12/21/2023 - Mark and Carrie dare you to say “everything is great” right now

12/21/2023 - Mark and Carrie dare you to say “everything is great” right now

Author: Mark and Carrie December 21, 2023 Duration: 32:50

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 potentially gets removed from the GOP primary ballot in Colorado, and the risks of involving the courts in a presidential election
  • How the politics of immigration will affect the 2024 race in the US
  • Elise Stefanik grills University presidents on Capitol Hill, highlighting the thorny politics of Israel, Gaza, and free speech on college campuses
  • The political economy of Argentina’s new president Javier Milei
  • The Fed decides to hold interest rates steady, and the market reacts with…enthusiasm
  • China’s economic slowdown, and the limits of growth in authoritarian societies
  • Where the Israeli-Gaza conflict goes from here, and how it might affect US politics going forward
  • Google’s loss in court to Epic Games, and American’s very mixed record regulating monopolies. 

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
Podcast Episodes
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Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown's Watson Institute, and political scientist Carrie Nordlund share their take on the news. On this episode: Trump and Melania have coronavirus; the electoral insignificance of Trum…