Not My Narrative: Trust the Market vs. Love Thy Neighbor

Next CityOct 28, 2026

The latest installment of our Not My Narrative series was full of surprises.

This week, we're tracking the origins of the "Trust the Market" false narrative. The history, it turns out, goes way beyond Milton Friedman. I was deeply unsettled to learn how far capitalist business interests went to keep Americans from helping one another and instead persuade us to rely on the market to solve our problems.

But this series never stops at the myths themselves. We raise up the people who still care for their neighbors because it’s intrinsic to their values. And we meet incredible community leaders who don’t settle for an invisible hand to take care of us. They offer a helping hand.

Check out the stories in this installment below, and subscribe to Not My Narrative on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you find, please consider sharing it on social media to spread the word and ensure these ideas reach changemakers.

Lucas Grindley

Executive Director and host of the Not My Narrative podcast

The Century-Long Campaign To Sell Americans on the Free Market

The “trust the market” doctrine didn't win on the merits. Utilities, manufacturers, and oil money spent decades selling it through radio shows, school curriculums, Sunday sermons, and more.

Read the full story.

Listen: Trust the Market vs. Love Thy Neighbor

Read the series

Selma Gave America Democracy. America Forgot To Invest Back.

Essay: Jessica Norwood on the unfinished promise of Selma and how the conditions for reparative capital are taking shape in the city.

‘Our Guiding Star Is Solidarity’

Essay: From grassroots immigrant defense initiatives to legislation curtailing surveillance and data-sharing, Chicago organizers show what it means to stand up for your neighbors.

These Communities Won’t Wait for Prosperity to ‘Trickle Down’

Sponsored: Trickle-down economics never reached communities of color. CDFIs and community ownership models exist to do what the market wouldn’t.

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