# Make the Economy Work for Freelancers, Too (#askingforafriend)

An episode of [Optimist Economy](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1802625282), 9 Jun 2026, 48 min.

Audio: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/sblTq32fyWAjsHzze2LG/dovetail.prxu.org/14811/29e209ce-5f0e-455e-ac5f-a8357b70fcc1/260609_OE_220_Freelancers_Final_Clean.mp3

Thirty million Americans, more or less, work for themselves. They freelance, do gig work, have solo LLCs, or — as a certain economist says — participate in “ non-employee employment.” The economics of their situation is harder than it needs to be. Making self-employment more viable is good for everyone in the labor market, because when workers have options, they also have more power. Plus: Kathryn Anne Edwards testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, and a congressman implied she wasn't a real American. She has thoughts. Chapters: 0:00 — Start/Announcements 1:21 — Retcon: Bad banks, good overtime, and testifying before Congress (again) 18:17 — Big Pilcrow: Freelancers & non-employer businesses 44:42 — Executive orders: national anthem singing rules, Congressional attendance policy 47:20 — Spiritual sponsors: Supportive listeners and horchada + cold brew coffee 49:01 — Credits • Donate to Optimist Economy: https://optimisteconomy.com • Video-curious? Watch the Optimist Economy YouTube channel. We’re also on Instagram at @optimist_economy or TikTok at @optimist_economy. • Chat with other Optimists on Substack. • Find utility with our merch: https://merch.ambientinks.com/collections/optimisteconomy • Got economic questions, concerns, or executive orders? Send them to optimist.economy@gmail.com

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