Best Food And Resource Economics Podcasts (2025)

1
HABs & Invasive Species: Fighting Florida's Ecosystem Disruptors 17:07

18d ago17:07

17:07

In this episode we are joined by three guests to tackle two topics that are causing major disruption to Florida's freshwater ecosystems: Harmful Algal Blooms and Invasive Species! Abhishek Rajan and Liam Corcoran are graduate students in the Food and Resource Economics Department, whose work with Dr. Olesya Savchenko has focused on the management o…

1
The truth about AI and productivity 29:08

2d ago29:08

29:08

How real is the link between Artificial Intelligence and increased productivity? Jon Whittle from the CSIRO, one of Australia's leading science agencies, has been examining the latest research. He helps us sort facts from fiction. Also, literacy and problem-solving skills have taken a dive in many developed countries — could an over-reliance on tec…

1
I Just Need A Minute: Creating Space for Men to Reflect & Reset 38:11

6d ago38:11

38:11

Send us a text In this episode, Walter Cullin Jr. and Wyll Holloway dive into the heart of why they co-authored their third book, **“I Just Need A Minute: A Men’s Guide for Reflection & Reprieve.”** This conversation is about more than just a book — it's about the silent battles men face daily, the pressure to always be strong, and the overlooked i…

1
Sinking Cities 29:09

10d ago29:09

29:09

Cities across the world are beginning to sink — some by as much as 10 centimetres a year. A recent study suggests that more than a third of urban Chinese resident now live in a sinking city. The cause is often ascribed to climate change, but is there something else at play? Could our thirst for water actually be the culprit? Also, how much do our u…

1
S6 Ep31: Partnering with business for development economics research 23:32

12d ago23:32

23:32

In the second of our two podcasts with Francis Annan of UC Berkeley on his research on mobile money first in Ghana, then beyond, Tim Phillips discusses how he worked with commercial providers, not just to set up the RCTs designed to investigate the extent and reduce financial fraud, but to ensure that the insights could be scaled up. While contacti…

1
S6 Ep30: Mobile money in Ghana 31:40

14d ago31:40

31:40

How can we design digital financial inclusion that minimizes fraud and maximises the benefit to the community in rural, low-trust, or cash-heavy economies? That’s the question posed by three studies of how mobile money works, or sometimes does not work, in Ghana’s villages. The author of those three studies: Francis Annan of Berkeley. In part one o…

1
Justin Young on Firefighter Life, Mental Health Battles, and Teaching Tomorrow’s Heroes 1:27:29

19d ago1:27:29

1:27:29

Send us a text What’s it like to be a firefighter, husband, father, mental health advocate, and instructor—all at once? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Justin Young, Milwaukee firefighter and instructor at Milwaukee Area Technical College, to discuss: 🚨 The real-life pressures behind the sirens 🧠 Mental health challenges first responders…

1
How to balance the population needs on our planet 29:08

19d ago29:08

29:08

We face multiple looming demographic crises — and our responses seemingly contradict each other. A rapidly aging population means that we need more children to be born. But it's foreseeable that resources on Earth simply can't sustain many more people. How can we solve this conundrum? Original broadcast on May 22, 2022 Guests Dr Stuart Gietel Baste…

1
S6 Ep29: The economics of period poverty 35:22

20d ago35:22

35:22

Stigma, shame and social norms around menstruation can prevent women and girls managing their periods with dignity and hygiene in low-income settings. So how can we provide information, influence those norms, and change behaviour to improve women’s health and well-being? Silvia Castro of LMU Munich and Kristina Czura of University of Groningen have…

1
Lessons from South Korea's security dilemma 28:38

26d ago28:38

28:38

South Korea is a test case in how to maintain democracy against sustained pressure from dictatorship. The innovative and entrepreneurial country lives in the shadow of China and Russia, and its capital Seoul lies only 50km from the North Korean border. It hasn't been easy, but the difficulties South Korea faces and the way it deals with them could …

1
S6 Ep28: Can storytelling reduce violence against women and children? 24:23

27d ago24:23

24:23

There is a long history of using “edutainment” – mass media storytelling, to pass on information about important social issues, and even to try to change behaviour. But does this work, and in what circumstances can it help? Amber Peterman of UNICEF has just published a review of what we know about edutainment’s power to reduce violence against wome…

1
A turning point for the United Nations 28:38

1M ago28:38

28:38

Suffering internal division and stymied by geopolitical bullying, the United Nations is facing a future of diminishing influence. As the organisation marks its 80th birthday, it's also dealing with a serious financial shortfall brought on by both China and the United States, its two biggest donors. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has launched …

1
S6 Ep27: Why “brain drain” is an incomplete story of migration 29:27

1M ago29:27

29:27

Many developed countries are creating immigration policies designed specifically to attract the most talented migrants. We often assume that when those skilled and educated citizens migrate from low-income countries in search of high-paying opportunities, it causes a “brain drain” in their home countries, delaying or hobbling development. A new art…

