Talking Economics

Global Uncertainty, Real Economies: A Macro Outlook | Kamil Kovář Apr 14, 2026 00:32:17 The new episode of Talking Economics brings a timely discussion with Kamil Kovář, Director at Moody’s Analytics and our alumnus, on how today’s overlapping shocks are reshaping the global economy.Kamil explores how wars, energy disruptions, rearmament, trade fragmentation, and political unpredictability are changing the way economists think about growth, inflation, and risk. “It’s just, as you sai

Talking Economics Emerging Scholars: Margarita Pavlova Mar 26, 2026 00:24:04 Our job market candidate Margarita Pavlova is the latest guest in the Talking Economics: Emerging Scholars podcast series, which highlights the research and career journeys of CERGE-EI PhD in Economics candidates and recent graduates.Margarita is an applied microeconomist specializing in labor and gender economics. Her research explores how macroeconomic conditions, labor market policies, and inst

Talking Economics Emerging Scholars: Sona Badalyan Feb 18, 2026 00:20:45 The Talking Economics: Emerging Scholars podcast series highlights the research and career journeys of CERGE-EI PhD in Economics candidates and recent graduates. In this episode, we speak with Sona Badalyan, one of our current job market candidates.Sona is an applied microeconomist with interests in labor, public, and personnel economics. Her job market paper examines internal labor markets, explo

The Economics of Discrimination with Vojtěch Bartoš Oct 27, 2025 00:35:10 Why does discrimination persist even when it’s costly for firms and societies? CERGE-EI alumnus and Associate Professor at the University of Milan, Vojtěch Bartoš, explains how behavioral economics helps uncover the mechanisms behind bias — and how evidence-based tools can help reduce it.https://www.cerge-ei.cz/https://www.instagram.com/cergeei/https://www.facebook.com/cergeei/https://x.com/CERGE_

Matching Matters: The Hidden Economics of Who Works Where with Luca Mazzone Aug 19, 2025 00:32:53 What happens when the labor market doesn’t match workers and firms efficiently? Can online platforms and better data solve the problem? And what role do families play in shaping the workforce of tomorrow?Luca Mazzone, Assistant Professor at CERGE-EI and Economist at the IMF, talks about the hidden dynamics behind wage inequality, employment policy, and how households shape labor market outcomes. H

Marta Cota: Household Financial Choices Jun 19, 2025 00:26:40 What determines the financial decisions we make throughout our lives—like choosing a mortgage, saving for retirement, or deciding whether to invest? In the latest episode of Talking Economics, we explore these questions with Marta Cota, a CERGE-EI PhD alumna and Assistant Professor of Finance at Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon.https://www.cerge-ei.cz/https://www.instagram.com/cerge

Vladimír Novák: Polarization, Policy, and Structural Challenges May 16, 2025 00:24:32 In the latest episode of Talking Economics, we speak with Vladimír Novák, Senior Economist at the National Bank of Slovakia and CERGE-EI PhD alumnus, about his recent research and how it connects to real-world policy challenges. Vladimír’s academic work focuses on how individuals process information—and how that, in turn, shapes their beliefs, decisions, and broader societal outcomes.https://www.c

Ctirad Slavík: Taxation, Wages, and Growth Feb 27, 2025 00:27:14 Associate Professor at CERGE-EI, Ctirad Slavík, discusses taxation, inequality, and the economic impact of policy reforms in our latest episode. He shares insights on optimal capital taxation, the effects of automation on wages, and the 2021 Czech income tax reform.https://www.cerge-ei.cz/https://www.instagram.com/cergeei/https://www.facebook.com/cergeei/https://twitter.com/CERGE_EI/

Talking Economics Emerging Scholars: Theodor Kouro Jan 9, 2025 00:36:49 Our next guest on the Talking Economics: Emerging Scholars series is Theodor Kouro, one of CERGE-EI’s job market candidates this year. Theo’s research spans behavioral, experimental, and development economics, with a particular focus on gender economics. In his job market paper, he explores the mechanics of autonomy in a large-scale natural field experiment on effort provision. This paper earned h

Talking Economics Emerging Scholars: Sinara Gharibyan Dec 10, 2024 00:28:04 Our next guest on the Talking Economics: Emerging Scholars series is Sinara Gharibyan, one of CERGE-EI’s job market candidates this year In her job market paper, Sinara examines how memories influence human behavior, particularly political behavior. Her innovative work distinguishes between two types of memory effects: fam-ily memory and collective memory. This paper earned her the prestigious PED

