About this episode
Mark Thornton discusses the intricate structure of production in the market, using sulfur as a case study, and features an interview with Julia La Roche.
On this episode of Minor Issues, Mark Thornton shows what most economic commentary misses: the market’s intricate structure of production. Starting with a single oil-and-gas byproduct—sulfur—Mark traces how it becomes sulfuric acid, a foundational input for fertilizers, batteries, and especially metal mining. The lesson is practical: war and intervention can disrupt these unseen links, shrinking real incomes and quietly raising the cost of everything from food production to data centers, and even your next plumbing bill. In the second part of the episode, Mark features his recent interview on The Julia La Roche Show. 20% off listener offer on the new insulated Minor Issues tumbler and three of Mark's books, signed if ordered by the end of April: https://mises.org/MinorIssuesTumbler . Use coupon code Thornton. Be sure to follow Minor Issues at https://Mises.org/MinorIssues
People in this episode
Host: Mark Thornton
Guest: Julia La Roche
Topics covered
- economic commentary
- market structure
- production links
- sulfuric acid
- war impact
- intervention effects
Keywords
- sulfur
- sulfuric acid
- fertilizers
- metal mining
- economic impact
- war
- intervention
- Minor Issues tumbler
Sponsors
Minor Issues
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Mises
Products: Minor Issues tumbler
Books & works: The Julia La Roche Show
More episodes of Minor Issues
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- Mark Thornton on the “Synthetic Boom” · April 18, 2026
- Why War Is Pushing Gold Down and Oil Up · April 11, 2026
- Gold Whiplash and the Petrodollar · April 4, 2026
- Central Banks vs. Reality: Gold’s Signal in a War Economy · March 28, 2026
- War, Gold, and the Fed’s Next Move · March 21, 2026
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