Why we think what we think, when we think about inflation

The Rhodes Center Podcast with Mark Blyth

This is a new experiment we’re trying at the Rhodes Center Podcast.

From time to time, going forward, instead of focusing on one expert and their latest research, Mark will take a deeper dive into one issue (or one question) that’s been bothering him.

Future episodes will examine the politics of immigration and the persistence of inequality. But the first episode in this new series will explore a topic especially near and dear to Mark: inflation. Specifically, the stories we tell about what causes inflation, how those stories affect our efforts to curb it, and who wins and loses depending on which stories our leaders believe.

In the first half of this episode, Mark talks with economist Nicolò Fraccaroli about a book he and Mark wrote called “Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers” (coming out in Spring 2025).

In the second half, Mark talks with economist Claudia Sahm about the history of inflation, the role central banks play in it, and what’s lost when we try to take politics and politicians out of the inflation debate.

(One thing to note: both of these conversations were recorded before the election, but the ideas explored in these conversations are just as relevant now as ever.)

Guests on this episode:

• Nicolò Fraccaroli is an economist at the World Bank
• Claudia Sahm is Chief Economist for New Century Advisors and former Section Chief at the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors

Learn more about the Watson Institute’s other podcasts