Make Me Smart

In her book “The Second Estate,” Boston College Law School professor Ray Madoff argues that the tax code in the United States lets billionaires keep their wealth outside of the tax system, leaving the heaviest burden to lower- and middle-income, working Americans. On today’s show, Madoff joins Kimberly to explain the “tax avoidance playbook” and why Congress has let certain loopholes go unclosed for decades. Plus, why a wealth tax may not be the simple solution you think it is.

Nearly 600 Marketplace fans gathered at the Aratani Theatre in downtown Los Angeles to watch Kai Ryssdal present Marketplace Live, in partnership with LAist. Kai was joined onstage by economics author, educator, and content creator Kyla Scanlon to talk about AI, prediction markets, Federal Reserve independence, and the war in Iran. Later, former “Marketplace Morning Report” host David Brancaccio joined Kai to discuss his experience rebuilding after the LA fire and his new job as Marketplace senior correspondent covering future effects. Note: This show was recorded on March 29, and the situation in Iran has changed since then. Follow our latest coverage here.

A lot of sci-fi is dystopian. Solarpunk flips that on its head. The subgenre imagines a brighter future where humans have fostered a better relationship with technology, the environment, and each other, in spite of climate disaster. On today’s show, writer and academic Phoebe Wagner joins Kimberly to make us smart about solarpunk, its connection to the green energy transition, and why you should check it out if you want to shake off climate doom. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Solarpunk: A Container for More Fertile Futures" from Solarpunk Magazine"Tired of Dystopian Sci-Fi? You Might Like Solarpunk." from Mother Jones"Sunshine and Seedlings" from Hydroponic Trash"Underground" from Tractor BeamChobani ad on YouTube We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

A series of suspiciously well-timed Iran war bets placed on Polymarket have revived concerns about insider trading on prediction markets. But enforcement is something of a gray area. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino joins Kimberly to explain the relatively recent history of insider trading laws at the CFTC and what it could mean for prediction market platforms. Plus, the debate over whether insider trading on these markets is actually a good thing.

Doorbell cameras, license plate readers, and social media platforms are just a few of the tech products that make up an ever-growing surveillance network in the United States. ICE’s use of surveillance tools as part of its immigration crackdown has brought that into focus. On today’s show, Kimberly talks with investigative journalist and co-founder of 404 Media Joseph Cox about the growth of the American surveillance state and simple steps you can take to protect your privacy. Here’s everything we talked about today: "With Ring, American Consumers Built a Surveillance Dragnet" from 404 Media"Surveillance company Flock generates controversy, and L.A. customers" from The L.A. Times"Ring Ends Deal to Link Neighborhood Cameras After Backlash to Super Bowl Ad" from The New York Times"All the Ways Big Tech Fuels ICE and CBP" from Wired"Inside a Powerful Database ICE Uses to Identify and Deport People" from 404 Media We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

This week’s launch of Artemis II marked the first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years. This time around, the spaceflight industry looks pretty different, with private companies playing a more dominant role. On today’s show, Kimberly gets into the future of NASA and the commercial space sector with Ars Technica’s senior space editor Eric Berger. Plus, why are we going back to the moon, anyway? Here’s everything we talked about today: "Artemis II is unlikely to be the cultural touchstone Apollo 8 was, and that's OK" from Ars Technica "Isaacman aims to reinvigorate NASA’s image, starting with the moon" from Politico "Trump FY2027 NASA Budget Supports Moon Missions, But Cuts Everything Else" from SpacePolicyOnline.com "Big Banks Seeking a Piece of SpaceX’s I.P.O. Must Subscribe to Elon Musk’s Grok" from The New York Times"SpaceX quietly files for big bang IPO" from SpaceNews "Artemis II: What's on the Menu?" from NASA"Astronaut Reid Wiseman was wrong about how rockets get to space" from Marketplace We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Happy first tariff-versary? Despite the fact that many of President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs were recently struck down, small businesses across the country are still dealing with the aftermath. On today’s show, Kimberly talks with two small business owners: Justine Kahn, founder of Botnia Skincare in Sausalito, CA and Will Sissle, owner of Sissle & Daughters Cheesemongers & Grocers in Portland, ME, about how they’ve navigated a year of tariffs.

Last week, at a time when the war with Iran has been roiling global energy markets, executives from energy companies all over the world gathered for CERAWeek, the “Super Bowl” of energy conferences. But as Marketplace’s Elizabeth Trovall tells us, conflict in the Middle East wasn’t the only hot topic there. Trovall joins Kimberly to discuss how the energy sector is confronting a wide range of disruptions, from geopolitics to technology. Here’s everything we talked about today: "At "Super Bowl of the energy industry," war in the Middle East is the hot topic" from Marketplace"Gas prices eclipse $4 a gallon in the US, the highest since 2022" from AP News"How Blocking Oil and Gas From Leaving the Strait of Hormuz Ripples Around the World" from The New York Times"Venezuela oil production has reached 1.1 mln bpd in March" from Reuters "Energy demand from AI " from the International Energy Agency Got a question about the Iran war and its impact on the global economy? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

It’s peak bloom in Washington, D.C.! Cherry blossom viewing is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, and it goes hand-in-hand with enjoying Japan’s national beverage: sake. On today’s show, Kimberly is joined by Reiko Hirai, founder of D.C. Sake Co., to talk about the ins and outs of the sake industry and why more breweries are popping up in the United States. Oh, and we’ll taste some sake too! Here’s everything we talked about: "Hanami - Cherry Blossom Festival" from the U.S. National Park Service"Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales" from BBC News"American Sake Is Having a Major Moment" from Bloomberg"How to Drink Sake, According to Pros" from Wine Enthusiast https://www.instagram.com/p/DI0C02mRKbB/ If you count on this show to bring a little clarity to the chaos, consider pitching in. Donate now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war with Iran is having all sorts of effects on energy markets and the flow of other commodities—like fertilizer. Roughly one third of the world’s fertilizer passes through the narrow waterway in the Persian Gulf. On today’s show, the Council on Foreign Relations’ Michael Werz joins Kimberly to make the case that the ongoing disruption to the fertilizer trade is causing a chain reaction that could raise food prices and intensify humanitarian crises across the globe. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The Iran War’s Hidden Front: Food, Water, and Fertilizer" from the Council on Foreign Relations "The Iran War’s Other Energy Shortage—Food" from The Wall Street Journal "Energy shock talk grabs headlines but the Iran war is also driving the world towards a food crisis" from The Guardian "Russia reaps fertiliser windfall from Iran war" from The Financial Times If “Make Me Smart” adds something meaningful to your week, we’d love your help keeping it going. Donate now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Primary season for the 2026 midterm elections is underway. And the money from super PACs is already flowing. But how well is it working? On today’s show, Kimberly talks with democratic strategist Tim Lim about how spending from outside groups is shaping this year’s races so far and why strategists are waiting on the outcome of an under-the-radar Supreme Court case that could loosen the rules on how parties can coordinate with candidates. Here’s everything we talked about today: "MAGA Inc.’s $300 Million War Chest Waits for Go-Ahead From Trump" from Bloomberg "Super PAC spending passes $200M, with some groups hiding their cause" from The Washington Post"Big-spending Democratic PACs see mixed results in Illinois" from Semafor"This Supreme Court decision could upend millions in political spending ahead of the midterms. Here’s how the parties are preparing." from Politico "Pivotal U.S. Supreme Court Case Could Further Reshape Federal Campaign Finance Law" from Bernstein Shur Got a question about the Iran war and its impact on the global economy? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

From the success of “K-pop Demon Hunters” to the return of BTS, K-pop is having a moment. But the rise of Korean culture was no accident—it has a decades-long backstory of investment by the South Korean government. On “Economics on Tap,” Kimberly talks with Michelle Cho, researcher of East Asian pop cultures at the University of Toronto, about the history behind the spread of Korean culture and how it’s shaped industries from entertainment to beauty. Speaking of K-beauty: sunscreen or sheet masks? Here’s everything we talked about today: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Leads the Wave Back to Korea from Foreign PolicyBTS Is Back With ‘Arirang,’ but the K-Pop Landscape Has Changed from The New York TimesK-everything: the rise and rise of Korean culture from The Guardian "Americans Are Learning Korean Because of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’" from The New York Times"What’s So Special About Korean Sunscreens?" from Vogue"How K-pop Stars Are Leading Mental Health Conversations for AAPI People and Beyond" from Teen Vogue We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

In line with the Pentagon’s ambitions to build an “AI-first warfighting force,” earlier this year, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanded unrestricted use of Anthropic’s Claude model. Anthropic had concerns. Now the two parties are engaged in a legal battle that could shape the future of AI safety. Kimberly talks with Justin Hendrix, CEO and editor of Tech Policy Press, to explain Anthropic’s lawsuit and why this could signal a turning point in the tech industry’s chummy relationship with the Trump administration.

Farm bills are huge, sprawling pieces of legislation that affect all Americans — not just farmers. But as they’ve gotten more expensive, they’ve gotten tougher to pass. And due to the SNAP cuts in Congress’s big budget bill passed last summer, the coalitions that have historically gotten this legislation over the finish line may be fractured beyond repair. Kimberly talks with Chris Neubert, agriculture policy expert at Arizona State University, about what this could mean for this year’s farm bill prospects.

On today’s show, we’re preparing for the Oscars by checking in on the state of the film industry. Marketplace’s Amy Scott sits down with Wall Street Journal entertainment reporter Ben Fritz to discuss what slumping ticket sales means for the future of movies, why the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger has Hollywood workers worried, and what it would take for the industry to make a comeback. Plus, movie watchers weigh in: subtitles on or off? Here’s everything we talked about today: A look at how the Oscar best picture nominees have fared at the box office from AP News"Disney’s Surprise Box-Office Champion is ‘Zootopia 2,’ Thanks to China" from The Wall Street Journal "The Movie Theater Comeback That Wasn’t: Why 2025 Was Such a Dud for Struggling Cinemas" from Variety "Teamsters Call on DOJ to Stop Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger: “We’ve Seen What Happens When Corporations Consolidate Power'" from The Hollywood Reporter"Paramount Wins, Everybody Loses" from Vulture "Hollywood Jobs Are Disappearing" from “The Journal” Amy’s documentary film: ”Saving Etting Street” We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

ICE may have wound down its operations in Minnesota, but the state is still facing the economic consequences of Operation Metro Surge. This has fueled concerns that an eviction crisis could take hold, particularly in the Twin Cities. On today’s show, Kimberly joins MPR News correspondent Dana Ferguson in St. Paul, Minnesota to discuss measures the state legislature is taking to provide economic relief to renters, and what life has been like since she last checked in with us on “Make Me Smart.”

As prices have risen over the past decade, snow sports have gotten farther and farther out of reach for many Americans. And this has big implications not just for the ski-inclined, but also for the workers and local businesses that rely on steady ski area traffic. On today’s show, Kimberly talks with University of Waterloo professor and sustainable tourism expert Daniel Scott about what’s driving up the cost of snow sports and how the effects of climate change are shaping the future of the industry.

This week’s Texas primary elections were heated — and historic in terms of campaign spending. On today’s show, Blaise Gainey, state politics reporter for The Texas Newsroom, joins Kimberly to share his election takeaways and the economic issues that brought voters out to the polls. Plus, what does the Texas Railroad Commissioner have to do with oil and gas? And, we’ll pit Texas icons against each other during a round of This or That. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Winners, losers and runoffs: How Texans’ November ballot is shaping up after the primaries" from KUT News "Across Texas, early voters share what’s pushing them to the polls for the 2026 party primaries" from KUT News"Big money moved the needle and down-ballot chaos reigned in Texas' action-packed primaries" from The Texas Tribune"Bo French, Jim Wright head to runoff for seat on Texas Railroad Commission" from The Texas Tribune"Big Red Is Texas Barbecue’s Unofficial Signature Soda" from Texas Highways"Why Topo Chico Is The Fizzy Water With A Loyal Fan Base" from Southern Living We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The endangerment finding paved the way for federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from cars, trucks, and power plants. Now that the Environmental Protection Agency has repealed the finding, the future of U.S. climate policy is in limbo. Marketplace’s Amy Scott joins Kimberly to explain what the repeal could mean for the auto industry, American consumers, and the United States’ place in the global transition to clean energy.

As war in the Middle East widens, it’s become clear that drones now play a fundamental role in global conflict. They’ve changed the way wars are fought—and how much they cost. On today’s show, Kimberly talks with Sarah Kreps, director of the Tech Policy Institute in the Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy, about how drone technology has evolved over the years, how the rise of drone warfare has changed the way global conflicts play out, and what that means for civilians. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Iran strike marks first time U.S. used new one-way attack drones in combat" from Task and Purpose "Iran Fires Cheap Drones Into Arab Countries, Wreaking Havoc" from The New York Times"How are Drones Changing War? The Future of the Battlefield" from the Center for European Policy Analysis "America’s Eroding Airpower" from the Center for New American Security Obama’s Final Drone Strike Data from the Council on Foreign Relations   We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s show, we’re taking a trip to the Green Mountain State for an up close look at one of Vermont’s most pressing economic issues: housing. Kimberly is joined by Carly Berlin, housing reporter for VTDigger and Vermont Public, to talk about the factors driving Vermont’s housing crisis and how solutions, like a catalog of pre-approved home designs, could help fix it. Plus, are you more of a Vermont cheddar or a Ben & Jerry’s type of person? Here’s everything we talked about today: "Vermont Housing Needs Assessment" from the State of Vermont"Vermont is overhauling Act 250. Here’s what the development maps look like so far" from Vermont Public"Vermont develops catalog of prevetted home designs for faster building" from VTDigger"Green Mountain Grub: The Best Things to Eat in Vermont" from Food Network We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Things have felt pretty chaotic in this economy since the Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s signature tariffs last week. On today’s show, Kai Ryssdal joins Kimberly to share his takeaways from the decision and the legal questions surrounding Trump’s new global tariff. Plus, how would tariff refunds actually work?

Want more of the Winter Games? We have good news for you: The Winter Paralympics kick off in Milan next week. On today’s show, three-time Paralympic gold medalist Declan Farmer joins Kimberly to break down the basics of para ice hockey and how more eyes on the Paralympics can translate to more opportunities for adaptive athletes. Plus, we’ll get into the financial struggles many Paralympians face. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Milan Cortina Paralympics guide: Winter Games celebrate 50 years and Russian flag returns" from AP News "Para Ice Hockey - About the Sport" from the International Paralympic Committee"Record 15.4 Million Total Viewers Watch Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Across NBCUniversal" from NBCUniversal"It Shouldn’t Be This Expensive to Be a Paralympic Athlete" from Self Magazine We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s edition of “Economics on Tap,” Kimberly is joined by Anna Pope, agriculture and rural affairs reporter for KOSU and Harvest Public Media, to talk about how Oklahoma’s agricultural workers are faring amid wildfires, federal workforce reductions and shifting global trade tensions. One bright spot: beef prices! And, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Oklahoma fire crews battling several wildfires" from KOSU"Oklahoma-based federal ag workforce lost nearly 1 in 5 of its employees last year" KOSU"Hunger rose slightly in the U.S., a new report shows. The USDA says it will stop tracking the data" from Harvest Public Media "Oklahoma had a bumper wheat crop, but it's not alone. Here's what that means for producers" from KOSU"Beef prices keep rising. What will it take to bring them down?" from Marketplace"Gen Z Doesn’t Go to the Club. They Party at Coffee Shops Instead." from Texas Monthly"Job hunters turn to "reverse" recruiters to get an edge" from Marketplace"Americans drank more milk in 2024, reversing a decade-long decline" from Harvest Public Media  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

A $50 billion pot of money for rural health care made it into last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, President Trump’s hallmark tax and spending law. But the funding comes in tandem with massive cuts to Medicaid spending — an existential risk to many rural hospitals. On today’s show, Kimberly speaks with KFF Health News correspondent Arielle Zionts about the potential benefits of the Rural Health Transformation Program and its potential shortfalls. Plus, Congress never came to an agreement on the Obamacare subsidies at the heart of last year’s government shutdown. What does that mean for rural communities?

In December, the Department of Health and Human Services proposed a new rule that would ban hospitals from receiving any Medicare and Medicaid funding if they offer gender-affirming care for minors. Today, Kimberly checks in with Marketplace’s Samantha Fields to hear about her reporting on how this is affecting health care providers across the country. Plus, we’ll get into how the proposed rule fits into a larger wave of restrictions on transgender health care, years in the making.

Hey Smarties! There won’t be a livestream for “Economics on Tap” today. But don’t worry! “Economics on Tap” will return soon on Feb. 20. For now, we’re sharing a new episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Enjoy! Author and journalist Aymann Ismail wants his kids to grow up with a real connection to their Egyptian roots, including speaking Arabic. For his family, that means committing to a private Islamic school — and figuring out how to afford tuition. “This Is Uncomfortable” host Reema Khrais sits down with Aymann as he walks through his family budget and the financial trade-offs that decision requires. They talk about what’s at stake for him, financially and culturally, and why holding onto Arabic feels especially urgent right now. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And if you want to tell us what you thought about the episode or about a tricky financial decision you’ve made, email us at [email protected] or call 347-RING-TIU. And follow our new social accounts on Instagram and Tiktok @ThisIsUncomfortablePod

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, in this episode we’re taking a look at what it’s like to be looking for love right now — and the technology that’s meant to help us do it. Lots of dating apps are integrating AI features these days, but are they making it easier to find real-life connections? We talk to Jason Parham, senior writer at Wired magazine, to try to find out.

Cliche or not, engaging with art is certainly one of the best ways to take a step back when the news cycle gets extra heavy. On the show today, Kimberly is joined by Maggie Smith, poet and host of “The Slowdown” podcast. They talk about why reading and writing are so good for the soul, and about the importance of practicing creativity when funding for the arts is under attack. Maggie also reads a poem she selected specially for us! Plus, we’ll hear from two listeners about their self-care rituals.

