The United States spends more on defense than the next ten countries combined. What if even a fraction of that went toward clean energy, infrastructure, or debt reduction instead?
"What We Leave" is a micro podcast exploring the peace economy. The idea is that we can convert defense-dependent industries and communities toward civilian, sustainable purposes.
Drawing on the work of economist Seymour Melman and contemporary movements like the Peace Economy Project, each 3-5 minute episode examines one piece of this puzzle: the policy levers, the economic logic, and the human stakes.
This isn't about being anti-military.
It's about asking a harder question: what kind of economy do we want to leave behind?
What if the people on the other side of the political divide aren't as extreme as we think they are?
Research from More in Common found that Americans imagine almost twice as many of their political opponents hold extreme views than actually do. The people with the most distorted perceptions aren't the ones tuned out. They're the ones most tuned in. Robert explores how engagement-based algorithms amplify division, why we're disagreeing with fictional versions of each other, and what this means for anyone trying to find common ground. You can't have a peace economy if you can't even talk to each other.
Topics: perception gap, polarization, social media algorithms, Center for Humane Technology, attention economy, common ground, media literacy
28 Mar 2026
Episode 5: Who's Actually Talking?
When we make decisions as a country, whose voice actually carries weight?
The 2024 election cycle cost about $20 billion and most of that didn't come from ordinary people.
About 80% of Americans, across party lines, say money in politics threatens our elections. The Supreme Court decisions tied lawmakers' hands.
Robert explores the For Our Freedom Amendment, a constitutional amendment effort that's gained support from 24 states; red and blue alike to restore the ability of Congress and states to set reasonable limits on political spending.
Topics: money in politics, Citizens United, For Our Freedom Amendment, American Promise, campaign finance, constitutional amendment, democracy
28 Mar 2026
Episode 4: Strange Bedfellows
Something's happening in Congress that doesn't fit the usual headlines. People who disagree about almost everything are starting to agree on one thing.
Robert looks at the unlikely coalitions forming around War Powers and military spending. Tim Kaine and Rand Paul in the Senate, Thomas Massie and progressive Democrats in the House.
They're arriving at similar questions from very different starting points. These coalitions aren't winning yet, but the conversation is changing. Change usually starts with unlikely alliances.
Topics: War Powers, bipartisan coalition, Tim Kaine, Rand Paul, Thomas Massie, congressional oversight, military authorization
28 Mar 2026
Episode 3: What Happens to the Workers?
Whenever someone brings up rethinking military spending, there's a fair question that comes up: what about the jobs?
Robert takes this question seriously. He explores the work of economist Seymour Melman, who spent decades developing plans for "economic conversion" helping defense workers transition to civilian industries.
Congress never fully embraced the idea, and when Cold War spending dropped, unprepared communities paid the price. We did this before. After World War II, the U.S. converted an entire war economy in just a few years. The question is whether we're willing to plan ahead.
Topics: economic conversion, defense jobs, Seymour Melman, workforce transition, manufacturing, Cold War
27 Mar 2026
Episode 2: What Fifty Billion Dollars Looks Like
Fifty billion dollars. It's the kind of number that shows up in headlines, gets debated for a few days, then disappears. What does it actually mean?
Robert breaks down the tradeoffs we rarely talk about. Fifty billion could fund school lunches for 30 million kids for nearly three years. It could pay for Head Start for four years straight.
It covers about a week of intensive military operations.
The question isn't which choice is "right" but it's whether we're even framing these as tradeoffs at all.
Topics: federal spending, guns vs butter, school lunch program, Head Start, budget tradeoffs, opportunity cost
27 Mar 2026
Episode 1: What If We Did the Math Differently?
What if the way we spend money as a country just doesn't add up? Not as a partisan argument , but as neighbors trying to figure out what's best for our kids and grandkids.
In this first episode, Robert Jacobson looks at research showing countries that shift resources away from military spending see higher economic growth over time. He explores why this isn't a left-right debate anymore, and how fiscal conservatives and progressives are starting to ask similar questions from different directions.
Topics: peace dividend, military spending, economic growth, opportunity cost, federal budget priorities
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Contact What We Leave
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of What We Leave?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
