Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Could stagflation return? I argue that if Trump persists in the trade war, then the pieces are in place--large negative supply shocks, inflation sensitive households, politicization of the Fed, rising budget deficits--for a return to "That 70's Show." Hopefully, Congress will step up and spare us a stagflation fate. https://lnkd.in/gtvpbWBm

Congrats to my colleagues Marginal Revolution University! MRU was founded by Tyler Cowen and Alex Tabarrok, has long been at the forefront of making economics accessible, engaging, and downright fun. Through clear, creative, and concise educational content, MRU is transforming how people around the globe—particularly young students—understand the power of economics. This year, MRU reached a remarkable milestone: Their curriculum is now being used in 25% of high schools across the country. That's insane! Congrats to Roman Hardgrave Brandon Davis and Cory Shreckengost and so many others

In a recent conversation I had with Jeffrey Rosen about character development, we explored how obstacles shape virtue. I brought up Jensen Huang, NVIDIA's CEO, who attributed his success to childhood struggles, even jokingly wishing "some suffering" on his audience. Jeff brilliantly responded that "character formation requires overcoming the ego" and recognizing we're not the center of the universe. As he noted, sometimes we need to be "hit over the head by life" to break free from self-centeredness. He reminded me how Benjamin Franklin placed humility last among his virtues because it was the hardest to achieve—especially in youth when we think the world revolves around us. It's often through facing and overcoming serious challenges that we begin to grow beyond ourselves. What challenges have shaped your professional journey? How has overcoming adversity contributed to your leadership approach?

Had a great time talking with Dominic Pino about what pro-family policy really looks like. We got into the economics of marrying for love, the two-income trap, and much more. Give it a listen!

We're #hiring a part-time office assistant at our Arlington, VA offices! Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eybD_h7S More on the role below 👇

What a great conversation we had at Human Cloud with Liya Palagashvili! We could (and will) have many more. The landscape of regulations has needed to evolve productively for a while now, to catch up with the reality of massive trends towards #freelancing and #IndependentWork. As companies continue to embrace #TalentAccess strategies, this need will only grow. Liya’s research in partnership with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University is having a real impact here. Watch our podcast to learn more!

In the latest episode of the Human Cloud Podcast, Liya Palagashvili breaks down what’s really happening in the independent workforce—from AB5’s fallout to why 80% of freelancers prefer flexible work. 🎧 Data, policy, and what’s next—listen now ➡️ https://lnkd.in/emtt5Uph

Best wishes and good luck to my friend and former Mercatus Center at George Mason University colleague Tyler Cowen on his new professional role as a contributor to the The Free Press. https://lnkd.in/ePfpQNu3

🚨 COMING SOON – Liya Palagashvili, Senior Research Fellow at Mercatus Center at George Mason University, joins the Human Cloud Podcast this Wednesday! The independent workforce is growing fast — but are policies keeping up? In this episode, Liya breaks down the trends, data, and legislation shaping the future of independent work. As an economist and workforce researcher, she brings clarity to a complex and often misunderstood topic. We'll cover: 💡 The data behind independent work, including why 80% of freelancers prefer it 💡 How laws like California’s AB5 have impacted self-employment and W-2 jobs 💡 Why regulatory uncertainty holds businesses back from engaging independent talent 💡 What policy changes could enable innovation while protecting workers 💡 The role of small businesses in driving independent work forward 💡 What to expect next as Washington considers new worker classification laws Follow and subscribe to catch the latest episodes, and follow Liya’s Substack for in-depth policy updates <<link in comments>>

In my conversation with Jeffrey Rosen about his latest book, "The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America," I was curious why he chose to end with a chapter on silence. Jeff explained that Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who appeared chronologically last in his book, embodied this virtue through her unique conversation style. He described how she would pause for uncomfortably long periods after being asked a question—forcing others to "sit in the silence" while waiting for what would inevitably be "some perfectly phrased answer." When Jeff asked Justice Ginsburg about this habit, she took her characteristic pause before responding: "I like to think before I speak." Jeff reflected on the profound wisdom in this approach. While our instinct is often to "jump in and fill the silence or say something anxiously," thoughtful pauses allow us to exercise "reason over passion"—responding not with our immediate impulse but with "sober second thought." In our fast-paced world of instant reactions, perhaps we could all benefit from Ginsburg's deliberate approach to communication—thinking first, then speaking with intention.