Hey Smarties! There won’t be a livestream for “Economics on Tap” today. But don’t worry! “Economics on Tap” will return soon on Feb. 20. For now, we’re sharing a new episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Enjoy! “Work Drama” is the “This Is Uncomfortable” advice column, answering your questions about sticky work situations. This week, Reema tackles your questions about workplace tension, co-worker cliques, bosses behaving badly, and some bizarre office policies. And she’s joined by one of our favorite culture writers and podcasters, Sarah Hagi, who hosts “Scamfluencers.” If you have any work drama going on, we want to hear about it! You can send it to us at [email protected], leave a message at 347-RING-TIU, or fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, pollsters and strategists from all over the world of politics are trying to get a pulse on American families. Kimberly recently sat down with a panel of experts at the Aspen Forum on Children and Families to discuss what their research is revealing and what it means for the future of policies that affect children and families across the United States. So, we’re sharing some of that conversation today. Spoiler: the economy comes up a lot. Here’s everything we talked about today: VIDEO: "Reality Check: What's Really Going On With Families" from the Aspen Institute"Voters See a Middle-Class Lifestyle as Drifting Out of Reach, Poll Finds" from The New York Times"The good, the bad and the ugly of election polling" from “Make Me Smart”  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Hey Smarties! We recorded today’s episode before the House passed a spending package that will end the partial government shutdown. We’re monitoring the situation as it develops. President Trump has shown no signs of easing his pressure campaign on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. But this could spell trouble for Trump’s pick for Powell’s successor, Kevin Warsh. Marketplace’s Nancy Marshall-Genzer joins Kimberly to explain. Plus, we’ll get into what you should know about Warsh’s history at the Fed and more of the latest news from the central bank. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump’s Political Drama With Powell Overshadows Fed Rate Decision" from The New York Times "What would Kevin Warsh bring to the Federal Reserve?" from Marketplace"Fed keeps interest rates unchanged, despite pressure from Trump" from Marketplace"Trump Needs an Off-Ramp for Powell Feud to Speed Warsh Into Fed" from Bloomberg"The economic headache that's coming for Kevin Warsh" from Politico We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Winter Olympics kick off next week in Milan, Italy. On today’s show, Kimberly is joined by Jackie Wong, self-described skate nerd and host of “The Rocker Skating Podcast” to break down the basics of Olympic figure skating and who to watch at the Milan Cortina Games. Despite the sport’s popularity, figure skaters frequently struggle financially off the ice. We’ll get into it. Plus, you pick: real hockey or “Heated Rivalry”? Here’s everything we talked about today: "Winter Olympics 2026 guide: All you need to know about the Milan Cortina Games" from AP News"Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating could have multiple American golds" from Yahoo Sports"What Should I Watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics?" from The Cut"Around 5 billion people - 84 per cent of the potential global audience - followed the Olympic Games Paris 2024" from the International Olympic Committee "To Go for the Gold, These Olympians Went Into the Red" from The Wall Street Journal We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

In line with President Trump’s broader crackdown on immigration, the administration has moved to end the Temporary Protected Status program for certain countries including Venezuela and Haiti. TPS has allowed immigrants from countries with unsafe environments to temporarily live and work legally in the United States for decades. On today’s show, Marketplace’s Elizabeth Trovall joins Kimberly to share her recent reporting on Haitian care workers in Florida who will soon lose their legal status and the wider impact it could have on the U.S. economy.

The European Union is still reeling after President Trump’s Davos appearance, even after he walked back some of his Greenland threats. A big question remains: How should the EU deal with Trump going forward? Financial Times correspondent Paola Tamma joins Kimberly from Brussels to explain Europe’s shifting approach to Trump and why officials haven’t yet taken more drastic measures to respond to his economic threats. Could a push to seek alternative trade allies be an antidote?

Tech companies are pouring billions into developing the infrastructure necessary to meet the demand for artificial intelligence. But what does that infrastructure look like on the ground? Marketplace Tech’s Meghan McCarty Carino joins Kimberly to share her takeaways after visiting a variety of data centers and reporting on the surge in AI investment. Plus, we’ll weigh in on microdramas and AI slop during a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Inside the relentless race for AI capacity" Financial Times"Redwood Materials built record grid storage project using old EV batteries" Canary Media"Just how big is the AI investment wave?" from Reuters"YouTube says battling ‘AI slop’ is a top priority" from The L.A. Times"TikTok-like microdramas are going to make billions this year, even though they kind of suck" from Tech Crunch"Apple to Revamp Siri as a Built-In iPhone, Mac Chatbot to Fend Off OpenAI" from Bloomberg "Ads Are Coming to ChatGPT. Here’s How They’ll Work" from Wired We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

President Trump has routinely sought to influence the business dealings of U.S. media companies, including Netflix and Paramount’s fight over the future of Warner Bros. Rodney Benson, author of the book “How Media Ownership Matters,” has argued there’s a word for this trend: media capture. On today’s show, Benson joins Kimberly to explain how the phenomenon works and why he believes it’s playing out in the U.S. Plus, we’ll smile about the wonders of the cosmos. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump World Is Picking Sides in the Battle for Warner Bros." from The Wall Street Journal"Is the US Media Captured?" From Columbia Journalism Review"Trump's Year of Media Capture" from Rolling Stone"Inside Bari Weiss’s Hostile Takeover of CBS News" from The New Yorker"Rodney Benson on the Value of Publicly Backed Journalism" from Columbia Journalism Review Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

For student loan borrowers, the past few years have felt like whiplash. From the fallout of the Biden-era SAVE plan to policies in the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal financial aid system is getting an overhaul this year. On today’s show, founder and president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors Betsy Mayotte joins Kimberly to break down what borrowers need to know about the major changes coming to federal student loans in 2026.

On today’s show, Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News, joins Kimberly to share how her community has been affected by a recent surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, including the fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Good. We’ll also discuss the impact on small businesses in the Twin Cities and the political fallout from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s decision to end his reelection campaign. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Minnesota business owners feeling the effects of ICE enforcement actions" from MPR News"As immigration raids roil Minnesota, corporate leaders stay silent" from Marketplace "Tim Walz drops out of Minnesota governor’s race, Klobuchar considers jumping in" from Politico"With limited political power, Minnesota Democrats navigate resistance to Trump" from MPR News"Walz's exit from Minnesota governor's race will pose challenges for both parties" from MPR News"What to Nosh in the North Star State: Minnesota's Most-Iconic Dishes" from Food Network "Photos: The Minneapolis music scene, from the 1980s to now" from MPR News We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Marketplace’s “This Is Uncomfortable” is back with new episodes about life and how money messes with it. Today, host Reema Khrais joins Kimberly to share some of what she’s learned from conversations on how to survive job hunting in today’s brutal labor market and what it really means to have “enough” money. Plus, how anxiety about money can actually hold you back financially. Check out new episodes from “This Is Uncomfortable:” "We're back: How much money is ‘enough’?" from “This Is Uncomfortable”"Surviving job hunting hell" from “This Is Uncomfortable”"The number of long-term unemployed is growing. What does that tell us about the economy?" from Marketplace  Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Seemingly infinite battles over President Donald Trump’s agenda have been playing out in the courts over the past year. But when all’s said and done, are these legal challenges actually working? Politico legal affairs reporter Kyle Cheney joins Kimberly to discuss. Plus, they’ll get into the Supreme Court’s impending decision on Trump’s tariffs and why even some GOP members are breaking rank to speak up about the Justice Department’s investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Jan. 6 — five years later" from Politico "Trump's push to politicize the Fed could cause further market "volatility'" from Marketplace Post by @kyledcheney.bsky.social "‘The courts are helpless’: Inside the Trump administration’s steady erosion of judicial power" from CNN Politics "Trump’s ‘Superstar’ Appellate Judges Have Voted 133 to 12 in His Favor" from The New York Times"Supreme Court blocks Trump effort to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois" from Politico "Supreme Court appears skeptical of Trump admin's tariff arguments" from Marketplace  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s show, WNYC reporter Brigid Bergin joins Kimberly to talk about New York City’s brand new Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose campaign on affordability caught nationwide attention. We’ll get into how Mamdani is tackling affordability during his first days in office, how the business community is reacting, and how his administration is navigating an unpredictable White House. Plus, the case for daydreaming more in 2026. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Gov. Hochul, Mayor Mamdani announce push for free child care for NYC 2-year-olds" from Gothamist "NYC to provide expansion of free child care in "high-need" areas" from Marketplace"MAMDANI’S FIRST 100 DAYS: Mayor signs executive orders targeting junk fees and subscription traps" from amNY"The Mamdani vs. big business era begins as mayor pledges 'economic justice'" from Gothamist"Politics Trump administration freezes $10 billion in child, family aid to 5 states over fraud concerns" from CNBC  "The new go-to for Napa Valley wine lovers? Costco" from Marketplace "Google adds proofreading, AI summaries to Gmail with new update" from Marketplace "Why you should put down your phone and daydream instead" from The Washington Post"At grocery stores, shopping with a side of biometric surveillance" from Marketplace We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

In the wake of U.S. military action in Venezuela, including the capture of the country’s leader Nicolás Maduro, we’re left with questions about what this moment could mean for the future of U.S. foreign policy and the global economy. On the show today, director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Jason Marczak joins Kimberly to explain why the Trump administration is shifting its focus back toward the Western Hemisphere, harkening back to the Monroe Doctrine. Plus, what it would take to revitalize Venezuela’s economy. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Experts react: The US just captured Maduro. What’s next for Venezuela and the region?" from the Atlantic Council"Donald Trump asserts control over Venezuela—and all the Americas" from The Economist"For Big Oil, Venezuela's reserves show long-term promise" from Marketplace  "What Is the Monroe Doctrine, and How Is Trump Reasserting It?" from Time"Dispatches from Venezuela: Red roofs and the new ogling" from Marketplace Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

It’s been a year since the Eaton and Palisades fires swept through Southern California, taking 31 lives and destroying over 16,000 structures — including the homes of “Marketplace Morning Report” host David Brancaccio and his neighbors in Altadena. On the show today, David joins Kimberly to talk about the road to rebuilding the community and the complicated, costly task of rebuilding with fire resistant materials. Here’s everything we talked about today: "How my Altadena neighbors are rebuilding, one year since the Eaton Fire" from Marketplace "L.A. wildfires broke record for costliest in the history of the planet" from the San Francisco Chronicle "These numbers tell the story of the Los Angeles wildfires, one year later" from AP News"Marketplace’s David Brancaccio on community, loss and rebuilding in Altadena" from Marketplace"To rebuild homes cheaper, faster and safer, some want new rules" from Marketplace We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Hey smarties! Happy New Year. We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Reema Khrais and the team are getting ready to relaunch the show on Jan. 15. Stay tuned for new episodes! Nikki Massie never had a reason to question her salary. After more than a decade with the same company, she’d earned awards, promotions and the trust of co-workers who felt like family. But then one day, she discovered she might have missed out on tens of thousands of dollars over the years. Nikki began to wonder: What do you do when you suspect you’ve been underpaid? And at what point do you consider walking away?  If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Hey smarties! Happy New Year. We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Reema Khrais and the team are getting ready to relaunch the show on Jan. 15. Stay tuned for new episodes! When newlyweds Chantal and Travis Lisback started searching for their dream home in Seattle, they weren’t entirely on the same page. Chantal was eager to settle down as soon as possible, while Travis was more comfortable waiting a few years. As the search dragged on, what began as a shared dream started to feel more like a standoff.  This week, a story about how a big life decision can bring to light the money and communication issues you didn’t know were there. Plus, later in the episode, Chantal and Travis sit down with financial therapist Aja Evans to unpack what’s happening beneath the surface, and how to approach money fights with more care and intention.  If you liked this episode, share it with a friend!

Hey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2025. We can’t do this show without you and we still need your support. If you can, donate today to keep independent journalism going strong into 2026 and beyond. Give now to support “Make Me Smart.” Thank you so much for your generosity, happy holidays and we’ll see you in the new year. The holidays are just around the corner. And for many, it might mean being a guest at, or hosting, a friendsgiving get-together or other holiday party. Regardless of which side of the gathering you’re on, it can be stressful. But fret not! Casey Elsass, author of the book “What Can I Bring? Recipes to Help You Live Your Guest Life,” joins Kimberly from New York City to share tips on how to host and attend a great holiday party without breaking your bank account. Plus, we’ll play a round of This or That!

Hey smarties! We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, enjoy this bonus episode on one of Kimberly’s favorite topics: anime! Anime had a big year in 2025. The animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” broke Netflix’s record for most-watched movie on the streaming platform. And “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" became the top-grossing international film ever at the North American box office. When “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” debuted in theaters earlier this year, Kimberly spoke with Crunchyroll’s executive vice president of global commerce Mitchel Berger about the strategy behind the film’s release and the future of anime content.

Hey smarties! We’re taking a short break for the holidays. So today, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes from 2025. Enjoy! Today we’re diving into the business of music. Trapital founder Dan Runcie joins Kimberly to explain what Anthropic’s recent copyright settlement with authors could mean for record labels who’ve sued AI companies, the “fair use” debates dominating the music industry, and why even the biggest stars are struggling to create chart-toppers these days. Plus, we’ll celebrate a win from one of our listeners.

On today’s show, we’re digging into the mailbag to hear our listeners’ thoughts on the economy in 2025. Spoiler: tariffs came up a lot. And, we’ll hear from some of the reporters who helped us make sense of the news this year about what they’ll be keeping an eye on in 2026. Plus, we’ll celebrate a win! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump shook up global trade this year; some uncertainty may persist in 2026" from Reuters"Trump tests his 'affordability' message in a midterm battleground district" from NBC News "This K-shaped economy is reliant on high-income spenders" from Marketplace"Jerome Powell’s era of consensus at the Fed is over" from CNN Business"Missouri House advances proposal that could curtail ballot initiatives passing" from STLPR  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Hey Smarties! We’re dropping into your feeds today to share this special coverage from Marketplace. For many people gathering around the table this holiday season, things feel a little different. Maybe it’s the cost of ingredients that’s on your mind, or cuts to USDA funding that have left your food bank running low. Or maybe it’s the simple reality of a packed schedule — there’s a lot to cook, and so little time.  In this special from Marketplace, we bring listeners a collection of stories on the business and economics of food. Our reporters take us across the country to farms, home kitchens, and restaurants. We visit a refugee farmer in Houston, a chocolate-making lab in California, and stop for a bite at an award-winning restaurant in Portland. 

Family caregivers in the United States are increasingly under mental and financial stress. Elizabeth Miller, founder of the caregiver resource platform Happy Healthy Caregiver, is here to help. On today’s show, Miller joins Kimberly to talk about prioritizing self-care and how you start caregiving conversations with family. Plus, we’ll get in the holiday spirit with a round of This or That! Here’s everything we talked about today: "New Report Reveals Crisis Point for America’s 63 million Family Caregivers" from AARP "How To Prepare To Be A Caregiver And Manage The Costs" from Today "5 Powerful Tips to kick off “the Talk” with Your Loved Ones" from Happy Healthy Caregiver"How to Make a Caregiving Plan (So It’s Ready When You Need It)" from The New York Times If our reporting has been valuable to you in 2025, consider becoming a Marketplace Investor. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Long-term care is expensive in the United States. With Medicaid spending cuts looming and the Trump administration’s deportation plans threatening the caregiving workforce, the system is under even more pressure. On today’s show, Allison Hoffman, health law expert at the University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School, joins Kimberly to unpack why the caregiving industry suffers from chronic labor shortages and how the U.S. could finance long-term care differently to make it more affordable. Here’s everything we talked about today: "What Role Do Immigrants Play in The Direct Long-Term Care Workforce?" from KFF"Trump’s deportation plans threaten 400,000 direct care jobs: Older adults and people with disabilities could lose vital in-home support" from Economic Policy Institute "A brief history of Medicaid and America’s long struggle to establish a health care safety net" from The Conversation "The age-old problem of long-term care" from MIT News "Solving the Home Care Quandary" from The New York Times Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Roughly 1 in 4 Americans now identifies as a family caregiver. That share has risen dramatically over the past decade. With more people needing care and limited options for affordable long-term care services in the United States, caregivers are strained—often mentally and financially. On today’s show, Debra Whitman, chief public policy officer of AARP, joins Kimberly to unpack how this “invisible workforce” fits into the broader economy and how we can make caregiving more sustainable for families. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Caregiving in the US 2025" from AARP"The number of “sandwich generation” caregivers is growing" from Marketplace "If Americans Were Paid For Their Caregiving, They Would Make More Than $1.1 Trillion" from the National Partnership for Women and Families"Returning to the Workforce After Being a Caregiver" from Harvard Business Review"Invisible crisis: America’s caregivers and the $600 billion unpaid cost of their labor" from ABC News"Caregiving in the US 2025: Caring Across States" from AARP We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Florida is a state that often feels tangible impacts of climate change, with strong storms and hurricanes making landfall in the state every hurricane season. However, this year is the first time in a decade that the Sunshine State was spared from experiencing a single hurricane. Jessica Meszaros, a climate change reporter at WUSF, joins Kimberly to explain how Floridians are rebuilding a year after hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton hit the state. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s what we talked about on the show today: “Florida and the U.S. were spared of hurricanes in 2025, but storms are still rapidly intensifying” from WUSF“Hurricane Helene Response” from US Army Corps of Engineers“Assessment of Agricultural Losses Resulting from Hurricane Milton” from University of Florida IFAS“Disaster and insurance costs are rising. The middle class is struggling to hang on” from NPR“Sorting trash can be dirty and dangerous. Sounds like a job for AI” from Marketplace“Disney comes to Sora: What you can and can't do with the characters” from Axios“How fruitcake became a Christmas classic (even if it’s unpopular)” from MSN“City life is reshaping raccoons – and may be nudging them toward domestication” from The Guardian

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point Wednesday. And this decision comes as President Donald Trump continues to put pressure on the supposedly independent agency to move the economy the way he wants. Plus, the president is reportedly beginning final interviews for Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s potential successor. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Fed lowers interest rates again amid debate over inflation, jobs” from The Washington Post“Trump to start final Fed chair interviews beginning with Kevin Warsh” from CNBC“What a Fed rate cut means for your home, car and credit card loans” from The Washington Post“Watch out for these refinancing red flags” from Marketplace Morning Report

Rare-earth elements help power our everyday electrical devices, and that’s because most batteries are made with minerals like lithium, nickel, cobalt and graphite. As of now, China produces more of these minerals than any other country. But some mining companies are eyeing the deep sea’s floor, says Marketplace contributor Dan Ackerman, because such rare earths form organically way down there. Plus, the ethical concerns that come with this deep-sea mining. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Companies are betting on deep sea mining for critical minerals” from Marketplace Tech“New policies may part the waters for ocean mining” from Marketplace Morning Report“In the depths of the ocean, a new contest between the US and China emerges” from The Guardian“Trump’s New Executive Order Promotes Deep Sea Mining in US and International Waters While Bypassing International Law” from Inside Climate News

As another holiday season kicked off on Black Friday, finding the perfect gift is top of mind for many. But how much will weary American consumers be willing to spend this year? Based on early data … it’s a lot! Marketplace’s Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to explain why the K-shaped economy may explain the contradiction and why AI is making its way into Americans’ shopping habits. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s what we talked about on the show today: ”September retail sales fail to impress” from Marketplace”Black Friday, Cyber Monday spending expected to top records” from Marketplace”Black Friday Sales Spike Despite Economic Uncertainty, Study Shows—Here’s Why” from Forbes“‘Tis the season for credit card debt” from Marketplace”How are retailers benefiting from the "buy now, pay later" boom?” from Marketplace”What is your Spotify listening age?” from Marketplace”More than 8 in 10 Americans are more likely to purchase secondhand gifts this year” from Retail Brew”Target Launches New AI-Powered Features to Make Holiday Shopping Easier, Smarter and More Fun” from PR Newswire Missed Giving Tuesday? It's always a great time to become a Marketplace investor. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

The average age of Congress' members has gotten older compared to the Americans it represents. This 119th Congress is the third oldest since 1789. On today’s show, Princeton economist Owen Zidar joins Kimberly to explain how decades of public policy have fueled a generational wealth gap and what our so-called gerontocracy has to do with it. Plus, what it would take for Congress to really address the economic issues younger Americans are facing. Here’s everything we talked about today: ”It’s My Party and I’ll Leave When I Want To” from Intelligencer”Gerontocracy is everywhere” from Slow Boring”How baby boomers got so rich, and why their kids are unlikely to catch up” from The Washington Post”The Age Divide: How America’s Electoral System Reinforces the Gerontocracy” from New America”The Everywhere Millionaire” by Owen Zidar We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

If you could send a message to yourself, 20 years into the future, what would you say? On today’s show, Scientific American’s editor-in-chief David Ewalt joins Kimberly to share how he built an e-mail time capsule two decades ago and how human relationships kept the project alive despite the challenges of a rapidly changing technology and media landscape. Here’s the article we talked about today: "How Forbes Sent E-mails to the Future—And What Happened 20 Years Later" from Scientific American  Become a Marketplace Investor today, and your impact will be  doubled. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Each year on Black Friday, millions of Americans go out in search of the best holiday season shopping deals. But have you ever wondered about the origins of the holiday? The little ones in your life may be wondering about that too. Today, we’re sharing a special crossover episode from Marketplace kids podcast “Million Bazillion.” Bridget and Ryan team up with the hosts of “Forever Ago” to explain Black Friday’s history. Plus, they share tips on how to shop smarter during the holiday season.

