Who Really Gets Ahead? The Hidden Economics of Opportunity (ft. Judd Kessler, author & Wharton professor)

What if luck isn’t random — but designed?

In this episode of FUTUREPROOF., we sit down with Judd Kessler, Wharton economist and author of Lucky by Design, to explore how hidden markets quietly decide who gets what — from job interviews and college spots to concert tickets, dating matches, and even organ transplants.

Kessler argues that what looks like “good fortune” is often the result of understanding — and leveraging — the invisible systems that govern access to opportunity. Whether it’s the algorithms behind dating apps, the psychology of lotteries and waitlists, or the structure of modern hiring, he reveals how we can all become more intentional “designers of luck.”

We discuss:

•  How hidden markets shape everything from careers to healthcare
•  Why “fairness” isn’t as equal as it looks — and how to spot the trade-offs
•  The economics of lotteries, rankings, and “first come, first served” systems
•  Why second choices sometimes lead to the best outcomes
•  How behavioral design can make opportunity more equitable — or more rigged
•  What it means to be “lucky by design” in an algorithmic world

Whether you’re a leader trying to create fairer systems, or an individual looking to navigate them more wisely, this episode reveals the unseen structures that quietly shape your chances — and how to work with them instead of against them.