ECON-versations with NABE

Hosted by National Association for Business Economics

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168

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the official podcast for the National Association for Business Economics! Your one stop shop for catching up on the latest in business economics on the go. NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities.

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September 17, 202611 min

Inside the 2026 NABE Annual Meeting

In this special episode of ECON-versations with NABE, two co-chairs of the 68th NABE Annual Meeting, Laura Speake and Jack Kleinhenz, preview one of NABE’s biggest events of the year, taking place October 11–13 in Cleveland, Ohio, and virtually. Laura and Jack offer a look inside a wide-ranging program designed to capture some of the biggest changes shaping the economy today. They preview conversations on Federal Reserve policy, financial markets, AI in the workplace, energy and data centers, shifting consumer and demographic trends, geopolitics, and the future of North American trade, along with perspectives from business leaders, policymakers, academics, and economists. They also highlight opportunities to connect with fellow economists through small group discussions and dinners, networking throughout the conference, and a highly anticipated reception at Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Whether you’re a business economist, researcher, policymaker, student, or simply interested in the forces reshaping the global economy, tune in for a preview of what to expect at the 2026 NABE Annual Meeting. 🔗 LINKS: ⁠VISIT THE ANNUAL MEETING HOMEPAGE⁠ ⁠VIEW THE FULL PROGRAM⁠ ⁠REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY⁠ ⁠NABE⁠ is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders. ⁠JOIN NABE

September 14, 202621 min

The Inflation Brief | September 2026

In this episode of The Inflation Brief , Gregory Daco and Laura Rosner-Warburton break down the August CPI report and what the latest data signal for the inflation outlook. They discuss the growing impact of higher energy prices, how an oil shock could compound lingering tariff-related pressures, and whether those effects are beginning to spread into core goods and services. Gregory and Laura also examine the evolving impact of the AI build-out on inflation, including unusual moves in computer, software, smartphone, and wireless service prices. Finally, they turn to the Federal Reserve, weighing persistent inflation pressures against a resilient economy and stable labor market, and discuss the case for a September rate hike, the potential for another move in December, and what could shape the path for monetary policy into 2027. ⁠ NABE ⁠ is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders. ⁠ JOIN NABE ⁠

September 8, 202616 min

The Labor Brief | September 2026

The August employment report offered a stronger picture of the U.S. labor market, with solid job growth and upward revisions to previous months alongside notable shifts in hiring across industries. In this episode of ECON-versations with NABE , Julia Coronado is joined by Sarah Wolfe, Senior Economist and Strategist at Morgan Stanley, to unpack what the latest data reveal about the labor market and broader economy. They examine the rotation in hiring across sectors, including strength in construction and manufacturing and weakness in information and financial services, while exploring how changes in the composition of employment are influencing wage growth and real incomes. The conversation also looks at differences in labor market experiences across income groups and what they could mean for consumer spending. Finally, they discuss how the latest employment data could shape the Federal Reserve’s next move as policymakers balance a stable labor market against ongoing inflation concerns. NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders. JOIN NABE!

September 2, 20261 hr 0 min

Webinar Replay: World War Trade, Implications for Business

Webinar Replay | September 1, 2026 Richard Baldwin, Professor of International Economics at IMD Business School and author of World War Trade: Conflict, Containment, and the Emergent World Trading Order , joins NABE for a timely discussion on how geopolitical tensions, economic conflict, and shifting trade relationships are reshaping the global economy. In a fireside chat moderated by Marcello Estevão, Baldwin explores the emerging world trading order and what it means for businesses navigating trade policy, supply chains, investment, and global markets. NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders. JOIN NABE!

August 28, 202659 min

Webinar Replay: Causal Judge Evaluation: Moving Beyond Correlation in AI Evaluation

Webinar Replay | August 27, 2026 How can we ensure automated judges are making the right decisions—not just producing plausible scores? In this webinar replay, Eddie Landesberg, Staff Data Scientist at Google, introduces the Causal Judge Evaluation (CJE) framework and explains how human-verified oracle labels can help calibrate automated metrics beyond standard correlation measures. Moderated by Xiaoman Luo, Senior Data Scientist at Roblox, the discussion explores how CJE can support more robust, reliable, and audit-ready LLM evaluation systems that prioritize real-world decision quality. NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders. JOIN NABE!