Hey Smarties! Happy Thanksgiving. Today we’re sharing an episode from the latest season of Marketplace’s climate podcast, “How We Survive,” that has to do with the future of what’s on your dinner table. As the planet heats up, the climate of the Midwest is changing. It’s pushing the invisible line separating the humid East and arid West eastward which has major implications for our food supply. In this episode, Amy Scott drives across Kansas to find out how farmers are adapting.

Business has been booming for the online sports betting industry. Prediction markets threw a curveball. On today’s show, sports betting industry writer and analyst Dustin Gouker joins Kimberly to explain how prediction markets are disrupting sports betting and the legal questions surrounding it. Plus, we’ll get into what it means to live in a world where you can bet on anything, anytime from your phone. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Why are sports betting companies getting into the prediction market?" from Marketplace"FanDuel, DraftKings Leaving American Gaming Association" from The Closing Line"From Kalshi to Polymarket to FanDuel, America Is One Giant Casino" from Business Insider"What is Kalshi, the predictions market that’s attracted the NCAA’s attention?" from The Athletic"The Sports-Betting Disaster" from The New YorkerHow to contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The holidays are just around the corner. And for many, it might mean being a guest at, or hosting, a friendsgiving get-together or other holiday party. Regardless of which side of the gathering you’re on, it can be stressful. But fret not! Casey Elsass, author of the book “What Can I Bring? Recipes to Help You Live Your Guest Life,” joins Kimberly from New York City to share tips on how to host and attend a great holiday party without breaking your bank account. Plus, we’ll play a round of This or That! Here’s everything we talked about today: “What Can I Bring? Recipes to Help You Live Your Guest Life” from Hachette Book Group“Potluck problems solved: Recipes that travel well and always impress” from MPR News“Americans Need to Party More” from The Atlantic“2024 Is the Year of the Dinner Party” from Eater“Song of the Shirt” from Thomas Hood

The United Nations’ climate summit, COP30, is underway in Brazil. But one country is notably absent: the United States. On today’s show, climate law expert Jennifer Haverkamp joins Kimberly to share her takeaways from COP30 so far and what the United States’ absence means for the future of global climate progress. Plus, the growing debate over whether climate finance should prioritize adapting to climate change or curbing fossil fuels. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Cop30 live: current climate pathway ‘a death sentence for many’, says UN secretary-general" from The Guardian "Debatable: How to fight climate change" from Semafor"With Trump absent from COP30 talks, the world moves on without U.S." from The Washington Post "Brazil Officials Are Divided Over Fossil Fuel Plan at COP30" from Bloomberg"India wants COP30 to focus on climate adaptation, but dries up own fund" from Al Jazeera   We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

For the Affordable Care Act, it’s been one battle after another. The ongoing fight over the ACA subsidies at the center of the government shutdown are just the latest flash point in the law’s 15-year history. KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner joins Kimberly to break down where things stand with the ACA and whether we’re on the cusp of another national healthcare debate. Plus, the other health policy changes coming under the Trump administration. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The State of the Affordable Care Act" from KFF Health News"Oz: Trump administration weighing ACA subsidies extension" from The Hill "8 Things to Watch for the 2026 ACA Open Enrollment Period" from KFF "Obamacare sticker shock is more shocking in some states than others" from Politico"GOP plans to replace Obamacare have failed. Here’s what lawmakers propose now." from Washington Post   We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Latin Grammys threw a party in Las Vegas last night. But this year, the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has had a chilling effect on the Latin entertainment industry. Mountain West News Bureau reporter Yvette Fernandez joins Kimberly from Las Vegas to share her reporting, including how the city is handling a lengthy tourism slump. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Latinx Files: Recapping the Latin Grammys" from The Los Angeles Times"Immigration crackdown, visa issues spark issues for Latin music festivals" from Marketplace "New Statistics Underscore Las Vegas' Prolonged Tourism Slump" from Travel Pulse"Healthcare costs continue to be at the heart of the government shut down as costs will still increase" from KNPR"He has a soulful voice, a No. 1 hit and he's not real. Meet AI star Breaking Rust" from USA Today"The death of the penny is leaving businesses stuck in the middle" from Marketplace"The growing business of disconnecting" Marketplace"Holiday catalogs are making a comeback" MarketplaceTest your news knowledge with Marketplace’s new weekly quiz We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Congress may have ended the shutdown (finally), but it’s still entangled in a power struggle with the Executive Branch. Kai Ryssdal has thoughts. On the show today, Kai and Kimberly get into what comes next in the shutdown’s wake, how the Trump administration’s tariff arguments went over at the Supreme Court and what the sliding balance of power in the federal government has to do with the health of the U.S. economy. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Court appears dubious of Trump’s tariffs" from SCOTUSblog"Trump floats $2,000 tariff rebate checks: Here's what you need to know" from CNBC"Trump claims tariff loss would force $3 trillion ‘unwind'" from Axios"If SCOTUS strikes down President Trump's current tariffs, he has plenty of other options" from Marketplace"How Congress Gave Up Its Own Power" from Time"Senate sinks measure to block military action against Venezuela" from Politico Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

It’s Singles Day in China: a retail holiday that runs circles around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. By comparison, single Americans are an untapped market according to Peter McGraw, behavioral economist and host of the podcast “Solo: The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life.” But as the single population grows in the United States, will that change? We’ll get into it. Plus, the realities of the “singles tax.” Here’s everything we talked about today: "Singles’ Day is a $150B holiday in China. Here’s why I think ‘11/11’ will catch on in the US" from The Conversation "The rise of singlehood is reshaping the world" from The Economist"The rise of the ‘solo economy’ is driving new consumption patterns" from Futures Platform "The ‘singles tax’ means you often pay more for going it alone. Here’s how it works" from The Conversation  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s edition of Economics on Tap, we’re heading to Virginia! The state held major elections this week, and affordability was top of mind for voters. VPM News reporter Patrick Larsen joins Kimberly to debrief the election results and explain why rising energy costs were a key campaign issue—and what data centers have to do with it. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "How do data centers figure into Virginia's 2025 elections?" from VPM News"Virginia’s Rural Voters Shift 12 Points Toward Democrats" from The Daily Yonder"Soaring energy prices gave Democrats a winning message" from Semafor"Pumpkinscaping could be coming to a porch near you" from Marketplace"iRobot Is in Trouble, but Roomba Is Already Dead" from Wirecutter"How is this novelty team outselling over half the MLB?" from Marketplace "What Travelers Need to Know About the Shutdown, Flight Reductions and Delays" from The New York Times  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Quantum computing is still in an experimental phase, but tech companies say it could eventually have an enormous impact on the global economy. How long is that going to take? On today’s show, science journalist Dan Garisto joins Kimberly to break down the basics of quantum computing and why it could take many years for the technology to move out of the lab and into the real world. Here’s everything we talked about today: "This Year’s Nobel Physics Prize Showed Quantum Mechanics Is a Big Deal—Literally" from Scientific American  "The Next Big Quantum Computer Has Arrived" from The Wall Street Journal "Google Measures ‘Quantum Echoes’ on Willow Quantum Computer Chip" from Scientific American "Futuristic quantum computing stocks take speculators on roller-coaster ride" from Reuters"Here’s How Quantum Computing Could Change the World" from The Wall Street Journal  Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs have rattled the global economy this year. That goes for both allies and adversaries of the United States. But the future of some of these tariffs hinge on the outcome of a Supreme Court case challenging their legality. On today’s show, Asma Khalid, co-host of “The Global Story” podcast from the BBC, joins Kimberly to explain what’s at stake. Plus, how international relationships are shifting in the Trump era. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The Global Story, The Supreme Court battle over Trump’s tariffs" from the BBC World Service"Geopolitics of Trump Tariffs: How U.S. Trade Policy Has Shaken Allies" from Council on Foreign Relations"The president who cried tariffs: will the US supreme court challenge Trump’s trade war?" from The Guardian  "China and India pledge to be 'partners not rivals'" from BBC News "The rise and fall of globalisation: the battle to be top dog" from The Conversation We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s show, we’re talking about facing your financial fears, because it’s a scary time for many in this economy! Reema Khrais, host of “This Is Uncomfortable,” joins Kimberly to unpack the financial anxieties some of our listeners shared with us, from feeling behind on retirement savings to feeling uncertain about the economy future generations will inherit. Plus, we’ll play a spooky game! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Financial Anxiety Is Rising. Here’s What You Can Do About It" from Bloomberg"Your Professional Decline Is Coming (Much) Sooner Than You Think" from The Atlantic"8 Things to Watch for the 2026 ACA Open Enrollment Period" from KFF"People insured through their employers likely to see higher premiums in 2026" from Marketplace"Government shutdown resources for federal employees" from Partnership for Public ServiceVIDEO: ”Inkwo for When the Starving Return Official Trailer” from the National Film Board of Canada"Halloween candy's getting lighter on the chocolate" from Marketplace We want to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

As big companies announce waves of layoffs, lots of workers are worried about AI coming for their jobs. On today’s show, we tune in to part of Kimberly’s recent panel discussion at Aspen Ideas: Economy. President of the AARP Foundation Claire Casey, 1Huddle founder and CEO Sam Caucci, and Union College of Union County New Jersey President Margaret McMenamin share their insights on building a more diverse and resilient labor market in the years ahead. Plus, we hear a listener’s recent win: sewing a historically-accurate dress to sport at the local Renaissance Faire. Nice stitching, Hannah! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Layoffs are piling up, raising worker anxiety. Here are some companies that have cut jobs recently" from AP News"Tens of Thousands of White-Collar Jobs Are Disappearing as AI Starts to Bite" from The Wall Street JournalVIDEO: "Beyond Lip Service: Building a Resilient Labor Market" from Aspen Ideas: Economy Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

It’s Day 28 of the government shutdown, and lawmakers still aren’t budging on the budget. But Congress faces key deadlines this week: Funds for assistance programs like SNAP could run out, and Americans may see their healthcare premiums skyrocket as open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans begins Nov. 1. On today’s show, Kimberly unpacks what’s at stake with CQ Roll Call reporter Aris Folley. Plus, we’ll answer some of your questions along the way. Here’s everything we talked about today: ”6 ways the shutdown is about to get worse” from Politico ”Largest federal workers union calls for an end to the shutdown, putting pressure on Democrats” from NBC ”Government shutdown continues to add to stress on air traffic controllers and disrupt flights” from AP News ”As Shutdown Drags and Trump Flexes, Congress Cedes Its Relevance” from the New York Times We want to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Hey Smarties! Today we’re sharing another episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. Host Amy Scott and the “How We Survive” crew continue their exploration into the future of climate-conscious food with a look at the cutting edge of meat alternatives. Plus, Francis Lam, host of “The Splendid Table,” joins Amy to put cell cultivated meat to the test and shares some tips for cooking climate-friendly proteins.

Chicago has been dealing with a lot these days. The city has been a battleground for the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and efforts to deploy the National Guard. On today’s show, Kimberly asks WBEZ’s Sasha-Ann Simons about what it’s like to be there now. And, we’ll get into more economic stories from the Windy City you should know about. Plus, we’ll play a game of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "ICE Is Cracking Down on Chicago. Some Chicagoans Are Fighting Back." from The New York Times"Local leaders react to ‘brutal escalation’ of immigration arrests in Little Village, Cicero" from WBEZ"Judge’s order blocking National Guard deployment will remain in effect for now, but all eyes on Supreme Court" from WBEZ"Coca-Cola taps mini cans and new flavors to spark a fizzling soda market" from Marketplace"‘It’s PR, not the ER’: Gen Z is resisting the workplace emergency" The Washington Post"Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ Series Finale Officially Coming to Theaters, Despite Previous Statements" from The Hollywood Reporter"Amazon Plans to Replace More Than Half a Million Jobs With Robots" from The New York Times  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The climate crisis has a lot to do with what we eat. That’s what the latest season of Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast “How We Survive” is all about. On today’s show, host Amy Scott joins Kimberly to share her big takeaways from the season. We’ll get into the business of cell cultivated meat and the tradeoffs that come with regenerative farming. Then, we’ll do some smiles. Plus, Kimberly’s PSA to use your fancy china! Here’s everything we talked about today: "How We Survive" from Marketplace"State of Climate Action 2025" from Systems Change Lab"I paid $65 for a giant collection of vintage dishes at a thrift store. Then I found out it's worth almost $1,000." from Business Insider Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Hey Smarties! Today we’re passing the mic to our friends over at “How We Survive.” This season, Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast is diving into the future of food on a hotter, drier planet. In this episode, host Amy Scott and the “How We Survive” crew go on a food tour around Northern California to find out how some companies are experimenting with new ways to make foods threatened by climate change.

Today we’re taking a trip to Kimberly’s hometown: St. Louis, Missouri. St. Louis Public Radio’s politics correspondent Jason Rosenbaum joins Kimberly to break down the fights over Missouri’s congressional maps and voter-led ballot initiatives. And, we’ll get into how St. Louis is recovering from the historic tornado that swept through the city earlier this year. Plus, are you Half Full or Half Empty on St. Louis style pizza? Here’s everything we talked about today: "Democratic National Committee will contribute to blocking Missouri congressional map" from STLPR"Missouri voters and lawmakers clash over ballot initiative powers" from AP News"Missouri Gov. Kehoe activates National Guard to assist ICE agents" from STLPR"FEMA approves additional funding and assistance for St. Louis tornado debris cleanup" from STLPR"Should you postpone your flight during the government shutdown?" from Marketplace"Thune dangles Obamacare vote after shutdown ends" from Politico "Thin-Crust Fans, Meet St. Louis Pizza: Crunchy, Cheesy, and Totally Underrated" from Serious Eats We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

In this rough labor market, job seekers are more vulnerable to scams. We’ve all seen those texts, right? The ones offering jobs with suspiciously high pay for suspiciously little work? On today’s show, Marketplace’s Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to share what happened when she replied to one of these scam messages. Plus, why AI and the shift to remote work has fueled the rise in job scams. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Job scam texts have become more frequent and more believable" from Marketplace"Who experiences scams? A story for all ages" from the Federal Trade Commission"Job Scam Texts Are Duping Gen Z, Millennials Amid Unemployment Fears" from Business Insider Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

The effects of government shutdowns are felt particularly deeply in tribal communities across the United States. That’s because the federal government has a constitutional obligation to fund services in Indian Country. But when the government closes, tribal nations are left to pick up the tab. Marketplace’s Savannah Peters joins Kimberly to explain how tribal communities get caught up in the federal government’s dysfunctional budget process and why tribal leaders argue this needs to change. Here’s everything we talked about today: "How the government shutdown is playing out in Indian Country" from Marketplace "Tribal governments fend off the worst of the impacts of the shutdown" from High Country News "The shutdown isn’t big for Utah’s tribes yet. If it drags on, that’s the problem" from KUER "In Indian Country, federal budget dysfunction takes a toll" from Marketplace We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s show, Kimberly is joined by the host of NPR’s “Life Kit” podcast, Marielle Segarra, who’s recently been working on a four-week newsletter series all about credit card debt — and how to avoid it all snowballing. Plus, we’ll play a round of Headline or Head-lyin’! Here’s everything we talked about today: “In credit card debt? There’s a path out” from Life Kit“Medical bills can cause a financial crisis. Here’s how to negotiate them” from Life Kit“A big misconception about debt — and how to tackle it” from Life Kit

Today we’re all getting smarter about some of the economic and political terms dominating the headlines these days. Terms like “authoritarianism” and “state capitalism” that have been hotly debated during the second Trump administration. Plus, “stagflation” and other vocabulary words our listeners have been curious about. With some help from experts, Kimberly breaks them all down. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Why journalists are reluctant to call Trump an authoritarian – and why that matters for democracy" from The Conversation"What do we call the Trump administration's economic interventions?" from Marketplace"The U.S. Marches Toward State Capitalism With American Characteristics" from The Wall Street Journal"Trump's Latest Trade Deals Raise More Questions Than Answers and Harm America’s Future" from the Center for American Progress"Supreme Court Agrees to Review Trump’s Sprawling Tariffs" from The New York Times"What Is Stagflation, What Causes It, and Why Is It Bad?" from Investopedia"Are Donald Trump's tariffs the new sanctions?" from Stanford University Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

A growing list of U.S. cities are set to see National Guard troops in their communities as President Trump explores ways to deploy the military on American soil. But legal challenges are piling up. On today’s show, Kimberly talks with Patrick Eddington, senior fellow in homeland security and civil liberties at the Cato Institute, about the changing role of the National Guard and why Trump’s use of the Guard defies precedent. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The President’s List of Subversive Organizations" from the Cato Institute"Trump’s use of Guard may have lasting impact on cities and troops" from The Washington Post"Trump's use of the National Guard sets up a legal clash testing presidential power" from AP News"Troops and marines deeply troubled by LA deployment: ‘Morale is not great’" from The Guardian"What We Lose by Distorting the Mission of the National Guard" from The Atlantic We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s show, Kimberly is joined by Marketplace’s very own Henry Epp to chat about his reporting on the “maturing” of the craft beer industry, and just who's sipping all those IPAs and sours. They'll also get into how the Trump administration is using the government shutdown to consolidate power. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “For years, craft beer was booming. Now, it’s ‘maturing’” from Marketplace“Trump charts path to total control amid government shutdown” from Axios“AOL’s dial up internet takes its last bow, marking the end of an era” from the Associated Press“Colleges turn to video essays to counter AI-written submissions” from Marketplace Tech“Robots are learning to make human babies. Twenty have already been born.” from The Washington Post“Buy it in ChatGPT: Instant Checkout and the Agentic Commerce Protocol” from OpenAI“The future of loyalty” from Business Insider

Messy fights over funding the federal government have become all too familiar in American politics. Why are we like this? On the show today, The Brookings Institution’s Molly Reynolds joins Kimberly to explain how shutdowns became Congress’ political weapon of choice and why the federal budget process has gotten even more complicated under the Trump administration. Plus, we hear from you, our dear listeners. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Congress has long struggled to pass spending bills on time" from Pew Research Center"Government shutdown continues as Senate Democrats hold firm on health care demands" from AP News"How John Thune sees the shutdown ending" from Politico"What are Democrats' demands in the government shutdown fight?" from Marketplace Show your love for Make Me Smart and our community of curious listeners! Donate now to get us one step closer to our Fall Fundraiser

Las Vegas is facing a months long decline in tourism, partly due fewer international visitors to the United States overall. So is Las Vegas dead? “Marketplace Morning Report” host David Brancaccio went to find out. He joins Kimberly on the show today to share what he’s hearing from business owners and tourists about the city’s economic slump. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Sin City tourism slump signals wider economic slowdown" from Axios"An Empty Strip And Fewer Tips: Is Las Vegas In Trouble?" from Time"Las Vegas is hurting as tourism drops. Are Canadians behind the Sin City slump?" from CBC News The way forward is together! Step up and be one of 2,000 Marketplace Investors before our fundraiser ends Friday. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Hey Smarties! Today we’re sharing a special bonus episode from “How We Survive.” It’s a conversation between host Amy Scott, “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal and Pulitzer Prize winning science writer Elizabeth Kolbert. Together, they dig into how the climate crisis is triggering economic disruption. Plus, some solutions to be hopeful about. And, we get a peek into Kolbert’s forthcoming book, ”Life on a Little-Known Planet: Dispatches from a Changing World.” In this collection of her most influential essays, Kolbert takes readers around the globe, telling stories about caterpillars, whale conversations and the people trying to preserve our planet. This conversation was recorded live, over Zoom, in front of an audience. You can watch the webinar here. The event is presented by Odoo with additional underwriting support from The Economist. 

