Slate Academy: The United States of Debt

The United States of Debt takes an in-depth look at the reality of owing money in America: how we get into debt, and how we can get out.

Episodes

The United States of Debt | Ep. 5 | The Collapse Of the American Dream

November 10, 2016 • 38 mins

In the wake of the housing crash and foreclosure crisis, millions of Americans lost their homes. Today, many people are still wrestling with the fallout of the crisis, with their credit all but destroyed. In Episode 5, Helaine explores the depth of America’s housing crisis. Why did so many people lose their homes to foreclosure? Who was responsible for the crisis anyway—individual home owners or bigger institutions? And if the cris...

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The United States of Debt | Ep. 4 | Drowning In Medical Debt

August 11, 2016 • 36 mins

Your health may be your most valuable asset, but for many Americans, it comes at a huge cost. Medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States. In episode 4, host Helaine Olen dives into the pile of bills surrounding America’s healthcare system. Why is going to the doctor such an expensive proposition for so many people? Has the Affordable Care Act changed any of that? And is there a realistic way to avoid ...

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The United States of Debt | Ep. 3 | The High Cost of Student Loans

July 12, 2016 • 39 mins

Today, Americans owe about 1.3 trillion dollars in student loans. But how does the impact of those student loans affect our economy? In episode 3, Helaine takes on America’s student loan crisis. Just how many of us are really burdened by the cost of pursuing a higher education, and is there a way out? Are student loans more common now, and why? Why are student loans such a mess in the United States, compared to other countries? An...

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The United States of Debt | Ep. 2 | The Trouble With Credit Cards

May 19, 2016 • 29 mins

Whether you’re struggling to get by on $30,000 a year or living off of a comfortable six-figure income, credit cards have become an inevitable part of American life. In this second episode of the United States of Debt, a Slate Academy, host Helaine Olen explores why so many of us run up more charges than we can easily pay off. What factors have allowed credit card companies to lend us money so indiscriminately, and could a 1978 Su...

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The United States of Debt | Ep. 1 | Why Do We Borrow So Much?

May 2, 2016 • 14 mins

Credit card debt is on the rise, student loan debt is at record levels, and millions of Americans continue to experience difficulty with housing and medical bills. In this first episode of the United States of Debt, a Slate Academy, host Helaine Olen begins to explore the state of debt in America. How much debt do we have, and what historical and cultural factors have influenced the recent rise of it? Is there a way that debt can ...

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The United States of Debt | Ep. 0 | Introduction

May 2, 2016 • 3 mins

This is a preview of The United States of Debt, our third Slate Academy. In this series, Slate columnist Helaine Olen will take an in-depth look at the realities of debt in America and explore why debt has become a shadow in so many lives—no matter how well things are going in the greater economy. Listen to this introductory episode to find out more. Access to all Slate Academies is included in your Slate Plus membership. To learn...

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Slate Academy: The United States of Debt

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}The United States of Debt | Ep. 5 | The Collapse Of the American Dream

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}The United States of Debt | Ep. 4 | Drowning In Medical Debt

The United States of Debt | Ep. 3 | The High Cost of Student Loans

The United States of Debt | Ep. 2 | The Trouble With Credit Cards

The United States of Debt | Ep. 1 | Why Do We Borrow So Much?

The United States of Debt | Ep. 0 | Introduction

Popular Podcasts

The United States of Debt | Ep. 5 | The Collapse Of the American Dream

The United States of Debt | Ep. 4 | Drowning In Medical Debt