Best Michael Colburn Podcasts (2025)

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SVDP 41│Housing & Humanity with Author Gregg Colburn and SVDP USA National CEO Michael Acaldo 38:39

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15d ago38:39

38:39

In case you missed our special live-streamed podcast episode, it’s now available! Tune in to explore the homelessness landscape locally and nationally. At the 2025 SVDP National Assembly, Author/Keynote Speaker Gregg Colburn and SVDP USA National CEO Michael Acaldo joined us from the Galt House. The conversation centered on "Housing & Humanity" as …

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How Economists Forgot the Real World and Led Us Astray (with Nat Dyer) 41:18

1d ago41:18

41:18

In the second episode of our Trade series, Nick and Goldy talk with author Nat Dyer about his book Ricardo’s Dream: How Economists Forgot the Real World and Led Us Astray. Dyer reveals how David Ricardo’s famous theory of comparative advantage—long touted as proof that free trade is always a win-win—was built on unrealistic assumptions and a false …

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The Stacks: What We're Reading in September and the Latest in Horror Fiction 2:03:39

7d ago2:03:39

2:03:39

The Losers return for another round of recommends in The Stacks, our monthly series about all the good shit we've been reading, watching, and listening to this month. For this installment, Randall, Mike, and Ashley discuss Stephen King's take on Hansel & Gretel with the late Maurice Sendak. They also go over new releases, what they've been reading …

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Trade Wars, Class Wars & Globalization: Unpacking The Truth About Trade (featuring David Autor & Marc Palen) 47:52

10d ago47:52

47:52

In this kickoff to our special series on trade, Nick and Goldy unpack why trade policy isn’t just about tariffs and treaties—it’s about people, power, and priorities. For decades, the prevailing narrative has been that trade benefits everyone by lowering prices. But the real question is: who does it help, and who does it hurt? From the false promis…

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The Long Walk Movie Review with J.T. Mollner 3:00:41

13d ago3:00:41

3:00:41

In the latest episode of The Losers' Club, co-hosts Randall Colburn, Jenn Adams, Dan Pfleegor, and Justin Gerber lace up their Nikes to discuss what's easily one of the best King adaptations of this century: The Long Walk. After a chat about the book's long road to the screen, they dig into the killer ensemble of young bucks, its subversion of the …

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Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers (with Mark Blyth) 39:02

15d ago39:02

39:02

Political economist Mark Blyth joins Nick and Goldy to unpack the myths and realities of rising prices, from pandemic supply shocks and corporate profiteering to central-bank missteps and decades of bad economic theory. Drawing from his new book Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers, Blyth explains why some narratives fall flat, why others reveal…

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Dark Tower Detour with Richard Chizmar 58:34

21d ago58:34

58:34

Dark Tower Detour is a chance for Gunslingers to study the minutiae of Roland Deschain’s epic quest. Hosted by Dan Pfleegor and Dan Caffrey, this exclusive series will cover a range of topics that interest those who remember the face of their father. No character is too small. No detail too obscure. And no theory too foreboding as we march closer t…

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Gwendy's Final Task 2:28:48

21d ago2:28:48

2:28:48

And we're back on the Beam! In our latest book episode, which was previously only exclusive to the Barrens, the Losers sort through Stephen King and Richard Chizmar's 2022 novel Gwendy's Final Task. Together, they return to familiar locales like Castle Rock and Derry before leaving our atmosphere for adventures beyond their wildest imagination. Bew…

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Back to Basics Series: Homo Economicus Must Die (with Samuel Bowles) 32:34

22d ago32:34

32:34

What if the relentless drive to maximize personal gain isn't human nature, but just a flawed model we built? In this Back-to-Basics episode, behavioral economist Samuel Bowles helps us lay homo economicus—the myth of the perfectly rational, self-interested actor—six feet under. He shows how this caricature not only misrepresents human behavior, but…

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The End of the World As We Know It: The Book Episode 1:14:57

28d ago1:14:57

1:14:57

It's Labor Day Weekend and The Summer of The Stand comes to a close as the Losers finally review The End of the World As We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King's The Stand. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.…

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Back to Basics Series: Is the American Dream a Lie? (with Christian Cooper and Khiara Bridges) 42:47

1M ago42:47

42:47

The promise of the American Dream—work hard, play by the rules, and you’ll get ahead—is unraveling before our eyes. In this Back-to-Basics episode, Christian H. Cooper and law professor Khiara Bridges join Nick and Goldy to posit whether economic mobility has ever truly existed, or if the system was rigged from the start. As wages stagnate, homeown…

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The End of the World As We Know It: The Interview 1:01:45

1M ago1:01:45

1:01:45

“It’s The End of the World As We Know It... and editors of the Anthology set in the world of The Stand feel just fine!" Host Randall Colburn welcomes Christopher Golden (Hellboy: The Crooked Man) and Brian Keene (The Rising) as they discuss the process of putting together an anthology, the rules they set up for every author, and what the King himse…

