The podcast episodes extensively discuss the relationship between wage growth and inflation, examining how wage growth outpacing inflation can create a disconnect between economic data and public perception of the economy.

The episodes explore variations in wage growth across different industries and income levels, as well as how factors like the labor market, Federal Reserve policy, and public policy can impact wage trends. Several episodes also analyze how wage growth relates to other economic indicators like consumer sentiment, productivity, and housing costs.

For example, The wages vs. inflation horse race episode from Marketplace dives deep into the topic, while U.S. Economy FAQ from Plain English with Derek Thompson cites persistent wage growth as a factor contributing to stagnating disinflation.