From the North comes an army of ice zombies. From the East, an armada led by the "Mother of Dragons." In the South, a vengeful queen plots world domination. The world of Game of Thrones may not sound much like our own. But after watching HBO's hit series for six seasons, we've found some striking similarities. The Associated Press is looking at the show through a unique lens: Its economy. Every week during Season 7, we'll be using this audio series to dive into the latest plot twists and analyzing the economic forces driving the story. 

Starring AP economics writers Christopher S. Rugaber, Paul Wiseman and Josh Boak. Produced by Tomoko Hosaka.

Wealth of Westeros: The economy of 'Game of Thrones'

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The Associated Press is looking at the hit show 'Game of Thrones' through a unique lens: Its economy.

The world depicted in the show may not sound much like our own. But after six seasons, we’ve found some striking similarities. The lords, ladies and commonfolk of Westeros are confronting some familiar-sounding problems: Only the wealthy seem stay afloat financially, no matter how reckless they are. Gridlock, infighting and incompetence define the government. Many in power turn a blind eye to the existential threat of climate change.

Tune in every week during Season 7, we’ll be diving into the latest plot twists and analyzing the economic forces driving the story.

Wealth of Westeros Ep 1: Winter is always coming for economy on Game of Thrones

In the eagerly-awaited season 7 premiere of HBO’s hit TV series, “Game of Thrones,” Jon Snow and Cersei Lannister each learned some tough lessons about having scarce resources. At least, that is what intrigued us as economics writers for The Associated Press. We’re watching how economic issues affect the characters’ schemes for power, and finding parallels with our own world.

Our guest this week is Andrew Heaton, a Libertarian comedian, author and TV producer. He describes how he would fight the White Walkers, and where he'd want to live in the Game of Thrones world.

Wealth Of Westeros Ep 2: Seeking dragonglass, and how a Libertarian would fight the White Walkers

Westeros is no longer a man’s world. Women are finally calling most of the shots during the seventh season of “Game of Thrones.” And if recent economic history is any guide, greater gender equality could help make everyone _ tradesmen, merchants, farmers and even soldiers _ better off.

The Associated Press’ economics team discusses the rise of women in the latest episode of “The Wealth of Westeros.” Joining us is guest Neera Tanden, the president and chief executive of the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank. Tanden is a major Game of Thrones fan and said that women sometimes have gotten “big strides” in economic and political rights during periods of crisis.

Wealth Of Westeros Ep 3: Shattering the dragonglass ceiling

The Associated Press weekly audio show on the economics of Game of Thrones. In this episode, we talk about the missed business opportunities in Westeros, the Iron Bank’s investment strategies and Littlefinger’s long-game plotting. Featuring guest Evan Burfield, CEO and co-founder of 1776, a startup incubator and investment firm based in Washington, D.C.

Wealth Of Westeros Ep 4: What's an Iron Banker to do?

The great families of Westeros are crumbling in “Game of Thrones.’’ Could the upheaval create a more just and equal society? Maybe. French economist Thomas Piketty found that the destruction of World War I and World War II paved the way for unprecedented equality and a prosperous middle class in the United States and Europe. We discuss the issue and more with guest Lyman Stone, an economist with the US Dept. of Agriculture.

Wealth Of Westeros Ep 5: As the mighty fall, will the lowly rise?

Samwell Tarly knows more than the maesters of the Citadel. Littlefinger knows more than Arya. And Bran knows more than anyone in “Game of Thrones.” The imbalance in knowledge is what economists call “asymmetric information’’ _ when one party in a transaction knows more than the other and can exploit the advantage. It can be bad for economies. And it’s certainly bad for the people of Westeros as the threat of Whitewalkers drew closer in the seventh season’s fifth episode, Eastwatch. The Associated Press’ economics team digs into this problem with Moody’s Analytics economist Adam Ozimek in the latest episode of “The Wealth of Westeros.” Author and journalist William Cohan joins the show to discuss the connections between “Game of Thrones” and Wall Street.

Wealth Of Westeros Ep 6: What you don't know could get you killed

Dragons fought zombies in a thunderous battle on “Game of Thrones” this week, a showdown that provides just a hint of what likely lies ahead in the show’s final season. Yet the battle also raised an economic question: Can the White Walkers' command and control economy defeat their disorganized, squabbling Westerosi opponents? 

This week's episode features Prof. Carolyne Larrington of St. John's College at the University of Oxford. She is an expert in medieval English literature and is the author of the book "Winter is Coming: the medieval world of Game of Thrones." She is currently working on her second book on Game of Thrones.

Wealth Of Westeros Ep 7: Economics beyond the Wall

Jon Snow got into serious trouble in the “Game of Thrones” finale for refusing to lie about his loyalties. But honesty can be an economic virtue. People who trust each other are far more likely to do business. We explore the benefits of trust and other economic issues on the final episode of the “Wealth of Westeros,’’ the Associated Press’ audio show on the economics of Game of Thrones. This week's show features Mark Wright, director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.