01/31/2024 - The Taylor Swift Marshall Plan

01/31/2024 - The Taylor Swift Marshall Plan

Author: Mark and Carrie January 31, 2024 Duration: 37:56

Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown University's Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, and Carrie Nordlund, political scientist and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs at Brown University, share their take on the news.

On this episode:

  • Trump’s domination of the GOP primary, and what the MAGA-ficaiton of the GOP means for 2024
  • The politics of Trump's legal troubles
  • Making sense of America’s “vibe-cession” and disinflation
  • Claudine Gay’s resignation as Harvard’s president, and the Right’s strange relationship to the Ivy League
  • Where does China’s economy go next?
  • Unpacking the calls to ban Germany’s right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party
  • Why is the UK trying to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda?
  • The Super Bowl meets the Taylor Swift-Industrial Complex

Learn more about the Watson Institute's other podcasts


Every week, Mark and Carrie brings together the distinct perspectives of Mark Blyth, a political economist at Brown University’s Watson Institute, and Carrie Nordlund, a political scientist who helps run Brown’s Master of Public Affairs program. Instead of rehashing headlines, they dig into the forces shaping them, offering a blend of academic insight and straight-talking analysis that clarifies more than it confuses. What you’ll hear is a real conversation-one that can pivot from a deep dive into economic policy to a sharp, witty observation about the day’s political theater, often within the same segment. The result is a refreshing break from the predictable rhythms of news commentary. This podcast thrives on the chemistry between its hosts, making complex topics accessible without oversimplifying them. Tuning in feels less like a lecture and more like sitting in on a lively discussion between two experts who aren’t afraid to challenge each other, or to find the humor in even the most serious subjects. For anyone weary of the media haze, Mark and Carrie provides a thoughtful, topical, and genuinely engaging way to understand the stories that define our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Mark and Carrie
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