1
The potential benefits and risks of developing "mirror life" 28:38

1M ago28:38

28:38

Synthetic biologists are hard at work developing artificial biological molecules as the first step toward developing a mirror cell that would be immune from infection. If they're successful, it could transform the world of medicine. But while the potential of mirror life is great, so too are the risks. There are warnings of a catastrophic impact if…

1
S6 Ep26: Minibuses, major gains: Rethinking urban transit 20:40

1M ago20:40

20:40

In the second of our special episodes recorded at the 5th annual STEG conference, Lucas Conwell of UCL talks to Tim Phillips about how the private minibus networks, such a distinctive feature of urban transit in developing country cities, can improve their service when there is little room for public investment or regulation. If you have ever tried…

1
S6 Ep25: Gas flaring threatens agriculture and livelihoods in Nigeria 15:02

1M ago15:02

15:02

This week on VoxDev talks we have two special episodes recorded at the 5th annual STEG conference. STEG is a research initiative that aims to provide a better understanding of structural change, productivity, and growth in low- and middle-income countries. For many economies in the Global South, fossil fuel extraction has been both a blessing and a…

1
From Wells to Wellness: Understanding Florida's Drinking Water Systems 19:47

2M ago19:47

19:47

In this episode, Drs. Weizhe Weng, Andrea Albertin and Yilin Zhuang join us to discuss rules, regulations, and treatment for Florida's drinking water systems. More Resources Hall, N.D. The Safe Drinking Water Act at 50 years. Nat Water 2, 1132–1133 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-024-00356-w Florida Well Owner Network website: https://water.…

1
The world after us! 28:38

2M ago28:38

28:38

What will Earth look like when humans become extinct? What "technofossils" will paleontologists of the future unearth and no doubt ponder over? Will we be remembered for our achievements or merely our rubbish? Also, which animals might rise to fill our role at the top of the pecking order? And is the future of live music really as dire as many pred…

1
S6 Ep24: Going for economic growth: Lessons from Indonesia 28:02

2M ago28:02

28:02

In October 2024, Prabowo Subianto became president of Indonesia. He inherits the “Golden Indonesia” vision: By the time the country celebrates 100 years of independence in 2045, it aims to be one of the five largest economies in the world. But if Indonesia remains dependent on commodity exports like palm oil, coal, natural gas, and rubber, does it …

1
How to start your own golden age 28:38

2M ago28:38

28:38

History has many lessons for how to develop a successful civilisation. The trick is to understand the patterns that lead to optimism and innovation. So, where do we rate in the 21st century? Also, why all history is revisionist and why a healthy sense of revisionism drives a deeper understanding of the past, present and future. Guests Johan Norberg…

1
S5 Ep6: Development Dialogues: What is the role of small farms in the future of agriculture? 33:59

2M ago33:59

33:59

In the latest episode of the collaboration between Yale’s Economic Growth Center and VoxDev, host Catherine Cheney discusses one of Africa’s most persistent development challenges: the low productivity of smallholder farmers. Despite decades of investment, innovation, and policy reform, yields on African small farms remain significantly below those…

1
Breaking Barriers in Golf | Mike Bradley on Mental Health, Family & Inspiring Youth | WYMP Podcast 48:33

2M ago48:33

48:33

Send us a text In this episode of the What’s Your Motive? Podcast, we sit down with Mike Bradley, founder of Bradley Golf Academy and the 3rd African American pro golfer in Wisconsin. Mike shares his journey in the world of golf, the mental health benefits of the sport, and how his family played a vital role in his success. We also explore his miss…

1
Collab Over Competition: Food, Culture & Conversation at Cream City Social with Mike Adams 1:16:47

2M ago1:16:47

1:16:47

Send us a text In this special collaboration episode, I team up with Mike Adams, host of Tha Table Podcast, for a crossover that blends purpose-driven conversation with food culture. 🎙️🍽️ We pull up to Cream City Social Eatery in Milwaukee to break bread and build community—literally. From reviewing the menu to unpacking what collaboration over com…

1
Australia and Canada — Strategic partners, but near total strangers? 28:38

2M ago28:38

28:38

Australia and Canada share much in common, politically, historically and socially. Why then do we know so little about each other? In a time of global uncertainty does it make sense for Canada and Australia to build a closer bond? If the two prosperous liberal middle powers worked together more closely, could they be a greater force for positive ch…

1
S6 Ep23: Why we need to invest in foundational learning 30:15

2M ago30:15

30:15

It was almost business as usual at the Education World Forum in London last month. At the world’s largest annual gathering of education and skills ministers, this year’s theme was & "Building stronger, bolder, better education together." But the context was far from routine. The conference took place against a backdrop of global funding cuts to edu…

