Think Like An Economist

University of Michigan economists Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers, who are also partners in life, co-host this show alongside producer Nastaran Tavakoli-Far. The premise is practical: take the analytical tools that economists use professionally and show how ordinary people can apply them to everyday decisions. Each episode introduces a core economic concept -- opportunity cost, marginal thinking, cost-benefit analysis, sunk costs -- and demonstrates how it plays out in real situations, from choosing a career to deciding how much of anything is enough. Stevenson and Wolfers bring serious academic credentials (both have advised federal policymakers and published extensively in top economics journals) but they communicate with warmth and humor rather than academic jargon. Their personal dynamic adds a layer of authenticity; they occasionally reference their own household decision-making as examples, which makes abstract concepts feel immediate and tangible. The show functions almost like an economics course you can take in your earbuds, but without the homework or exams. Episodes cover decision-making frameworks, red flags in reasoning that lead people astray, and how to think about trade-offs more clearly. The format is conversational, with the hosts building on each other's points and occasionally disagreeing about how to apply a principle. Episodes run about 30 minutes and are released regularly. Think Like An Economist stands out because it focuses on economic thinking as a life skill rather than treating economics as a spectator subject about markets and policy.