The Beverage Report Podcast

In this episode of the Beverage Report Podcast, we interview Prof. Eric Schneider, Professor of Economic History at the London School of Economics and Political Science.What kinds of resources are most effective in helping children reach their full growth potential? How can researchers analyse data across different countries and time periods when record-keeping practices vary so widely? Why is it important to understand health statistics like case fatality rates in their broader historical and social context?Prof. Schneider answers these questions and more, also discussing the importance of addressing child malnutrition, even beyond the “thousand days consensus”. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Prof. Schneider's research and insights at the intersection of health and economics.

In today’s episode of The Beverage Report, we are interviewing Professor Janet Currie, one of the world’s leading economists on child wellbeing and health policy.How do early-life conditions shape long-term health and opportunity? Why aren’t more families able to access social welfare programs designed to support them? What can we learn about inequality by studying children’s health, medication use, and mental well-being? And what does the future hold for research on reducing long-term disparities?Professor Currie explores these questions in detail, sharing insights from her extensive and prolific work on health economics, child development, and public policy. She also shares her hopes for how her research can continue to influence the real world, and offers advice for those looking to make an impact through their own studies.Tune in to this fascinating episode that dives into Professor Currie’s perspective on economics, and how policy, health, and inequality affect us all from the moment we are born (and in some ways, even before).

In this episode of The Beverage Report Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Monica de Bolle, a distinguished economist with a remarkable journey. From her early exposure to economics through her father’s career at the Brazilian Ministry of Finance and then later the IMF to her PHD at LSE and later research in infectious diseases, Dr. De Bolle’s story offers a unique perspective on the interplay of economics and societal issues. How do institutional trust and policy reform influence hyperinflation? Can Argentina’s dollarisation plans succeed amidst deep-rooted challenges? And what lessons can economists draw from the pandemic to better prepare for future global crises? In the first part of our conversation, Dr. De Bolle reflects on her first hand experience with hyperinflation in Brazil, offering insights into the critical role of institutional reforms in addressing systemic economic instability. She evaluates Argentina’s fiscal strategies under its new leadership, the feasibility of dollarisation, and the challenges of mistrust toward the IMF. She also delves into Brazil’s political and economic landscape, examining the implications of President Lula’s renewed focus on poverty reduction programs like Bolsa Família, his stance on international conflicts, and the tensions of balancing fiscal goals with social equity. The second part of our discussion shifts to public health, where Dr. De Bolle shares her motivation for pursuing research at Harvard Medical School and obtaining a degree in infectious diseases. Drawing on her interdisciplinary expertise, she explores how economists can bridge gaps with scientists to craft effective policies for health crises and climate change. She praises the flexibility and breadth of economics as a tool for addressing real-world challenges, crediting her LSE education for fostering this perspective. Listen in as Dr. De Bolle unpacks complex issues ranging from Latin America’s economic trajectory to the intersection of economics, public health, and climate science. Her insights offer valuable lessons for anyone interested in understanding the multifaceted challenges shaping our global future.

In this episode of the Beverage Report Podcast, we interview Professor David Autor, Ford Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-director of both the MIT Work of the Future Task Force and the National Bureau of Economic Research’s Labor Studies Program. What happens when automation and AI reshape the labour market? Can the rise of China as an economic powerhouse be both a boon and a bane for global trade? How do these seismic shifts influence political landscapes and societal structures? Prof. David Autor takes us on a journey through his academic and professional life, revealing how his early interests in psychology and computer science evolved into a profound engagement with labour economics. He discusses the historical and future impacts of automation on jobs, emphasising the importance of focussing on the composition of jobs rather than their quantity. Prof. David Autor also explores the implications of AI, suggesting that while it poses challenges, it also offers opportunities to enhance decision-making roles across various sectors. Shifting gears, he examines the “China Shock” and its profound effects on U.S. industries and workers, highlighting the need for proactive policies to mitigate adverse impacts. Finally, Prof. David Autor addresses the persistent gender pay gap and the evolving political dynamics influenced by economic disruptions, offering insights into how we can navigate these complex issues. Tune into this episode to learn more about Professor David Autor’s research and his personal journey as an Economist!

In this episode of the Beverage Report Podcast, we interview Professor Camille Landais, Professor of Economics & Director of STICERD at the LSE. What is the child penalty and how come even countries at similar levels of development, such as Scandinavian and German-speaking countries, demonstrate large variations? Why is inheritance taxation an unpopular concept, and how could the current system be reformed? What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of short-term work compared to unemployment insurance schemes? Professor Landais answers these questions and more, explaining the context and rationale behind his research, as well as the applicability of the results. Drawing on his expertise, Professor Landais shares his insights and carefully weighs up potential benefits and disadvantages of certain policies, allowing listeners to draw informed conclusions. Tune into this episode to learn more about Professor Landais' research and his personal journey as an economist. *Special thanks for this episode goes out to Dave, the wider Beverage Report Podcast team & the Department of Economics at the LSE.

