The State of Working America Podcast

Everyone is talking about affordability — and making the same mistake. Enjoy this conversation with Economic Policy Institute President, Heidi Shierholz; Director of the Program on Race, Ethnicity and the Economy, Valerie Wilson; and Chief Economist, Josh Bivens; moderated by Samantha Sanders, about what’s missing from the current debate! Originally held Thursday, January 22, 2026. __  The State of Working America Podcast is part of EPI’s effort to raise workers’ voices to ensure they are heard in the economic policy debate. Core topics include workers' rights, inequality, race, gender, labor markets, education, immigration, and social justice. __  Economic Policy Institute https://www.epi.org 

In an environment where pursuing equity goals could invite dangerous scrutiny, one could reasonably ask: Is it still prudent to talk about reparations?  Join Kyle Moore, an economist with the Economic Policy Institute’s Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy (PREE) for this episode of the State of Working America podcast about his piece on “Why we have to keep talking about reparations in 2025.”      __  The State of Working America Podcast is part of EPI’s effort to raise workers’ voices to ensure they are heard in the economic policy debate. Core topics include workers' rights, inequality, race, gender, labor markets, education, immigration, and social justice. __  Economic Policy Institute https://www.epi.org 

Season six of the podcast presents a series of discussions about economic issues related to the election. In this episode, EPI's Executive Vice President Naomi Walker is joined by Chandra Childers, senior policy and economic analyst with the Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN), to discuss this history and impact of the Southern economic development model. Southern politicians claim that “business-friendly” policies lead to an abundance of jobs and economic prosperity for all Southerners. But is that true? The data actually show a grim economic reality. Learn more about the failed Southern economic development model in the Rooted In Racism series of reports at EPI. __ The State of Working America Podcast is part of EPI’s effort to raise workers’ voices to ensure they are heard in the economic policy debate. Core topics include workers' rights, inequality, race, gender, labor markets, education,  immigration, and social justice.__ Economic Policy Institutehttps://www.epi.org 

Season six of the podcast presents a series of discussions about economic issues related to the election. In this episode, EPI's Executive Vice President Naomi Walker is joined by EPI Chief Economist Josh Bivens to discuss the historical economic performance of different administrations as detailed in his report, Economic performance is stronger when Democrats hold the White House. According to the report, there is a pronounced Democratic advantage in nearly every measure of macroeconomic performance since 1949.  __ The State of Working America Podcast is part of EPI’s effort to raise workers’ voices to ensure they are heard in the economic policy debate. Core topics include workers' rights, inequality, race, gender, labor markets, education,  immigration, and social justice.__ Economic Policy Institutehttps://www.epi.org 

In 2023, workers across the country—from Hollywood writers to autoworkers, nurses, and Starbucks baristas—went on strike to improve their working conditions. Heidi Shierholz, president of the Economic Policy Institute and former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, discusses what this surge in labor actions means for workers and the fight for racial and economic justice. __ The State of Working America Podcast is part of EPI’s effort to raise workers’ voices to ensure they are heard in the economic policy debate. Hosted by Nick Kauzlarich, Media Relations and Digital Director.  Core topics include workers' rights, inequality, race, gender, labor markets, education and immigration, but we're interested in all things related to social justice.__ Economic Policy Institutehttps://www.epi.org