Best Risky Standard Podcasts (2025)

1
The Division of Silent Accords, Part 6: The Basilica 1:51:32

18d ago1:51:32

1:51:32

The thrilling conclusion of The Division of Silent Accords! The ancient contagion growing at the heart of the Aeonian is revealed. Argot, Bracco & Dr. Forstall near a truth too vast to name. At the threshold of the Basilica, the silent operatives must make a desperate choice- enter the sanctum and risk what remains, or become entombed as the dereli…

1
GDP Was Never Going to Make You Happy 53:21

8h ago53:21

53:21

Gross Domestic Product is the big dog of economic numbers. But this measure of the economy’s size has massive blind spots. It ignores income inequality and citizens’ wellbeing. It rewards consumption and thus environmental degradation. Yes, it is vital to know if your economy is growing or shrinking and why. And yet maybe GDP shouldn’t be the lodes…

1
How to Actually Help Young Men Struggling in Our Economy 59:45

7d ago59:45

59:45

The "boys and men crisis" conversation set in motion following the 2024 election is now shooting off in erratic directions, leading to a lot of hand-wringing about college enrollment, long-gone factory jobs, and “loss of purpose.” Still, men’s workforce participation has been on a long, slow slide for seven decades, and it is reaching a worrying le…

1
Ask Me Anything 15 36:50

8d ago36:50

36:50

In this Ask Me Anything episode of Industry Standard with Barry Katz, Barry dives into practical advice for comedians at every stage of their career. He shares insights on writing and originality, drawing lessons from comedy legends like Dave Chappelle, Jim Jefferies, George Carlin, Wanda Sykes, Louis C.K., and Steven Wright. With personal stories,…

1
What You Don’t Know About Poverty 47:34

14d ago47:34

47:34

About 11% of Americans have a household income that puts them below the official government threshold for poverty. Is poverty a state of being, or a risk? Are the poor people themselves the root cause of poverty? Or are they the outcome of a low-wage labor market that churns people in and out of work? Because how you diagnose the problem matters if…

1
Ed Bassmaster 1:18:02

15d ago1:18:02

1:18:02

In this episode of Industry Standard with Barry Katz, viral YouTube pioneer Ed Bassmaster shares his incredible journey from working retail at an AT&T store to becoming one of the most recognizable character comedians on the internet. He dives deep into the origins of his iconic alter egos and creations like Always Teste, Chip Diamond, Skippy, Tequ…

1
Michael Madsen Classic Rerelease 2:21:27

18d ago2:21:27

2:21:27

In this gripping episode of Industry Standard with Barry Katz, legendary actor Michael Madsen opens up like never before. From almost missing out on his iconic role as Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs to improvising unforgettable moments on set, Madsen shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from working with Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Jenn…

1
Q&A Part 2: Working Two Jobs, Incentives vs. Handouts, the Gold Standard, and Government ROI 31:58

19d ago31:58

31:58

Economist Kathryn Edwards is back with more answers. In Part 2, she talks more about student loans, who actually “lives off taxpayers,” why gold reserves aren’t a great idea anymore, the importance of mobility in worker power, and whether ROI is a good measure for the work of government. If this two-parter was too much, blame the listener who said …

1
Peter Engel Classic Rerelease 1:25:17

20d ago1:25:17

1:25:17

In Memory of Peter Engel June 30, 1936 - March 4, 2025In this classic rerelease episode, Legendary TV producer Peter Engel joins Barry Katz to share wild stories from his career, spanning his early days around Saturday Night Live to creating the iconic TV hits like Saved by the Bell, California Dreams, and City Guys. Engel reveals how he discovered…

1
Q&A Part 1: Tax Philosophy, Liberal vs. Conservative Economists, Marriage vs. Poverty and More 43:09

21d ago43:09

43:09

In the first of two mailbag episodes, economist Kathryn Edwards answers questions from optimist listeners on taxation on wages vs. investments, whether student loans are regressive, how bona fide economists wind up on opposite sides of policy debates, and what it really means when a Montana Congressman calls the CBO “historically wrong.” Yeah, this…

1
Cris Italia 1:29:26

22d ago1:29:26

1:29:26

In this emotional and insightful episode of Industry Standard, Barry Katz sits down with comedy club mogul Cris Italia to talk about building “The Stand,” coping with loss, and shaping the careers of comics like Pete Davidson, Andrew Schulz, and Nikki Glaser. Italia reflects on the influence of late comedy legends including Patrice O’Neal, Greg Gir…

1
A Million Reasons to Raise the Minimum Wage 58:24

28d ago58:24

58:24

The federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour hasn’t been raised since the era of flip phones. Competing bills introduced in Congress recently would set it at $15 or $17. Is that high enough, and how can we ensure it doesn’t fall so far behind again? Minimum wage debates are dominated by worry about anticipated harms to some businesses, but ignore the …