1
Reassessing the laws of war; and why progress isn't always a straight line 28:39

2M ago28:39

28:39

The International commitment to ban landmines is wavering. Several European countries are reversing their opposition to using them. The shift comes as disarmament negotiators struggle to regulate the spread of "killer robots" — AI-controlled autonomous weapons. So, is the future of weapons containment and control under threat? And are treaties sign…

1
S6 Ep22: Understanding Brazil’s falling income inequality 23:59

2M ago23:59

23:59

From Brazil, we bring good news for poverty reduction: Brazil’s formerly sky-high wage inequality is not quite so sky-high anymore. From 1995 to 2015 Brazil became a more equal society, a trend that contrasts with rising inequality during that time in high-income countries. A soon-to-be-published article in the Journal of Economic Literature review…

1
Reclaimed Water Reservations: Unpacking the "Yuck’"Factor 17:08

2M ago17:08

17:08

Olesya Savchenko, assistant professor of food and resource economics, and Don Rainey, UF/IFAS Extension Specialist, discuss Reclaimed Water reality and perceptions and how it impacts Florida Agriculture. Send us a text The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their sole responsibility do not represent positions, policies or opinion of t…

1
Beyond the cloud — storing data in space 29:10

2M ago29:10

29:10

Researchers and corporations are already working to relocate data servers beyond the Earth's atmosphere — on satellites. Data servers are essential to the functioning of the modern world, but they're both power and water hungry. When they're built, they often meet with community concern and environmental protest. So, why not build data centres in s…

1
S6 Ep21: Can economists shape the future of AI? 35:51

3M ago35:51

35:51

AI’s boosters claim that it is going to revolutionize growth in the developing world. The sceptics, many of whom are economists, point to a thin evidence base and the risk of unintended consequences. This is not an easy question to research, not least because the underlying technologies are literally changing by the day, while the pace of academic …

1
Forgetting, not memory, moves us forward 28:38

3M ago28:38

28:38

Forgetting is the only safe response to the world's problems, from a geopolitical perspective, according to author and journalist David Rieff. Sometimes it’s too dangerous to remember. And forgetting is also a good thing in your personal life, say scientists. It moves us forward. The science of memory is giving way to the science of forgetting. For…

1
S6 Ep20: How does social media influence conflict? 18:36

3M ago18:36

18:36

The Reducing Conflict and Improving Performance in the Economy (ReCIPE) programme was established in April 2024 as a CEPR research initiative to provide a better understanding of the links between conflict, economic growth, and public policies. One of its themes is the link between conflict and hate speech, social media use, media bias, and propaga…

1
Bitcoin boom or digital deception? 28:38

3M ago28:38

28:38

Donald Trump is establishing a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. He wants it to rival the country's stockpile of gold. He boasts America will one day be the "Bitcoin superpower of the world", but what's his end game and what will it mean for future global finance? Questions are already being asked about why he's chosen to largely deregulate the cryptoc…

1
S6 Ep19: Lovegrass Ethiopia: Building a business from the roots up 32:49

3M ago32:49

32:49

As aid programs are cut across the developing world, the focus falls on what investors can do to help create economic growth. Someone who knows all about impact investing is Yonas Alemu, the founder of Lovegrass Ethiopia, which creates products from teff, a gluten- free grain that's native to Ethiopia and sells them across the world. Yonas abandone…

1
James Methu on Small Business, Economic Development, and Community Impact | What's Your Motive? Podcast 1:03:22

3M ago1:03:22

1:03:22

Send us a text Welcome to the What's Your Motive? Podcast! In this episode, host Walter Cullin Jr. sits down with James Methu, former mayoral candidate, small business advocate, and community leader. James shares insights on small business growth, economic development, and his vision for empowering communities. Whether you're an entrepreneur, commu…

1
Can the oceans solve our carbon removal problems? 29:10

3M ago29:10

29:10

There's been growing research and investment in projects that use the oceans to artificially remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Such techniques involve both a biological and a chemical approach. To date, carbon removal technologies have been largely land-based, using giant air-purification machines, or planting trees to consume and store ca…

1
S6 Ep18: Improving sanitation: What works and what doesn’t 18:41

3M ago18:41

18:41

Millions of people around the world have no access to sanitation. They defecate in the open, or in facilities where it’s hard to avoid human contact, unavoidably spreading disease. One of the Sustainable Development Goals that you don’t hear about so much is the call to end open defecation by 2030. What progress are we making, and what health impro…

1
Nutrients & Nuance: The Complicated Science Behind Effective Water Communications 20:33

3M ago20:33

20:33

A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet - but does word choice impact our opinions? In this episode, Dr. Sadie Hundemer, assistant professor of Agricultural Education and Communication, discusses the study of human behavior, and how understanding mental models and trusted sources can improve the way we talk about water science issues. Send us…

