Podcast appearances and mentions of John F Wasik

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 15, 2024 is: purloin • per-LOYN • verb To purloin is to take something that belongs to someone else—that is, to steal it. Purloin is much more formal-sounding than steal, but is often—though not always—encountered in humorous contexts, suggesting that the theft is not serious. // The puppy managed to purloin a few cookies from the plate when no one was looking. // The studio stepped up security, fearing that someone might attempt to purloin a copy of the script for the show's season finale. See the entry > Examples: “The pitch for every tax scam is the same: ‘We will help you avoid paying the IRS.' While there are hundreds of legitimate ways to reduce your federal income tax bill, fraud merchants purloin millions through what the IRS calls its ‘Dirty Dozen.' Most of the swindles involve bogus tax breaks.” — John F. Wasik, Forbes, 5 May 2023 Did you know? Picture a pie cooling on a windowsill. Peach, possibly, or perhaps plum—with perfect perfumed plumes puffing out from the holes poked in its crust. And then, suddenly, the pie is gone (as is our alliteration, at least for now). Those familiar with the classic pie-windowsill thievery of cartoons and comics know that the dessert has not been merely stolen, or even swiped, but purloined! Purloin comes from the Anglo-French verb purluigner, meaning “to prolong, postpone, or set aside.” English speakers of the 15th century borrowed purloin to use it in much the same way, applying it when someone sets something aside, concealing it so that it cannot be used by someone else. The sense meaning “to steal” developed not long after in the same century. The whiff of unseriousness often carried by purloin is not a constant; even today, it is common to read reports of people purloining large sums of money, not just delicious plum pies. But purloin does tend to carry the same particular piquancy as pinch and pilfer.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for April 3, 2024 is: lambaste • lam-BAYST • verb To lambaste something or someone is to criticize them very harshly. Lambaste is also sometimes used as a synonym of beat meaning “to assault.” // The coach lambasted the team for its poor play. See the entry > Examples: “They come and go like pop songs and can make your head spin. Boiled down, though, most diet longevity studies lambaste the ‘Standard American Diet' (SAD), which contributes to inflammation that may trigger diabetes, heart disease, strokes and possibly Alzheimer's disease.” — John F. Wasik, Market Watch, 5 Dec. 2023 Did you know? The origins of lambaste (which can also be spelled lambast) are somewhat uncertain, but the word was most likely formed by combining the verbs lam and baste, both of which mean “to beat severely.” (This baste is unrelated to either the sewing or cooking one.) Although lambaste started out in the 1600s meaning “to assault violently,” English speakers were by the 1800s applying it in cases involving harsh attacks made with words rather than fists. This new sense clearly struck a chord; after fighting its way into the lexicon, lambaste has held fast ever since.

Abraham Lincoln’s view of the right to fulfill one’s economic destiny was at the core of his own beliefs—but some believe that he thought no one could climb that ladder without strong federal support. Some of his most enduring plans came to him before the Civil War, visions of a country linked by railroads running ocean to ocean, canals turning small towns into bustling cities, public works bridging farmers to market.Today’s guest John F. Wasik, author of “Lincolnomics” tracks Lincoln from his time in the 1830s as a young Illinois state legislator pushing for internal improvements; through his work as a lawyer representing the Illinois Central Railroad in the 1840s; to his presidential fight for the Transcontinental Railroad; and his support of land-grant colleges that educated a nation. To Lincoln, infrastructure meant not only the roads, bridges, and canals he shepherded as a lawyer and a public servant, but also much more.These brick-and-mortar developments were essential to how the nation could lift citizens above poverty and its isolating origins. Lincoln paved the way for Eisenhower’s interstate highways and FDR’s social amenities. We discuss:⋅ Lincoln’s championing of the Transcontinential Railroad and pivotal public works preceding it, including the Illinois Central Railroad and the Illinois & Michigan Canal;⋅ How infrastructure both hindered and enabled the Confederate and Lincoln-led UnionArmies during the Civil War;⋅ Lincoln’s support for land-grant colleges, the foundation for today’s public universities across the country; and⋅ Lincoln’s true dedication to infrastructure, among them the sketch of a town he surveyed, and a design he created and patented.

