Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
In this episode of Econ 102, we're republishing a conversation between Noah Smith and Derek Thompson recorded live on Substack in June. They explore Derek’s shift from The Atlantic to Substack and unpack the “abundance agenda” — a vision for revitalizing American politics through better housing, energy, and innovation policy. Their wide-ranging conversation touches on economic reform, trendspotting, and the evolving media landscape.
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SPONSORS:
NetSuite
More than 42,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: netsuite.com/102
Shopify
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SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
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FOLLOW ON X:
@noahpinion
@DKThomp
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
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RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
Derek Thompson: derekthompson.org/
Abundance: amazon.com/Abundance-Progress-Takes-Ezra-Klein/dp/1668023482
Paul Krugman: paulkrugman.substack.com
Matt Yglesias: slowboring.com/
Kyla Scanlan: kyla.substack.com/
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:42) Derek Thompson's move to Substack
(01:37) Reflecting on The Atlantic and writing
(05:16) Trend spotting and writing style
(12:26) The Abundance agenda
(17:55) Sponsors: Shopify | Netsuites
(21:07) Political discourse and analysis
(24:08) Housing policy and economic cycles
(27:11) Challenges in housing and inflation
(35:19) Critiques and future discussions
(36:03) Independent heroes and glory in battle
(36:24) Sponsor: Adquick
(37:20) Critique of abundance and degrowth
(41:42) Trump's scarcity mindset
(43:52) Second critique of abundance
(49:29) Proposals for a new new deal
(59:06) Healthcare reform ideas
(01:07:34) Wrap
In this episode of Econ 102, we're republishing a conversation between Noah Smith and Derek Thompson recorded live on Substack in June. They explore Derek’s shift from The Atlantic to Substack and unpack the “abundance agenda” — a vision for revitalizing American politics through better housing, energy, and innovation policy. Their wide-ranging conversation touches on economic reform, trendspotting, and the evolving media landscape.
–
SPONSORS:
NetSuite
More than 42,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: netsuite.com/102
Shopify
Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/momentofzen.
AdQuick
The easiest way to book out-of-home ads (like billboards, vehicle wraps, and airport displays) the same way you would order an Uber. Ready to get your brand the attention it deserves? Visit adquick.com today to start reaching your customers in the real world.
–
SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
–
FOLLOW ON X:
@noahpinion
@DKThomp
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
–
RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
Derek Thompson: derekthompson.org/
Abundance: amazon.com/Abundance-Progress-Takes-Ezra-Klein/dp/1668023482
Paul Krugman: paulkrugman.substack.com
Matt Yglesias: slowboring.com/
Kyla Scanlan: kyla.substack.com/
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
–
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:42) Derek Thompson's move to Substack
(01:37) Reflecting on The Atlantic and writing
(05:16) Trend spotting and writing style
(12:26) The Abundance agenda
(17:55) Sponsors: Shopify | Netsuites
(21:07) Political discourse and analysis
(24:08) Housing policy and economic cycles
(27:11) Challenges in housing and inflation
(35:19) Critiques and future discussions
(36:03) Independent heroes and glory in battle
(36:24) Sponsor: Adquick
(37:20) Critique of abundance and degrowth
(41:42) Trump's scarcity mindset
(43:52) Second critique of abundance
(49:29) Proposals for a new new deal
(59:06) Healthcare reform ideas
(01:07:34) Wrap
![Analyzing Economies: England, France, Germany, Poland, Turkey, & the EU [Round 2]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wHoIKwBTs1k/mqdefault.jpg "Analyzing Economies: England, France, Germany, Poland, Turkey, & the EU [Round 2]
In our second installment of Analyzing the Economies Around the World, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg cover Europe and Turkey. They discuss the UKs productivity issues, Frances nuclear energy investments, Germanys weaknesses, Polands economic success, Turkeys economic policies, and immigration challenges across the EU and Europe.
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.
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SEND US YOUR Qs FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
Links:
Noah Smiths Noahpinion https://www.noahpinion.blog
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X / TWITTER:
@noahpinion (Noah)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@TurpentineMedia (Turpentine)
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:30) UKs economic challenges
(07:25) Frances nuclear power success
(12:02) Germany’s trust problem
(24:28) Sponsor: Turpentine
(25:36) Italy’s stagnant and declining economy
(26:33) Polands economic rise
(31:24) Poland responding to external threats
(32:25) Europes immigration challenges
(45:13) EUs future despite economic and regulatory obstacles.
(52:34) Turkeys economic landscape and prospects
(58:17) Wrap
Music license:
#2850")
