At the Coalface
At the Coalface is a series of conversations hosted by Philippe Rose.
Philippe's guests share stories about their life beyond the headlines of international affairs. They look for lessons learned about making an impact in the world as practitioners in diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, journalism and the private sector.
Many of Philippe's guests are connected by their common experience of taking time away from work to attend graduate school at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University.
At the Coalface
Michael Klein - How to Talk About Economics Without Losing the Plot
In this episode, I speak with Professor Michael Klein, founder and co-editor of EconoFact and Professor of Economics at The Fletcher School. Michael has served as Chief Economist in the U.S. Treasury and as a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve and the IMF.
We discuss how sound economic analysis can cut through noise and polarization, and why clear communication of facts is critical for better policy. We talk about the motivation behind EconoFact, and how it helps bridge the gap between academic research and public understanding, offering accessible, evidence-based insights on today’s most debated economic issues.
This conversation explores the intersection of economics, policy, and public trust, and what it takes to communicate complexity with honesty and clarity in an age of information overload.
Recorded on 10 September 2025.
Connect with Michael on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/michael-klein-5979431 and at Econofact.org.
Instagram: @at.the.coalface
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