John F. Wasik of the New York Times lists 7 Steps to Take Now to Catch Up on Retirement Savings See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John F. Wasik of the New York Times lists 7 Steps to Take Now to Catch Up on Retirement Savings See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview with Lincolnomics Author John F. Was from March 2021.

(4/22/21) Some of Abraham Lincoln’s most enduring policies came to him before the Civil War, visions of a country linked by railroads running ocean to ocean, canals turning small towns into bustling cities, public works bridging farmers to market. John F. Wasik’s new book Lincolnomics: How President Lincoln Constructed the Great American Economy tracks Lincoln from his time in the 1830s as a young Illinois state legislator pushing for internal improvements to his presidential fight to build the Transcontinental Railroad. Join us for a look at why Lincoln believed these brick-and-mortar developments were essential to lifting citizens above poverty in this installment of Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI.

John F. Wasik just finished his 15th book, How to Eliminate College Debt at Every Step (Forbes). Student debt is a national crisis growing worse. And not all colleges are worth it. The name-brand schools are just not doable for most students. The less glamorous but well accredited and highly-endowed schools offer the best opportunity. But four-year colleges are not for everybody either. Many community and commuter colleges are excellent places to start. Online colleges are iffy at best, but those called distant learning centers require some form of on-campus presence and mutual communication, are accredited, and worthwhile. Private schools cost more but may be more generous with scholarships and other benefits. State 529 Savings Plans and Prepaid Tuition Plans and The Uniform Gift to Minors Act are excellent programs, but all have restrictions. Stafford Loans are federally guaranteed and subsidized and have flexible terms. Applicants must complete the FAFSA form, which is dreaded for its complexity. But John Wasik himself recently engaged it in his daughter's behalf and said it wasn't that bad. Nice words from the author of 15 books on the subject. Website: johnwasik.net, email:johnwasik@gmail.com

John F. Wasik just finished his 15th book, How to Eliminate College Debt at Every Step (Forbes). Student debt is a national crisis growing worse. And not all colleges are worth it. The name-brand schools are just not doable for most students. The less glamorous but well accredited and highly-endowed schools offer the best opportunity. But four-year colleges are not for everybody either. Many community and commuter colleges are excellent places to start. Online colleges are iffy at best, but those called distant learning centers require some form of on-campus presence and mutual communication, are accredited, and worthwhile. Private schools cost more but may be more generous with scholarships and other benefits. State 529 Savings Plans and Prepaid Tuition Plans and The Uniform Gift to Minors Act are excellent programs, but all have restrictions. Stafford Loans are federally guaranteed and subsidized and have flexible terms. Applicants must complete the FAFSA form, which is dreaded for its complexity. But John Wasik himself recently engaged it in his daughter's behalf and said it wasn't that bad. Nice words from the author of 15 books on the subject. Website: johnwasik.net, email:johnwasik@gmail.com

In the second part of the Goldstein on Gelt Show, John F. Wasik, author of Keynes’s Way to Wealth, talks about the famous economist John Maynard Keynes and his approach to investing. And do Keynesian theories about government spending still apply today?

John Maynard Keynes, one of the most influential economists of the 20th century whose ideas still affect economic policy, was also a shrewd investor who built up a multi-million dollar personal portfolio. In this interview, John F. Wasik reveals Keynes's successful investment strategies that you can learn from to become a better investor now. He will explain how Keynes assembled his investment portfolio, how he acted as a contrarian, how he saw the power of compounding dividends, and how he traded commodities profitably. Learn from one of the greatest economists of all time how to be an extremely successful investor!

John Maynard Keynes, one of the most influential economists of the 20th century whose ideas still affect economic policy, was also a shrewd investor who built up a multi-million dollar personal portfolio. In this interview, John F. Wasik reveals Keynes's successful investment strategies that you can learn from to become a better investor now. He will explain how Keynes assembled his investment portfolio, how he acted as a contrarian, how he saw the power of compounding dividends, and how he traded commodities profitably. Learn from one of the greatest economists of all time how to be an extremely successful investor!