August 18, 202629 min

Webinar Replay: 2026 NABE Salary Survey Results

Webinar Replay | August 12, 2026 This webinar replay highlights key findings from the 2026 NABE Salary Survey , the 30th edition of NABE’s long-running look at compensation and career trends in the economics profession. Survey analysts explore how economist pay varies by experience, industry, employer type, education, job title, location, and other factors, along with evolving trends in workplace arrangements and career mobility. The discussion also examines new findings on economists’ use of artificial intelligence, including how frequently they use AI, its most common applications, and the growing role it plays in the workplace. NABE Members have exclusive access to the full results - download here . Not a member? Join NABE today! NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders. Join NABE!

August 14, 202628 min

The Inflation Brief | August 2026

In this episode of The Inflation Brief , Laura Rosner-Warburton is joined by Omair Sharif to break down the July CPI report and what the latest data signal for the inflation outlook. They discuss the persistence of core goods inflation, the evolving impact of tariffs, and how AI-related demand and other supply pressures are complicating the inflation picture. Laura and Omair also explore factors that could keep inflation in check, including stable auto prices, moderating wage growth, and a potential slowdown in consumer demand. Finally, they look ahead to the Federal Reserve’s September meeting and the key August inflation, employment, and spending data that could shape the path for monetary policy. NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders.

August 13, 202658 min

Webinar Replay: Fireside Chat with Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin

Webinar Reply | August 7, 2026 In this special conversation, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin joins ADP Chief Economist Nela Richardson for a wide-ranging discussion on the forces shaping the U.S. economy. Barkin shares his perspective on a labor market in a “weak balance,” resilient consumer spending, persistent inflation pressures, and the elevated uncertainty facing businesses as they navigate tariffs, geopolitics, interest rates, and shifting demand. The conversation also explores how AI is influencing investment, productivity, and the outlook for early-career workers, with Barkin offering an optimistic view that AI could ultimately augment workers and create new opportunities as employers adapt. Tune in for an insightful look at how policymakers and businesses are navigating an economy that may be moving from an era of relative stability to one defined by greater change and uncertainty. NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders.

August 11, 202618 min

The Labor Brief | August 2026

The July employment report delivered another round of mixed signals, with weakening payroll growth and sizable downward revisions alongside a declining unemployment rate. In this episode of ECON-versations with NABE , Julia Coronado is joined by Michael Horrigan, CBE , President of the W.E. Upjohn Institute and incoming NABE Vice President, to unpack what the latest data reveal about the U.S. labor market. They look beyond the monthly headlines to examine longer-term employment trends, shifts in labor force participation, and the roles of demographics and immigration in shaping labor supply, while also exploring pressures facing lower-income households, persistent childcare barriers, signs of softer consumer spending, and increasingly widespread inflation. The conversation concludes with what these crosscurrents in employment and inflation could mean for the Federal Reserve and the broader economic outlook. NABE is the premier professional association for business economists and others who use economics in the workplace. Since 1959, NABE has attracted the most prominent figures in economics, business, and academia to its membership with highly-regarded conferences, educational and career development offerings, industry surveys, and its unrivaled networking opportunities. Past presidents of NABE include former Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve System, Alan Greenspan, several former Federal Reserve Governors, and other senior business leaders. JOIN NABE!

July 28, 202629 min

Webinar Replay: July 2026 NABE Business Conditions Survey

Webinar Replay | July 27, 2026 Tune in for a discussion of the ⁠latest NABE Business Conditions Survey⁠ , based on responses from 52 NABE members collected July 6–13, 2026, reflecting business conditions during the second quarter of 2026 and the near-term outlook. Survey Chair Martha Moore is joined by Lester Jones and Courtney Shupert to explore the survey's key themes, discuss what they're hearing from businesses across industries, and answer audience questions on the forces shaping today's economic environment.