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Cross-class interactions in America play a big role in upward mobility. : The Indicator from Planet Money Who your friends are may be the key to your economic success story. In a groundbreaking study by Harvard researchers, find out why cross-class friendships may be the key ingredient to the American Dream.

The Indicator from Planet Money

The secret to upward mobility: Friends

The secret to upward mobility: Friends

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Racegoers relax in the Royal Enclosure on Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse racing meet, in Ascot, west of London on June 17, 2021. - Royal Ascot reopened its doors to 12,000 racing fans a day but the coronavirus will still take a significant financial toll on the event.
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DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images
Racegoers relax in the Royal Enclosure on Ladies Day at the Royal Ascot horse racing meet, in Ascot, west of London on June 17, 2021. - Royal Ascot reopened its doors to 12,000 racing fans a day but the coronavirus will still take a significant financial toll on the event.
DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images

In a pair of groundbreaking studies, Harvard economist Raj Chetty and a team of researchers find that cross-class friendships are a significant key to upward mobility in America. They call it economic connectedness. We call it your rich friends matter.

Today on the show, find out why building connections across class lines can be an effective way to achieve the American Dream for everyone. For a more in-depth explanation, check out our newsletter article. To access the papers we talk about, check out Study 1 and Study 2.

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