Could factory-built homes help alleviate the affordable housing crunch? marketplace.org/story/2026/0… Experts and policymakers are increasingly intrigued by the tantalizing promise of factory-built homes to quickly boost the supply of quality housing at more reasonable prices.

AI regulation: Exploring how to govern a rapidly evolving technology mprnews.org/episode/2026/09/… On the Angela Davis show a clear conversation about a complex topic: AI. Daniel Schwarcz, law prof at University of Minnesota, was great at laying out the risks and regulatory options

How to know when it's time to quit your job mprnews.org/episode/2026/09/… Workers are still quitting even though managements are reluctant to hire. News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about recognizing when it’s time to leave a job. We learned much from listener insights.

Hemp builds houses, economy and opportunity in one Minnesota tribal community mprnews.org/story/2026/08/18… Hempcrete is an incredible sustainable building insulation. The Lower Sioux Indian Community in rural southwest Minnesota is building a hempcrete business.

Thrive in Your First Year of Retirement kiplinger.com/retirement/hap… Your first year probably won’t look exactly as you imagined, and that is fine. Year one isn’t supposed to be the final draft of your retirement; it 's the initial run of an ongoing experiment.

Native entrepreneurs bring jobs and inspiration to their communities mprnews.org/episode/2026/08/… What a great conversation! MPR News host Angela Davis talks with senior economics contributor Chris Farrell and two Native business owners featured in a new series: “Beyond the Bet,”

Making sense of student loan changes mprnews.org/episode/2026/08/… New federal rules reshape large parts of the student loan system. MPR News host Angela Davis and guests talk about what these changes mean for borrowers--current and future. Excellent calls.

Layoffs and hiring: Understanding today's job market mprnews.org/episode/2026/07/… A terrific show with informative calls for anyone trying to understand or navigate today’s job market.

Retirement, Rewritten open.substack.com/pub/djsche… Fun to be included in a story by Julie Pfitzinger with Kerry Hannon and others. Julie, former editor at PBS Next Avenue, knows the rethinking retirement trend incredibly well!

Staggered by COVID, St. Paul bets big on ‘creating a new downtown’ mprnews.org/story/2026/06/17… Downtown Saint Paul is struggling with empty office buildings and lonely sidewalks. A loose coalition of civic leaders are working to reverse downtown’s downward spiral. An evaluation.

Last night I had a blast on stage with The Theater of Public Policy—T2P2. Tane Danger--marvelous host. He and the audience asked me and Louis Johnston, economics prof at St. John’s/St. Ben’s, econ questions. improv comedy team then riffed off what we said for laughs.

Chris Farrell Explains the Money-Happiness Connection youtu.be/T23ma8r35EM?si=-5HT… via @YouTube I enjoyed the conversation Neil Rerup of The Transitions Network on aging and the opportunities and possibilities being unleashed with reimagining retirement.

How "social capital" helped to rebuild community in Minneapolis marketplace.org/story/2026/0… Could connections built among neighbors and small businesses during Operation Metro Surge become a social capital platform for building a more vibrant economy in Minnesota and elsewhere.

Rising health insurance costs are dragging down wage growth marketplace.org/story/2026/0… Nearly two-thirds of Americans under the age of 65 get health insurance through their job. Insurance costs are up sharply this year, another pressure point on affordability--and pay.

One year later: How tariffs are changing trade, travel, and ties between the U.S. and Canada mprnews.org/episode/2026/04/… A terrific show. MPR News host Angela Davis and senior economics contributor Chris Farrell look at the impact of tariffs on both sides of the border.

One year later: How tariffs are changing trade, travel, and ties between the U.S. and Canada mprnews.org/episode/2026/04/… Hope you can join the conversation Monday morning. Call in with your questions about tariffs, trade with Canada, and the economics of Minnesota's border towns

Do good neighbors make good economies? Minnesota could be a test case mprnews.org/story/2026/03/30… Could Minnesota's "social capital"--the trust and informal connections that brought people together during “Operation Metro Surge”-- be a platform for building a stronger economy.

How technology is changing work in Minnesota mprnews.org/episode/2026/03/… Technological change is reshaping how we work, how businesses operate, and how decisions get made. Workers are taking notice. Especially younger workers. good conversation on AI.

Minnesota Now: March 9, 2026 mprnews.org/episode/2026/03/… Good discussions on Minnesota Now on gas prices, bills aimed at regulating artificial intelligence, and proposed legislation prohibiting schools from denying students an education based on immigration status. And more!

The economics of buying a car mprnews.org/episode/2026/03/… Cars are expensive to buy and own. MPR News host Angela Davis dives into the economics of buying a car in 2026. Angela and I also take a look at the economy and the impact of higher oil and gas prices. Thoughtful calls.