Lukáš Makovský: Urban Economics Uncovered Nov 14, 2024 00:26:34 In the latest episode of the Talking Economics podcast, a CERGE-EI alumnus Lukáš Makovský shares insights on the central questions and tools of urban economics, how models incorporate people’s preferences, and examines the movement toward urbanization alongside the impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. https://www.cerge-ei.cz/ https://www.instagram.com/cergeei/ https://www.facebook.com/cer

Talking Economics Emerging Scholars: Daniil Kashkarov Sep 19, 2024 00:34:58 The podcast series Talking Economics Emerging Scholars is dedicated to showcasing the research and inspiring journeys of CERGE-EI PhD in Economics graduates. Our guest in this episode is Daniil Kashkarov. Daniil’s research interests lie in macroeconomics and labor economics, with a focus on life-cycle modeling, skills accumulation, and the adaptation of workers to labor market disruptions. During

Talking Economics Emerging Scholars: Ella Sargsyan Aug 12, 2024 00:29:33 The podcast series Talking Economics Emerging Scholars is dedicated to showcasing the research and inspiring journeys of CERGE-EI PhD in Economics graduates. Our first guest is Ella Sargsyan, an empirical economist specializing in development economics. Ella's academic journey included research visits to MIT and Columbia University. She will join UCLouvain as a postdoctoral researcher. https:

Barbara Pertold-Gebicka: Exploring Family Economics and Gender Wage Gaps Jul 18, 2024 00:28:58 In our latest episode of Talking Economics, we met with Barbara Pertold-Gebicka, a CERGE-EI alumna and Assistant Professor at the Institute of Economic Studies of Charles University, to explore family economics and gender wage gaps. https://www.cerge-ei.cz/ https://www.instagram.com/cergeei/ https://www.facebook.com/cergeei/ https://twitter.com/CERGE_EI/

Michal Šoltés: Behind Bars and Beyond: Insights into Criminal Behavior and the Czech Justice System May 31, 2024 00:28:57 We explore the world of criminal behavior and the Czech justice system with Michal Šoltés, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics and Empirical Legal Studies at Charles University Faculty of Law, a CERGE-EI PhD in economics alumnus, and an IDEA think-tank researcher. In his research, he focuses on public economics, empirical legal studies, the economics of criminal justice, and the

Andreas Menzel: Labor Dynamics in Developing Countries Apr 30, 2024 00:45:37 In a recent episode of Talking Economics, we discussed firms and labor markets in developing countries with Andreas Menzel, an Associate Professor with Tenure at CERGE-EI. Andreas’s research projects focus on development, organizational, and labor economics with field experiments in Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh. https://www.cerge-ei.cz/ https://www.instagram.com/cergeei/ https://www.facebook.c

Christian Ochsner: Unlocking Economic Prosperity: It’s People That Matter Nov 20, 2023 00:35:45 Why do some regions thrive while others struggle to keep up in the race for economic development? In a recent episode of Talking Economics, we talk about regional economics with Christian Ochsner, an Assistant Professor at CERGE-EI. https://www.cerge-ei.cz https://www.instagram.com/cergeei/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/cergeei

Andreas Ortmann: Having Data Posted Should Be Done on a Regular Basis Sep 25, 2023 00:27:49 In a recent episode of Talking Economics, we embark on a journey with our special guest, Professor of Experimental and Behavioral Economy at the University of New South Wales Business School in Sydney, Australia, Professor Andreas Ortmann, to talk about behavioral economics, exploring the rise and challenges it faces now due to recent reports of fraudulent behavior in the field. https://www.cerge

Branislav Saxa: CBDC - the Future of Monetary System? Aug 15, 2023 00:28:25 What are the expectations and how far are the discussions on Central Bank Digital Currencies across the world? In a recent episode of Talking Economics, we took a closer look at digital currencies with Branislav Saxa, a CERGE-EI PhD alumnus, Principal Analyst, and Head of Monetary Analyses and Monetary Policy Transmission Team at Czech National Bank. https://www.cerge-ei.cz https://www.instagram.

