The Inequality Podcast

Millions of American workers face uncertainty—unstable hours, sudden shift changes, and the constant threat of job loss. Host Geoff Wodtke speaks with Jake Rosenfeld on the decline of labor unions and Daniel Schneider on how precarious work affects households.

Lauren Rivera, author of Pedigree, reveals how hiring at elite firms often perpetuates privilege. In this conversation with Steven Durlauf, she critiques meritocracy’s failures for women, minorities, and people with disabilities.

Host Steven Durlauf speaks with David Lay Williams on how 2,500 years of political thought—from Plato to Marx—shaped our understanding of economic inequality.

College athletics is in flux as NIL deals redefine the athlete experience. This live panel, moderated by Damon Jones, features Bomani Jones, Ilyana Kuziemko, Matthew Notowidigdo, and Kenneth Shropshire, exploring the broader context of paying college athletes.

Harvard’s Christopher Muller traces the roots of mass incarceration in labor demand, while Duke’s Hedy Lee explores its toll on families, from mental health to financial strain.

Melissa Kearney discusses her new book with an expert panel. They explore how modern trends in family structure perpetuate inequality and erode social mobility. They also dive into the evidence of the effects of family structure on childhood outcomes.

Steven and Glenn Loury discuss different perspectives on affirmative action and present arguments on both sides of a complex and nuanced issue with the hope of fostering an informed citizenry. Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, Dean of the Harris School, moderates the talk.

Steven talks to Guido Alfani about the history of wealth inequality. They discuss how the roles and perceptions of the rich have changed, touching on moments in Western civilization, such as the Renaissance, the Middle Ages, the Industrial Revolution, and modernity.

Conrad Miller joins Steven to discuss discrimination and affirmative action. The conversation digs into the methodology and findings from four of Conrad's papers that illustrate how policy can be used in addressing discriminatory hiring practices and beliefs.

Steven and Matthew Kahn discuss the interactions between inequality and climate change. Matthew outlines how changes in the environment alter lives across the globe, from hurricane-ravaged residents of New Orleans to rice-farmers-turned-shrimp-sellers in Dhaka.