The Two-Handed Economist
“The Two-Handed Economist” delivers timely analysis of economic news from John Diamond, director of the Baker Institute Center for Tax and Budget Policy. Each week, John will dive deep into the latest policy developments — mostly at the federal level, but with insights now and again into Texas and Houston finance as well.
Why a two-handed economist? President Harry Truman famously asked for a one-handed economist, tired of hearing, “On the one hand, this,” and “On the other hand, that.” John embraces the complexity that a one-handed economist might shy away from, explaining how it all adds up for consumers, businesses, and policymakers. This show is for anyone looking for a clear-eyed, common-sense perspective on economic policy issues.
Listen on:
Episodes
Friday May 02, 2025
Friday May 02, 2025
The U.S. economy shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, ending nearly three years of steady growth. John Diamond breaks down the latest GDP report and explains why the headline negative number isn’t the most important story — and what warning signals we should really be paying attention to. This conversation was recorded on April 30, 2025. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025
In the first episode of “The Two-Handed Economist,” John Diamond — director of the Center for Tax and Budget Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy — dives into the economic fallout from the Trump administration’s sweeping new tariffs. He unpacks the market turmoil, rising consumer costs, and global retaliation, arguing that these policies may do more harm than good. With a focus on historical lessons and practical alternatives, Diamond lays the foundation for this new podcast by bringing clarity to complex economic issues. Mentioned: “Innovation and Trade Policy in a Globalized World” by Ufuk Akcigit (University of Chicago, NBER, CEPR), Sina T. Ates (Federal Reserve Board), and Giammario Impullitti (University of Nottingham), 2021. This episode was recorded on April 15, 2025 at 10:00 am CT. You can find the transcript here. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.