On today’s show, Alaska Public Media reporter Ava White joins Kimberly to make us smarter about Fat Bear Week and the issues that are top of mind for Alaskans right now. Alaska residents receive an annual check funded by the state’s oil royalties. But its purchasing power is lower than ever. We’ll get into it. Plus, we’ll weigh in on AI live translations and a rise in Hamburger Helper sales during a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Meet the superfans going wild for Alaska’s fattest bears" from Alaska Public Media"Alaska ignored warning signs of a budget crisis. Now it doesn’t have money to fix crumbling schools" from KYUK”The 2025 Alaska Permanent Fund dividend will be $1,000” from Alaska Public Media"North Slope leaders applaud tax breaks for whalers in the GOP megabill” from KNBA"Why are restaurant chains opening beverage-focused spinoffs?" from Marketplace"AI is taking on live translations. But jobs and meaning are getting lost." from The Washington Post"Touchscreens in cars are finally on their way out. Good riddance" from Fast Company"Hamburger Helper Sales Rise as Americans Try to Stretch Their Food Dollars" from The New York Times It’s Half-Priced Hoodie Weekend! Give $10 a month to support our journalism today, and we’ll thank you with a cozy Marketplace zip-up hoodie: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Today we’re diving into the business of music. Trapital founder Dan Runcie joins Kimberly to explain what Anthropic’s recent copyright settlement with authors could mean for record labels who’ve sued AI companies, the “fair use” debates dominating the music industry, and why even the biggest stars are struggling to create chart-toppers these days. Plus, we’ll celebrate a win from one of our listeners. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The Generative AI Music Sweepstakes" from Trapital "Anthropic Agrees to Pay Authors at Least $1.5 Billion in AI Copyright Settlement" from Wired"Labels Claim Suno Pirated Songs From YouTube in Bulked-Up AI Copyright Lawsuit" from Billboard"YouTube copyright fight: Rick Beato warns UMG claims over short music clips could end his channel" from TechSpot TikTok from Lizzo"Kneecap, Faye Webster & 400 Other Artists Remove Their Catalogs From Israel: ‘No Music for Genocide’" from Billboard  Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

President Trump is not a fan of the United Nations—he made that clear in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly today. Under Trump, the United States has pulled back from several efforts, including U.N. organizations, that have contributed to the country’s so-called soft power goals. On the show today, Joshua Eisenman, professor of politics in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, joins Kimberly to discuss the changing role of the U.S. in global politics and how China is seizing this moment to gain more influence. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump tells UN in speech that it is 'not even coming close to living up' to its potential" from AP News"Geopolitics of Trump Tariffs: How U.S. Trade Policy Has Shaken Allies" from Council on Foreign Relations"How China Stands to Gain as the U.S. Steps Away From the U.N." from The New York Times"The Global South Won't Give Up on China" from Foreign Relations It's Marketplace's Fall Fundraiser! Give now and be one of 2,000 donors in 10 days: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

On today’s show, Kimberly is joined by Marlon Hyde, business and economics reporter for WABE in Atlanta, to unpack the fallout of the massive ICE raid at a Hyundai facility in Georgia in which hundreds of South Korean nationals were arrested. And, we’ll get into what Atlanta small business owners are worried about these days. (Spoiler: it’s tariffs.) Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Immigration raid at Georgia Hyundai factory tests state’s longstanding relationship with South Korea" from WABE"Hyundai says it will spend $2.7 billion expanding part of the Georgia complex raided by ICE" from AP News"Atlanta develops human rights action plan for 2026 FIFA World Cup" from WABE"After another subpar summer of going to the movies, what's next?" from Marketplace"Finally, the era of free in-flight WiFi is near" from The Washington Post"Costco's New Shopping Hours Are a Sign of Tierification of US Economy" from Business Insider "People are boycotting Disney, Hulu, and ESPN after ABC yanked Jimmy Kimmel off the air. Will it work?" from Fast Company We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

This week, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates and made it clear that its attention is turning to the labor market. It’s showing cracks, particularly for Black workers. On the show today, Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley joins Kimberly to discuss rising Black women’s unemployment in the United States and why she’s calling on the Fed to do something about it. Plus, Kimberly digs through your anime recs. Which ones have you seen? Here’s everything we talked about today: "Pressley urges Fed chair to address Black women's unemployment as the figure rises" from NBC News"There are worrying signs buried in the August jobs report" from Marketplace "Rising Unemployment Among Black Women Is a Bad Economic Sign" from Time"Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle slays the U.S. box office with record-breaking debut" from Polygon Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

The latest retail sales data shows U.S. consumers are still spending it up, even in the face of higher tariff costs and a shaky labor market. Wealthier Americans are driving the trend, but a “culture of treats” might also play a role. Marketplace’s Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to explain her theory. Plus, brands like Gap are pitching themselves to Gen Z by riffing on Y2K fashion. Are you onboard? Here’s everything we talked about today: "Retail sales up 0.6% in August from July even as tariffs hurt jobs and lead to price hikes" from AP News"Top 10% of Earners Drive a Growing Share of US Consumer Spending" from Bloomberg "For some consumers, luxury is not a treat — it's a lifestyle" from Marketplace "Why are millennial brands trying to ride the Y2K trend?" from Marketplace"Why Gap’s ‘Better In Denim’ Ad Struck The Right Chord" from Forbes We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Today’s news comes with a side of pawpaws. Kimberly is joined by Laura Blessing, senior fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, to break down the moves President Trump is making to exert more control over government spending. As Congress faces the possibility of another shutdown head on, it’s souring the mood. Plus, we’ll play a new game! Can you guess which headline is fake? Here’s everything we talked about today: "What is a pawpaw, and will I ever be able to buy it at the grocery store?" from Marketplace"‘Don't even bother dealing with them,’ Trump says of Democrats’ shutdown demands" from Politico"What to know about Trump’s ‘pocket rescission’" from The Hill "Paris Hilton mini-fridges recalled due to fire, burn hazards" from The Hill  "Musk got DOGE's mission "backward," Lutnick says" from Axios  "Trump announces crackdown on pharmaceutical advertising" from Politico  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

In the wake of yesterday’s assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Regina Bateson, a political science professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, joins Kimberly to unpack the rise of targeted political violence in the United States and what it means for the health of our democracy. Then, one of our listeners shares how digitizing her great grandmother’s WWII diaries helped connect her with her family’s past. Here’s everything we talked about today: "A new dark normal of political violence still shocks the nation" Politico "Tracking Attitudes About Elections and Political Violence Over Time" from States United Democracy Center"How Americans Justify Political Violence" from The New York Times Magazine "Special Report: Key Political Violence and Resilience Trends From 2024" from the Bridging Divides Initiative Check out Beth’s digitized diary project Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

On today’s show, host of APM Reports’ “Sold a Story” podcast Emily Hanford joins Kimberly to make us smarter about the science of reading movement. It’s gained a foothold over the past few years (thanks in part to “Sold a Story”). But the Trump administration’s cuts to the Department of Education could slow the momentum of reading research and the effort to share it with educators. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Episode 14: The Cuts" from “Sold a Story”"$900 Million in Institute of Education Sciences Contracts Axed" from Inside Higher Ed"How legislation on reading instruction is changing across the country" from APM Reports"What to Know About the Science of Reading" from The New York TimesLearn some Kimberly Adams trivia on Marketplace’s Instagram We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Hey Smarties! Today we’re sharing an episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. Host Amy Scott and the team have been digging into the rise and fall of environmental, social and governance-based investing, or ESG. In this episode, ESG comes back to life in new forms of climate-conscious investing.

Hey Smarties! Today we’re passing the mic to our friends over at “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. Their latest season digs into the rise and fall of environmental, social and governance-based investing, or ESG. In this episode, host Amy Scott and the team dig into how one Texas law spurred a right-wing movement against ESG.

Hey Smarties! “Make Me Smart” will be back with new episodes Sept. 9. In the meantime, we’re sharing an episode from the latest season of “Million Bazillion.” Hosts Bridget and Ryan dive into why organic food tends to cost more than non-organic with the help of Marketplace reporter Stephanie Hughes. Whether you’re a kid or grown-up, if you’re curious about the prices we pay at the grocery store, there’s something in this episode for you.

These are tumultuous times in the economy. Inflation is still happening, the job market is weakening, and there's uncertainty over tariffs and other federal policies. But the headlines don’t capture the real costs of everything happening right now. Today, Kai Ryssdal is popping into your feed with special coverage and reporting from “Marketplace" to explore the way we measure this economy and what’s at stake if those statistics become suspect. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter. Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

On the show today, Kimberly joins us from the anime convention AnimeNYC to share more about the economic impact of the anime industry and what cosplayers and business owners are saying about the economy right now. Spoiler alert: Tariffs are top of mind! And, we’ll weigh in on corporate apologies and the spicy food craze during a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Plus, a big thank you to Reema as she wraps up her time on the show. Here’s everything we talked about today: "10 anime series that will teach you about economics" from Marketplace"Here's the corporate strategy behind switching from merit increases to flat raises" from Marketplace"The era of the public apology is ending" from Axios"Amazon now sells used Hertz rental cars" from The Verge"How spicy became the hottest flavor in town" from Marketplace"Money and Relationships" e-book from Marketplace “Make Me Smart” will be back Sept. 9. Until then, leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

COVID-19 cases are on the rise again, and the federal guidelines for who should get vaccinated are in flux. We’ll unpack how it could impact what insurers are willing to cover this fall. And, as President Trump’s federal takeover of Washington D.C. continues, why is the city so quiet? Kimberly shares her take as a local. Plus, The Onion is proving that print publications can still thrive in the digital age. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Why Washington Residents Aren’t Flooding the Streets to Protest Trump" from Politico  "Top White House officials turn to public appearances with troops as a tense Washington watches" from AP News"JD Vance booed during hamburger handout to national guard troops in DC" from The Guardian "Trump's police takeover of DC has a surprising casualty: restaurant reservations" from Fortune"Will I Be Able to Get the New 2025 COVID Vaccine This Fall?" from The Cut "For some, fall Covid shots may come with copays — or no coverage at all" from NBC News"The Onion Brought Back Its Print Edition. The Gamble Is Paying Off." from The Wall Street Journal Don’t miss Kimberly’s anime recommendations in this week’s Marketplace newsletter. Sign up at marketplace.org/subscribe.

Ahead of the central bank’s big meeting in Jackson Hole this week, President Trump is ramping up pressure on the Federal Reserve, calling for Fed governor Lisa Cook to resign over accusations of fraud. We’ll get into it. And, SpaceX got a win in federal court that could have lasting effects on the power of the National Labor Relations Board. Plus, what makes a good life? "Appeals court says NLRB structure unconstitutional, in a win for SpaceX" from Tech Crunch"The Government Just Made it Harder for The Public to Comment on Regulations" from 404 Media"Trump Says Smithsonian Focuses Too Much on ‘How Bad Slavery Was’" from The New York Times"Trump Considers Firing Fed Official After Accusation of Mortgage Fraud" from The Wall Street Journal"There’s a path to a good life beyond happiness and meaning" from The Washington Post  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Over the past few years, the anime industry has reached new heights on the global stage. Netflix reported that over half of its global viewers watch anime. And, certain anime titles will soon be streaming on Delta flights. On the show today, Anime News Networks’ Egan Loo makes us smart about the rise of the anime and manga industries, the global dynamics of anime production, and how AI could change everything.  Later, we’ll get some advice on making a career change from a listener. And chess player-turned-economist Kenneth Rogoff answers the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Anime Is Booming. So Why Are Animators Living in Poverty?" from The New York Times"From Piracy Problems to Labor Shortages, the Anime Industry Is Facing a Reckoning" from Screen Rant"Thousands of Anime Titles Will Soon Be Streamable on Delta Flights" from Timeout"Sony’s Crunchyroll Makes Layoffs as It Restructures to Lean Into International Growth Markets" from Variety"The Biggest Movie You Haven't Seen Is Finally Coming To US Theaters" from Inverse  "How Korean webtoons are changing the comic industry—and the careers of creators" from Fast Company Don’t miss Kimberly’s anime recommendations in this week’s Marketplace newsletter. Sign up at marketplace.org/subscribe.

Republicans in Congress are attempting to claw back federal funding to replace the U.S. Postal Service’s outdated mail trucks with a mostly electric fleet. We’ll break down the fight. And, parents across the country are facing a slew of economic headwinds. How does a couple with 5 kids and a modest income make it work? Plus, a mysterious comet and a rebrand at MSNBC. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Republicans look to make a U-turn on federal commitment to electric vehicles for the Postal Service" from AP News"Senate Republicans cannot force US Postal Service to scrap EVs, parliamentarian says" from Reuters "What It’s Really Like to Support a Big Family on a Modest Income in America" from The Wall Street Journal "MSNBC to change name to MS NOW amid spinoff from NBCUniversal" from NBC News"A mysterious comet is shooting through our solar system. Why are scientists so excited about 3I/Atlas?" from The Guardian  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has plans to nearly double the number of its immigration detention centers by the end of the year. The agency has an enormous budget to carry out its agenda, but can it find enough workers to do the job? We’ll get into it. And, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "ICE documents reveal plan to double immigrant detention space this year" from The Washington Post"ICE Has Tons of Cash, But Is Struggling to Hire Enough Agents" from Time"Secretary Noem Unveils No Age Limit for Patriotic Americans to Join ICE Law Enforcement to Help Remove Worst of the Worst from U.S." from the Department of Homeland Security "Spike in Corruption Followed Last Hiring Surge at CBP and ICE" from American Immigration Council"Adjustable-rate mortgages make a comeback" from Marketplace"The White House makes a play for Intel" from Marketplace"Work weeks are getting more intense for AI startups" from Marketplace"LA 2028 Olympics to sell venue naming rights" from Axios We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

It’s not just you — we feel the bad vibes in the job market too. On the show today, we’ll unpack how what we’re hearing from those on the job hunt compares to what the data shows about a labor market slump. And, President Donald Trump says he wants to allow riskier assets like crypto and private equity investments in retirement accounts. Plus, mocktails make us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(K) Investors" from The White House"Should You Include Cryptocurrency in 401(k) Investments?" from AARP"Trump wants your 401(k) to access crypto and private equity. Here's what to know." from CBS News"Would you add crypto to your retirement portfolio?" from Marketplace"How do hiring sites deal with a slowing job market?" from Marketplace"Long-term unemployment is rising as uncertain businesses hold off on hiring" from Marketplace We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Since President Trump’s firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner over a weak jobs report, we’ve been thinking a lot about the trustworthiness of U.S. economic data. Other countries like China can offer a glimpse of what happens when that trust erodes. On the show today, Marketplace’s China correspondent Jennifer Pak explains how she works around unreliable data when reporting on the Chinese economy. Plus, could the United States be headed in the same direction? Here’s everything we talked about today: "12 million students in China will graduate this year into a shaky job market" from Marketplace"China says its unemployment rate is “stable,” but job seekers remain gloomy" from Marketplace "Is GDP still a useful gauge of China’s economy?" from Marketplace"How Bad Is China’s Economy? The Data Needed to Answer Is Vanishing" from The Wall Street Journal  "How to deal with untrustworthy government economic data? Look to China" from Marketplace"Trump taps Heritage economist to lead BLS" from Politico We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Today we’re diving into some ongoing battles over athlete pay, from college athletics to the WNBA. In the case of college sports, a recent lawsuit settlement involving the NCAA allows colleges and universities to pay their athletes directly. On the show today, sports journalist Kennington Lloyd Smith III explains how college athlete pay has evolved, how the recent House v. NCAA settlement could strain athletic departments, and what could come from the WNBA players’ current fight for more equitable pay. Plus, the sports private equity firms are eyeing. Then, we’ll hear how one listener got involved in local government. Plus, Paralympic sled hockey gold medalist Declan Farmer answers the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: "How college athletes will be paid after House v. NCAA settlement: NIL changes, enforcement, contracts and more" from CBS Sports"Trump signs executive order to 'protect' college sports" from Politico "Down to Business: Valuations are wild, returns are rocky. But women’s sports teams are in demand" from The Athletic "The WNBA Has a Good Problem on Its Hands" from The Atlantic "Private equity tees up to invest in youth sports" from Marketplace  "Travelers aren't big fans of TSA's facial recognition program, report finds" from Marketplace   We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

President Trump today said he’s temporarily taking over Washington’s police department and sending in National Guard troops to crack down on crime. We’ll get into the legal questions surrounding the move, and Kimberly shares her thoughts as a local. Plus, key inflation data set to come out this week could bring the impact of tariffs into clearer view. Then, we’ll smile about meteor showers and beach glass. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump says he's placing Washington police under federal control and deploying the National Guard" from AP News"Trump says crime in D.C. is out of control. Here’s what the data shows." from The Washington Post "What Trump can — and can’t — do in his bid to take over law enforcement in DC" from Politico  "Small Businesses Brace for the Punishing Side Effects of Trump’s Tariffs" from The New York Times"July Inflation Data: What to Watch in Tuesday’s CPI Report" from The Wall Street Journal "How to Watch the Perseids, the Strongest Meteor Shower of the Summer" from The New York Times We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

President Trump will replace Billy Long as the head of the Internal Revenue Service, less than two months since he was confirmed. This comes after months of turmoil at the IRS. We’ll explain. And, did you know could opt out of facial recognition software when going through airport security? Plus, we’ll weigh in on Instagram’s new map feature and more during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!  Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump Is Removing Billy Long as the I.R.S. Head 2 Months After He Was Confirmed" from The New York Times"The Comply To Fly?" from The Algorithmic Justice League"This wedding season, some couples are using their registries to give back" from Marketplace"Should buy now, pay later factor into credit scores?" from Marketplace"The New York Post is launching a California edition. Why?" from The Washington Post "Instagram Map lets your friends, and possibly exes, track your every move'" from The Washington Post Tell us about your experience with TSA’s facial recognition system. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at [email protected].

