Listen "Why hasn’t student debt been canceled?"
Episode Synopsis
Dylan and Dara are joined by Vox’s Libby Nelson to talk about the policy merits and political implications of plans to cancel some or all student loans. They also discuss whether President Joe Biden has the power to cancel student debt unilaterally. And, Vox’s Jerusalem Demsas joins Dylan and Dara for a white paper about prisoners of war and genetics.
References:
Brookings Institution’s Andre Perry on why student loan forgiveness isn't regressive
How canceling student debt helps beneficiaries get out of other debt
The racial justice case for student loan cancellation
Luke Herrine arguing that the Department of Education can erase debt unilaterally
Is there a secret memo saying Biden can erase the debt?
David Leonhardt’s case against debt cancellation
White Paper of the Week: “Health Shocks of the Father and Longevity of the Children's Children”
Hosts:
Dylan Matthews (@dylanmatt), senior correspondent, Vox
Jerusalem Demsas (@jerusalemdemsas), policy reporter, Vox
Dara Lind (@dlind), immigration reporter
Libby Nelson (@libbyanelson) policy editor, Vox
Credits:
Sofi LaLonde, producer and engineer
Libby Nelson, editorial adviser
Amber Hall, deputy editorial director of talk podcasts
Sign up for The Weeds newsletter each Friday: vox.com/weedsletter
Want to support The Weeds? Please consider making a donation to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
References:
Brookings Institution’s Andre Perry on why student loan forgiveness isn't regressive
How canceling student debt helps beneficiaries get out of other debt
The racial justice case for student loan cancellation
Luke Herrine arguing that the Department of Education can erase debt unilaterally
Is there a secret memo saying Biden can erase the debt?
David Leonhardt’s case against debt cancellation
White Paper of the Week: “Health Shocks of the Father and Longevity of the Children's Children”
Hosts:
Dylan Matthews (@dylanmatt), senior correspondent, Vox
Jerusalem Demsas (@jerusalemdemsas), policy reporter, Vox
Dara Lind (@dlind), immigration reporter
Libby Nelson (@libbyanelson) policy editor, Vox
Credits:
Sofi LaLonde, producer and engineer
Libby Nelson, editorial adviser
Amber Hall, deputy editorial director of talk podcasts
Sign up for The Weeds newsletter each Friday: vox.com/weedsletter
Want to support The Weeds? Please consider making a donation to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More episodes of the podcast Explain It to Me
Why everyone is sick right now
11/01/2026
Internet bad
04/01/2026
Is your brain lying to you?
21/12/2025
Let AI replace you
14/12/2025
The rise of the introverts
07/12/2025
Talk turkey to me
23/11/2025
The case for renting forever
16/11/2025
Why your health insurance is so expensive
09/11/2025
That text is a scam
02/11/2025
Paging Dr. ChatBot
26/10/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.