Hey Katie any insights (or even guesses) as to what’s going on in the housing market and when it might meaningfully affect the economy overall? I was just reading this morning that more home sales contracts were cancelled in December 2025 than even the first month of COVID. Anecdotally, it also feels like homes are just sitting for months on the market but still not dropping prices, which seems strange. I understand to some extent the myriad of reasons we aren’t back in 2008, but it still seems weird that economic pressures aren’t causing home sellers to drop their prices more. I would have said lack of demand, but can we even call what’s going on in the home market a lack of demand when so many people want houses? What’s going on here?
this is a great question and i'm going to look into it to see if any housing experts have theories — i have my own conjecture but that's not very useful so let me dig in and report back! lmao
The Economist is out here claiming Gen Z is a—checks math—TWELVE year generation? GTFOH. This is stolen Millennial Valor. Gen Z began in 1995 (essentially never having lived in a world untouched by Windows 95 and the PC revolution) and I will die on that hill.
More importantly: this sentence is one of the best I've ever read from you:
"A strange tension is produced when the very thing women fought so hard to transcend—a social mandate that the middle decades of your life be devoted to primary caretaking, regardless of your preferences—is now also economically out of reach for those who may have otherwise chosen it."
in my experience substack is *too* light on censorship; they don't censor anything or anyone (again, to my knowledge), which is why there's a serious concern about nazis on this platform not being deplatformed
Thanks. It concerns me that substack (an AndreesenHorowitz backed venture) is consolidating its position as the platform of choice for "independent" journalists/writers. After twitter/x and meta/fb/ig - it is maddening for me to see platform consolidation happening again! I don't understand, but writers seem to feel publishing on substack confers some sort of status (hat tip to Tressie MC). I'll $ubscribe to Diabolical Lies if you leave substack. I subscribed to Lyz Lenz when she relocated. :) In the meantime I'll listen to every other episode. Thx for your good work.
Long time listener first time caller. I’m looking at the domain money blurb (I know, advertising) but when you say you’ve outsourced bookkeeping and accounting..you’re actually using this service? I’m interested in it, it’s exactly what I need, I’m just millennial skeptical of everything I see and read, though you have more credit than a lot of sources I scroll across.
to clarify, yes, i actually work with a domain money CFP, but i hired a bookkeeper (who's an accountant full-time) to manage money with katie and mouthy media's books. domain doesn't do business accounting, just personal!
As an adult in the room, and as you like to refer to yourself as being........Katie, you have some growing up to do regarding your ability to think critically and finding the ability to not look through emotional lens. Just an observation from an adult in the room.
To make the feedback even more helpful for readers, would you please:
1. Point out the specific parts where you feel Katie’s tone comes across as emotional rather than critical.
2. Offer suggestions on how she—or anyone—might frame the analysis in a more critical or constructive manner.
Providing clear examples and actionable advice will strengthen the discussion; frankly, calling yourself the adult in the room without providing anything constructive in your criticism doesn't make you sound like an adult. It makes you sound like a sassy 14 year old.
I may do such in the future......but presently, I just want her to be aware that some, if not a lot of her readers, detect her emotional bias when it comes to national and international news stories. My intention was to raise her awareness and not be pointed or overly critical. More to come? Perhaps. Like I wrote, I may present specific examples in the future.......that's not my desire now. By the way, it was Katie who used the expression "adult in the room" first.
I think she does a decent amount of analysis to go with her reactions to things. Idk I subscribe in part for the emotional lens. If I wanted to read capitalist robots I’d read WSJ more often.
The WSJ is an interesting read......generally, the analysis of news attempts middle of the road but often slants left in perspective......I find the editorial page to lean more right for the most part.
I could ask you the same.....what qualifies you to respond to me? Listen, I got one like....clearly, some get it.....as to what I was saying. Essentially Katie's words regarding numbers are good, in my opinion,.......numbers can be spun and emoted upon of course..but, I don't read that with her. However, when it comes to the analysis of national news events or international I detect a strong emotional bias that prevents her from understanding another angle or point of view. My opinion and she allows folks to post their opinions. Done.
Being in a liberal bubble does not make anyone an "adult in the room"--at this point, we could all use a lot of humility and recognize most of us have no idea what's going on. It's comforting to link to a bunch of stuff that supports your views, but it's just make believe.
the "adults in the room" referenced in the headline is referring to all the news out of davos. if you have a specific critique or data to counter anything raised in this newsletter, feel free to share.
Re: ICE being a jobs program for losers, you should check out the research around "surplus men." I think that's exactly who ICE is recruiting, and we should be very scared.
Hey Katie any insights (or even guesses) as to what’s going on in the housing market and when it might meaningfully affect the economy overall? I was just reading this morning that more home sales contracts were cancelled in December 2025 than even the first month of COVID. Anecdotally, it also feels like homes are just sitting for months on the market but still not dropping prices, which seems strange. I understand to some extent the myriad of reasons we aren’t back in 2008, but it still seems weird that economic pressures aren’t causing home sellers to drop their prices more. I would have said lack of demand, but can we even call what’s going on in the home market a lack of demand when so many people want houses? What’s going on here?
this is a great question and i'm going to look into it to see if any housing experts have theories — i have my own conjecture but that's not very useful so let me dig in and report back! lmao
The Economist is out here claiming Gen Z is a—checks math—TWELVE year generation? GTFOH. This is stolen Millennial Valor. Gen Z began in 1995 (essentially never having lived in a world untouched by Windows 95 and the PC revolution) and I will die on that hill.
