American companies announced fewer layoffs January to March than in any first quarter since 1995. Might that be a hint of good things to come in the month’s big employment report that’s on the way? We consult Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial in Chicago.

Also, when it comes to measuring the health of a country’s economy, using the nation’s Gross Domestic Product is often the barometer of choice. But as more dollars change hands, why aren’t the outcomes always better? There’s a new listing of 132 countries that uses 54 different indicators that together measure how well a country is doing in giving its citizens good lives. It’s called the Social Progress Index. Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, says that although GDP is important, it doesn’t tell the whole story.