Uploaded April 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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In today's episode, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg answer listeners' questions in rapid fire format, over topics such as the global reserve currency, fair taxation, wealth redistribution, education reform, healthcare, US manufacturing, how to revitalize cities, and more. Thanks to all our listeners who continue to write in with big meaty questions! Grow your newsletter with Beehiiv: 🐝 to Beehiiv.com and use code “MOZ” for 20% off your first three months.

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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SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | HARMONIC

Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 to Beehiiv.com and use code “MOZ” for 20% off your first three months.

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SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
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Host Sasha Orloff (3x Founder & CEO) is joined by top founders and finance leaders at high growth tech companies who share how they navigated huge make-or-break decisions, rode inflection points, and architected success. If you want to learn the mental models and tactics top business leaders and CFOs, subscribe below. Debut episode features Casey Woo unpacking his wild ride managing billions in budgets at WeWork – arguably one of the craziest capital stories ever. youtube.com/watch?v=hKHNdrE1h-8
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LINKS:

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
(00:53) What if the dollar was no longer the world’s reserve currency?
(04:50) Fair taxation
(08:20) Level of redistribution in the US
(10:30) Lowering inequality by increasing economic growth
(18:26) Sponsor: Beehiiv | Harmonic
(20:26) Education reform
(30:07) Fixing rising costs in healthcare
(34:12) Limitations of UBI
(39:09) Massive gap between US and China’s manufacturing capacity
(46:25) US potential gateway to Africa
(54:28) Impact of foreign aid
(59:20) Revitalizing small US cities
(01:04:58) Wrap