Economics Shortie with Amanda Janoo

We make up the economy. You and me, all of us, together; the people. 

“An economy [is really, just] a term for the systems we build to produce and provide for one another.” 

At least, that’s how Amanda Janoo, WEAll’s Knowledge & Policy Lead, puts it.

In the recent Decades for Courage Podcast, Amanda explained how 

“The economy is not something given, it’s not governed by some magical laws, it’s something that is made and remade all the time on the basis of our individual and collective decisions.”

However, we’re working under a model that doesn’t support – or share – that idea. 

Through the hour-long podcast, Amanda Janoo, Hunter Lovins and host, Dana Gulley, discuss the myths about our current capitalist, neoliberal system. And, provide a vision to move away from it.

Amanda urges us to reframe how we think about the purpose of the economy and to imagine different outcomes from this system. 

“We have the capacity and resources to build a system that ensures people have the things that are necessary for their own flourishing.” 

In the midst of this global pandemic, much talk is focused on getting the economy moving again, that we need to jumpstart it – as if the economy is a thing that we are here to service. 

Instead, we need to begin to think about the economy as something that we create, and it is in service of us. 

Flipping this narrative allows us to recognise our role in steering the economy for our collective wellbeing – and empowers us to take back control when it feels the global circumstances are leaving us powerless. 

This inspiring podcast gives hope for a better world. Both Amanda and Hunter share captivating anecdotes about current progress being made in the transition toward a Wellbeing Economy. 

Listen to the entire podcast here. 

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