Econ Battle Zone: Budget Showdown

Planet Money

2025/06/25

Overview Shownote Highlights Transcript Chapters Pins

Shownote

Econ Battle Zone is back! On today's episode Mary Childs and Kenny Malone enter Econ Battle Stadium to throw down against reigning champion Erika Beras. Can Mary explain what effect extending the 2017 tax cuts will have on economic growth AND make her ent...

Highlights

In this episode of Econ Battle Zone, reporters Mary Childs and Kenny Malone step into the ring to challenge reigning champion Erika Beras. Each contestant tackles a major economic topic with a creative twist—blending policy analysis with artistic flair.

15:24

Kenny interviews Harvard professor Ken Rogoff for his national debt challenge

21:20

Tax cuts may generate some growth but not enough to offset lost revenue

39:33

Kenny wins the Econ Battle Zone Belt in the closest vote in show history

Chapters

Who will take the title? New challengers face off in Econ Battle Stadium

00:00

Tax cuts and debt dilemmas: Can creativity clarify complex economics?

18:27

From Medicaid milestones to music — and the crowning of a new champion

32:24

Transcript

Erika Beras: This message comes from Carrier, committed to providing climate and energy products and services to help enhance lives. More information is at Carrier.com. Carrier, for the world we share. This is Planet Money from NPR. Last time on Econ Battl...