
newsAug 8, 202336:50pending
Experts Predicted a Recession This Year. How Were They So Wrong?
About this episode
Today’s show is about what I consider the biggest mystery of the U.S. economy. Last year, economic experts predicted a recession in 2023 with more confidence than they’ve predicted any recession in decades. We ended up with what some people are calling immaculate disinflation: an economy with low unemployment, falling inflation, rising real wages, and narrowing inequality. Harvard economist Jason Furman joins the show to talk about why so many economists were so wrong and what their wrongness teaches us about how the economy works.
If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at [email protected].
Host: Derek Thompson
Guest: Jason Furman
Producer: Devon Manze
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time Plain English with Derek Thompson publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Plain English with Derek Thompson

What’s the Point of College?
Plain English with Derek Thompson
Sep 11, 202656:50completed

The New Book That Scares Big Tech
Plain English with Derek Thompson
Sep 8, 202659:01completed

AI Slop Is Breaking the Internet. Can We Save It?
Plain English with Derek Thompson
Sep 1, 202656:08pending

Why Everything Is Going to Keep Getting More Expensive
Plain English with Derek Thompson
Aug 25, 202641:54pending