Episode 102-Data, Policy, and Social Security with John Schwabish

In this episode of Technically Socially Aware, I'm joined by economist, data analyst, and academic John Schwabish. Drawing on his extensive background—including his work at the Congressional Budget Office and the Urban Institute—John breaks down the intersections of economic research, public policy, and effective data communication. In this episode, we cover: ​The Social Security Landscape: Parallels between historical policy debates and today’s solvency metrics, debunking common myths around funding and benefit reductions. ​Communicating Complex Policy: Why meeting audiences where they are (using accessible tools like Excel and Google Sheets) often trumps complex software. ​Modern Workflows: How John combines analog sketching, magic markers, and generative AI tools like Claude to build innovative data visualizations. ​Human Impact of Policy: Real-world perspectives on SNAP, administrative burdens, and social safety net programs.