The Hidden Costs: How Global Tariffs Affect Our Social Lives, Smriti Kirubanandan a.k.a Simi

04/16/25 • 8 min

I'm diving into a fascinating topic this episode: how global tariff increases affect our wallets and social connections. With global tariff rates up 57% since 2021, households are spending 7-11% more on consumer goods, leading to a 14% decrease in social spending for every 5% increase in essential goods pricing. The health implications are significant - reduced social interaction correlates with increased depression, chronic stress, and loneliness. I'll share compelling data from countries worldwide showing how economic pressures are forcing people to cut back on social activities.

The good news is communities are developing creative solutions that I'm excited to explore. I'll highlight three approaches: resource-sharing systems like tool libraries and childcare exchanges that reduce costs while building relationships; rediscovering free social activities with park usage up 42% in tariff-affected areas; and consistency over frequency in social interactions. I'll share stories from communities worldwide who've found that navigating economic challenges together often creates stronger bonds than before. The episode will conclude with practical suggestions for maintaining social connections despite financial constraints, emphasizing that meaningful connections don't require significant spending.

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Click, Book, Heal: Reimagining Healthcare Access with Oliver Kharraz, CEO @Zocdoc

In our candid conversation leveraging Fast Company's September 2024 feature, Dr. Oliver Kharraz reveals the harsh realities of healthcare technology innovation. "When we launched ZocDoc in 2007, I watched wave after wave of self-proclaimed 'disruptors' enter the healthcare arena like lions, only to retreat like lambs," he shares, pointing out that 90% of healthtech startups have gone bust.

The stark truth is that even tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google have struggled to make meaningful inroads in an industry that resists quick fixes. With America spending $4.8 trillion on healthcare annually and 73% of adults feeling the system is failing them, Kharraz argues that the solution isn't radical disruption, but what he calls "inside-out pragmatism" – a methodical, patient approach that understands and works within the existing healthcare ecosystem.

Diving into the seven critical challenges facing healthtech, Kharraz pulls back the curtain on the industry's complex landscape. From the fragmentation of 340,000 physician practices running on hundreds of electronic health record systems to the intricate dance of stakeholder incentives, he emphasizes that healthcare technology can't be treated like any other consumer sector. "Moving fast and breaking things simply doesn't work when people's lives are at stake," he explains, recounting ZocDoc's own near-death experience navigating regulatory ambiguities.

The most profound insight emerges in his belief that technology's role is not to replace healthcare providers, but to connect, enhance, and incrementally improve a system that requires deep understanding, patience, and a commitment to solving complex problems one step at a time. For Kharraz, the future of healthcare technology lies not in disruption, but in pragmatic, thoughtful innovation that respects the nuanced human elements of medical care.

About

Oliver Kharraz, MD, is CEO and founder of Zocdoc. Oliver is the most recent doctor in a 300-year family tradition. Over the course of his wide-ranging career, Oliver has accrued comprehensive experience effecting change and building efficiency in large scale healthcare organizations using information technology.

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The Jason Carter Interview: Boots on the Ground, Roots in the Community

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Jason Carter — grandson of President Jimmy Carter and a force in global health and justice in his own right. As we talk, Jason reflects on the unique balance of carrying a legacy while forging his own path. He shares how his work — from the Georgia Senate to chairing the Carter Center — is rooted in impact, not just identity. He’s thoughtful, grounded, and refreshingly open as he walks us through the shifts he sees in global public health, especially in a post-Covid world, where our interconnectedness is more real than ever.

Throughout the conversation, Jason keeps bringing us back to what truly matters: people. Whether we’re talking about eradicating Guinea worm in Uganda or building trust with communities in Mali, he makes it clear that real change comes from deep relationships, not surface-level aid. We dive into how the Carter Center’s “boots and roots” approach — building long-term, locally led partnerships — is creating powerful, sustainable change. He opens up about the role of trust, technology, and even business in shaping the future of health equity, reminding us that solutions don’t just live in labs — they live in people.

And as we wrap, the energy is still buzzing. Jason drops insights about purpose, legacy, and the surprising value of simplicity — stories that make you pause, reflect, and rethink what it means to make a difference. This isn’t just a conversation; it’s a moment. One that, as the Japanese phrase goes — ichigo ichie — happens only once in a lifetime.

About

Jason Carter is an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Georgia State Senate from 2011 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he gained prominence as a candidate for governor of Georgia in 2014, where he challenged incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Carter is also the grandson of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Throughout his career, he has focused on issues such as education, healthcare, and economic equality. Known for his advocacy for working families and his commitment to public service, Carter has also worked as a civil rights attorney and a community leader.

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