More importantly: this sentence is one of the best I've ever read from you:
"A strange tension is produced when the very thing women fought so hard to transcend—a social mandate that the middle decades of your life be devoted to primary caretaking, regardless of your preferences—is now also economically out of reach for those who may have otherwise chosen it."
you know that means the most coming from my reader with the most critical eye lol
This newsletter was fresh, informative, and entertaining! I’ve been loving your recent work, Katie 🤍
that's very kind milan, thank you!
Katie and Caro: Seeing the censorship on platforms backed (or run by) right wing people, why is Substack any different?
in my experience substack is *too* light on censorship; they don't censor anything or anyone (again, to my knowledge), which is why there's a serious concern about nazis on this platform not being deplatformed
Thanks. It concerns me that substack (an AndreesenHorowitz backed venture) is consolidating its position as the platform of choice for "independent" journalists/writers. After twitter/x and meta/fb/ig - it is maddening for me to see platform consolidation happening again! I don't understand, but writers seem to feel publishing on substack confers some sort of status (hat tip to Tressie MC). I'll $ubscribe to Diabolical Lies if you leave substack. I subscribed to Lyz Lenz when she relocated. :) In the meantime I'll listen to every other episode. Thx for your good work.
Long time listener first time caller. I’m looking at the domain money blurb (I know, advertising) but when you say you’ve outsourced bookkeeping and accounting..you’re actually using this service? I’m interested in it, it’s exactly what I need, I’m just millennial skeptical of everything I see and read, though you have more credit than a lot of sources I scroll across.
to clarify, yes, i actually work with a domain money CFP, but i hired a bookkeeper (who's an accountant full-time) to manage money with katie and mouthy media's books. domain doesn't do business accounting, just personal!
As an adult in the room, and as you like to refer to yourself as being........Katie, you have some growing up to do regarding your ability to think critically and finding the ability to not look through emotional lens. Just an observation from an adult in the room.
the "adults in the room" referenced in this headline are referring to the world leaders saying crazy shit at Davos, not me referring to myself
I was about to respond to Rick saying the title was clearly in jest but you beat me to it :)
Hi Rick,
To make the feedback even more helpful for readers, would you please:
1. Point out the specific parts where you feel Katie’s tone comes across as emotional rather than critical.
2. Offer suggestions on how she—or anyone—might frame the analysis in a more critical or constructive manner.
Providing clear examples and actionable advice will strengthen the discussion; frankly, calling yourself the adult in the room without providing anything constructive in your criticism doesn't make you sound like an adult. It makes you sound like a sassy 14 year old.
I may do such in the future......but presently, I just want her to be aware that some, if not a lot of her readers, detect her emotional bias when it comes to national and international news stories. My intention was to raise her awareness and not be pointed or overly critical. More to come? Perhaps. Like I wrote, I may present specific examples in the future.......that's not my desire now. By the way, it was Katie who used the expression "adult in the room" first.
Daddy!
I think she does a decent amount of analysis to go with her reactions to things. Idk I subscribe in part for the emotional lens. If I wanted to read capitalist robots I’d read WSJ more often.
The WSJ is an interesting read......generally, the analysis of news attempts middle of the road but often slants left in perspective......I find the editorial page to lean more right for the most part.
What specifically was too emotional for you? What are your qualifications for evaluating critical thinking?
I could ask you the same.....what qualifies you to respond to me? Listen, I got one like....clearly, some get it.....as to what I was saying. Essentially Katie's words regarding numbers are good, in my opinion,.......numbers can be spun and emoted upon of course..but, I don't read that with her. However, when it comes to the analysis of national news events or international I detect a strong emotional bias that prevents her from understanding another angle or point of view. My opinion and she allows folks to post their opinions. Done.
There is nothing of substance in your comment. “Words regarding numbers are good” Could you be any more vague, my guy?
Couldn't agree more, just an aggrieved human spouting her venom.
and yet you're here in these comments, linda <333
Uh, “adults in the room” was a reference to the world leaders at Davos. Notice its plural, since you like when words are about numbers.
yes, adults in the room = the world leaders at davos
bruh what are you doing
Am I the bruh? Ha........well Katie, I did get a reaction.
Being in a liberal bubble does not make anyone an "adult in the room"--at this point, we could all use a lot of humility and recognize most of us have no idea what's going on. It's comforting to link to a bunch of stuff that supports your views, but it's just make believe.
the "adults in the room" referenced in the headline is referring to all the news out of davos. if you have a specific critique or data to counter anything raised in this newsletter, feel free to share.
Re: ICE being a jobs program for losers, you should check out the research around "surplus men." I think that's exactly who ICE is recruiting, and we should be very scared.
Yes, that research is mentioned in the episode.
Oh good. That ep is paywalled but was hoping to listen to it.