Remember the K-shaped economy? It’s the idea that the American economy recovered unevenly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week’s bombshell jobs report showed a similar pattern in the labor market, where certain sectors are booming, while others are falling behind. We’ll explain. And, we’ll unpack President Trump’s threats for a 100% tariff on semiconductors and the gap between what workers and employers want out of AI on the job. Plus, we’ll celebrate a listener’s career win! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Tracking Trump’s New Tariffs on Every Country" from The New York Times"Trump vows 100% tariff on chips, unless companies are building in the U.S." from CNBC"Employers Pull Back on Hiring as Uncertainty Weighs on Plans" from The New York Times"How much say do workers have over the tech employers make them use?" from Marketplace"Providing ChatGPT to the entire U.S. federal workforce" from OpenAI"What workers really want from AI" from Stanford Report  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Apple today plans to announce a new $100 billion investment aimed at boosting the compan’s production in the United States. It’s the latest in a string of moves by tech companies that could help maintain favor with the president and avoid tariffs. And, the Federal Aviation Administration wants to ease restrictions for drone package deliveries. We’ll get into the pros and cons of more drone-friendly skies. Plus, the origins of Pac-Man and a funeral fit for an AI chatbot model. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Federal Aviation Administration looks to expand drone package delivery" from ABC News"Video Shows Drone Rescuing Man During Flood in China" from The New York Times "Trump, Apple to Announce Fresh $100 Billion US Investment" from Bloomberg”Trump to Double India’s Tariff to 50% Over Russian Oil Purchases” from The New York Times"'It's a reminder of childhood': How Pac-Man changed gaming - and the world" from BBC News"Claude Fans Threw a Funeral for Anthropic’s Retired AI Model" from Wired We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Trump administration has vowed to roll back all sorts of federal regulations, from workplace safety standards to environmental protections. State and local governments have faced pressure from the White House to comply with this agenda. And it’s turned them into even more important battlegrounds in the regulatory wars. On the show today, Liane Jollon, executive director of Western Leaders Network, explains how local officials grapple with threats of funding cuts coming from the White House, and how you can get more involved in your state and local politics. Later, listeners share some love for public libraries. And, Steve Pierson, co-host of “The Practivist Pod,” answers the Make Me Smart question.  Here’s everything we talked about today: "States Ramping Up Regulations Amid Federal Pullback" from Forbes "Trump administration moves to repeal climate ‘holy grail’" from Politico"Texas House issues arrest warrants for Democrats who left state to block congressional redistricting" from The Texas Tribune"Donald Trump wants states and cities to do as they are told" from The Economist"The Documenters Network" from City Bureau  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

President Trump’s firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner is not without international precedent. Other countries have gone down the path of meddling with economic data for political gain. We’ll get into lessons we can take from the rest of the world. And, can the U.S. continue to be a bastion of scientific research in the wake of deep federal funding cuts? Plus, we’ll celebrate one listener’s feat of digitizing years of her great grandmother’s diaries. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Every Scientific Empire Comes to an End" from The Atlantic "Trump to Name New Fed Governor, Jobs Data Head in Coming Days" from Bloomberg"Trump Fired America’s Economic Data Collector. History Shows the Perils." from The New York TimesThread on X from Lulu Garcia Navarro We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Following a weaker than expected jobs report today, President Trump said he’ll fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, claiming the data was rigged. It’s an unprecedented move with potentially enormous consequences for our understanding of the U.S. economy. We’ll explain. And, we’ll get into how Trump’s tariffs are destabilizing economies across globe. Plus, we’ll weigh in on tariff “rebates” and pricier desserts during a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "The full list of Trump’s tariffs – from India to Taiwan" from The Guardian "‘There’s no work now, just debt’: Cambodian garment workers face precarious future as US tariffs loom" from The Guardian "Tariffs Bring Disaster In Lesotho, the Country That Trump Says Nobody’s Heard Of" from The Wall Street Journal "85 percent of parents worry about tariffs affecting back-to-school cost: Survey" from The Hill "Trump fires commissioner of labor statistics after weaker-than-expected jobs figures slam markets" from CNBC"Big Downward Jobs Revisions Could Be a Warning Sign for the Economy" The New York Times"Private equity tees up to invest in youth sports" from Marketplace"NYC’s Luxury Dessert Scene Is Booming and Higher Priced Than Ever" from Eater"Subscription-based children's magazines are revitalizing the genre" from Marketplace"GOP senators reject Trump’s pitch to use tariff revenue for ‘rebates’" from The Washington Post We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged after meeting yesterday, despite repeated pressures from President Trump to cut rates. But not everyone at the Fed was happy about it. On the show today, Marketplace’s Nancy Marshall-Genzer joins Kimberly to fill us in on the recent debate over lowering interest rates and the political tension surrounding the Fed. Plus, thriving raspberry bushes make us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged" from Marketplace "Fed's Powell sticks with patient approach to rate cuts, brushing off Trump's demands" from AP News"Could Trump use Fed HQ renovations as a pretext to fire Powell?" from Marketplace "What’s Holding Trump Back From Firing Powell" from The Atlantic We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The United Nations this week warned that “widespread starvation, malnutrition and disease” are contributing to a rise in hunger-related deaths across the Gaza Strip. This comes as the flow of aid into Gaza has slowed in recent months and the price of food has increased drastically. On the show today, Reema shares what life looks like for her family there right now. And, we’ll get into the growing international pressure on Israel to lift barriers that organizations have faced in delivering aid. Here’s everything we talked about today: "In Gaza, mounting evidence of famine and widespread starvation" from UN News"How Food Supplies in Gaza Have Dwindled Under the New Israeli Aid Plan" from The Wall Street Journal "The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Can Feed Starving Gazans" from The Wall Street Journal "What’s Happening in Gaza? FAQ: Hunger and Humanitarian Aid" from World Food Program USA"A famine hasn't been declared in Gaza, but that may not matter, experts say" from ABC News"A conversation with Baba" from “This Is Uncomfortable” We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Along with some other federal agencies, the Trump administration has attempted to gut the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It’s a small agency, but public libraries across the country rely on its funding. The loss of federal grants isn’t the only thing these community hubs are up against. On the show today, Sam Helmick, president of the American Library Association, explains how public library funding works, the challenges presented by the shift to digital media, and what the culture wars look like on the ground at public libraries. Later, listeners share their thoughts on the new No Tax on Tips and Overtime laws. Plus, a librarian answers the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The Trump Administration Is Threatening Libraries, Museums, and Other Nonprofits That Support the Arts, Humanities, and Learning" from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities "Libraries are cutting back on staff and services after Trump's order to dismantle small agency" from AP News"1 big thing: Libraries' e-book battle" from Axios“No Tax on Tips” Is an Industry Plant" from The New Yorker  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Over the weekend, President Trump announced a new trade deal with the EU: 15% tariffs on most goods in exchange for the EU’s promise to purchase U.S. energy. But a court case brought by a group of small businesses could derail Trump’s tariff agenda. We’ll explain what’s at stake. Plus, a reminder to get outside and enjoy what nature has to offer. (But stay cool!) Here’s everything we talked about today: "EU-US tariffs: five key takeaways from the trade deal" from The Guardian"US and EU reach tariff agreement" from “Marketplace Morning Report” "EU's pledge for $250 billion of US energy imports is delusional" from Reuters "Japan Expects Only 1-2% of $550 Billion US Fund to Be Investment" from Bloomberg"Trump's economy faces historic week on interest rates, trade, jobs and more" from Axios"Trump's trade deals and tariffs are on the chopping block in court. What happens next" from CNBC"Texas buys land for new state parks that will be developed using $1 billion voter-approved fund" from The Texas Tribune "A 100-year-old on a bike? Yes. ‘The right to wind in your hair’" from The Washington Post  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Earlier this week, President Trump announced a “massive” trade deal with Japan. But as Japanese officials clarify some of the terms, it’s not clear how concrete the deal actually is. We’ll explain. Also, some wealthy Democrats who stand to benefit from Trump’s tax cuts are rallying against them. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Cracks widen in Japan and US’s interpretation of tariff trade deal" from The Financial Times "Trump’s Tariffs Are Being Picked Up by Corporate America" from The Wall Street Journal "Rich liberals do not want their big Trump tax cut" from The Washington Post"AI has come for the fragrance industry" from Marketplace "Want to pay down the national debt? The US government will take Venmo" from The Verge "Meme stocks have staged a surprising return" from Marketplace "Restaurants Are Trying to Tariff-Proof The Menu" from Eater We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law makes good on a promise President Trump made over and over on the campaign trail: No Tax on Tips and Overtime. But the change likely won’t have the drastic impact many workers think it will. Marketplace’s Kristin Schwab joins us on the show today to break down the nuts and bolts of how the tax breaks will work and how American workers and businesses could be affected. Plus, Kimberly’s cat Artax makes an appearance. Here’s everything we talked about today: "How the new "No Tax on Tips" and overtime laws work" from Marketplace  "No Tax On Tips And Overtime: What Workers Should Know" from Bankrate"Here’s A Tip: ‘No Taxes on Tips’ May Be Good Politics But Is Bad Policy" from the Tax Policy Center“An Illustrated Guide to Who Really Benefits From ‘No Tax on Tips’” from The New York Times Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap. The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 Pacific/6:30 Eastern. See you then!

President Trump announced a trade deal with Japan that will impose 15% tariffs on imports. Wall Street is happy, but it could put the United States in an awkward position as the Trump administration continues to seek other deals. Sabri Ben-Achour explains. Also, the federal government is leading a major deregulatory crusade. And they want your input. Plus, quilts and blooming plants make us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump's Labor Department proposes more than 60 rule changes in a push to deregulate workplaces" from AP News"Trump Strikes Deal With Ally Japan Setting Tariff Rate at 15%" from BloombergListener Jen’s quilting Instagram We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Lately, tech companies like Meta have been putting hundreds of billions toward building new data centers to power their AI ambitions. Some communities have been pushing back, however, arguing these facilities strain local resources. But demand for data centers isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon. On the show today, Landon Marston, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech, explains what data centers actually are, why they require so much energy and water to operate, and how they can affect nearby communities. Plus, how can data centers become more sustainable? Later, reflections on Medicaid cuts and the power of journaling. And, a listener makes us smarter about “100-year floods.” Here’s everything we talked about today: "Their Water Taps Ran Dry When Meta Built Next Door" from The New York Times"Coreweave stock pops after company announces $6 billion AI data center in Pennsylvania" from CNBC"Meta's Zuckerberg pledges hundreds of billions for AI data centers in superintelligence push" from Reuters "How A.I. Is Changing the Way the World Builds Computers" from The New York Times"China Is Putting Data Centers in the Ocean to Keep Them Cool" from Scientific American ”The 100-Year Flood” from the U.S. Geological Survey We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons said his agency’s crackdown on unauthorized immigration will extend to employers as well. Industries that rely heavily on undocumented workers are pushing back. We’ll get into it. And, American consumers are spending in the face of tariff-fueled inflation fears. (For now, at least.) Plus, Korean beauty loyalists and summer camps for sewing make us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: "ICE head says agency to crack down on American companies hiring unauthorized workers" from The Hill"Transcript: Acting ICE director Todd Lyons on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," July 20, 2025" from CBS News"The U.S. Economy Is Regaining Its Swagger Despite Trump’s Tariffs" from The Wall Street Journal  "Teens Learn the Lost Arts of Sewing and Ironing at New Summer Camp Taught By Local Grandmas Staving off Loneliness" from Good News Network"A Year’s Worth of Mascara? Fans of Korean Beauty Stock Up as Tariffs Loom." from The New York Times "After Pledging to Keep Prices Low, Amazon Hiked Them on Hundreds of Essentials" from The Wall Street Journal    We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Trump administration has agreed to share the data of millions of Medicaid enrollees with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in an effort to locate immigrants who may be undocumented in the U.S. We discuss the implications of this agreement. And, we explain a White House executive order in the works than plans to target AI models seen as too “woke.” We get into how that aligns with the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Trump administration hands over Medicaid recipients’ personal data, including addresses, to ICE” from The Associated Press“White House Prepares Executive Order Targeting ‘Woke AI’” from The Wall Street Journal“A UK-based company hopes to use “robot dogs” to address labor shortages in health care” from Marketplace“Social media algorithms create “algospeak,” a kind of internet slang” from Marketplace“Roblox will scan users’ video selfies to assess their ages” from WIRED“TSA to add a lane for families with children and members of the military” from Fast Company Federal funding for public media has been eliminated. This is a critical time for public media, including Marketplace. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

The Senate approved the Trump administration’s rescission package today, which proposes taking back $9 billion in federal funding already allocated for programs such as public media and foreign aid. We’ll get into the implications for the bipartisan nature of the budgeting process. Plus, we explain the latest development of a lawsuit against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and company leaders, which stems back to the 2018 privacy scandal involving Cambridge Analytica. Then, we’ll smile at a piece of new technology that claims to shoot mosquitoes using lasers. And, do you believe in supernatural forces? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Russ Vought: Appropriations process ‘has to be less bipartisan’” from POLITICO“The Appropriations Process Was Already Broken. The Rescission Bill May Have Just Shattered It.” from NOTUS“Meta investors, Zuckerberg reach settlement to end $8 billion trial over Facebook privacy litigation” from Reuters“This ‘Iron Dome’ for mosquitoes shoots down bugs with lasers” from Fast Company“Angels, witches, crystals and black cats: How supernatural beliefs vary across different groups in the US” from The Conversation We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

