Here's How To (FINALLY) Understand The Financial Crisis

Just two years ago, the global financial system was perched on the edge of disaster. One sudden move and it seemed like we would plunge into a multi-year depression. As time passed, perhaps you have forgotten what got us into that horrible situation.

To honor the anniversary, check out these fantastic broadcasts, which got to the root causes of the crisis in an easy-to-understand way. This past weekend, I listened to all of them again and they are just as good as the first time around.

The Essential Trilogy starts with:

• This American Life 5/9/2008: The Giant Pool of Money
• This American Life 2/27/2009: Bad Bank
• This American Life 10/3/2008: Another Frightening Show About The Economy

• This American Life 4/29/2010: Inside Job (Nomination for Best Song EVER about the financial crisis)
• Frontline 10/2009: The Warning (Nomination for Best Actress goes to Brooksley Born)
• Frontline 11/2009: The Card Game (kudos to Chris Dodd, who almost reminded me that he hasn't always been in the pocket of financial institutions)

UPDATE: Here's one more from Twitter follower @achan:

This American Life 6/5/2009: The Watchmen

Jill Schlesinger

Jill Schlesinger, CFP® is the Emmy-nominated business analyst for CBS News. She covers the economy, markets, investing and anything else with a dollar sign on TV, radio (including her nationally syndicated radio show), the web and her blog, "Jill on Money." Prior to her second career at CBS, Jill spent 14 years as the co-owner and chief investment officer for an independent investment advisory firm. She began her career as a self-employed options trader on the Commodities Exchange of New York, following her graduation from Brown University.

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