Lynn Thoman

Hi, everyone.

I'm Lynn Thoman, and this is Three Takeaways.

On Three Takeaways, I talk with some of the world's best thinkers, business leaders, writers, politicians, newsmakers, and scientists.

Each episode ends with three key takeaways to help us understand the world and maybe even ourselves a little better.

Today, I am really glad to be joined by Raj Chetty.

Raj is a Harvard professor who studies opportunity in America.

He and his team at Opportunity Insights follow people's lives over time to see what truly helps kids get ahead.

Their findings are being used by more than 200 cities in over 40 states to improve outcomes for lower income families and children.

He's just completed a major new study on what it really takes to create high opportunity neighborhoods.

Raj, thanks so much for joining Three Takeaways today.

It is my pleasure.

Let's start big.

When people talk about the American dream today, what's actually happening to economic opportunity in America?

Is part of that because economic growth in the 40s and 50s was so much more rapid than economic growth today?

You're talking about the American dream and opportunity from work as opposed to income from government payments and subsidies.

For families starting at the bottom, kids born into the lowest income households, how difficult is it for them to actually move up?

That is really sobering.

When you step back and look across decades of data, what actually helps people move up?

What matters most?

A lot of people think poverty is mainly about money.