Libor Krkoška: Crisis Response Is in Our DNA Jul 19, 2023 00:31:01 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is an international financial institution, established in 1991 to help Central and Eastern Europe transition to a market economy after the fall of communism. How has the bank’s mission changed over time and what are its priorities now? We discuss EBRD’s response to world changes with Libor Krkoška, a CERGE-EI PhD in Economics alumnus and EBRD De

Katarzyna Rzentarzewska: Tackling recent challenges in CEE region May 22, 2023 00:38:04 Central and Eastern European regions have undergone significant socioeconomic transformation; following the fall of communism in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and European Union’s accession in recent years. What are the main challenges for the regions’ economies now? We discuss CEE region’s economic performance with Katarzyna Rzentarzewska in our most recent episode of Talking Economics.Katarzy

Liyou Borga: Investing in Mental Health Will Pay Off Very Well Mar 28, 2023 00:26:46 The challenges of recent years bring mental health issues to the forefront of all science fields, including economics. In the most recent episode of Talking Economics, Katarína Stehlíková discusses long-term mental health trends and the effect of the pandemic with Liyou Borga. Liyou Borga is a CERGE-EI PhD graduate in Economics and a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Luxembourg Institute of Health. His

Štěpán Jurajda: Social Isolation is Costly Feb 27, 2023 00:21:47 Can humans cooperate with one another when facing extremely low survival chances? Do pre-existing social ties increase one's chances of survival in life-and-death situations? Social linkages in extreme circumstances are discussed with Štěpán Jurajda in Talking Economics. Štěpán Jurajda is the Mellon Endowment Professor with Tenure at CERGE-EI, a Full Professor at CERGE, Charles University, an

Sebastian Ottinger: Just a Few People Can Make a Difference Jan 31, 2023 00:36:21 When and why do national institutions change? Can some people living under particular institutions, such as democracy, play a crucial role in changing their institutions back home? Do national leaders matter? Katarína Stehlíková and Sebastian Ottinger look back to European history, and from the perspective of political economy, discuss its relevance for institutional change in today’s China or Rus

Gérard Roland: Empires, Nation States, and Democracies: Perspectives on the War in Ukraine Nov 28, 2022 00:36:24 Empires, nation states, and democracies: Perspectives on the war in Ukraine is what our anchor, Katarína Stehlíková, has discussed with our special guest, prof. Gérard Roland, in the latest episode of Talking Economics. Professor Gérard Roland is a member of CERGE-EI’s Executive and Supervisory Committee, an E. Morris Cox Professor of Economics, and Professor of Political Science at the University

Klára Kalíšková: There Are Big Reserves in Increasing Labor Force Sep 19, 2022 00:24:18 The Czech labor market situation has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and in recent months by the war in Ukraine. What are the main characteristics of the Czech labor market now? What changes has the labor market undergone in recent years? What is the position of women in the Czech labor market? In Talking Economics Katarína Stehlíková talks about these issues with Klára Kalíšková. Klár

Jaroslav Borovička: Think About the Long-Term Outlook Aug 19, 2022 00:36:47 How are monetary and fiscal policy, the main macroeconomic tools used to steer our economies, able to address the unprecedented challenges presented by the events of recent years, such as COVID-19, war on Ukraine, or increase in energy prices? In Talking Economics, Katarína Stehlíková and Jaroslav Borovička give us a macroeconomic look at the current economy. Jaroslav Borovička is a CERG

Silvester van Koten: We Need to Address the Shortage of Oil and Gas Jun 30, 2022 00:22:02 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has boosted the already high prices of oil and gas. How come the energy situation in the EU is so dependent on Russia? What are the prognoses for energy costs and related costs of living for the near future? Katarína Stehlíková talks about War on Ukraine’s effect on European energy with Silvester van Koten. Silvester is a CERGE-EI PhD Alumnus

Daniel Münich: It’s not about establishing Ukrainian classes and Ukrainian schools Jun 10, 2022 00:34:20 What are the main challenges children and teachers have to face in our schools due to an unprecedented inflow of Ukrainian children and youth into our educational system? Is the situation more complicated because schools suffered from the 2-year pandemic? Can we take this situation as an opportunity? Katarína Stehlíková talks about these questions with Daniel Münich. Daniel Münich is a CERGE-EI Ph

Dana Hájková: Increasing Interest Rates Are Very Important for Fighting High Domestic Inflationary Pressures May 27, 2022 00:26:36 Inflation and monetary policy have become hot topics recently. The world economy first seemed to be heading towards recession due to Covid. Now, we face huge increases in energy prices and soaring inflation. What are the main causes of such high inflation? Will the inflation go back to lower levels? Katarína Stehlíková asked Dana Hájková these questions in the latest episode of Talking Econom

