It Turns Out

As heat waves, droughts, and surging insurance costs reshape American life, climate change has almost vanished from the national political debate. Why?On this episode of It Turns Out, Pulitzer-Prize–winning author and New Yorker staff writer Elizabeth Kolbert explains why politicians on both sides of the aisle are steering clear of the topic. At the EPA, Lee Zeldin has shed jobs and regulations - including on toxins like mercury. And Democrats appear to be suffering from what one lawmaker calls “climate silencing.” The physical consequences of climate change are accelerating. So why have leaders decided not to talk about it?If you're interested in our show on how climate-driven insurance costs reshape where Americans live - which gets mentioned in the conversation with Kolbert - you can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.Please subscribe to our newsletter on Substack, if you want more info about each show.Did you know you can also watch the show? Subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Despite endless corporate press releases and return-to-office mandates, the data reveals a surprising truth: the number of days worked from home has remained completely flat since 2023.Stanford economist Nick Bloom tells Kara what's going on, who's missing, and what the future holds. He also explains how work is impacting mental health, productivity, real estate prices, young workers, and - if you can believe it - fertility.In the show, we reference our show on "Should Americans have more kids?." You can find it here.You can subscribe to our Substack here.Did you know you can also watch the show? Subscribe to the show on YouTube!

There's a big spotlight - and a lot of resistance to - billionaires, from Elon Musk to Larry Ellison. But we’re missing an under-the-radar revolution in American wealth.The country is minting far more multimillionaires than it used to: People who make money in ways you might never think about, in amounts you can barely dream of. And these folks tend to be anonymous - but incredibly influential - urging politicians to shift the tax burden away from them. Will that pull the ladder up for the next generation?Princeton’s Owen Zidar, co-author of the new book The Everywhere Millionaire, joins Kara to talk about what we miss about wealth in America (plus, renting out Versailles for your wedding).Subscribe to our newsletter on Substack for more about this show - and every show.Did you know you can also watch the show? Subscribe to the show on YouTube!

Over the last 40 years, many of the wealthiest Americans have effectively seceded from taxation.While regular Americans - from teachers to surgeons - often pay between 25 and 50% of their income in taxes, lots of billionaires pay 5% (or less) in taxes each year. And their heirs can inherit fortunes tax free.How have we let this happen? And why don't more people know about it?Boston College scholar Ray Madoff - author of The Second Estate - talks about what's going on.Did you know you can also watch the show? Subscribe to the show on YouTube!Subscribe to our newsletter on Substack!

Why do affluent suburbs in Boston and Houston vote completely differently, yet share one surprising thing in common? Economist Melissa Kearney, author of The Two-Parent Privilege, reveals that one of America's most consequential divides isn't about red states versus blue states. It's about whether you're raising kids with a partner, and the economic advantages are stark and surprising. Subscribe to our newsletter on Substack, for more on Kearney and her work.Did you know you can also watch the show? Subscribe to the show on YouTube!