According to the latest consumer price index, the reported prices of several items, including apparel and household furnishings, increased in June, suggesting some preliminary effects of the Trump administration’s tariff policies. We discuss President Donald Trump’s response calling for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, and why it’s so crucial to preserve an independent central bank. Then, we take a look at Missouri, where the state’s legislature and the governor overturned the outcome of a ballot initiative. What does that say about the state of public participation in the democratic process? And, we celebrate some wins from listeners about a rekindled drive to write poetry and what it means to be a good friend. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Missouri governor repeals paid sick leave law approved last year by voters" from The Associated Press"Missouri Rolls Back Paid Sick Leave Entitlement; $15 Minimum Wage Remains" from National Law Review“Missouri’s voters restored abortion rights. Their leaders are trying to overrule them” from the newsletter The 19th News"D.C. budget update: Tipped minimum wage compromise fails, ranked choice voting funded as budget advances" from WAMU"Inflation picks up again in June, rising at 2.7% annual rate" from CNBC We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is projected to cut Medicaid spending by more than $1 trillion. The law changes eligibility rules, and some predictions estimate at least 10.5 million people will be eliminated from the program. On the show today, Rachel Werner, executive director of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, explains how the funding cuts could limit the caregiving options for older Americans who need at-home care and place a larger responsibility on their families. Plus, we discuss how to start planning for long-term care amid all the legislative changes. Then, we’ll celebrate a listener’s win about her chocolate lab puppy. And, an astrobiologist’s quest to find life on Mars. Here’s everything we talked about today: “How Medicaid Cuts Could Force Millions Into Nursing Homes” from The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania“Advocates warn that Medicaid cuts in the big budget law put home-based health care at risk” from Marketplace“New AARP Report: Majority of Adults 50-plus Want to Age in Place, But Policies and Communities Must Catch Up” from AARP“A Closer Look at the Medicaid Work Requirement Provisions in the “Big Beautiful Bill” from KFF“Medicaid cuts: The how and why” from the newsletter Your Local Epidemiologist“As the need for nursing homes grows, nurses are in short supply” from Marketplace We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Senate is expected to vote on President Donald Trump’s rescissions package this week, which proposes rescinding $9.4 billion in previously approved spending to several programs, including public media and foreign aid spending. We discuss how this could undermine the bipartisan process. Then, we take a look at Bitcoin trading at new record highs, as U.S. lawmakers prepare to pass new regulations on cryptocurrency. We explain the bills being proposed in what’s been dubbed “Crypto Week.” Plus, we hear listeners’ wins about a resurgence of monarch butterflies and a lifelong dream of clubbing in Berlin. Here’s everything we talked about today: “GOP leader faces showdown with Republicans on Trump-backed funding cuts” from The Hill“Schumer warns package to claw back funding would ‘poison’ annual spending talks” from The Hill“A Senate vote this week will test the popularity of DOGE spending cuts” from The Associated Press“Bitcoin Soars Past $120,000 as House Takes Up Crypto Bills” from The New York Times“‘Crypto Week’ on Capitol Hill” from Marketplace“Trump Rescission Proposal Builds on Illegal Impoundments, Would Undermine Future Funding Deals” from Center on Budget and Policy Priorities We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The Trump Administration today said it will restrict undocumented immigrants from accessing public programs, including Head Start. Kimberly explains how the move fits into the government’s broader effort to change who’s entitled to services in the United States. And, the Supreme Court gave Trump the green light to continue mass federal layoffs, for now. We’ll get into the emotional rollercoaster many of these workers have been on this year. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "What the Media Gets Wrong About Medicaid ‘Cuts'" from DC Journal"Taxpayer-Funded Benefits Are for American Citizens — Not Illegals" from The White House "Trump to cut off Head Start for immigrants in US illegally" from AP News  "State Department fires more than 1,300 employees in downsizing plan" from The Washington Post "Federal workers fearful after Supreme Court backs Trump’s mass firings plan" from The Washington Post"How Trump’s immigration policies could threaten Social Security" from Marketplace "Tariffs push companies to rethink traditional forecasts" from Marketplace"In new food fad, protein products are no longer just for gym-goers" from Marketplace"Microsoft Pledges $4 Billion Toward A.I. Education" from The New York Times"A 70-hour work week? Some job listings are foregoing work-life balance" from Marketplace”The disturbing parallels between modern accounting and the business of slavery” from Marketplace We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Even before the catastrophic flooding in Texas, weather experts were ringing alarm bells over how staffing cuts at federal weather agencies could affect the reliability of weather forecasts in the United States. Marketplace’s Amy Scott joins us on the show today to explain how these cuts are impacting the day-to-day at the National Weather Service, and look at other headwinds the agency could face in the future, including privatization efforts and the ever-complicating factor of climate change. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Burning Questions: How do cuts to NOAA impact all of us?" from “How We Survive” "FEMA cuts put more pressure on local disaster relief" from Marketplace "Debate erupts over role job cuts played in weather forecasts ahead of deadly Texas floods" from AP News"Flood predictions could worsen when Trump’s cuts take hold" from Politico"As Floods Hit, Key Roles Were Vacant at Weather Service Offices in Texas" from The New York Times"Republicans want to privatize weather forecasts. Do Trump appointees stand to benefit?" from Fast Company  We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Now that the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is law, Congress is turning its attention to another matter: avoiding a government shutdown. We’ll explain what it will take to keep the government running beyond Congress’ Sept. 30 deadline. And, we’ll fill you in on another deadline: President Trump’s new due date for trade deals before a slew of higher tariff rates kick in. Plus, a listener’s story of frozen pizza and facing fears. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Why the federal government will shut down. And why it won’t" from Punchbowl News"Trump combats TACO reputation as White House extends tariff deadline" from The Washington Post"Too Many Goods Are About To Face Historically High Tariffs" from Tax Policy Center"Flint finally replaced its lead pipes" from The Washington Post Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Republicans’ freshly passed spending bill sets aside $45 billion just to expand immigration detention centers. And a number of private companies are poised to profit from the surge in funding. On the show today, Deirdre Conlon, co-author of the new book “Immigration Detention Inc" explains how immigration detention became dominated by private companies, how local economies have become entangled with the business of detention, and how Trump’s spending law changes everything. Plus, we’ll celebrate a listener’s cross-country move. And, a reminder to try being a local tourist. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump got $170 billion for immigration. Now he has to enact it." from Politico "We Asked Trump’s Former Prisons Chief How $45 Billion Will Reshape Immigrant Detention" from Mother Jones"Budget Bill Massively Increases Funding for Immigration Detention" from the Brennan Center for Justice"Trump administration seeks to turn mass deportations into an efficient business ‘like Amazon’" from PBS News"Unchecked Growth: Private Prison Corporations and Immigration Detention, Three Years Into the Biden Administration" from the ACLU Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law establishes the first major federal program for shifting public money to private schools. It comes in the form of a wonky tax break. We’ll explain how it will work. And, we’ll get into how massive cuts to Medicaid will impact rural hospitals across the United States. Plus, anime is more popular than ever on Netflix. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Burning Questions: How do cuts to NOAA impact all of us?" from Marketplace"Congress Passes National Private School Voucher Program as Part of Policy Bill" from The New York Times"The new wave of private school vouchers" from Make Me Smart  "Rural hospitals will be hit hard by Trump’s signature spending package" from The Conversation"Trump bill's health effects won't be felt until after midterms" from Axios "Netflix Says 50 Percent of Global Users Now Watch Anime, Reveals Expanded Slate" from The Hollywood Reporter "A new start after 60: I quit my job, bought a camera – and became a successful wildlife photographer" from The Guardian"At 40, She Discovered She Was One of America’s Best Free Divers" from Texas Monthly   Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Since President Trump began imposing on-and-off tariffs earlier this year, “tariff” has become a buzzword. And you might have a kid in your life who’s asked what the deal with tariffs is all about. So today, we’re sharing an episode from the latest season of Million Bazillion that breaks down how they work. Hosts Bridget and Ryan help out a local fifth-grader whose slime business is facing competition from a rival school. Could a tariff solve her problem?

The Labor Department today reported the United States added 147,000 jobs in June. The number beat economists expectations, and it sits in stark contrast to yesterday’s ADP report which showed private sector lost 33,000 jobs last month. So what gives? We’ll explain what the two reports can tell us about the labor market right now. And, President Trump’s immigration crackdown could lead to more federal surveillance on all Americans. Plus, we want to hear about the wins in your life! Here’s everything we talked about today: "ADP report June 2025: Private sector lost 33,000 jobs, missing expectations" from CNBC"Republican Budget Bill Signals New Era in Federal Surveillance" from Tech Policy Press"Steady Hiring Added 147,000 Jobs to U.S. Economy in June" from The Wall Street Journal"Can We Trust a Jobs Report From the Trump Administration? Yes, With Caveats." from The New York Times Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s show, we’ll discuss some headlines that might’ve slipped under the radar this week. First, most staff at the U.S. Agency for International Deveopment officially marked their final day with the agency. What might the dismantling of USAID mean for U.S. influence abroad? Plus, school districts are scrambling as federal education dollars are on hold. Then, we’ll smile about Andy Weir’s latest sci-fi novel being adapted for the big screen and the WNBA expanding into more cities! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Bush, Obama and Bono Commend USAID Staff Members on Their Last Day” from The New York Times“The US says 'little to show‘ for six-decade aid agency. Supporters point to millions of lives saved” from The Associated Press“USAID cuts could lead to 14 million deaths over the next five years, researchers say” from NBC News“Education Department freezes cash for school districts, teacher training, migrant students” from POLITICO“Watch the first trailer for ‘Project Hail Mary’” from Popular Science“WNBA adds three more franchises as league’s popularity continues to grow” from The Washington Post“‘Friendship’ Review: Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd Hit Maximum Cringe” from The New York Times If you have a question, give us a call: 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected]

Summer is here and like many you might be planning your next vacation. But here’s the thing, a lot of popular destinations are grappling with the pressure of overtourism or mass tourism. On today’s episode, we dig into the phenonmenon of over tourism, the growing tensions between locals and visitors and the global economic forces at play. Plus, is it possible to be a responsible tourist or have we pushed some destinations too far? Later, listeners sound off on the power of labor unions and food allergies. Finally, are you team check-in bag or carry-on? This week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question might make you rethink everything! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Destination dupes" offer glam vacation vibes at a fraction of the price from Marketplace“Surging travel in Europe spikes concerns over tourism's drawbacks” from AP News“Overtourism was the buzzword of 2024. This summer looks to be just as crowded and chaotic” from CNN“Affordable travel is to blame for Europe’s overtourism problem, spoiling its most sought-after cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam and Athens” from Fortune“Hawaii will tax vacation stays and use money to help counter climate crisis” from The Guardian“The Goal: Tourism That Regenerates Hawai‘i, Not Degrades It” from Hawaii Business We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question: What’s something you thought you knew, but you later found out you were wrong about? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART!

We’ve been a bit obsessed with the GOP’s budget bill lately. And with a Senate vote expected any day now, we’re keeping a close eye on the debate. We’ll break down how the GOP is playing with the numbers to make the bill look less costly on paper than it actually is. Plus, Gen Z’s not just good at memes and TikTok, they’re better at saving for retirement than millllenials. So how’d they do it? And a mildly terrifying story with a happy ending! Here’s everything we talked about: “What is a vote-a-rama? Senate vote marathon ahead of Trump legislative package” from USA Today“Senate Republicans reject Democrats' accounting baseline challenge” from POLITICO “A List of Nearly Everything in the Senate G.O.P. Bill, and How Much It Would Cost or Save” from The New York Times “Gen Z, It Turns Out, Is Great at Saving for Retirement” from The New York Times“They sing to remember: The power of memory choirs” from National Geographic“Child reportedly fell overboard on Disney cruise. Her dad jumped in after her.” from USA Today “Heroic Dad Jumps Off Disney Dream to Rescue Overboard Daughter” from Cruisehive Questions? Thoughts? Suggestions? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART and we just might feature it on the show!

The Supreme Court today ruled to limit the ability of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions blocking President Trump’s executive orders. The decision will have major implications for how businesses push back against federal policy in the United States. We’ll get into it. And, American consumers aren’t feeling too hot about the economy. How much do those feelings matter? Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Supreme Court sides with Trump administration on nationwide injunctions in birthright citizenship case" from SCOTUSblog"America’s Top Consumer-Sentiment Economist Is Worried" from Bloomberg"Opinion | How the N.B.A. and M.L.B. Shattered America’s Sports Culture" from The New York Times"Bumble stumbles as dating apps struggle" from Marketplace"Latest time use survey shows Americans are spending more time at home" from Marketplace"The colleges using ultimate frisbee to boost enrollment" from Marketplace"After a tough decade, American malls are reinventing themselves" from Marketplace Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding for now. But as this conflict has played out, along with other ongoing wars around the world, it got us thinking: What does war even look like in 2025? In Ukraine, it looks like drone and missile attacks side-by-side with everyday life. On the show today, longtime international correspondent Deborah Amos joins us from Kyiv, Ukraine to talk about how modern warfare has changed. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Bank hacks, internet shutdowns and crypto heists: Here’s how the war between Israel and Iran is playing out in cyberspace" from Politico"Combat drones: We are in a new era of warfare - here's why" from BBC News"FPV drones in Ukraine are changing modern warfare" from Atlantic Council"Cyber Operations during the Russo-Ukrainian War" from the Center for Strategic and International Studies “‘Will Trump give up the store?’ Edward Fishman on how US economic warfare works – and doesn’t" from The Guardian Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Many Americans are enduring a brutal heatwave this week. For those who work outside, the heat can be deadly. On today’s show, we’ll check in on a proposed heat safety law that would require employers to offer more breaks when the temperature rises above a certain threshold. Under the Trump administration, the law’s future is uncertain. And, the housing market can’t seem to break out of its slump. Plus, the lengths some Americans will go to score some Indian mangoes. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings Rulemaking" from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration "As U.S. Sizzles, Business Groups Push Back on OSHA's Heat Safety Law" from Inc."Heat Safety Experts behind OSHA Rules Were Laid Off, which Could Make It Easier to Scrap Regulations" from Scientific American"Trump’s OSHA Nominee Has a History With Heat and UPS Drivers" from The New York Times"U.S. New Home Sales Slump as High Mortgage Rates Persist" from The Wall Street Journal'"You'll never be ready to buy a home"' from “This Is Uncomfortable”"New York City is using ranked choice voting in its Democratic mayoral primary. Here's how it works" from AP News "What you need to know about ranked choice voting" from “Make Me Smart” "The Perilous Business of Importing Indian Mangoes to the U.S." from The New York Times Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The United States’ entanglement in Iran and Israel’s current conflict has a long, complicated history. Today we’re looking back at how it led up to the U.S. strikes on Iran over the weekend. Two major factors: Iran’s nuclear capabilities and economic sanctions, which the U.S. used to deter Iran’s nuclear program and to incentivize Iran to sign on to the 2015 nuclear deal. Rose Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, explains some of the history behind tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the role sanctions played in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and how the deal broke down. Later, one listener’s take on the Trump administration’s threats to the Pell Grant program. And, a gardening blogger was wrong about DIY plant food hacks. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Strike Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months, U.S. Report Says" from The New York Times"Trump tries to maintain fragile ceasefire hours after he announced it" from Politico "Iran’s Nuclear Dreams May Survive Even a Devastating American Blow" from The New York Times "History of US-Iran relations: From the 1953 regime change to Trump strikes" from Al Jazeera "Why Israel will resist any US-Iran nuclear deal" from Atlantic Council "Satellites show damage to Iran's nuclear program, but experts say it's not destroyed" from NPR   Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Oil markets went into a state of panic after the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, stoking fears that Iran could retaliate by closing the Strait of Hormuz. But Iran’s control over the key oil trade route may not be the economic weapon many think it is. We’ll explain. And, several provisions in the Republicans’ reconciliation bill haven’t made it through the so-called “Byrd Bath” and risk being axed from the legislation. Plus, did you know killer whales aren’t really whales? Here’s everything we talked about today: "Capitol agenda: How Johnson may block an Iran rebuke" from Politico "11 days until July 4: Byrd Bath and policy fights on deck" from Punchbowl News"Senate parliamentarian rejects GOP attempt to authorize states to conduct immigration enforcement" from The Hill"G.O.P. Can’t Include Limits on Trump Lawsuits in Megabill, Senate Parliamentarian Rules" from The New York Times  "Iran Has an Oil Card to Play. So Does the U.S." from The Wall Street Journal  "The largest digital camera ever built has released its first shots of the universe" from AP News  "Vera C Rubin Observatory first images" from BBC Sky at Night Magazine  "Killer whales seen grooming each other with kelp in first for marine tool use" from The Guardian  Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

This week, we’ve looked at the budget reconciliation bill and its effects on student debt, taxes, health care and social programs. The bill is currently moving through the Senate. Today, we discuss the reconciliation bill and the national deficit. And we dig into other proposals such as AI regulation ban and private foundation taxes. Plus, we play a special budget round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today: “AI moratorium sparks GOP battle over states’ rights” from The Hill“Introduction to Budget “Reconciliation” from The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities“One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Impact on Philanthropy” from Council on Foundations“Senate Judiciary Unveils Its Own Plan To Curtail Court Orders” from CATO Institute“Parliamentarian rulings would kill key climate provisions in GOP megabill” from Politico Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Every day this week, we’ll take a look at the ripple effects of the budget reconciliation bill moving through Congress that would enact President Donald Trump’s agenda. Today, we focus on the bill’s impact on health care and social programs. We explain how the Senate’s version of the reconciliation bill cuts Medicaid more aggressively than the House of Representatives’ previous version. Then, we hear from a listener about how the bill’s Medicaid cuts could affect the hospitals they work with, particularly in underserved rural areas. Plus, we answer a listener question about how states would absorb the costs of the bill’s federal funding cuts. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Senate Bill Would Make Deep Cuts to Medicaid, Setting Up Fight With House” from The New York Times“Hundreds of rural hospitals at risk if Medicaid cuts pass, Democrats say” from Healthcare Dive“2025 Budget Impacts: House Bill Would Cut Assistance and Raise Costs for Seniors” from The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities“GOP bill would have states picking up more of the tab for programs like Medicaid and SNAP” from Marketplace“How Would Potential Federal Budget Cuts Impact State Budgets?” from Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center“What are the Implications of the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill for Hospitals?” from KFF Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today, we take a deep dive into the provisions affecting small businesses and taxes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which aims to enact President Donald Trump’s agenda. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives in May, and the U.S. Senate released its proposed version of the bill on Monday. The Senate’s draft upheld many policies from the House of Representative’s version, including cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. We explain how the ripple effects of those cuts could affect small businesses such as grocery stores and farmers. Also, we dig into the implications of the Senate’s proposal to make permanent several business tax breaks. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Here’s what’s in the Senate GOP’s version of Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’" from The Hill“Senate Republicans seek tougher Medicaid cuts and lower SALT deduction in Trump’s big bill” from The Associated Press“Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: A comparison for businesses” from the Internal Revenue Service“The Farm Safety Net: A Closer Look at ARC and PLC” from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Every day this week, we’re going to take a closer look at the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which aims to enact President Donald Trump’s agenda. It proposes a tax cut and increased spending for border security and the military. It also includes cuts to health, nutrition, education and clean energy programs. Today, we explain the rules around what provisions can go into reconciliation bills, and where the bill currently stands in the legislation process now. Plus, we answer questions from listeners on how the bill could affect their student loans and access to higher education. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Senate sidesteps parliamentarian, widens reach of CRA” from Roll Call“Republicans face critical week on Trump megabill” from The Hill“The Senate is assessing the "Big Beautiful Bill" line by line to eliminate non-budgetary measures” from Marketplace“Senate Republican education plan may trigger ‘avalanche of student loan defaults,’ expert says” from CNBC Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The economic position of the baby boomer generation has long been the envy of younger ones in the United States. But the tides may be turning as the Trump administration seeks deep cuts to social benefits that older Americans rely on. We’ll get into it. And, Kimberly joins the show from the National Press Club in Washington D.C., to make us smarter about how the GOP’s reconciliation bill could impact the richest and poorest Americans. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "GOP tax bill would cost poor Americans, boost highest earners, CBO says" from AP News "Megabill would cost poorest households $1,600 a year, boost richest by $12K, CBO predicts" from Politico "Baby Boomers’ Luck Is Running Out" from The Atlantic"Why is everyone so crazy for Labubu toys?" from Marketplace"Booming sales of the latest Nintendo Switch bode well for the gaming industry" from Marketplace"You’ve Heard of Fine Wine. Now Meet Fine Water" from The New York Times"A federal judge ruled AI chatbots don't have free speech protections — for now" from Marketplace  Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

More than 100 years after the Tulsa Race Massacre, the Oklahoma city’s mayor recently announced a $105 million reparations package to address the Massacre’s lasting impact. Marketplace’s Mitchell Hartman joins us on the show today to explain how we got here, and more from his reporting on economic injustice in Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood. Plus, we’ll get into what the new reparations package could mean for Black Tulsans and the push for reparations in other cities. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The Tulsa Race Massacre destroyed Black lives and wealth. What's owed to survivors' descendants?" from Marketplace"Black Tulsans still feel effects of Greenwood neighborhood's "second destruction'" from Marketplace "$105 Million Reparations Package for Tulsa Race Massacre Unveiled by Mayor" from The New York Times"$105 million trust to be built for 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre reparations, city says" from Public Radio Tulsa We want to hear from you. Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Trump announced a new trade deal with China after days of negotiations. Here’s the thing: Trump’s tariffs on China will stay the same. So what did the two countries actually agree to? We’ll get into it. And, after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired a panel of experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines, doctors and insurance companies are wondering who they should look to for guidance. Plus, a life-sized stuffed moose on Capitol Hill makes us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump Hails Progress With China, but Details Are Sketchy"  from The New York Times"RFK Jr. just fired the government’s vaccine experts. What do you do now?" from Vox"Former CDC director reacts to RFK Jr.’s firing of entire vaccine advisory panel" from PBS News"If you move a moose through the Senate" from Roll Call"An 84-Year-Old Woman on a Pony Inspires Awe—and Concern—in the U.K." from The Wall Street Journal We want to hear from you. Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

For decades, going to college has been seen as a reliable path to good jobs and economic success in the United States. But a recent Indeed survey reported that over half of Gen Z respondents beg to differ. As tuition prices continue to rise and the Trump administration takes aim at higher education institutions, is the way we view college changing? On the show today, Bryan Alexander, a higher education writer and senior scholar at Georgetown University, explains why college is still a worthy investment for most students, why more people are considering certificate programs and technical schools, and how President Trump’s attacks on elite universities are a risk to higher education as a whole. Then, Kimberly breaks down the difference between the reconciliation bill and government spending bills in Congress. And, Casey Johnston, author of “A Physical Education,” answers the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Report: 51% of Gen Z Views Their College Degree as a Waste of Money" from Indeed  "Against college for all: the AFT president" from Bryan Alexander "Americans Are Losing Faith in the Value of College. Whose Fault Is That?" from The New York Times"Good Jobs Project" from Georgetown University"House considers Trump cuts as Senate Republicans work on reconciliation bill" from Roll Call"Deal or no deal? Inside reconciliation and gov’t funding" from Punchbowl News"A muted backlash to Trump’s new travel ban" from Politico "Have Americans grown numb? Trump’s new travel ban met with muted reaction" from MSNBC"Finding Strength in a Bigger Body" from The Cut  Got a question about the GOP’s reconciliation bill? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump deployed California National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Sunday, following demonstrations over the weekend protesting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The decision was made without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval, and the state is now suing the “illegal and immoral” move. We get into all the potential ramifications of the uptick in immigration raids. Then, we discuss how people in other countries have coped with anti-democratic forces in their own communities. Finally, we smile at the original cast of “Hamilton” reuniting for the musical’s 10-year anniversary. Here’s everything we talked about today: “The Beautiful Danger of Normal Life During an Autocratic Rise” from The New York Times“The 78th Annual Tony Awards® | Hamilton 10 Year Anniversary Performance” from CBS“The original cast of ‘Hamilton’ reunites on the Tonys stage with rousing performance” from CNN“When to see June’s full strawberry moon on Tuesday night” from The Washington Post Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

From our sponsor: Imagine if you could ask someone anything you wanted about their finances. On “What We Spend,” people from across the country and across the financial spectrum are opening their wallets — and their lives — to tell you everything: What they make, what they want, and — for one week — what they spend. “What We Spend” is available wherever you get your podcasts!

