The Economics of What's Possible: An Evening with Stephanie Kelton

About the Event

What if the stories we tell about money shape not just our economy, but our collective sense of what's possible?

Internationally renowned economist Dr. Stephanie Kelton has reshaped public conversations about government spending, deficits, and economic policy — through her bestselling book The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy, the documentary Finding the Money, and her groundbreaking work on Modern Monetary Theory (MMT).

In this intimate, fireside-style conversation, Dr. Kelton unpacks the stories we tell about money, debt, scarcity, and government budgets — and how those stories quietly shape the choices we make as a society. She'll explore money as both myth and tool, challenge conventional wisdom about what we can and can't afford, and consider how our economic choices define the kind of society we build.

The conversation moves beyond economics itself, asking: How do the assumptions built into our economic systems shape our social priorities and collective decision-making? And what becomes possible when we start seeing our resources and choices differently?

The evening includes a moderated audience Q&A — your chance to bring your own questions into the conversation with Dr. Kelton. There will be light refreshments and a cash bar available upon arrival before the event.

This Bruce & Lis Welch Community Dialogue is co-presented by SFU Public Square and SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. It is the third offering of When the Map is Useless: Conversations for a World in Transition, a multi-year series that convenes SFU and the broader community to strengthen public sense-making and civic discourse during a time of profound social, political, and ecological change. This initiative is supported in part by the North Family Foundation.

Please note: this event page is for in-person tickets only. For livestream tickets, please register here.

 

About Stephanie Kelton

Dr. Stephanie Kelton is a leading authority on Modern Monetary Theory, a new approach to economics that is taking the world by storm. She is considered one of the most important voices influencing the policy debate today.

Her New York Times bestseller, The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy, shows how to break free of the flawed thinking that has hamstrung policymakers around the world.

In addition to her many academic publications, she has been a contributor at Bloomberg Opinion and has written for the Financial Times, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, U.S. News & World Report, CNN, and many others.

Read more about Dr. Kelton here. 

 

In-Person Accessibility

The event will be hosted at the Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC). For detailed information on accessibility, including accessible parking, entrances, seating, washrooms, and more, please visit this page. 

 

Other Accessibility Notes

This event will include occasional loud sounds (e.g., music, applause) and lights. Closed captioning will be provided. We will also have ASL interpreters present. If you have any other accessibility needs, please contact us at publicsq@sfu.ca at least two weeks before the event and we will try to accommodate your request.

 

Community Guidelines

Our community guidelines are intended to ensure the safety of all guest speakers and event participants, and to foster honest, socially accountable dialogue at our events. Thank you for respecting our community guidelines!

• Above all, there will be zero tolerance for those who promote violence or discrimination against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, or disability. Anyone who incites harm towards other participants will be removed at the discretion of our team.
• Take space, make space: share your perspective and make space for other voices to be heard too. Recognize that we are all here to learn.
• Practice self-care in whatever way you need to.

 

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