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Back to Basics Series: How Monopolies Feed Plutocracy (with Matt Stoller) 31:58

1M ago31:58

31:58

When a few giants dominate the economy, democracy is the first to go. In this back-to-basics episode, author and anti-monopoly expert Matt Stoller unpacks how concentrated corporate power doesn’t just warp markets—it tilts the political playing field toward plutocracy. Drawing from his book Goliath, Stoller shows how corporate giants from banks to …

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The Stand: Book Three: "The Stand" 3:25:15

1M ago3:25:15

3:25:15

Ka is a wheel and the Losers are once again walking through Stephen King’s The Stand as part of their event series, The Summer of the Stand. The final Twinner book episode dedicated to the apocalyptic epic finds the gang revisiting Book III: "The Stand". Join Losers Jenn Adams, Rachel Reeves, Ashley Casseday, and Justin Gerber as they offer new per…

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Back to Basics Series: Does the Market Really Pay You What You’re Worth? (with Marshall Steinbaum and Saru Jayaraman) 50:51

2M ago50:51

50:51

We’ve all heard the story: In a fair market, workers are paid exactly what they’re worth. Economists even have a name for it—marginal productivity theory. It’s neat, simple…and completely wrong. In this Back-to-Basics episode, economist Marshall Steinbaum and labor leader Saru Jayaraman dismantle the myth that the market fairly rewards labor. Stein…

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SVDP 40│The Police & Homelessness with LMPD Assistant Chief of Police Nick Owen 23:14

1M ago23:14

23:14

This is a candid conversation about a tough topic. In this episode, Louisville Metro Police Department Lieutenant Colonel Nick Owen shares his view on "What should the public know about police interactions with people experiencing homelessness?" As Assistant Chief of Police with nearly 20 years on the force, Nick Owen talks about the importance of …

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Hollywood King: On Welcome to Derry, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, The Long Walk 1:39:28

2M ago1:39:28

1:39:28

Losers Randall Colburn, Michael Roffman, and Justin Gerber head to Hollywood King again to discuss the latest developments in King's Dominion, specifically new trailers for Welcome to Derry, The Long Walk, and The Running Man, in addition to headlines surrounding adaptations for The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon and, yes, another iteration of The Stand…

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Back to Basics Series: The Velocity of Money (with Ann Pettifor) 42:30

2M ago42:30

42:30

If you’ve ever wondered why the economy feels stuck, even when it seems like there's a lot more money in the system, this episode will blow your mind. Political economist Ann Pettifor joins Nick and Goldy to explain why money isn't flowing like it used to, and why that matters. Over the last century, the velocity of money (how quickly a dollar circ…

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Back to Basics Series: Is Economics Moral? (with Heather McGhee) 35:57

2M ago35:57

35:57

For decades, orthodox economics has treated morality as irrelevant—as if economic decisions happen in a vacuum, separate from our values and social bonds. But that approach has failed spectacularly, giving cover to policies that divide and exploit us. In this episode, Heather McGhee joins Nick and Paul to argue that morality must be central to how …

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The Stand: Book Two: "On the Border" 2:52:20

2M ago2:52:20

2:52:20

Ka is a wheel and the Losers are once again walking through Stephen King’s The Stand as part of their event series, The Summer of the Stand. The second of three Twinner book episodes dedicated to the apocalyptic epic finds the gang revisiting Book II: "On the Border". Join Losers Jenn Adams, Dan Pfleegor, Rachel Reeves, and Julia Marchese as they o…

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Back to Basics Series: Where does economic growth really come from? (with W. Brian Arthur and Cesar Hidalgo) 46:51

2M ago46:51

46:51

Is economic growth just about money, trade, and GDP? Or is something deeper at play? In this episode, economist W. Brian Arthur and physicist Cesar Hidalgo join Nick and Goldy to reveal the real drivers of rising prosperity: human knowledge, know‑how, and innovation. They challenge the old assumptions of growth and argue that innovation isn't a byp…

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MGM+'s The Institute TV Review 1:27:38

2M ago1:27:38

1:27:38

The Losers gather around the boob tube and review MGM+'s new Stephen King series The Institute. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.By The Losers' Club LLC

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Back to Basics Series: Is Econ 101 a Lie? (with Eric Beinhocker and James Kwak) 39:29

2M ago39:29

39:29

Trickle-downers love to pretend that "Econ 101" is a convincing argument against policies like the minimum wage that invest in working Americans. But the truth is that mainstream economists are terrible at predicting how the economy will behave in the future…Is Econ 101 broken? In this key foundational episode for the podcast, we dismantle the myth…

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The Stacks: What We're Reading in July and the Latest in Horror Fiction 1:46:30

