Navigating Our Financial Times

An AZPM original podcast examining how today's shifting economic landscape affects Arizona families, retirees, workers, and businesses. Hosted by Nicole Cox and Linda O'Bryon with expert guests from academia and journalism, each episode offers clarity, context, and conversation on the real-world impacts of inflation, tariffs, labor shifts, housing, and more — all through a local lens.

16 episodes

27d ago latest

monthly cadence

English language

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Episodes 16

The Rising Costs of Being a Fan: Private equity, streaming services and online betting in sports
27d ago · 49:13
Few things bring Americans together the way sports can: Regardless of cultural, political and generational divides, we love to get together for 'the big game,' to cheer on our teams and follow along with the victories and heartbreaks that are part of the sports narrative. But with the business side of sports evolving, fans have been subject to notable cost increases in ticket prices and home viewing access. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this year that prices for admission to sporting events increased by 123% from 2000 to 2025. This month on Navigating Our Financial Times, hosts Linda
Healthcare Access: Policy, Tech, and Price Increases
1mo ago · 55:06
One year has passed since President Donald Trump signed the HR 1 Reconciliation Bill, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. Amid the swath of concerns over expected cuts to healthcare coverage, Medicaid programs and health services in rural and tribal areas of Arizona, Hosts Linda O’Bryon and Nicole Cox sit down with two health experts to discuss what changes are coming. Emma Wager, a senior analyst for the nonpartisan health policy organization KFF, and Dr. Daniel Derksen, Director of the University of Arizona Center for Rural Health share insights on policy changes to the healthcare
The Economics of Space Exploration
3mo ago · 32:58
With ongoing investments in new technologies, mineral extraction and missions for exploration, predictions show the “global space economy” could reach beyond $1 Trillion by the 2030s. Dani DellaGiustina, Ph. D., served as a deputy principal investigator in NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex mission. She breaks down the different ways public and private sectors are investing resources toward space exploration.
Making Sense of the Economy with Planet Money's New Book
3mo ago · 49:06
Listeners have long been learning about "the economic forces that shape our lives" on NPR podcast Planet Money. And now, thanks to contributor Alex Mayyasi and the Planet Money hosts, they can also turn to the pages of a book for anecdotes, visuals and more. Hosts Linda O'Bryon and Nicole Cox sit down with Mayassi and Kenny Malone to discuss the state of the economy through Planet Money's lens.
529 Plans and Financial Literacy with Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee
4mo ago · 39:26
Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee joins hosts Nicole Cox and Linda O'Bryon for this special Financial Literacy Month episode. Treasurer Yee discusses the state’s 529 Education Savings Plan, which helps Arizonans save for a number of educational opportunities, as well as the work her administration has done to bolster financial education. GUESTS: Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee
Affordability Solutions in the Housing Market
6mo ago · 47:17
Hosts Nicole Cox and Linda O'Bryon explore a key political issue facing the US: Housing affordability and availability. We hear from two experts from the University of Arizona whose research explores pathways to increasing housing affordability across the state of Arizona and the greater southwest region. We also check in with Wall Street Journal investing columnist Spencer Jakab for a macroeconomic look at the factors at play the housing market nationwide. GUESTS: Spencer Jakab, investing columnist for the Wall Street Journal; Kenny Wong, University of Arizona Lecturer in Sustainable Built En
2026 Stock Market Outlook and the "January Effect"
7mo ago · 47:42
What are some of the economic, geopolitical and tech-based factors driving market trends this January? Nicole Cox and Linda O'Bryon speak with Wall Street Journal investing columnist Spencer Jakab for a deep-dive into the stock market outlook in 2026 and what investors can anticipate.
School choice, federal student aid, and the future of education
8mo ago · 45:28
With reports of falling enrollment in public schools, changes to federal student aid and the dismantling of the US Department of Education, what do people need to pay attention to in today’s education landscape? Matt Barnum, editor and columnist for Chalkbeat Ideas and Jason Gonzales, Higher Ed and Legislative Matters Reporter for Chalkbeat Colorado join us to discuss these topics and more.
Tax tips for charitable giving
9mo ago · 49:20
With changes to the tax law coming in 2026, 2025 is turning out to be a strategic year for philanthropic planning. On this edition of AZPM's “Navigating Our Financial Times,” CPA Edward Zollars joins the conversation once again to discuss how those changes may reshape plans for charitable giving.
Fraud Watch: Protecting yourself against phone scams
10mo ago · 37:39
The Federal Trade Commission says Americans reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, up 25% from the year before. What's driving the surge, and which scam is hitting consumers the hardest? Amy Nofziger, director of victim support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network joins hosts Nicole Cox and Linda O'Bryon to discuss common scams targeting Americans, particularly through their mobile phones.
How tax changes in the "Big, Beautiful Bill' will affect you
11mo ago · 30:03
2025 is shaping up to be a huge year for tax policy, but how will the recent changes to tax laws actually affect you? Edward Zollars, CPA from Thomas, Zollars, and Lynch, joins hosts Linda O'Bryon and Nicole Cox to break down the changes to the federal tax laws in the "Big Beautiful Bill," and what it means for your wallet.
Is insolvency inevitable? A look at Social Security's future
11mo ago · 25:06
The Social Security Administration marked its 90th anniversary in August. Some analysts have predicted that the program could become insolvent and unable to pay benefits as early as 2032. Maya MacGuineas, President of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins host Linda O'Bryon and AZPM Radio Director Nicole Cox to discuss the future sustainability of the program.
The financial cost of uncertainty
1y ago · 20:29
AZPM Radio Program Director Nicole Cox sits down with Linda O'Bryon, founding executive editor of Nightly Business Report, and Tom Hudson, senior economics editor for WLRN Public Radio to discuss financial unpredictability from low consumer confidence, tariffs, and shifting global markets. Plus, the trio answers listener questions on job hunting in a cooling economy, housing supply shortages, Social Security's shrinking buying power, and the safety net of FDIC insurance. Recorded May 7, 2025.
Is Arizona's economy facing a deceleration?
1y ago · 23:19
We take a deep dive into Arizona's economic outlook. What will be the impact of tariffs, immigration crackdowns on labor, and changing economic policies on sectors like housing, tourism, manufacturing, and healthcare? Host Nicole Cox is joined by guest experts Linda O'Bryon, a nationally recognized journalist and broadcaster, and George Hammond, Director of the Economic and Business Research Center at the University of Arizona to discuss these topics and more.
Linda O'Bryon on today's economy, markets, tariffs, and retirement planning
1y ago · 29:01
AZPM's Nicole Cox speaks with journalist and broadcaster Linda O'Bryon about U.S. economic uncertainty, recent GDP contraction, recession risks, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and the influence of the bond market. Plus, we answer your questions about retirement planning, required minimum distributions, and investment philosophy.
Navigating Our Financial Times | episode trailer
11mo ago · 0:30
How today's shifting economic landscape affects Arizona families, retirees, workers, and businesses. Hosted by Nicole Cox with expert guests from academia and journalism, each episode offers clarity, context, and conversation on the real-world impacts of inflation, tariffs, labor shifts, housing, and more — all through a local lens.