Hey Smarties! Make Me Smart is taking a short break while Kimberly and Reema cook up something good for you! In the meantime, we’re bringing you an episode from “Financially Inclined” a podcast from Marketplace that helps families learn more about money. It turns out where you park your money can actually make a difference in the fight agains climate change. Today, host Yanely Espinal speaks with author and financial educator Kara Perez about how you can spend, save and invest your money in a way that aligns with your values, without sacrificing your financial goals. Plus, they share practical tips for how to use your money to make a real impact.

It’s Kai’s last day as a regular co-host of “Make Me Smart” and he’s got a solid rant (and two bleeps). We’ll get into the Trump administration’s push to block international students at Harvard, thretening one of American’s biggest exports: higher education. Plus, we’ll unpack the Supreme Court’s 4-4 split over a separation of church and state case. And, could penguin poop be a tool against global warming? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Supreme Court deadlocks, blocking creation of first religious public school” from The Washington Post“Trump Administration Halts Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students” from The New York Times“Harvard University Loses Student and Exchange Visitor Program Certification for Pro-Terrorist Conduct” from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security“Stop making cents: US Mint moves forward with plans to kill the penny” from AP News“Penguin Poop Could Limit Global Warming’s Impact on Antarctica” from Bloomberg “Make Me Smart” is going on a break! Kimberly and Reema will be back with new episodes June 9. We’d love to hear from you while we’re away. Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The Senate unexpectedly passed the No Tax on Tips Act, one of President Trump’s many campaign promises. We’ll explain what’s actually in the bill and where it goes from here. Plus, the Trump administration has officially accepted a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One. We’ll get into the grift of it all. Plus, one man’s search for younger looking skin and a manga story to smile about. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The Senate passed Trump’s No Tax on Tips Act. Here’s what it could mean." from The Washington Post"No Tax on Tips Act: What to know about the bill and what comes next" from The Hill  "Republicans Think They Have a Way to Blow Up the Filibuster Without Anyone Noticing" from Slate"A Terrible Idea" from Just Security  "A 70-Year-Old Man’s Search for Younger-Looking Skin"  from The Wall Street Journal"Defense Department accepts Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One use" from The Washington Post"Trump Lectures South African President in Televised Oval Office Ambush" from The New York Times"How Manga Megastar Junji Ito Makes Terrifying Series Like ‘Uzumaki’" from The New York Times"Shark fisherman uses drone to save teenage girl from rip current at Pensacola Beach" from CBS News  We need your help to reach our fundraiser goal in a moment when public media is threatened like never before. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Things aren’t looking so good for the U.S. dollar. Though it’s spent decades as the world’s reigning reserve currency, it’s been weakening lately thanks to tariffs and uncertainty in the U.S. economy. But its declining value, has been in the making for a while, according to Harvard economist and author of the new book, “Our Dollar, Your Problem,” Kenneth Rogoff. “The problem we’re facing is that, independent of this dollar phenomenon, interest rates are going up,” said Rogoff. “And if you’re the world’s biggest debtor, that’s tough.” Rogoff joins Kai and Kimberly to unpack how the greenback became the world’s go-to currency, what a reserve currency actually is, why it’s been losing some of its value lately and what might take its place. Plus, how does military power tie into all this?  We’ll also get into some potential cryptocurrency regulation coming down the pipeline and discuss the troubling parallel between Trumpism and Brexit.  Then, you tell us what books help you reset – from classic literary romances to an apocalyptic sci-fi tale. And, our intern, Zoha Malik (hi!) shares her answer to the Make Me Smart question.  Here’s everything we talked about today: “Our Dollar, Your Problem,” by Kenneth Rogoff from Yale University Press“How Trump Could Dethrone the Dollar” from Foreign Affairs“Why Is The US Dollar Weakening? Trump’s Tariffs Push Dollar Index To 3-Year Low.” from Forbes“Senate advances landmark crypto bill with Democrats divided” from Politico“Senate Advances Crypto Regulation Bill With Bipartisan Support” from The New York Times“Senate advances a major crypto regulation bill on a bipartisan vote” from NBC News“Brexit’s Failures Could Foreshadow Trump’s. Just Not in the Way You Might Think.” from The New York Times Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Walmart had said it would raise prices in response to tariffs. Then, it got a call from the White House. Now, the retailer says it will swallow some of the costs. This has us wondering: where have all the free market diehards gone? Plus, Kimberly reflects on the tornadoes that hit her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri and explains FEMA’s plan to shift disaster costs to the states. Also? Did the GOP really name their reconciliation bill the “One Big Beautiful Bill?” Here’s everything we talked about today: "Bessent says Walmart will absorb 'some tariffs' after speaking with retailer's CEO" from Fox Business"FEMA will shift more disaster recovery responsibilities to the states, acting chief says" from PBS News"Here’s the latest information on Friday’s tornado in St. Louis" from STLRP"Trump's bill advances in rare weekend vote as House conservatives negotiate changes" from NPR It’s the final matching opportunity of our May Fundraiser! Double your impact when you give right now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

On today’s show, Kai makes a special annoucement! But first, Moody’s knocked the United States’ government’s credit rating down a peg below Triple-A. We’ll break down what that actually means and why it may not be as dire as it sounds but still matters a lot for the vibes. Plus, we’ll explain why, even with a majority, the House GOP hasn’t been able to pass its budget bill. And, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty and nerd out on “Star Wars” spin-off shows. Here’s everything we talked about today: "House budget panel rejects GOP megabill amid conservative opposition" from Politico "Army to place large metal plates on DC streets to protect them from tanks during June parade" from WTOP News "U.S. Loses Last Triple-A Credit Rating" from The Wall Street Journal "Airbnb Is in Midlife Crisis Mode" from Wired"Why banks still have branches — and why some are motivated to add more" from Marketplace"Gen Z's 'conscious unbossing' should be a wake-up call for businesses" from Business Insider​​"Is the Next Great American Novel Being Published on Substack?" from The New Yorker "Warner’s Streaming Service Has New Name: Its Old One. Meet ‘HBO Max.’" from The Wall Street Journal   Got a message for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

In today’s show, Kimber-Kai are answering your questions about all the wild things going on in the U.S. economy. Isn’t the 30% tariff rate on China still crazy high? And, how are local governments preparing for potential federal funding cuts? We’ll discuss how states are weighing their next moves, and how the “Trump Slump” has taken shape in California. Then, we’ll get into the Federal Reserve’s wait-and-see tariff strategy.  Here’s everything we talked about today: “State of U.S. Tariffs: May 12, 2025” from The Budget Lab at Yale“States, Cities Face Funding Collapse Threat With Trump Cuts” by Bloomberg“Higher prices or higher unemployment? The economy could face a no-win dilemma” by NBC News Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. Donate during our May Fundraiser and get a classic public radio thank-you gift: tote bags, mugs, t-shirts, hats, and more! Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn 

On today’s show, Kimberly continues to make us smart about the GOP’s massive tax bill. This time, we’re digging into a small (but important) detail buried in the bill that could have enormous consequences for the regulation of artificial intelligence: a clause that would block states from enforcing AI laws for ten years. We’ll break down what’s at stake. And, the U.S. dollar is getting weaker. We’ll explain what it could mean for the economy. Here’s everything we talked about today: "House panel advances tax portion of Trump agenda bill after marathon meeting" from The Hill"State AI laws would be banned under clause buried in House budget bill" from Stat News"G.O.P. Targets a Medicaid Loophole Used by 49 States to Grab Federal Money" from The New York Times"US Is Not Negotiating for Weaker Dollar as Part of Tariff Talks" from Bloomberg"Republicans push for a decadelong ban on states regulating AI" from The Verge  With looming threats to federal funding for public media, we need support from listeners more than ever. Donate now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn 

Today we’re ditching the drama on Earth and talking about K2-18b, an exoplanet 120 light-years away. K2-18b recently made headlines after researchers claimed to observe possible “signs of life” in the planet's atmosphere. So, did we find aliens? Michaela Musilova, an astrobiologist and analog astronaut, said it’s too early to tell. On the show today, Musilova breaks down the debate over K2-18b, why better telescopes are needed to find definitive proof of life on another planet, and why President Trump’s proposed funding cuts to NASA could disrupt this search. Plus, what’s it like to be an analog astronaut, and what do they actually do? Then, why a healthy reading diet contains both “broccoli” and “chocolate pie” books. And, Jessamine Chan, author of “The School for Good Mothers,” answers the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Astronomers Detect a Possible Signature of Life on a Distant Planet" from The New York Times"Does exoplanet K2-18b host alien life or not? Here's why the debate continues" from Space "Experts alarmed as White House proposes 'largest single-year cut to NASA in American history'" from Space "NASA’s Don Pettit Shot 220 Days of Amazing Photos From the I.S.S." from The New York Times "What’s in Trump and Republicans’ giant tax and immigration bill?" from The Washington Post"Republican Tax Plan Boosts SALT Deduction, Ends Green-Energy Breaks" from The Wall Street Journal  Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

House Republicans’ newly released tax plan includes trillions in tax breaks. But those tax cuts will come at a cost. We’ll get into it. And, Apple plans to raise iPhone prices but won’t point fingers at President Trump’s tariffs. We’ll unpack how all the tariff chaos could lead to elevated prices, no matter what they actually cost companies. Plus, sci-fi escapism and Pope Leo XIV’s love of baseball make us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Exclusive | Apple Considers Raising iPhone Prices, Without Blaming Tariffs" from The Wall Street Journal "With China tariffs on hold, will Americans stop stockpiling goods?" from Marketplace "House GOP unleashes sweeping tax legislation" from Politico "House tax writers eye SALT deduction cap rejected by key lawmakers last week" from The Hill"Why Tolkien thought "sub-creation" was the secret to great fantasy and science fiction" from Big Think "Pope Leo asks fan 'Sox or Cubs?' as he signs a baseball" from The Chicago Sun-Times  Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

As the Trump administration heads into a weekend of trade talks with Chinese officials, the President is floating a new tariff rate on Chinese imports: 80%. While it’s much lower than the current tariff rate of 145%, it’s still far too high for many businesses. We’ll get into it. And, a recent legal win for Epic Games could shake up Apple’s App Store. Plus, we’ll weigh in on mass producing orchids and going cashless during a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "DOJ, FTC open inquiry into the concert industry" from The L.A. Times "Fortnite applies to launch on Apple's App Store after Epic Games court win" from CNBC "How Apple Created a Legal Mess When It Skirted Judge’s Ruling" from The New York Times "Ahead of China-US talks, Trump says 80% tariff 'seems right'" from Reuters"Revenge RTO: Workers are coming in late, leaving early and stealing snacks as they find small ways to get back at their bosses" from Fortune"Trump Revives Push for Higher Taxes on the Rich" from The New York Times"How the Exotic Orchid Became a Mass-Market Commodity" from The Wall Street Journal "The drawbacks of an increasingly cashless society" from Marketplace Stand up for Marketplace and public media during this critical time. Donate today: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Following Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, the United States has now struck a trade deal (sorta) with the United Kingdom. We’ll get into it. Plus, childcare costs a lot – and in some places, more than rent. Then, we’ll smile at the unexpected joy of “swole culture.” And what if, instead of sports metaphors, we used makeup lingo at work? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Trump unveils United Kingdom trade deal, first since 'reciprocal' tariff pause” by CNBC“U.S., Britain strike first major trade deal of Trump tariff era” by Axios“Sending 2 Kids to Daycare Costs More Than Rent in Most Major U.S. Metros” from Redfin“Head Start avoids Trump’s cuts, but advocates are ready to defend it: ‘There’s too much good in this’” by The GuardianLISTEN: “Will you be my nanny?” from “This Is Uncomfortable” “Life of the Mother” by ProPublica“Finding Strength in a Bigger Body” from The Cut“How one writer quit dieting and discovered her strength through weightlifting” by NPR Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

On today’s episode: Marketplace’s Reema Khrais joins Kimberly to discuss two stories from opposite ends of the housing spectrum – cuts to rental assistance programs and the soaring cost of starter homes. Then, Kimberly explains yet another reason why the rest of the world is giving the U.S. major side-eye. And we’ll smile about a slimy substance that might help keep microplastics at bay and parrots connecting over Facetime. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Proposed cuts to housing programs could affect millions, experts warn” from The Washington Post“Where starter homes cost at least $1 million” by AxiosThis Is Uncomfortable Season 11 from Marketplace“You Have a Message From Taiwan” by The Wall Street Journal“Why the Asian currency blowup matters” from Axios“Scientists Taught Pet Parrots to Video Call Each Other—and the Birds Loved It” from Smithsonian Magazine“Okra and fenugreek extracts remove most microplastics from water, finds research” on Phys.org  Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

So far, President Trump’s “drill, baby, drill,” agenda has proven to be a sharp turn from Biden-era climate initiatives, including the landmark spending bill the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).  And thanks to President Trump’s attempts to claw back control over IRA funds, as well as his recent budget proposal which drastically cuts climate spending, the future of America’s fast-growing clean energy economy looks uncertain.  “The world is switching to electric vehicles, the world is switching to solar and wind,” said Christopher Knittel, economics professor and associate dean for climate and sustainability at the MIT Sloan School of Management. “And the less we do domestically, the less capability we build domestically to provide those clean energy resources, the worse off our industries will be in the future.” Knittel explains President Trump’s efforts to phase out Biden-era climate initiatives, why some Republicans are reluctant to get rid of the IRA entirely, and why the U.S. getting left behind in a world committed to decarbonization poses a threat.  Plus, the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told President Trump that Canada is “not for sale” in a meeting earlier today. And, the REAL ID deadline is coming in hot, though not all states seem equally prepared.  Then, we’ll hear about how Seattle businesses are showing love for Canadian visitors and a listener share’s her daughter’s frustrations with “shrinkflation.” Here’s everything we talked about today: - Trump administration cancels clean energy grants as it prioritizes fossil fuels by AP News - What Trump's budget cuts could mean for the environment by AP News - The Race to the Top in Six Charts and Not Too Many Numbers from RMI - Republicans haggle over green tax credits as battle lines deepen from Politico - How We Survive from Marketplace - Trump’s trade war with Canada has backfired on America. Now he has a crucial meeting with Mark Carney from CNN Business - Trump knocks Canada ahead of Carney meeting by The Hill - @carlquintanilla.bsky.social‬ on Bluesky - What you need to know about the REAL ID requirements for air travel from NBC News - Real ID deadline is weeks away and most states aren't fully compliant yet from CBS News - Seattle Restaurants Are Offering Canadian Tourists a Discount, and an Apology by Eater Seattle Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The Trump administration is hoping tariffs will spur companies to bring manufacturing back to the United States. But a new survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas found that most companies are planning to deal with tariffs another way. (Spoiler alert: we totally saw this coming!) We’ll also discuss how the Department of Homeland Security is hoping to cut the cost of mass deportations. Plus, did Trump get the idea to reopen Alcatraz from a movie? Here’s everything we talked about today: -Post on Bluesky from Carl Quintanilla -"Tariff Politics; Rent-Stabilized Tenants May See a Rent Hike; Surviving Wall Street; Celebrating NYC's Mexican Communities" from The Brian Lehrer Show  -"DHS Announces Historic Travel Assistance and Stipend for Voluntary Self-Deportation" from Department of Homeland Security  -"US offers $1,000 stipend to encourage migrants to self-deport" from Reuters -"Mass Deportation: Devastating Costs to America, Its Budget and Economy" from American Immigration Council -"Trump Seems to Have Decided to Reopen Alcatraz Because of a Movie" from The New Republic -"Trump Says He Wants to Reopen Alcatraz as a Functioning Prison" from The New York Times -"Met Gala 2025: Highlights from exhibit of Black style and designers" from AP News   -​"'Tailoring Black Style': Dandyism shines at the 2025 Met Gala" from NPR Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

On today’s episode, Kimberly joins "Economics on Tap" from the Toronto airport. We’ll unpack President Trump’s elimination of a tariff loophole known as the de minimus exemption that went into effect today, meaning low-cost shipments will no longer enter the United States tariff-free. Without it, Americans could start to feel some serious tariff pain. And, President Trump is renewing threats to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today: -"Trump's tariffs come for fast fashion, and the blowback could be fierce."  from Politico  -"Harvard President Says Any Move to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status Would Be ‘Highly Illegal’" from The Wall Street Journal  -"Trump aims to cut $6 billion from NASA budget, shifting $1 billion to Mars-focused missions" from CNBC -"Visit this store for a free iris scan to ‘prove’ you’re human, not AI" from The Washington Post -"MoviePass’ Next Big Bet: A Fantasy Box Office App" from The Hollywood Reporter -"A little retirement, as a treat" from Marketplace Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

