Social Security has lifted millions of seniors out of poverty, but it's under attack. In our latest episode, Dean Baker sits down with Nancy Altman, who's spent 50 years defending this critical program. Nancy cuts through the political noise to reveal what's really happening: how interference in the Social Security Administration puts our data at risk, why the system is actually incredibly efficient, and how fraud claims are being weaponized to undermine public trust. This isn't just about retirees. Social Security affects every working American, and the threats Nancy and Dean discuss could impact your future benefits. They make the case for why we need to strengthen - not weaken - this essential safety net.

In this episode, we are talking about the tipped minimum wage with Dr. Sylvia Allegretto, CEPR Senior Economist. unpacks the little-known but widespread practice of paying tipped workers a sub-minimum wage—just $2.13 an hour at the federal level since 1991. Dean and Sylvia discuss how this "tip credit" system effectively shifts much of the wage burden from employers to customers, enables wage theft, and leaves millions of workers vulnerable, while highlighting policy solutions and the need for reform.

Today's episode looks at the inefficiencies and inequities of the current U.S. healthcare system, highlighting the administrative waste and barriers to care created by private insurance, and explore how a single-payer system could deliver universal coverage, reduce costs, and improve health outcomes. The conversation also addresses the political and economic pathways to achieving Medicare for All, including the potential for major savings on prescription drugs and the feasibility of financing universal healthcare through a reallocation of current spending and targeted tax reforms.