Diane Swonk

Diane Swonk, KPMG chief economist who decodes market moves and recession risk; Jay O'Brien, ABC Capitol Hill correspondent covering DHS funding fights; Alex Mallon, ABC Justice Department reporter on DOJ personnel shifts. They unpack Bondi's sudden ouster and its legal fallout. They break down stalled Homeland Security funding negotiations and the surge in oil prices after the Iran speech.

Claudia Sahm, a labor-market economist known for recession signals, analyzes quirky January payroll revisions. Diane Swonk, a veteran macro economist, examines uneven labor recovery and K-shaped effects. Jurrien Timmer, Fidelity’s global macro lead, makes the case for a multi-year rotation into international and value. Lisa Shalett, Morgan Stanley CIO, talks AI’s portfolio impact and shifting fixed-income and alternatives positioning.

Diane Swonk, Chief Economist at KPMG, shares her insights on the U.S. economy amidst fluctuating trends. She explains how AI investments and wealth effects sustain growth despite a K-shaped recovery where affluence skews benefits. Diane highlights that childcare costs push skilled women out of the workforce and discusses the challenges posed by recent government shutdowns. With a forecast of 3.2% CPI, she warns that wage growth isn't keeping up with inflation, complicating consumer budgets during the holiday season.

Diane Swonk, Chief Economist at KPMG, discusses the current labor market challenges, highlighting a freeze in hiring and increased layoffs. She analyzes the struggles of job seekers, including a new graduate facing a mountain of applications and an educator resorting to supermarket work. Swonk explains how various demographic groups are disproportionately affected, particularly Black women. The conversation touches on recession indicators and the impact of AI on entry-level jobs, raising concerns about the economy's future and practical advice for those job hunting.

Exploring free speech in America with a diverse group of guests, the podcast discusses legal actions against Trump allies, campus protests, student activism, controversies over Palestinian rights, and the delicate balance of the Federal Reserve's independence. It delves into the challenges of maintaining professionalism in election administration, the importance of upholding due process, and the complexities of advocating for diverse viewpoints while upholding organizational values.