Dayen: A Career in Progressive Journalism and Antitrust Advocacy
From the fast-paced world of television production to the forefront of progressive political commentary, Dayen has spent decades documenting the intersection of power, money, and law. His journey reflects a transition from visual storytelling to deep-dive investigative journalism, focusing on how systemic failures and corporate dominance affect ordinary citizens.
Professional Evolution and Journalism
Dayen spent fifteen years as a television producer and editor, working across major American cities including Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco before relocating to Los Angeles in 2002. In 2004, he expanded his reach by blogging about politics, which established him as a prominent figure within the Netroots movement—a political community of progressive bloggers and activists.
His expertise in political and economic analysis led to contributions for several high-profile publications. He has written for The New York Times, Vice, Naked Capitalism, and In These Times, and served as a weekly columnist for The Fiscal Times and The New Republic. He has also been a contributing writer for Salon.com and The Intercept.
In 2019, Dayen took on a leadership role as the executive editor of The American Prospect. Continuing his exploration of economic power, he launched the Organized Money podcast in 2024 alongside antitrust researcher Matt Stoller.
Literary Contributions and Investigations
Beyond journalism, Dayen has authored two significant books that examine institutional fraud and the dangers of market concentration.
Chain of Title: Exposing Foreclosure Fraud
Published in 2016, Chain of Title: How Three Ordinary Americans Uncovered Wall Street’s Great Foreclosure Fraud tells the story of Lisa Epstein (an oncology nurse), Michael Redman (a car dealership sales manager), and Lynn Szymoniak (an insurance lawyer). Together, these individuals uncovered illegal foreclosure practices employed by major banks.
Reviewing the work in The New York Times, Frank Partnoy noted that the book highlights how banks exploited the lack of transparency regarding asset ownership, cutting corners in a way that prevented millions of Americans from avoiding foreclosure.
Monopolized: The Impact of Corporate Power
In 2020, Dayen released Monopolized: Life in the Age of Corporate Power. This work examines how monopolies—companies that dominate an entire industry—shape everyday life across various sectors. The book argues that corporate concentration reduces worker power by limiting employment options and stifles economic innovation.
Writing for The Nation, Bryce Covert observed that Dayen convincingly demonstrates how monopolies are deeply interwoven into the economy, allowing them to amass resources to protect their own power. Kirkus Reviews described the book as a necessary call to strengthen the antitrust movement—the legal effort to promote competition and prevent monopolies.
Key Facts
- Current Role: Executive Editor of The American Prospect (since 2019).
- Podcast: Co-host of Organized Money with Matt Stoller (launched 2024).
- Major Works: Author of Chain of Title (2016) and Monopolized (2020).
- Background: 15 years of experience as a TV producer and editor.
- Focus Areas: Progressive politics, antitrust law, and corporate accountability.
| Book Title | Year | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Chain of Title | 2016 | Wall Street foreclosure fraud and illegal banking practices. |
| Monopolized | 2020 | The influence of corporate monopolies on society and the economy. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dayen's current professional role?
Dayen is the executive editor of The American Prospect and the co-host of the Organized Money podcast.
What was the focus of the book "Chain of Title"?
The book details how three ordinary citizens uncovered illegal foreclosure practices used by big banks during the housing crisis.
What does Dayen argue regarding monopolies in his 2020 book?
He argues that monopolies make the economy less innovative, reduce the power of workers by limiting employer choices, and create a society with greater inequality.
Which publications has Dayen written for?
He has contributed to The New York Times, The New Republic, The Intercept, Salon.com, Vice, The Fiscal Times, Naked Capitalism, and In These Times.
How did Dayen start his career in political commentary?
After working in television production for fifteen years, he began blogging about politics in 2004, becoming a prominent figure in the progressive Netroots movement.