The Inequality Podcast

We bring together scholars across disciplines to discuss the causes and consequences of inequality and strategies to promote economic mobility. Listen and discover novel insights and strategies to address today’s most pressing issues in inequality.

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Episode #49: René Flores on Immigration Enforcement and ‘Social Illegality’

February 23, 2026
GuestsRené Flores

When stereotypes substitute for evidence, the consequences can be severe. Sociologist René Flores breaks down how Americans form suspicions of "social illegality," why crime myths dominate immigration attitudes, and what it means for people living under that suspicion.

Episode #48: Immigration, Assimilation, and Intergenerational Mobility, Featuring Ran Abramitzky and Leah Boustan

February 9, 2026

Are today's immigrants different from those who arrived a century ago? Stanford's Ran Abramitzky and Yale's Leah Boustan challenge immigration myths, discussing upward mobility, cultural assimilation, naming patterns, and refugee success with host Steven Durlauf.

Episode #45: A New History of Equality, Featuring Darrin McMahon, Jonathan Levy, Jenny Trinitapoli, and Steven Durlauf (Live Recording)

December 29, 2025

How has equality been used to justify hierarchy? Dive into a panel discussion from our archives where Dartmouth historian Darren McMahon joins economist Steven Durlauf, sociologist Jenny Trinitapoli, and historian Jonathan Levy to explore equality's elusive history.

Episode #30: Educational Attainment and Inequality, featuring Salvador Navarro and Stephen Trejo

June 2, 2025

Why don’t more qualified young people pursue college? Today’s episode explores this question with economists Salvador Navarro and Stephen Trejo, in conversations with host Steven Durlauf on the barriers to college and the persistent gaps facing Hispanic Americans.

Episode #29: Deirdre Bloome on Intergenerational-Contextual Approaches to Inequality

May 19, 2025

Harvard Professor Deirdre Bloome joins host Steven Durlauf to discuss her work measuring the historical evolution of racial inequalities in the family and the economy, and their lasting impact on mobility.

Episode #11: Conversations on Inequality and Public Policy — Affirmative Action with Glenn Loury (Live Recording)

December 18, 2023
GuestsGlenn Loury

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.

Episode #9: Conrad Miller on Affirmative Action and Discrimination

November 13, 2023

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.