last episode of 2024, we speak with Sachin Shiva, a graduate of Dartmouth College in the Class of 2022 and a current researcher at the Center For American Progress, about some of his work around unions, their benefits to our economy, and how they promote a more inclusive democracy. To read more of Sachin's research, click the link here: https://www.americanprogress.org/people/sachin-shiva/2024-12-2230 min
Toast n' TopicsDebating Digital Payments: The Implications of India's Unified Payments InterfaceIn this episode, Ben and Sachin debrief on Sachin's recent travels to India and his observations on India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). 2024-12-0825 minToast n' TopicsHousing and Hurricanes: What Intensifying Storms Mean for Future DevelopmentIn this episode, Ben and Sachin explore what the intensification of tropical storms and other natural disasters may mean for risk analysis and development over the coming decades. 2024-10-2616 min
Toast n' TopicsAnalyzing Antitrust: Monopolies, Mergers, and Policy ShiftsIn this episode we outline the economic theory of monopolies and market concentration, with a focus on understanding their structure, prevalence, and policy responses. 2024-10-1420 minToast n' TopicsDebunking Deficits: Fiscal Policy and Why It MattersIn this episode, Ben and Sachin unpack the U.S. fiscal deficit, its primary drivers, and why it matters. 2024-09-2820 min
Toast n' TopicsTrade n' Topics: Tariffs, Subsidies and Their Policy ImplicationsIn this episode, we take a deep dive into US trade policy and two of the key proposals that have come to the forefront -- tariffs and subsidies -- with a focus on what they intend to accomplish and their longer-term implications. 2024-09-1419 min
Toast n' TopicsTechnology and Teenagers: Unpacking California's Student Smartphone BanIn this episode, Ben and Sachin examine California's recent student smartphone ban and the effects that technology has broadly had on American youth. 2024-09-0115 min
Toast n' TopicsOlympic Overruns: The Economics of Hosting the Olympic GamesThe 2024 Paris games just concluded last week, which were a great display of athleticism, grit, and equally, economics. In this episode, dive into the economics of hosting the Olympic games, focusing on costs as well as the short and long term impact on economic growth for the host country2024-08-1918 min
Toast n' TopicsGoing for Gold: What if The U.S. Switched Back to the Gold Standard?In this episode, Ben and Sachin explore the history of the gold standard and what would happen if the U.S. went back to it. 2024-08-0319 min
Toast n' TopicsRwanda Revealed: A Conversation With Ellie Murphy on its History, Economics, and FutureIn this episode, we interview Ellie Murphy, a graduate of Tufts University in 2022, on her time in Rwanda where she spent nearly two years on the ground. We learn more about her experience there and touch upon topics ranging from Rwanda's complex history, to their economic model and future opportunities for growth. 2024-07-2034 min
Toast n' TopicsIntroducing Toast n' Topics Tee Shirts!Toast n' Topics just celebrated its 1 year anniversary! To mark our big day, we've designed fresh new tee shirts that we are excited to show our audience. Listen to this short episode for instructions on how to get one and more about our referral program to enter for a chance to win one for free. 2024-07-1104 min
Toast n' TopicsNavigating Nuclear: Nuclear Power and the 21st Century Energy TransitionIn this episode, Ben and Sachin explore recent developments in the nuclear power industry and the debate around its merits. 2024-07-0118 min
Toast n' TopicsIlluminating India: Lessons From The Past and Opportunities AheadIn this episode, we unpack the results from India's latest elections, understand the economic progress that the country has made over the past decade, and think about the key policies that will be at the forefront in the years ahead. 2024-06-1718 min
Toast n' TopicsThe Demography Dilemma: Declining Birth Rates and Global ImplicationsIn this episode, Ben and Sachin discuss the causes and consequences of the decline in fertility seen across the world over the past several decades. 2024-06-0319 min
Toast n' TopicsChina, Cars, Competition: The 21st Century Electric Vehicle RevolutionIn our latest episode, we discuss the latest on the electric vehicle industry including fierce competition from fast-growing Chinese EV makers, America's policy response, and the role that foreign auto-makers might play in the energy transition. 2024-05-1317 min
Toast n' TopicsTraffic n' Tolls: NYC’s Congestion Tax and Public Transit Infrastructure in AmericaIn this episode, Ben and Sachin analyze New York's new $15 congestion tax for drivers in Manhattan and public transit in America more broadly. 2024-04-2817 min