3M ago1:46:30

1:46:30

The Losers return for another round of recommends in The Stacks, our monthly series about all the good shit we've been reading, watching, and listening to. Randall, Jenn, and the Dans chat about new releases from Paul Tremblay, Stephen Graham Jones, and Riley Sager, then throw the mic to Caff to unpack his journey through the works of Elmore Leonar…

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Back to Basics Series: What the hell are they talking about? Econ terms explained! (with Nick and Goldy) 14:48

3M ago14:48

14:48

Ever find yourself halfway through a Pitchfork Economics episode thinking, “Wait… what’s a monopsony?” You’re not alone. In this listener-favorite episode, Nick and Goldy break down some of the most important—and most misunderstood—economic terms we use on the show. From ‘neoclassical’ and ‘neoliberal’ to ‘monopoly’, ‘monopsony,’ ‘stock buybacks,’ …

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SVDP 39│Housing, Healing, and Ali: Inside SVDP Phoenix’s Mission with CEO Shannon Clancy 48:18

3M ago48:18

48:18

FEED. CLOTHE. HOUSE. HEAL. St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix's CEO Shannon Clancy shares how she and her team are transforming lives with compassion and innovation in the Valley of the Sun. As the first female CEO of SVDP Phoenix's nearly 80-year history, Clancy has adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of those experiencing homelessness. She shares ab…

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CrichtonCast: Jurassic Park (1990) 3:38:34

3M ago3:38:34

3:38:34

Welcome to CrichtonCast, our Michael Crichton spinoff podcast exclusive to The Barrens. Today, we're unlocking last year's episode on Crichton's seventh novel, 1990's Jurassic Park, in light of the new Jurassic taking a bite out of the box office this week. Host Randall Colburn is joined by Losers Michael Roffman, Dan Caffrey, and Justin Gerber on …

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Back to Basics Series: Why do we call it Pitchfork Economics? (with Ganesh Sitaraman & Walter Scheidel) 33:16

3M ago33:16

33:16

In 2014, Nick Hanauer sounded the alarm: if economic inequality kept growing, the pitchforks would come—for him, and for the rest of America’s wealthy elite. Then 2016 happened. Donald Trump was elected president on a wave of economic populism that correctly identified massive inequality as a problem, but which offered all the wrong solutions. The …

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The Stand: Book One: "Captain Trips" 3:00:39

3M ago3:00:39

3:00:39

Ka is a wheel and the Losers are once again walking through Stephen King’s The Stand as part of their event series, The Summer of the Stand. The first of three Twinner book episodes dedicated to the apocalyptic epic finds the gang revisiting Book I: "Captain Trips". Join Losers Jenn Adams, Randall Colburn, Ana Marie Cox, and Dan Pfleegor as they of…

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The Truth About Immigration and the American Worker (with Rogé Karma) 39:13

3M ago39:13

39:13

Conventional wisdom says immigration drives down wages and takes jobs from American workers. But what if that story is fueled by bad economics? Journalist Rogé Karma joins Nick and Goldy to challenge the Econ 101 logic that supercharges anti-immigrant rhetoric—and to explain what the data actually shows. Drawing on research from the U.S., Denmark, …

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Billy Summers 2:19:07

3M ago2:19:07

2:19:07

In our latest book episode, formerly exclusive to the Barrens, the Losers rent some office space, grab some grub from the food trucks downstairs, and snipe through Stephen King's new novel Billy Summers. Together, they discuss the immortal currency of the written word, the timely themes of financial insecurity, and King's penchant for creating lova…

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America Adrift: Inequality, Power, and the Fight to Fix It (with Scott Galloway) 45:14

3M ago45:14

45:14

With inequality rising, housing out of reach, and young Americans falling further behind, some argue the American Dream is dead. But NYU professor Scott Galloway has a different take: America hasn’t fallen—it’s adrift. Originally recorded in late 2022, this episode features a candid conversation about what’s really hollowed out the middle class: ge…

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The Life of Chuck Movie Review 1:38:07

3M ago1:38:07

1:38:07

The Losers busk through Mike Flanagan's latest Stephen King joint: The Life of Chuck. Beware of spoilers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.By The Losers' Club LLC

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From Reagan to Reality: The Case Against Tax Cuts for the Rich (with Bruce Bartlett) 36:11

4M ago36:11

36:11

As Republicans work at break-neck speed to push another round of massive tax cuts for the wealthy, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit our 2019 conversation with Bruce Bartlett, a Reagan policy adviser and key architect of the 1981 tax cuts. Bartlett explains how the trickle-down logic he once championed turned out to be economic snake oi…

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SVDP 38│Dr. Brian Fikkert on how to help those in need without hurting them in the process 49:02

4M ago49:02

49:02

Can helping actually hurt? Dr. Brian Fikkert talks about the difference between empowering and enabling those in need—and why poverty is about more than a lack of possessions. Fikkert coauthored "When Helping Hurts" and "Becoming Whole," books that have transformed how churches and organizations approach poverty. He is the Founder of the Chalmers C…