Toast n' Topics

Hosted by Sachin Ganesh and Ben Vagle

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Mar 2026

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About the show

A podcast for experts and everyday people alike, discussing the applications of economics in day to day life. Follow us on Instagram and Linkedin: @toastntopics Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: Toast n' Topics Give us feedback or suggest new topics here: https://tinyurl.com/toastntopicsform Disclosures: - The views expressed in this podcast are our own, and are not reflective of any institutions that we are associated with. - This podcast provides general information that should not be considered investment advice.

Listen to episodes

45 recent

March 15, 2026Episode 130 min

Chokepoints: Eddie Fishman on Iran, Sanctions, and the Future of Economic Statecraft

In this episode, we have a thought-provoking interview with Eddie Fishman -- Senior Fellow and Director of the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and author of a New York Times–bestselling book, Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare, on economic statecraft, the effectiveness of sanctions, the latest in Iran, and much more.

September 13, 2025Episode 4825 min

Illuminating Innovations: How the US Open Keeps New York’s Night Skies Dark

In our latest episode, we speak with Adithi Ramakrishnan of the Associated Press on a recent piece that she wrote on the lighting of the US Open tennis championships, which has been recently renovated to reduce light pollution in New York City's skies. For more on Adithi and some of her work at AP, click the link below!https://apnews.com/author/adithi-ramakrishnan

September 5, 2025Episode 4731 min

America Ascendant? A Conversation with Michael Beckley

In the second of our series of interviews, Toast n’ Topics speaks with Michael Beckley, Associate Professor of Political Science at Tufts University. We dive into his work on the U.S.–China power balance, exploring the future of U.S. foreign policy, the limits of China’s rise, and the broader lessons for how America should navigate great-power rivalry.

August 17, 2025Episode 4655 min

Congo in the Cold War: Patrice Lumumba and an Assassination That Remade a Region

In the first of an exciting series of interviews, Toast n' Topics speaks with Stuart Reid, Senior Fellow for History and Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. We focus on Stuart's book "The Lumumba Plot", discussing the riveting plot of the CIA to assassinate Patrice Lumumba, The Congo's first Prime Minister. In the podcast, we learn more about Congo's history, their relationship with the US and other foreign countries, as well as the role that other peacekeeping organizations had in the final outcome of Congo's independence. For more info on Stuart and his book, click here: https://www.stuartareid.com/the-lumumba-plot

June 21, 2025Episode 4514 min

Deepening Debts - Fiscal Deficits and Their Sustainability

In this episode, Ben and Sachin dive into the trajectory of U.S. debt and consider its sustainability in the years and decades ahead.

June 1, 2025Episode 4418 min

Nightmare at Newark: Challenges and Struggles In Air Traffic Control

In our latest episode, we discuss the recent string of technical failures that unfolded at Newark Airport, including the longer-term problems of outdated infrastructure and staffing shortages in the industry, as well as what could be done to improve them.

May 18, 202524 min

Command of Commerce: America's Enduring Economic Power Advantage with Ben Vagle

In this episode, Sachin interviews Ben on his new coauthored book, Command of Commerce: America's Enduring Economic Power Advantage over China. The book is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Command-Commerce-Americas-Enduring-Advantage/dp/0197802303

April 26, 2025Episode 931 min

Clinics and Cash: A Conversation on Healthcare and Foreign Aid in Uganda With Nikhil Kamdar

In this episode, we interview Nikhil Kamdar, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and a current med student at George Washington University, about a recent medical service trip that he made to Uganda and his observations on the ground

April 16, 202515 min

Aid Under Attack - The Implications of Recent Drawdowns in Foreign Assistance

In this episode, Ben and Sachin examine recent cuts to foreign aid spending and consider the effects of it being removed.

March 29, 2025Episode 520 min

Applications of AI: Exploring How AI Is Transforming Our Economy

In this episode, Ben and Sachin discuss the progress that has been made in generative AI technology and the tangible evidence that it could be improving productivity.See a sample of Ben's webpage mentioned in the podcast here: https://commandofcommerce.com/