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Profit, Power, and Policy | Business Ethics Insights
Dive into political economy, business ethics, and economic policy with professors Bill Keep and Nancy Lasher as they examine competitive markets and expose anti-competitive behavior and market collusion threatening today's economy. Learn how Adam Smith's principles apply to modern economic challenges.
Episodes
33 episodes
Is Congress for Sale? Lobbying and Political Economy in 2026
The 2026 election cycle is poised to be the most expensive yet, driven by powerful lobbying and corporate money. This episode uncovers how campaign costs, lobbying wins, and wealth concentration threaten democracy and ordinary voters.
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Higher Education in Crisis: Is Academic Freedom Worth the Fight?
Explore the current crisis in higher education and why academic freedom remains essential. This episode dives deep into challenges facing universities, the impact on free speech, and the future of learning
Sports Betting and Prediction Markets: Risks and Realities
This episode explores the rapid growth of sports betting and prediction markets, highlighting risks such as gambling addiction and the impact of live betting. Learn how evolving regulations shape the industry and affect society. It offers insig...
AI, Layoffs, and Corporate Culture: The New Economic Reality
Explore how corporate layoffs boost Wall Street stock prices while impacting workers and communities. This episode examines financialization, executive incentives, and the growing influence of AI on the future of jobs.
Corporate Power, Racism, and the Rise of Ultra-Conservative Influence
This episode explores the troubling rise of racism, hate, and bigotry amplified by powerful business leaders and ultra-conservative movements. We trace historical roots, examine the role of billionaires like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, and discu...
Ms. Rachael Twumasi-Corson:An Extraordinary Entrepreneur Offers an Optimistic Outlook
Afrocentrix founder Rachael Twumasi-Corson shares her entrepreneurial journey, focusing on ethical business practices, successful investor relations, and overcoming barriers in venture capital as part of today's economic landscape. Rachael prov...
Social Mobility Down; Tribalism Up
Increased tribalism and lower social mobility are not independent of each other. In the episode Nancy and Bill explore the connection between the two and the unfortunate implications if both continue in their current trajectories.
Unions: More Relevant Than Ever
In this episode Nancy and Bill interview Donna Steslow, a professor, Grievance Co-Chair, and member of the union Executive Committee. Recent economic events have exposed both the positive role unions played in building the middle class and the ...
Corruption Everywhere: Can We Trust Again?
In this episode Nancy and Bill explore the loss of trust across a number of industries and the integrity of the political process, often facilitated by changing business practices. Trust matters and has economic value. What will it take to get ...
History shows…don’t fall for the “business opportunity” called multi-level marketing (aka direct selling)!
Multi-level marketing (MLM), sometimes called direct selling, has proved a money losing proposition for more than sixty years. From lingerie to household items to nutritional supplements to “education” programs, MLMs have screwed consumers hopi...
Gen Z—Bright, Ambitious, and Concerned
In this episode Nancy and I continue to talk with members of the GenZ generation. Nina and Aniket are both working as they prepare for graduate school. While optimistic about their chosen careers, they have concerns over the cost of education a...
Affordable America Disappeared While Politicians Fiddled
Affordability, or the lack there of, is neither a “hoax” nor a “con job.” In this episode we explore the real factors causing consumer confidence to drop. Affordability is not just about current prices; it is also about future expectations. But...
What is the Future for Gen Z?
Bill and Nancy interview two Gen Z graduate students about their decision to go to graduate school, their outlook on jobs and careers, their thoughts on AI, and that for them the American Dream may be unachievable.
The Forever Gilded Age: 150 Years of Corporate Power
For 150 years, American democracy has tried—and repeatedly failed—to rein in corporate power. In this episode, Bill and Nancy trace the original Gilded Age to today’s billionaire class to ask a troubling question: Why does business keep win...
Women and Work: Has the Needle Moved?
Over the past few decades women have played a greater role in the workplace. Their increased involvement has not been without issues, for them and apparently for some men. In this episode I interview Nancy Lasher about her experiences as a prof...
Competition Comes at a Price
In this episode we describe how technology and competition drove dramatic changes in in-home entertainment. Consumers gained access and choices never before available. Now, after the “creative destruction” phase we wonder if the industry will b...
Our Endless Appetite for Empty Calories
In this episode Nancy and Bill explore ultra-processed, supplements, and the marketing messages that sustain them. American foods have been supersized and it shows with 43% of adults classified as obese. What can be done?
Economic Bubble or Economy “Back on Track” (per the White House)?
Recently the White House announced that the economy is “Back on Track.” Yet, numerous economist and even the CEO of JP Morgan Chase say stocks are over-valued, resembling an economic bubble. We examine the data.
Federal Intervention in Business: Industrial Policy or Presidential Ego?
For decades conservative economists have railed against government intervention in business, actions that undercut a laissez-faire philosophy. Where are their complaints now? In this podcast we look at the current and apparently continuing inte...
The Ethics of AI: Who is Making the Rules?
In this episode we have a thought provoking discussion with Isabel Koval. A recent graduate of the University of Cambridge with masters degree in the Ethics of AI, Isabel shares why the AI hype may be overblown. More importantly, she describes ...
The 1,085% Increase in CEO Pay: A Problem of Too Many Zeros
In the episode we explore CEO Pay - misaligned from performance and multiples above CEO pay of comparable non-US companies. From 1978 to 2023, CEO pay increased by 1,085%. During that span of time average worker pay increased 24%. By 2023 the r...
AI, Productivity, and Your Job
In this episode TCNJ and NYU alum Christian Balevski - working at the intersection. of software engineering, innovation and emerging technology in finance - discusses the use and future of AI in the workplace. Christian connects the dots betwee...
Everyone Wants All Of Your Money All Of The Time
Sellers bombard us with messages to buy, buy, buy — and the resulting consumption culture drives America’s economy. Consumer spending makes up about 68% of our GDP, far more than in Germany, Denmark, or Canada. But here’s the catch: the top 10%...
Why Do We Keep Ignoring the Economy?
Some economists and business leaders remain (overly) optimistic about the economy. Here we bring look at diverse sets of data and conclude that consumers do not share that optimism and for good reason.
The Amazon Effect: What's the Real Cost of Convenience?
In this episode we explore not just what Amazon has done to alter consumer behavior, which is considerable, but also what it might continue to do moving forward. Adam Smith worried about the ability of sellers to control or influence the market...