The "Why" Behind Econ With Dr. A

We take you back to the origins of Econ With Dr. A and request your help in a potential rebrand.

The Econ With Dr. A brand has experienced a lot of growth lately, so we thought it would be great to share with you the “why” behind the work we do, the challenges we are facing, and the future of the newsletter, YouTube channel, and podcast. We encourage you to join this week’s video podcast where we discuss all the details.

How it All Started!

Before we discuss where we’re heading, let’s recap where it all started. Econ With Dr. A dates back to when the world was struggling with COVID-19: summer 2020. It was a time that challenged many of our assumptions, including one that hit close to home for me: the fears and perceptions around online teaching. You see, there was this belief floating around that if professors moved their lectures online, we'd be no match to the average YouTuber or content creator. It was going to be hard for us to compete for our students’ attention. It was like saying our relevance in the digital world was up for debate. This got me thinking…

• "Can I actually make this online teaching gig work?

• “What do I need to change to connect with my students over a screen?"

• “Can we build community online?”

However, there was more to it. I noticed a gaping hole in the online education space—there weren't any "brown men teaching Economics'' out there, at least not on YouTube. It struck me that maybe, just maybe, I could fill that gap. Perhaps by sharing my journey and insights, I could make economics more relatable and accessible to a whole new generation.

With this realization, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. Creating content was tougher than one might think. I had to learn everything from scratch—how to edit videos, how to keep my online audience hooked from start to finish, and how to make my virtual classroom as engaging as the real thing. It was a steep learning curve, but it was worth it. I began to see how video creation could make a world of difference, both for online and in-person classes.

This whole adventure wasn't just about moving textbooks online. It was about bringing economics to life by making it relevant to what people were experiencing day in and day out. I found myself answering questions from students from across the world. And you know what? It worked. "Economics with Dr. A" grew from a single challenge into a whole ecosystem of learning, with a YouTube channel, a newsletter, a podcast, and most importantly, a mentorship program for students.

Since its start in 2014, the Fellows program has continued to grow each year. The reason the program is so important to me is because it isn't just another academic exercise. It’s about hiring students to think, to innovate, and to solve real problems. They are learning to see economics and business topics around them. I am teaching them how to research, communicate, build systems, manage projects, and most importantly, learn how to build community. 

The backdrop of the first “studio” in Muscat Oman.

What began as my personal mission to prove something to myself has turned into a platform where not only my voice, but the voices of my students can be heard. Watching them use their experiences and learning to carve out their own paths has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

So, there you have it! That's the story of "Economics with Dr. A" in a nutshell—a story of overcoming doubts, embracing challenges, and building a community that extends far beyond the classroom walls. It's been an incredible ride, and I can't wait to see where we go from here.

The Future

The future of “content creation” on this platform is headed towards change. Given my hectic schedule, it’s becoming more and more difficult to ideate, film, and edit a new YouTube video each week. Podcasts and newsletters, however, have been not only enjoyable but also more manageable for the team to produce weekly.

As we consider what to lean into, however, our priority is learning more about how you as an audience member consume our content and what you like best. We’d love to learn more about your preference for podcasts, newsletters, or YouTube content. Which platforms do you like best and why? Leave a comment below.

Thanks for being part of this journey. Here's to many more lessons learned and shared together.

Cheers,

Dr. A, with a nod to the team

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Show Notes

Introduction: In this episode, Dr. A revisits the origins of the Econ with Dr. A channel, celebrating the growth of the community, the impact of social media on content creation, and the future direction of the platform. Joined by team members Grace McConn, Fawwaaz Abdulazeez, and Antowan Batts, the episode dives into personal insights, the transformative power of educational content, and the community's role in shaping the future of economic education.

Key Highlights:

1. Origins of Econ with Dr. A: Dr. A shares the story of starting the channel during the COVID-19 pandemic as a response to the challenges of online education and the negative perception of digital learning. His journey into content creation was fueled by the desire to engage students on platforms where they already spent their time, like YouTube and TikTok.

2. Team Contributions: The episode underscores the vital contributions of team members Grace, Fawwaaz, Antowan, Fred Smal, and Kesha Francisco. Their involvement has been instrumental in identifying audience preferences and shaping the channel's content.

3. Community Growth: Dr. A celebrates reaching 12,000 YouTube subscribers and discusses the importance of community in overcoming challenges in content creation and social media.

4. Future Directions: The conversation explores the evolving focus of the channel, moving beyond strictly economic concepts to include a wider range of topics driven by curiosity and the interests of the community.

5. Personal Insights from Team Members:

•  Grace McConn discusses the transition of content due to the pandemic and the importance of engaging educational methods, having taken Dr. A’s online course during COVID-19.

•  Fawwaaz Abdulazeez reflects on the sense of community and belonging the channel provides.

• Antowan Batts highlights the inclusivity and diversity of the content, emphasizing the importance of representation in economics.

6. Challenges and Learning: Dr. A shares insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the value of teamwork in content creation, and the personal growth and creative expression he has experienced through the brand.

7. Rebranding Considerations: The discussion touches on the potential need to rebrand "Econ with Dr. A" to better reflect its community-driven nature and broadened focus beyond economics. We lean into the idea of creating a brand focused on addressing a hunger for curiosity.

Conclusion: The episode not only celebrates the journey and successes of Econ with Dr. A but also opens up a conversation about the future, inviting the community's input on rebranding and the direction of content. The emphasis on community, diversity, and the pursuit of curiosity underscores the channel's commitment to evolving with its audience.

Listener Engagement: Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts on the potential rebrand and share what topics they would like to see covered in future episodes.