Brian Fikkert, Economist (Part 1)
From Working with Dan Doriani by Center for Faith and Work
February 4, 2026 · 42 min
About this episode
Dan Doriani and Brian Fikkert discuss the deeper roots of poverty and effective approaches to alleviation.
What does it really mean to help the poor in ways that lead to lasting change? In this episode, Dan Doriani sits down with Dr. Brian Fikkert - economist, author, and co-author of 'When Helping Hurts, - to rethink how we approach poverty alleviation. Brian challenges the common assumption that poverty is primarily a material problem, arguing instead that it is rooted in broken relationships - psychological, social, and spiritual as much as economic. Together, Dan and Brian explore why well-intended material solutions often address symptoms rather than causes, and why effective help must begin with a deeper, holistic diagnosis.
People in this episode
Host: Dan Doriani
Guest: Brian Fikkert
Topics covered
- poverty alleviation
- economic challenges
- relationship dynamics
- holistic diagnosis
- material solutions
Keywords
- poverty
- economics
- helping the poor
- lasting change
- relationships
- material problems
- holistic approach
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Center for Faith and Work
Books & works: When Helping Hurts
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