Author: Ken Ellzey

Mar 20, 2014

Demography and the economy

N.C. State University economist Mike Walden and his colleagues are always searching for factors that can help predict various economic conditions such as growth, spending and inflation. Host Mary Walden says this can be complicated, but one element stands above all others in its predictive power. What is it? 

Mar 19, 2014

Has income mobility stalled?

Host Mary Walden says that one of the positive points about our country is the ability of people to move up the income ladder. Someone born poor could become a millionaire in their lifetime. But some say this is no longer possible or at least the income ladder has become harder to climb. She asks her husband, economist Mike Walden, “What does the evidence say?” 

Mar 18, 2014

Storms and the economy

North Carolina has been hit by a couple of crippling winter storms that resulted in closed schools and businesses, and a disrupted economy. Host Mary Walden asks how much this kind of winter weather has cost us? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds. 

Mar 17, 2014

Soft skills vs. hard skills

With a new focus on education today, there’s a sense that individuals need training in areas businesses want. Host Mary Walden asked if having a degree or certification in a valued area of study is all it takes to be successful in the job market. Her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, responds. 

Mar 14, 2014

The Fed’s plan

Host Mary Walden asks about the new Fed Chairperson Janet Yellen, who recently gave her first congressional testimony as head of the nation’s central bank. Mary asks her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, “Did Janet Yellen indicate what the Fed’s plan for monetary policy will be?” 

Mar 13, 2014

Can financial crisis be avoided?

"Fortunately we are now several years past the virtual collapse of our financial system in 2008," says host Mary Walden. "Lending has gradually been increasing, and legislation has been enacted to try to prevent future downturns." She asks husband N.C. State University economist Mike Walden why some analysts say this won’t prevent a repeat sometime in the future. 

Mar 12, 2014

The new health law and jobs

Host Mary Walden asks about the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, which has the task of analyzing the economic impacts of federal programs, and recently issued a report, saying that the new healthcare law -- the Affordable Care Act -- could actually lead to fewer jobs in the economy. Needless to say this report has been debated and analyzed ever since its release. She asks her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, to help us understand this report. 

Mar 11, 2014

New thoughts on retirement planning

The traditional recommendation for the investment of a retiree’s money was to move away from riskier investments and focus on "save assets" to preserve their nest egg, says host Mary Walden. “But now I understand some financial experts say this might not be the best approach. What are they saying?” she asks her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden. 

Mar 10, 2014

A new manufacturing paradigm

Host Mary Walden quotes economists as saying that manufacturing is in a transition phase; indeed, they say there is a new model or paradigm for manufacturing of the future. She asks her husband, N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, “What is this model and what does it mean for the U.S. and North Carolina?” 

Mar 7, 2014

Slow job growth

The good news is that the economy is adding jobs; but the bad news is that the job gains appear to be on the low end by historical standards, says host Mary Walden. She asks her husband, economist Mike Walden, “Do we have an easy answer as to why?”