1
Collective Bargaining Without the Unionization Battles 52:31

1M ago52:31

52:31

Labor unions’ public approval has been increasing since 2009, and is now at levels not seen since the 1960s. And yet rates of union membership have been falling. Today just 10% of U.S. workers are represented by a union, and below 6% in the private sector. What if there were a less adversarial way to get the worker-protection aspects of unions with…

1
The Tax We’re 99.93% Sure That You Will Never Pay 54:59

1M ago54:59

54:59

The Estate Tax is one that half of Americans worry about, but that affects only the richest 0.07% after they die. For nearly 25 years, the U.S. has – through loopholes and ballooning exemptions – undercut a tax that could pay for some nice things, like maybe a children’s trust fund. If we chose to just dent more big inheritances, it’d also reduce t…

1
About That College Grad Who Can’t Find a Job… 55:12

2M ago55:12

55:12

Newly minted college graduates are having a harder time landing that first job than in recent years. Is it AI? Is college useless? Is it a crisis? (No. No. And not yet.) College graduates under 27 still have much lower unemployment rates (5.8%) than their high-school-diploma peers (6.9%). What economist Kathryn Edwards finds worrying is that these …

1
The Division of Silent Accords, Part 5: Excession 1:09:37

2M ago1:09:37

1:09:37

Time is running out aboard the Aeonian, as the derelict hulk lurches toward threadspace and the darkness between stars. Within the heart of the anomaly, a strange contagion blooms into a distorted reflection of the familiar. In the shadow of an aberrant facade, something impossible waits: a palatial garden, glistening in cesium-gold. FEATURING Pete…

1
Simple Immigration Economics: Bigger is Better 50:44

2M ago50:44

50:44

One in five workers in the United States was born in another country. Without them, the country’s prime-age workforce would be shrinking, and thus so would our economy. So the calumny (Terms & Conditions) directed at immigrants is at odds with the basic fact that the U.S. needs them. What about depressing wages? Economist Kathryn Edwards says that …

1
Work Requirements Don’t Work 53:44

2M ago53:44

53:44

Here’s what work requirements rarely accomplish: Getting more people to work or lifting them out of poverty. They are, however, very good at driving people off public benefit programs, which was their primary role during the welfare reform of 1996. Yes, Kathryn Edwards economist/human will tell you that in theory, people will optimize how much they…

1
The U.S. is in the Hole. Will We Stop Digging? 50:43

2M ago50:43

50:43

The national debt is $36 trillion — a panic-inducing big number. So maybe it will help to understand how the U.S. ran up that debt. We’ve blown 37% of it on tax cuts, with precious little to show for that. But 28% went to stabilize the economy during two major crises (in ’08-’09 and during the COVID pandemic), which is when you do want the federal …

1
College Rules! But Student Loans are a Hot Mess! 58:57

3M ago58:57

58:57

The U.S. government makes student loans because our economy benefits enormously: Improved human capital. Higher earnings for taxpayers. Innovation and productivity gains. (Side note: Education has also been a $50 billion per year “export” because so many international students come here.) Meanwhile, colleges are basically getting blank checks for w…

1
Ask Me Anything 14 w/ Barry Katz 28:52

3M ago28:52

28:52

In this heartfelt “Ask Me Anything” episode of Industry Standard, Barry Katz answers audience questions about navigating the entertainment industry, emphasizing the importance of originality, adaptability, and resilience. He shares how he evaluates projects based on unique characters and fresh concepts, and how longevity in comedy often stems from …

1
Ask Me Anything 13 w/ Barry Katz 31:16

3M ago31:16

31:16

In this powerful AMA episode, legendary comedy manager Barry Katz breaks down what separates the good from the unforgettable in stand-up comedy. He shares why having a distinct voice — one that’s instantly recognizable — is non-negotiable for any comic who wants to rise above the noise. Barry dives into how comedians like Tony Hinchcliffe found suc…

1
OE Lightning Round: Kathryn Edwards Takes Your Economy Questions 49:34

3M ago49:34

49:34

Kathryn Edwards answers listeners’ economic questions, with her co-host's stopwatch running. In under an hour, we cover risks to U.S. economic data, college tuition, taxes, bonds, degrowth, mortgages, tariffs vs. income taxes, wealth concentration, and why the future can’t be built on lies. Finally, for those of you not from Wisconsin, do you know …

1
Adam Ray Classic Rerelease 2:05:00

3M ago2:05:00

2:05:00

In this episode of Industry Standard, comedian and actor Adam Ray—best known for his spot-on Dr. Phil impression—opens up about the defining moments of his childhood that led him to a career in comedy. From being an overweight kid with the nickname “Quick Fat” and growing up with divorced parents, to discovering the power of impressions and laughte…

1
Chris Myers 1:06:27

3M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

Legendary sportscaster Chris Myers has been the voice behind some of the biggest moments in sports — from Super Bowls and World Series to the Olympics and beyond. But in this episode of INDUSTRY STANDARD, he opens up like never before. Chris takes us behind the mic and into the pressure of national broadcasts, recounting what it felt like to freeze…

