Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 18 hours ago
This week, we’re airing a live conversation between Noah Smith and Sam D’Amico, founder and CEO of Impulse Labs, about how China’s Electric Tech Stack and tightly integrated supply chains are fueling its lead in industries from EVs to robotics, while exploring solutions for revitalizing U.S. manufacturing. The conversation also covers regulatory challenges, the value of co-locating engineers and factories, and the role of advanced technologies in shaping global production.
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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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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.
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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:
@sdamico
@noahpinion
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
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RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
impulselabs.com
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(01:06) Electric Tech Stack
(04:45) Challenges in American manufacturing
(06:59) Iterative design and prototyping
(11:29) New Tech Stack
(14:12) Sponsors: Shopify | Netsuites
(17:36) Adapting to the Electric Tech Stack
(29:27) Goblin analogy and barriers to innovation
(31:00) Elon Musk's tent solution for Tesla
(33:22) Sponsor: Adquick
(35:38) Creating special economic zones in the US
(40:21) Future industries and technologies
(42:28) Impulse's role in the electric ecosystem
(50:07) Complexity of supply chains
(55:14) Wrap
This week, we’re airing a live conversation between Noah Smith and Sam D’Amico, founder and CEO of Impulse Labs, about how China’s Electric Tech Stack and tightly integrated supply chains are fueling its lead in industries from EVs to robotics, while exploring solutions for revitalizing U.S. manufacturing. The conversation also covers regulatory challenges, the value of co-locating engineers and factories, and the role of advanced technologies in shaping global production.
–
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:
@sdamico
@noahpinion
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
–
RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
impulselabs.com
–
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(01:06) Electric Tech Stack
(04:45) Challenges in American manufacturing
(06:59) Iterative design and prototyping
(11:29) New Tech Stack
(14:12) Sponsors: Shopify | Netsuites
(17:36) Adapting to the Electric Tech Stack
(29:27) Goblin analogy and barriers to innovation
(31:00) Elon Musk's tent solution for Tesla
(33:22) Sponsor: Adquick
(35:38) Creating special economic zones in the US
(40:21) Future industries and technologies
(42:28) Impulse's role in the electric ecosystem
(50:07) Complexity of supply chains
(55:14) Wrap
![How the Fed Works, Currency Crises, and TikTok ban [Listener Mailbag]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d7ZpZQVUAks/mqdefault.jpg "How the Fed Works, Currency Crises, and TikTok ban [Listener Mailbag]
In todays episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg tackle more listener questions: the Feds impact on inflation and the economy, theories behind interest rates unexpected effects, and greedflation. The discussion also extends to shifts in Japans economic policies amid currency valuation concerns, housing price disparities between the US and Canada, gentrification, balanced budget amendments, and the geopolitical dynamics between Saudi Arabia and Iran, finishing with thoughts on TikTok. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions. Keep em coming: Econ102@turpentine.co
Recommended Podcast: @CompanyBreakdownsTurpentine
Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episodes are on Reddit and Rubrik - which just IPOd.
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SEND US YOUR Qs FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
_
LINKS:
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:35) Demystifying the Federal Reserve
(04:11) Greedflation and the role of corporate pricing in inflation
(08:03) Central banks vs. Market-based interest rates
(11:49) Nominal GDP targeting
(17:36) Sponsor: Beehiiv and Warp
(19:41) Canada’s housing market explained
(23:11) YIMBY policies and gentrification
(27:43) Sponsor: Harmonic
(28:49) Keynesianism and deficit management
(31:55) Exploring political influence on economic choices
(34:58) Choosing allies in the Middle East
(35:46) Navigating currency crises in Japan
(45:12) The future of TikTok and digital strategy
(46:26) Wrap")