In this episode of the Beverage Report Podcast, we interview Professor Keyu Jin, Associate Professor of Economics at the LSE Department of Economics & author of the new book 'The New China Playbook: Beyond Socialism and Capitalism'. What are the West's biggest misconceptions about China? How has the one-child policy impacted policy regulations and aggregate household savings? What insights can we glean from the collapse of SVB? Professor Jin explores these topics and more, sharing her insights and work on some of the most important and impactful current areas of research: the Chinese economy, international trade & finance. Tune into this episode to learn more about Professor Jin's research and her personal journey as an economist!

In this episode of the Beverage Report Podcast, Raza Rasool interviews Professor Matthias Doepke, our very own Professor of Economics at the LSE Department of Economics! Professor Doepke shares his insights on various topics within the field of family economics. Do parenting decisions influence inequality? What is Scandinavian-style parenting? How is fertility related to income? Professor Doepke also discusses his best-selling book‘Love, Money, and Parenting: How Economics Explains the Way We Raise Our Kids’, as well as some other publications, and shares how his research on family economics have influenced his own views of parenting. Tune into this episode to learn more about Professor Doepke's research and his personal journey as an economist.

In this episode of the Beverage Report podcast, we resume our conversation with Asli Demirguc-Kunt, a Turkish economist and a non-resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development. Asli is a former chief economist of the Europe and Central Asia Region of The World Bank, where she also served as the Director of Research, Director of Development Policy, and the Chief Economist of the Finance and Private Sector Development Network. She has authored more than 100 research papers and books, and is widely cited and recognized as one of the top women in economics. We talk to Asli about her research on the determinants and consequences of banking crises, which she has studied extensively using cross-country empirical methods. We discuss how bank concentration, regulation, supervision, and institutional quality affect the likelihood and severity of systemic banking distress. We also discuss her role as the chief economist of the Europe and Central Asia region at the World Bank, where she oversaw the production of analytical reports and policy advice on various topics related to the economic development and integration of the region. We explore the main challenges and opportunities facing the region in terms of growth, trade, innovation, governance, and human capital. Finally, we talk to Asli about her experience as a woman in economics, and her advice for young women who want to pursue a career in this field.

In this episode of the LSE Beverage Report podcast, we continue our conversation with Sir Oliver Hart, a British-born American economist and Nobel laureate. Sir Oliver is the Lewis P. and Linda L. Geyser University Professor at Harvard University, and one of the leading experts on contract theory. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2016, together with Bengt Holmström, for his contributions to the theory of incomplete contracts. We talk to Sir Oliver about some of his more recent research topics, such as corporate social responsibility, shareholder rights, and behavioral contracts. We discuss how corporations should balance their profit objectives with their social and environmental impacts, and whether shareholders should have a say in these matters. Sir Oliver shares with us his views on the opportunities for young economists, and his advice for students who want to pursue a career in economics. This is part two of a two-part interview with Sir Oliver Hart. If you missed part one, where we discussed his life and career, his groundbreaking work on the roles that ownership structure and contractual arrangements play in the governance and boundaries of corporations, and his influential work on the hold-up problem.

In this episode of the Beverage Report Podcast, we're joined by Professor Leah Boustan, an economic historian at Princeton University. Professor Boustan is the author of two books, Competition in the Promised Land and Streets of Gold: America's Untold Story of Immigrant Success. In our conversation, we discuss the Great Migration, white flight, and the impact of immigration on the American economy. We also talk about how machine learning is being used to track immigrants and their descendants, and how the concept of the American Dream has evolved over time. Professor Boustan is a leading expert on immigration and the economics of race. Her research has important implications for policymakers who are grappling with the challenges of immigration today.

In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Professor Bryan Caplan, a renowned American economist and author known for his unorthodox views on various economic and social issues. In the first part of our conversation with Professor Caplan, we explore the importance of challenging the status quo, the myth of the rational voter, and the merits of open borders.  Professor Caplan shares his motivation to pursue economics and emphasizes the value of evading dogma in economic thinking. He delves into the reasons why dogmas exist and highlights the biases of an irrational voter, discussing where these biases come from and how they affect voting trends. We also discuss the politics of medical innovations and the relationship between politics and religion. Finally, Professor Caplan sheds light on the issue of immigration and advocates for open borders, explaining his reasoning behind this controversial topic. Tune in on Friday for the second part of our conversation, where we dive into why you should have more kids, Professor Caplan's book titled "Don't be a feminist," and his thoughts on spending less on public education and building more houses.

In this episode of the Beverage Report, Raza Rasool discusses the 4-day workweek, consumerism, and sustainability with Prof. Juliet Schor. We explore the success of the 4-day work week pilot in the UK, its implications, and potential barriers to implementation. As well as, exploring the impact of global crises on consumer behavior and transitioning to greater sustainability. Juliet Schor is an economist and sociologist at Boston College. Schor’s research focuses on work, consumption, and climate change. A graduate of Wesleyan University, Schor received her Ph.D. in economics at the University of Massachusetts. Before joining Boston College, she taught at Harvard University for 17 years, in the Department of Economics and the Committee on Degrees in Women's Studies. Schor's most recent project is researching trials of companies who are implementing four day workweeks. Schor’s previous books include the national best-seller The Overspent American.