1
The Invisible Hand Doesn’t Want to Change Diapers 58:47

3M ago58:47

58:47

Child care is exhibit A that not everything can be solved by private marketplaces. It is too expensive and too scarce — and as Kathryn Edwards points out, nothing will change that fact. (Maybe you’ve heard someone say that preschool costs more than state university tuition? True in 38 states.) Even among those who think that there’s a role for the …

1
A Family Bill for a Shrinking U.S. 51:32

3M ago51:32

51:32

The declining birth rate in the United States is often discussed not only as a major demographic shift, but as a looming economic disaster. Ideas being pitched to the White House include a $5,000 baby bonus for new parents and (truly) giving medals to women who have a half-dozen babies. But what are the real contours of this supposed crisis? Indeed…

1
The Division of Silent Accords, Part 4: Intrusion 1:22:00

3M ago1:22:00

1:22:00

Coursing deeper into the dark of the Aeonian's cavernous interior, Division operatives uncover the remnants of a doomed prior expedition- and the source of its unraveling. FEATURING Pete - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chipenjoyer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mitch - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Magnesiumbee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tim - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AXEHOARDER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Malcolm - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MalcolmHall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Theme & Production by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Liam Da…

1
Progress is a Long Game 51:04

4M ago51:04

51:04

What sparks progress? The right political conditions? Social pressure? Economic upheaval? In response to two listeners’ questions, Kathryn Edwards says… both none of those and all of the above. (Also, "not a historian.") Still, as an example, we talk through just one bit of the New Deal in the 1930s, which was the law to limit child labor. That mov…

1
Paid Sick Days for Lady Gaga (and Everyone Else Too) 42:31

4M ago42:31

42:31

In the category of low-hanging policy fruit, why won’t any politician pluck the ripe, juicy goodness of federally mandated paid sick leave? About 30 million American workers not only don’t get a paid day off when they have the flu, there’s no law on the books to prevent them from being fired if they call in sick. Economist Kathryn Edwards points ou…

1
AI Suggested Five Horrible Titles for This Episode 45:43

4M ago45:43

45:43

A recent article in the Washington Post proposed that U.S. labor data has just started to show the bite artificial intelligence is taking out of U.S. jobs – in this case, for computer programmers. Is AI going to cause mass joblessness? Silicon Valley bros seem to think so. Journalists seem to think so. So what’s with economist Kathryn Edwards' ho-h…

1
Gil Junger 1:19:55

4M ago1:19:55

1:19:55

Barry Katz sits with film and television director, Gil Junger (10 Things I Hate About You, Ellen), for a deep conversation on the mental blocks that actors and artists face in the entertainment industry. Gil shares what he looks for in actors, as well as incredible stories about Heath Ledger's and Julia Stiles' auditions, working with Oprah, and di…

1
Work Rules for the Modern World 38:28

4M ago38:28

38:28

Never heard of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938? It’s why there’s a minimum wage, overtime pay, and 12-year-olds can’t legally have a job. It’s also due for a 21st-century update. What would these “New Work Standards” include? Let’s start with the right to request remote work, part-time schedules, or non-traditional hours. This shift would be a…

1
Ask Me Anything 12 w/ Barry Katz 24:09

4M ago24:09

24:09

Comedy talent manager and producer Barry Katz answers your questions about the stand-up comedy business in this episode of Industry Standard. Barry answers questions about how to turn your career around, his favorite SNL sketches, the traits of his least favorite comedians, how avant-garde comedians can succeed in the business, and more. barrykatz.…

1
Paul Rodriguez Classic Rerelease 1:15:06

4M ago1:15:06

1:15:06

In this episode, talent manager Barry Katz sits with stand-up comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez to discuss Paul's path to success in the entertainment business, from his desire to get out of Compton, to working as a doorman at the Comedy Store and getting noticed by Mitzi Shore, to becoming one of The Original Latin Kings of Comedy, and appearing i…

1
Robin Loves a Tax Story 33:27

4M ago33:27

33:27

The United States is more than 20 years into a tax experiment – an era of a cumulative $7 trillion in tax cuts. So, asks economist Kathryn Edwards, how’s that working out? Well, we have worsening income inequality and public faith in the tax system is cratering. Meanwhile every social policy is conceptualized as some kind of tax cut/credit. The que…

1
The Division of Silent Accords, Part 3: Echo 1:09:08

5M ago1:09:08

1:09:08

Drifting in the dark, the derelict Aeonian holds its secrets close. An echo lingers in the stillness of an antechamber. Ichors shift in cesium gold- and something far stranger stirs in the yawning interior. FEATURING Pete - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chipenjoyer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mitch - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Magnesiumbee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tim - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AXEHOARDER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Malcolm - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MalcolmHall⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ T…

1
Social Security Don’t Miss 52:45

5M ago52:45

52:45

What’s with the persistent narrative of Social Security's impending doom? Are the baby boomers draining the trust fund? Are Americans living too long? No and no. There are just two of the many misunderstandings people have about what economist Kathryn Edwards will tell you (for hours if you let her) is, truly, the most popular and effective public …

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