ASA Podcast: Media Panic vs. Economic Reality - What’s Really Going On?

This week on Keeping it Real, ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl returns to unpack why the economy feels downright spooky — even when the numbers tell a more balanced story. In Episode 32, he dives head-first into what he calls “media hysteria,” pointing out that sensational headlines often paint a more dramatic picture than the data behind them. So why does the news look so frightening when the underlying reality may not be? Dr. Kuehl explores the psychological tug-of-war between a “glass-half-full” and “glass-half-empty” view of today’s economy — and what that means for businesses navigating noisy signals.
 

Dr. Kuehl highlights a striking data point: U.S. GDP remains larger than China, Germany, Japan, and the U.K. combined — a reminder of the economy’s resilience and scale. Still, it’s not all smooth sailing. Certain sectors are feeling the strain more acutely than others, with manufacturing and automotive sectors working through headwinds while retail and AI-driven industries signal pockets of strength. As always, Dr. Kuehl stresses context — national economic figures can paint a broad picture, but industry-specific conditions and regional factors may look very different from the headlines.
 

Looking ahead, Dr. Kuehl addresses critical questions for ASA members: Will expected interest rate cuts have a meaningful impact? Could delayed projects spark a stronger-than-expected 2026? And where should distributors be watching for key signals in their markets? Whether you’re wary of market jitters or cautiously optimistic about what lies ahead, this episode breaks down the noise and helps leaders focus on what really matters.
 

Have a question for Dr. Kuehl? Send your topic ideas to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net to be featured in a future episode.

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