Anna Pestova and Mikhail Mamonov: The Oil and Gas Embargos Would Cut the Russian Export Revenue by Only One Quarter Apr 21, 2022 00:37:26 What is the difference between the main sanctions imposed on Russia now and those from 2014/2017? What are the impacts of the sanctions? In Talking Economics, Katarína Stehlíková talks with Anna Pestova and Mikhail Mamonov on sanctions on Russia at the macro level. "The current sanctions are not able to stop the inflow of foreign currency totally. They are not able to change the model of export-re

Jared Laxton: Not Everybody Is Able to Make Decisions under Uncertainty. Mar 16, 2022 00:33:00 In the most recent Talking Economics Podcast, Katarína Stehlíková and Jared Laxton have a closer look at challenges and opportunities in economic forecasting and modeling. Jared moved to Prague about ten years ago and worked for six years in macroeconomic forecasting. He completed his Masters in Applied Economics at CERGE-EI in 2018 before moving to SpaceKnow, a start-up. According to him, he

Nikolas Mittag: The Pandemic has Brought on Questions for Designing Government Programs Jan 7, 2022 00:31:24 How has the current pandemic affected measuring and evaluating poverty and welfare programs? In Talking Economics, Katarína Stehlíková directs this question to Nikolas Mittag, Associate Professor with Tenure at CERGE-EI. According to Nikolas, the evaluation of government programs designed during the pandemic is essential: "The pandemic brought a lot of action to the idea of helping other peo

Richard Podpiera: COVID Was Not a Walk in the Park Dec 9, 2021 00:28:13 "How have banks survived the pandemics? And what are the trends in the banking industry?" In the Talking Economics Podcast, Katarína Stehlíková asks Richard Podpiera, CERGE-EI's Ph.D. Alumnus and ČSOB’s Executive Director. Richard thinks that banks have proven to be quite resilient during the pandemic: "But that does not mean that COVID was a walk in the park. We were shocked as any other industry

Daniel Münich: Increased Inequality Access to Good Education due to COVID Nov 10, 2021 00:27:26 "Have we learned anything new about the educational system during the pandemic? And why are the economics of education becoming more important these days?" asks Katarína Stehlíková in Talking Economics, a Podcast with Daniel Münich. Daniel Münich, a CERGE-EI Ph.D. in Economics and member of the CERGE-EI Faculty, points out that inequality emerged during the pandemic: "I mean inequality in access t

Silvester van Koten: Gas and Electricity Prices Should Go Down Around March 2022 Oct 27, 2021 00:24:17 Has the pandemic had a substantial impact on energy economics, or has the supply and use of energy worldwide remained stable during this time? And how does the current focus on climate change affect this interdisciplinary field? Katarína Stehlíková talks with Silvester van Koten also about the current increase in electricity prices in the Talking Economics Podcast. Silvester van Koten is a CERGE-E

Filip Pertold: Data Was the Key Over the Past Year Sep 15, 2021 00:30:41 What information do we need to introduce good economic policies? Have we learned anything from the pandemic? In the Talking Economics Podcast, Katarina Stehlíková talks with Filip Pertold and takes a closer look at data and its role in effective government.

Martina Miotto: Covid-19 Has Raised the Question of Inequality Once Again Aug 9, 2021 00:24:37 Has the current pandemic changed the role of women in family, society, and work? How does the crisis affect women in developing countries? In the Talking Economics Podcast, Katarina Stehlíková talks with Martina Miotto and takes a closer look at these and other questions related to Gender and Development Economics. Martina Miotto is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Economics Institute of the Czech Ac

Eva Hromádková: May We All Live Again in the Boring Times (Talking Economics Podcast) Jul 14, 2021 00:11:36 In the Talking Economics Podcast, Katarina Stehlíková talks with Eva Hromádková about health economics and its contribution to the current debate on health, healthcare, and healthcare policy. How has the pandemic changed health economics? „In the last year, interest seems to have seized most of the population. This is indeed great for the field, and I’m actually looking forward to all the new stud

Talking Economics with Jan Švejnar Jun 23, 2021 00:20:30 What are the biggest challenges in economics due to the COVID-19 pandemic? One of the questions answered by Jan Švejnar in the Talking Economics Podcast focused on the effects of the pandemic on the economics and economy.

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