
📊 $39 Trillion and Counting: Debt, Inflation, and the MMT Debate
From The 9Innings Podcast by Kevin Thompson, RICP®, CFP®
March 10, 2026 · 49 min · Episode 166
About this episode
The episode features a discussion on the U.S. national debt, inflation, and economic policy with Dr. John T. Harvey.
Welcome to the 9Innings Podcast where we Educate, Empower and Engage. ON THIS WEEKS PODCAST: In this episode of the "9innings Podcast" host Kevin Thompson welcomes Dr. John T. Harvey for an in-depth discussion on the U.S. national debt, inflation, and economic policy. They examine the implications of America’s $39 trillion debt, compare it to Japan’s situation, and discuss the roles of demographics, immigration, and government spending. The conversation explores the effectiveness of monetary policy, the importance of education and social safety nets, and the challenges of economic inequality, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on the complexities facing the modern U.S. economy. 00:00 — Introduction & Why the Debt Conversation Matters 01:49 — U.S. vs. Japan: Debt, Demographics, and Economic Reality 03:35 — Immigration, Labor, and Social Security Sustainability 08:10 — Inflation, Interest Rates, and Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) 15:08 — Mainstream vs. Alternative Economic Thinking 23:19 — Government Spending, Deficits, and the Private Sector 32:17 — Privatization, Public Goods, and Economic Data Reliability 45:25 — Technology, Marx, and the Future of Work NEWSLETTER (WHAT…
People in this episode
Host: Kevin Thompson
Guest: Dr. John T. Harvey
Topics covered
- national debt
- inflation
- economic policy
- monetary policy
- economic inequality
- demographics
- government spending
Keywords
- debt
- inflation
- MMT
- economic policy
- government spending
- demographics
- social safety nets
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: 9Innings Podcast
Places: U.S., Japan
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