Recessions, depressions, bubbles, and blue skies - our economy has a history of soaring and plummeting. On this week's show, TED speakers look to the past for lessons on building a more stable financial future.

Recessions and financial crises are woven into America's history. Kathleen Day takes us back to the Great Depression to explore what caused it and how it shaped the future of finance in the U.S.

Acquiring debt and buying on credit has been the American way since the 1920s. Financial advisor Tammy Lally describes the toll that consumerism and money-shame had on her family in the early 2000s.

At age 55, Elizabeth White lost her job--and her entire safety net--in the 2008 recession. Her story isn't uncommon. White says, now more older adults are pushed out of their jobs and into poverty.

At large corporations like Disney, many employees can barely get by. Filmmaker and Disney descendant Abigail Disney says that's unacceptable. She calls on Disney and others to put people over profit.