Sit. Stay. Think.

The Federal Reserve Explained: Rates, Power, and Political Pressure

PM Season 1 Episode 3

In this episode of Sit, Stay, Think, we break down what the federal interest rate actually is, how it works, and why it has become such a major political flashpoint.

Starting with a simple explanation of how banks borrow money from one another, the episode walks through how interest rates affect mortgages, car loans, business borrowing, and, indirectly, prices throughout the economy. We also look at why lower interest rates don’t always make things cheaper—especially when it comes to housing—and how short-term relief can lead to long-term consequences.

Finally, the episode examines why political pressure to rapidly lower interest rates misunderstands how businesses use borrowed money, and why attempts to force the Federal Reserve’s hand risk creating bigger economic problems rather than solving existing ones.

This is an explainer episode focused on clarity over headlines—what interest rates are, why they matter, and what’s really at stake when politics collides with monetary policy.