Speaking of the Economy

The ways that rural communities improve the flow of capital was one of the topics covered at the 2026 Investing in Rural America Conference, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in partnership with the Federal Reserve System and Rural LISC. In this episode, Jason Smith, the Richmond Fed's senior community development advisor, discusses what the Bank has done to improve capital investment in rural areas. We also hear from three conference speakers: Robin Hacke, co-founder and senior fellow at the Center for Community Investment; Alex Flachsbart, founder and CEO of OPAL Community Capital; and Diane Standaert, senior vice president of policy and advocacy at HOPE Credit Union.
Full transcript and related links: https://www.richmondfed.org/podcasts/speaking_of_the_economy/2026/speaking_2026_11_04_IRA_credit_formation

Raj Chetty discusses his research on economic mobility and variations in how readily people can climb the income ladder, especially in rural communities. Chetty, an economics professor at Harvard University and director of Opportunity Insights, gave the keynote address at the Investing in Rural America Conference in September 2026.
Full transcript and related links: https://www.richmondfed.org/podcasts/speaking_of_the_economy/2026/speaking_2026_10_21_IRA_chetty

Kyle DeMaria and Urvi Neelakantan talk about their recent research on people who work multiple jobs and what this segment of the labor market says about the overall economy. DeMaria is a regional economist and advisor for workforce pathways and Neelakantan is a senior policy economist, both at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
Full transcript and related links: https://www.richmondfed.org/podcasts/speaking_of_the_economy/2026/speaking_2026_10_14_job_juggling

Sarah Gunn describes an online tool developed by the Federal Reserve to help students explore their post-high school career and education options and choose the path that is best for them. Gunn is district outreach manager for community development at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
Full transcript and related links: https://www.richmondfed.org/podcasts/speaking_of_the_economy/2026/speaking_2026_10_07_invest_in_whats_next

Andy Bauer and Renee Haltom share what they have learned through conversations with Fifth District businesses about consumer spending and how it has responded to cost increases and other economic headwinds. Bauer and Haltom are regional executives at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
Full transcript and related links: https://www.richmondfed.org/podcasts/speaking_of_the_economy/2026/speaking_2026_09_23_the_creative_consumer