1
YouTube turns 20; and the interesting side of boredom 28:34

3M ago28:34

28:34

YouTube is the second biggest website in the world, containing more than 14.8 billion videos. It's been a huge success, but its public image as a haven for influencers and digital monetisers belies its true character and role. Ryan McGrady from the University of Massachusetts takes us inside the online behemoth. Also, perspectives on boredom, its p…

1
S6 Ep17: Improving worker well-being 30:36

3M ago30:36

30:36

We often talk about providing not just jobs, but decent jobs, in developing countries. But in many parts of the world, workers still have incredibly harsh working conditions. There have been interventions at the firm level to create safer workplaces, better health, higher job satisfaction. But have they succeeded? And, if these policies succeed in …

1
Remember the Jevons Paradox! 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

We like to think that increases in efficiency lead to greater sustainability – to lower resource use. But from cars to computers to bitcoin, it seems the reverse is true – efficiency stimulates demand. It’s an oft forgotten rule of economics called the Jevons Paradox, and it might explain why the demand for almost everything keeps going up even whi…

1
S6 Ep16: What have we learned about the informal sector? 36:10

4M ago36:10

36:10

A large proportion of economic activity takes place in the informal sector in every country, particularly in LMICs. Informality, and the lack of rights and protection that goes with it, affects the families who live in slums, the people who take off-the-books jobs, and the firms that choose to skirt regulations. It also affects the governments who …

1
From Classroom to Kitchen: Tomira White of Delicious Bites on Feeding Teachers & Building a Business 48:50

4M ago48:50

48:50

Send us a text In this episode of What’s Your Motive?, host Walt Cullin Jr. sits down with Tomira White, the passionate entrepreneur and founder of Delicious Bites. Once a dedicated educator, Tomira shares her journey from the classroom to launching a thriving food business that’s feeding more than just customers — she’s feeding the community. We d…

1
The power and peril of the optimistic mind 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

Human beings have a bias toward optimism, says astrophysicist turned author and editor, Sumit Paul-Choudhury. While we may not always acknowledge it, the power of optimism is what drives our species forward. But beware of the modern craze for "Manifesting" — wishful thinking, no matter how intense, only has impact if it's married to action. Also, w…

1
S6 Ep15: How poverty fell 22:14

4M ago22:14

22:14

In 1981, 44% of the world’s population were living in extreme poverty. By 2019, that number had fallen to 9%. This seems like a good news story, but how did it happen? Tom Vogl of UC San Diego is one of the authors of a paper called simply, “How Poverty Fell”. In it, they use surveys to track the progress out of poverty of individuals and generatio…

1
S5 Ep5: Development Dialogues: Who will pay for the global energy transition? 39:28

4M ago39:28

39:28

In the latest episode of the collaboration between Yale’s Economic Growth Center and VoxDev, host Catherine Cheney is asking one of the most complex questions in global development: how can the clean energy transition move forward quickly and equitably, particularly for low- and middle-income countries still grappling with poverty? There is a balan…

1
Behind the Lens with Ramon 'Swift' Sloan: Filmmaking, Vision, and the Rise of Swift Motion Pictures 1:33:45

4M ago1:33:45

1:33:45

Send us a text Step into the creative world of Ramon "Swift" Sloan — CEO of Swift Motion Pictures, acclaimed director, writer, producer, and author. In this exclusive episode of the What's Your Motive? podcast, we uncover the journey of a visionary filmmaker who’s redefining storytelling in the independent film industry. 🎬 Learn how Ramon built his…

1
AI's "hidden labour" and the move toward a linkless internet 28:37

4M ago28:37

28:37

Artificial intelligence, it turns out, has a heavy human backend — they're called "data labellers"; they mostly live in developing countries, and there are ethical questions about their pay and work conditions. So, why aren't we talking more about them? Also, Google and other search companies have begun replacing hyperlinks with AI summaries. It's …

1
S6 Ep14: Graduation programmes: BRAC’s approach to targeting the ultra-poor 34:17

4M ago34:17

34:17

The Graduation approach to helping people to escape from poverty was pioneered in 2002 by BRAC in Bangladesh. Today the approach is used around the world. In more than 20 years, what have we learned about how it works, when it works best, and how to implement it at scale? Shameran Abed, the Executive Director of BRAC International talks to Tim Phil…

1
The roots of techno-authoritarianism 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

Does the spirit of the "Futurist" movement live on today in the likes of Elon Musk and America's intrigue of techno-oligarchs? The Italian poet and fantasist Flippo Tommaso Marinetti almost died in a car crash, and out of that experience was born the "Futurist" movement. It went on to inspire the fascism of Benito Mussolini with an energetic emphas…

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