Toast n' TopicsTalking Tests: Recent Changes in Standardized Testing PolicyIn our latest episode, we dive into the recent decision by many universities to reinstate standardized testing requirements in the admissions process, moving away from test-optional policies. We focus on the history of standardized tests, the case for test-optional admissions, as well as what these exams actually measure. Additionally, we are happy to announce that we are now on Youtube! Check out our channel @ToastnTopics and subscribe for free now. 2024-04-0622 min
Toast n' TopicsThe Rates Restoration: A Watershed Moment in Japanese Monetary PolicyIn this episode, Sachin and Ben interview Revant Ranjan, an equity derivatives trader, on Japan's recent decision to abandon its negative interest rate policy. In the conversation, we discuss the implications of this significant change in monetary policy, as well as other longstanding issues surrounding Japan's growth, demographics, and more. 2024-03-2934 min
Toast n' TopicsArtificial Intelligence: Advances and ImplicationsIn our latest episode, we take a deep dive into recent advances in artificial intelligence and generative AI, debate the economic benefits and harms, and discuss the longer-term implications of the technology. 2024-03-1020 min
Toast n' TopicsOn Love and Ledgers: The Economics of 21st Century MarriageIn honor of Valentine's Day, our latest episode analyzes the decision to get married through an economic lens as well as some of the dramatic shifts in marriage rates over the past few decades. 2024-02-1819 min
Toast n' TopicsAccidents in the Air: Flight Safety and the Economics of AviationIn this episode, Ben and Sachin do a deep-dive on aviation including the evolution of flight safety, the economics of the industry, and the longer-term impacts of the latest string of aviation-related safety incidents globally. 2024-02-0518 min
Toast n' TopicsTravel and Transformation in Argentina: A Conversation With Douglas IrwinIn this episode, Ben and Sachin interview Douglas Irwin, the John French Professor of Economics at Dartmouth College, about observations from his recent travel to Argentina including their macroeconomic policy, economic history, and political transformation. 2024-01-2035 min
Toast n' TopicsElection Economics: A Conversation With Kyle Mullins, Forbes MagazineIn this episode, we have a fascinating conversation with Kyle Mullins, a reporter at Forbes Magazine, about the economics of elections and some of his most recent investigatory work on the 2024 Presidential Candidates.2024-01-0627 minToast n' TopicsA New Year's Message From Toast n' TopicsTune in for a few minutes to get our thanks for a wonderful 2023! We can hardly wait for what's to come in 2024 - Happy New Year!2023-12-3103 min
Toast n' TopicsWomen's Employment in India with Professor Maddie McKelwayIn this episode, Ben and Sachin interview Maddie McKelway, a professor at Dartmouth College, about her work on communication and women's labor outcomes in India. 2023-11-1929 min
Toast n' TopicsEpisode 9: The Latest on the Israel-Hamas WarIn this episode, Ben and Sachin break down the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and consider where it might go next. 2023-10-2915 min
Toast n' TopicsEpisode 8: Unions and The United Auto Workers StrikeIn this episode of Toast n' Topics, Ben and Sachin discuss the recent UAW strike, the role of unions in the United States, and how changes in the automotive industry may affect these unions in the years ahead. 2023-10-1415 min
Toast n' TopicsEpisode 7: Destruction in Donetsk - The Latest on UkraineIn this episode, we dive into the Russia-Ukraine war, discussing the origins of the conflict, Ukraine’s recent counteroffensive, Western support, and steps to end the war.2023-10-0116 min
Toast n' TopicsAfrica's Ascent - Lessons, Risks, and New OpportunitiesIn this special edition of Toast n' Topics, Sachin interviews Ben after his two week trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar, diving into key economic themes such as the labor market, energy transition, and China's investment in the region. 2023-09-1720 min
Toast n' TopicsJapan - Land of The Rising RatesJapan finally has inflation. In this episode, we analyze their near decade-long struggle with deflation, the unconventional monetary policy of yield curve control, and reasons for recent changes. 2023-08-2816 min
Toast n' TopicsDemystifying Debt - The Latest on Student Loans in AmericaIn this episode, we discuss recent policy changes in the Biden Administration's push for student debt forgiveness, as well as the potential economic implications for borrowers. 2023-08-1315 min
Toast n' TopicsEpisode 3: The Consumption Conundrum - Analyzing China's Challenging Economic TransitionIn this episode, we dig deeper in to the sources of China's recent economic slowdown, as well as the policies that the country can pursue to improve its long-term prospects. 2023-07-3013 min
Toast n' TopicsRed Meat Recession - Conflicting Indicators of Economic ActivityIn this episode, we discuss conflicting indicators of economic activity using high frequency data including red meat sales, demand for travel, and restaurant bookings. 2023-07-1607 min
Toast n' TopicsIntroducing Toast n' TopicsGet to know more about us, our podcast idea, and what to expect from here. 2023-07-0406 min