This week, President Trump acknowledged his tariffs were resulting in costlier items in the U.S., but maintained his position that China was taking the majority of the heat. If people can’t afford to buy as much, might that be a recipe for recession? We’ll discuss, and answer a listener’s question on what exactly is a recession. Plus, how uncertain economic conditions might make someone reconsider a luxury cheese purchase. Here’s everything we talked about today: - Recession defined by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) - “Trump says US kids may get '2 dolls instead of 30,' but China will suffer more in a trade war” from the Associated Press - WATCH: “Trump says kids may get '2 dolls instead of 30' because of trade war with China” from the Associated Press - “Trump, on Tariffs, Says ‘Maybe the Children Will Have 2 Dolls Instead of 30’” from The New York Times - “Spending by American companies on computers in Q1 grew at the fastest pace since 1983” by Marketplace - Check out the Canadian cheese shop Kimberly mentions in this episode Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

The Commerce Department reported the U.S. economy contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter of this year. We’ll break down the GDP math formula and dig into what the latest report says about where the US economy may be headed. And, should businesses be transparent about the impact of tariffs on prices? A nixed plan from Amazon serves as a cautionary tale of the political risks. Plus, feeling stressed these days? Cow cuddling and bee therapy might help. Here’s everything we talked about today: -"Trump blames Biden after GDP shrinks in first quarter, says growth will 'take a while'" from CNBC  -"Businesses weigh how much to tell customers about tariffs' impact on price" from Marketplace -"Trump-Bezos call sets stage for tense earnings report from Amazon" from CNBC -"Trump vs. Amazon’s Brilliant Tariff Idea" from The Wall Street Journal  -"The Americans Fled Vietnam 50 Years Ago. I Visited the Buildings They Left Behind."  from The New York Times "Anxious about the world? Cow cuddling or bee buzzing might help ease your stress" from The Denver Post Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

After declaring victory in yesterday’s Canadian election, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the “old relationship” with the United States is over. Over the past few months, President Donald Trump’s on-and-off tariffs and repeated annexation threats have caused Canadians to reconsider the United States as its leading trading partner and ally. But Patricia Goff, professor of political science at Wilfrid Laurier University, said the idea of disentangling the two economies is unrealistic. On the show today, Goff explains how Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats influenced the Canadian election, how Canadian industries are navigating the trade war, and what this all could mean for the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Plus, we’ll hear a pitch for a new “Make Me Smart”-themed rear window sticker. And, what one psychologist got wrong about burnout. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump knows exactly what he just triggered in Canada" from CBC News "Liberal Bruce Fanjoy topples Pierre Poilievre in Carleton" from CBC News "Canada-U.S. Relations Continue to Reach Lows Over Tariffs and Annexation Threats" from The New York Times "Mike Myers Is Ready to Defend Canada" from The New York Times "Canada says its friendship with the US is ‘over.’ Now what?" From Politico  "The future of the USMCA" from the Peterson Institute for International Economics We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

On the show today, Kimberly joins us from an Ontario polling station on Canada’s election day. We’ll get into how President Trump’s trade war has shaped the federal election and may boost voter turnout. Plus, what Canadians are saying about boycotting American products and canceling their U.S. vacations. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Canadians vote today after fierce campaign shaped by Trump" from CBC News "Canada votes in an election upended by Trump. Here’s what to know." from The Washington Post  "Canada’s Political Landscape Upended by Trump, Trudeau and Tariffs" from The New York Times Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Americans expect inflation to rise to 6.5% this year according to the University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment survey. That’s the highest outlook since 1981. We’ll explain why those high inflation expectations could be keeping Federal Reserve Chair Powell up at night. And, the deal filmmaker Ryan Coogler made with Warner Bros. to make his latest horror movie “Sinners” is anything but ordinary. Could it shake up the Hollywood studio system? "Trump administration reverses abrupt terminations of foreign students’ US visa registrations" from Politico "Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' isn't just scaring audiences. It's scaring Hollywood." from MSNBC "Inflation expectations remain at highest level since 1981 even after Trump's 90-day tariff pause"  "Pickle, a Fashion App, Lets Strangers Borrow Your Clothes" from The Cut "Subtitling Your Life" from The New Yorker "Is community fact-checking the future of social media moderation?" from Marketplace "The $20,000 American-made electric pickup with no paint, no stereo, and no touchscreen" from The Verge Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today, we’re answering questions from our listeners about everything going on in this economy (we know, it’s a lot). Like, whatever happened to that bipartisan bill that would pass authority over tariffs back to Congress? We’ll get into the status of the legislation and how states are jumping into the fight. Plus, we’ll discuss the legality of the Trump administration’s funding freezes and how foreign trade zones are helping some companies avoid sky-high tariffs. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Congress gave presidents power over tariffs. They could aways take it back” from CNN Politics “12 States Sue Trump Over His Tariffs” by The New York Times “Trump says he has 'no intention' of firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell” from AP News “If Trump wants rate cuts, he would likely need to replace the Fed's full board along with Powell” by CNBC “How Congress — and not the president — controls how taxpayer money is spent” from Marketplace “Trump tariffs lead to surge of companies parking imports in tax-free 'foreign trade zones’” from CNBC “How Foreign Trade Zones In The U.S. Came Into Existence” by NPR Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The Overton Window is a concept that helps explain how the range of policies considered politically acceptable shifts over time. But have you heard of the “Ryssdal Window"? We’ll explain how it relates to what’s happening in the markets right now as president Trump hints at a possible change of heart on China tariffs. Plus, the FDA suspended a milk quality testing program. With less federal oversight, can private industries regulate themselves? And, the physics behind a great cup of coffee. Here’s everything we talked about today: "White House Considers Slashing China Tariffs to De-Escalate Trade War" from The Wall Street Journal "FDA milk quality testing program suspended after job cuts" from The Hill "‘Crazy’: Forest Service cuts ignite fear, fury over wildfire risks" from Politico "The Physics of Perfect Pour-Over Coffee" from The New York Times "Hegseth orders makeup studio installed at Pentagon" from CBS News Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Hey Smarties! Today we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. This season, host Amy Scott and the team dig into the rise of environmental, social and governance-based investing, or ESG, and the right wing backlash that followed. In this episode, the story of ESG’s start revolves around some unexpected players: rabbis, nuns and other faith-based investors.

Yes — Obamacare is before the Supreme Court, again. This time, the case centers on the legality of an advisory task force. Experts worry it could spell the end of an ACA mandate requiring insurers to cover certain preventative care services at no cost. But first: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is caught up in another Signal group chat scandal. Plus, Paul Revere wasn’t the only midnight rider to warn that the British were coming. Here’s everything we talked about today: "‘An amateur person’: GOP Rep. Bacon says Hegseth should go" from Politico "Obamacare returns to SCOTUS, with preventive care on the line" from Politico "Court to hear challenge to ACA preventative-care coverage" from Scotus Blog "Kristi Noem’s Purse, With Security Badge and $3,000, Is Stolen" from The New York Times "Paul Revere Wasn't the Only Midnight Rider Who Dashed Through the Darkness to Warn the Patriots That the British Were Coming" from Smithsonian Magazine "April 18, 2025" from Heather Cox Richardson Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Stop us if you’ve heard this before: We’re in an unprecedented economic moment. But this time really is different. America’s place in the global economy is shifting. And what happens next is going to matter for businesses, consumers and you. Today, Kai Ryssdal’s popping into your feed with special coverage and reporting from Marketplace to help you make sense of the scale and scope of the economic change in real time. We count on you, our listeners, to help cover the cost of the reporting that you rely on. If you can, please donate to help keep Marketplace programming free and accessible for all.

Undocumented workers aren’t the only immigrants being targeted by the Donald Trump administration. Green card holders are facing deportation threats as well. We’ll discuss the far-reaching implications of Trump’s immigration crackdown, from the labor market to higher education in the United States. Plus, what Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation case could mean for due process. And, we’ll weigh in on crunchy foods and living underwater during a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Expands to Green Card Holders" from The New York Times Tweet from the White House "Colleges Fear Decline in International Student Enrollment" from Inside Higher Ed "A Young Generation Goes to Work for Mom and Dad Inc." from The Wall Street Journal "How crunch took over our taste buds" from Fast Company "The Techno-Utopian Seasteaders Who Want to Colonize the Ocean" from The New York Times "Fox Nation Plans Game Show About Isolated People Guessing What Trump Did In His First 90 Days" from The Hollywood Reporter Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

In over a hundred years, no president has ever fired the chair of the Federal Reserve … yet! President Donald Trump says he could show Jerome Powell the door, even though Powell says he’s not going anywhere. We’ll explain why it might all come down to the Supreme Court. Plus: the economic conditions that led to the American Revolution. And, a smile-worthy photo reminds us it's never too late to try new things! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Trump: If I ask Powell to leave, ‘he’ll be out of there’” by The HillHumphrey's Executor v. United States from Oyez“Recreating Paul Revere's ride from Boston 250 years later, 2 men prepare for landmark journey” from CBS News Boston“A Hall of Fame baseball player picked up photography in retirement. He captured one of the defining shots of the Masters.” by Business Insider Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Since President Donald Trump took office, his administration has ignored court rulings on a range of issues from press access to deportations. Now, a federal judge might hold him in criminal contempt of court. We’ll unpack the Zeno’s paradox of constitutional crises. Plus, where luxury goods actually come from and why you may want to think twice before buying one. And if you’re looking to zone out, turn on the “Great Moose Migration.” Here’s everything we talked about today: @kyledcheney.bsky.social‬ on Bluesky“What happens if a president and the federal government fail to follow a judge's orders?” by NBC NewsJ.G.G., et al., v. Donald J. Trump, et al. from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia “What to do in case of a constitutional crisis” by CNN“How is civil society responding to the US constitutional crisis?” from the Brookings Institution“Trump’s China tariffs spark viral TikTok work-arounds” from Fast Company“'Chinese Warehouse' TikTok Videos Urge Americans to Buy Directly From Them” from Newsweek“Ignore advice to buy direct from Chinese factories with DHGate, others” from The Washington Post“The ‘Great Moose Migration’ Livestream Captivates Sweden” from The New York Times Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Happy Tax Day, folks. While you’re hitting “Submit” on your returns, lawmakers in Washington are negotiating over what next year’s Tax Day could look like. Congress is aiming to pack President Donald Trump’s promised tax cuts into one behemoth reconciliation bill. But Caitlin Reilly, tax and economics reporter at CQ Roll Call, said there’s a long way to go before making these promises a reality. On the show today, Reilly explains why Congress is pursuing “reconciliation,” the accounting magic lawmakers are using to make certain tax cuts look free, and how the House and Senate will square two drastically different mandates for spending cuts. Then, we’ll look into how Boeing is getting caught up in the U.S.-China trade war. And, a tax professor answers the “Make Me Smart” question. Here’s everything we talked about today: "House Republicans Passed a New Budget. Here's What's in It." from The New York Times"Senate GOP passes budget plan, setting up a critical next phase for Trump agenda" from NPR"House GOP adopts budget framework, paving the way for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’" from Politico "'Current policy' debate dogs budget reconciliation efforts" from Roll Call"Your cheat sheet to Congress’ budget fight" from PBS Newshour"China Goes After Boeing, Tells Airlines Not to Order New Aircraft From U.S. Jet Maker" from The Wall Street Journal We want to hear your answer to the “Make Me Smart” question. Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Nearly a decade after Brexit, the British economy is still feeling the fallout. Now, President Donald Trump seems to be pulling from a similar playbook — with tariffs that could reshape the U.S. economy in eerily familiar ways. (Shocker, we know!) But first: Trump threatens to send Americans to prisons in El Salvador. The constitutional crisis alarm bells are ringing. Plus, poop in space is a bigger problem than you might think. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump again threatens to send Americans to prisons in El Salvador" from Axios"Fox Nation Plans Game Show About Isolated People Guessing What Trump Did In His First 90 Days" from The Hollywood Reporter"Trump admin shrinks federal Medicaid funding available to states" from Axios"HHS Lays Off All Full-Time Cruise Ship Health Inspectors Amid Illness Outbreaks: Report" from The Huffington Post"NASA offers $3M in competition to recycle human poop in space" from UPI"How Brexit, a Startling Act of Economic Self-Harm, Foreshadowed Trump’s Tariffs" from The New York Times"Meet the Comedian Putting Trump Voter Regret to Music" from Rolling Stone Got a question for our hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Amid this week’s tariff turmoil, U.S. stocks tumbled, U.S. Treasurys sold off, and the U.S. dollar weakened. Kai explains what this triple sell-off could mean for the future of the American economy. And, is the era of cheap stuff in America over? Donald Trump administration officials are arguing it’s a good thing. We’ll get into it. Plus, we’ll weigh in on penguin memes and using public phones during a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Treasury Secretary Bessent says the American dream is not about 'access to cheap goods'" from CNBC"Cheap Consumer Goods Are the American Dream, Actually" from Bloomberg"The Trump administration says cheap goods aren’t part of the American dream. They’re wrong." from Vox"The bond market is acting weird. It spooked Trump" from CNN Business"After Trump’s Tariffs, Stocks Plunged but Penguin Memes Ticked Up" from The New York Times"More students opt for certificates as undergraduate degree earners decline" from Marketplace"A Frenzy at Trader Joe’s: ‘Everyone’s Here for the Tote Bags’" from The New York Times"The Masters offers public phones as alternatives to cellphones. Here's what attendees think" from Fast Company Got a question for our hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today, it’s all YOU! We’re diving into the mailbag to play your voicemails, read your comments, and answer your questions after a wild week of tariff insanity. We’ll hear from YOU on how you’ve been riding the economic uncertainty. Plus, is Trump’s tariff pause, really a pause? And a listener shares what it’s been like teaching elementary students about tariffs. Here’s everything we talked about today: “US-China Trade War Tariffs: An Up-to-Date Chart” from the Peterson Institute for International Economics“The Fiscal and Economic Effects of the Revised April 9 Tariffs” from The Budget Lab at YaleMillion Bazillion by Marketplace Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

The world woke up to a very different economy today. Then, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on some of his tariffs. The news was announced as the official in charge of U.S. trade policy was testifying on Capitol Hill. We’ll break down the trade official’s tense exchange with lawmakers and the real consequences of this week’s market madness. Plus, we’ll laugh so we don’t cry about the economy. Here’s everything we talked about today: "U.S. Trade Rep. Testifies on Pres. Trump's Trade & Tariff Agenda" from CSPAN"Live updates: Trump orders 90-day pause on new tariffs except for China" from CNN Bluesky post from Jeva Lange How are you coping with the tariff whiplash? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

You may be wondering whether the prices of your go-to products, from avocados to smartphones, will be raised by tariffs in the coming weeks. We hear you! On the show today, Martha Gimbel, executive director of the Budget Lab at Yale, gives us a broad view of the tariff landscape, how the prices of certain consumer goods could change, and how Trump’s trade agenda could impact the American economy in the long run. Plus, why a trade deficit isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Then, we’ll smile about the joy of listening to kids learn to talk. And, Carrie Lane, author of “More Than Pretty Boxes: How the Rise of Professional Organizing Shows Us the Way We Work Isn’t Working,” answers the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Tariffs on China set to rise to at least 104% on Wednesday, White House says" from CNN Business"Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P 500 Swing Wildly; Trump Threatens More China Tariffs" from The Wall Street Journal"What is the status of the Trump administration's tariffs?" from Marketplace"Where We Stand: The Fiscal, Economic, and Distributional Effects of All U.S. Tariffs Enacted in 2025 Through April 2" from The Budget Lab at Yale"Trump Tariff Tracker" from the Atlantic Council Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Global markets are reeling after President Trump’s latest tariff announcement last week, prompting business executives like JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to speak out against Trump’s trade agenda. This comes just a few months after Dimon previously said to “get over” Trump’s tariff threats. Kai has thoughts. Plus, we’ll get into how long it could take for global trade to rebalance and what some conservative think tanks are saying about all the tariff upheaval. Here’s everything we talked about today: “JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Warns Tariffs Will Raise Prices, Slow Growth” from The Wall Street Journal “Jamie Dimon says Trump's tariff policy is positive for national security so people should 'get over it'“ from CNBC“New tariffs could spell major trouble for global economy” from the Competitive Enterprise Institute “Trump’s Tariffs Are an Economic Emergency for Americans” from the American Enterprise Institute “Brace for Impact, America. Trump’s Tariffs Will Soon Hit Your Bank Accounts” from the Cato Institute Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

On this edition of “Economics on Tap,” Kimberly and Sabri discuss how it’s nearly impossible to tariff-proof your shopping list (or cocktail) because of the way our global economy works. They also get into why reshoring might be easier said than done. Plus, could Congress claw back some of the authority on tariffs? And the hosts weigh in on this season of “White Lotus” in a round of Half-Full/Half-Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “These cocktails and wines could get pricier if Trump imposes tariffs” from The Washington Post “US Senate Republican pushes to require congressional approval for new tariffs” by Reuters “House Republican moves to rein in tariff powers” by Politico “Powell Warns Trump’s Tariffs Risk Stoking Even Higher Inflation and Slower Growth” from The New York Times“The Revolving Restaurant Is Back Again (and Again)” from The New York Times“Americans Rush to Buy TVs, Soy Sauce, Lululemon Workout Gear” from The Wall Street Journal“This Financial Firm Can Give Investment Advice in Gen Z Slang, No Cap” from The Wall Street Journal‘The White Lotus” Season 3 finale: How to watch, plus what we know about Season 4 from Yahoo Entertainment Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on American imports, with the levies coming in higher than expected. Do we need to be stockpiling our carts to get in front of rising costs? We asked economists how they’re personally preparing for higher prices. Plus, Reema and Kimberly unpack international responses as countries buckle up to negotiate — or take retaliatory measures. Also, why are we putting tariffs on uninhabited islands near Antarctica? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Tariffs Will Hit All U.S. Imports. Price Hikes for These Items May Surprise You” from The Wall Street Journal“Tariff-related layoffs hit five US auto plants that supply factories in Canada and Mexico” from CNN Business“Sweeping Trump tariffs shock global economy, draw calls for talks” by AP NewsWatch: “In Full: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responds to new US tariffs” by ABC News Australia on YouTube “‘Nowhere on Earth is safe’: Trump imposes tariffs on uninhabited islands near Antarctica” by The Guardian “The Blunt Force Trauma of the Trump Tariffs” from Wired “Support Grows for President Trump’s America First Reciprocal Trade Plan” from The White House Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Keyed to President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement today, Kimberly and Sabri unpack some of the messaging about the impact tariffs had during the president’s first term and explain why many of those claims are overblown. Plus, why we’re smiling about Sen. Cory Booker’s historic speech and how Sabri fell victim to April Fools’ Day shenanigans! (Note: This episode was recorded prior to Trump’s speech.)  Here’s everything we talked about today: “Trump’s Tariffs Make the Fed’s Interest Rate Decisions Tougher” from The New York Times “Tariffs Work — and President Trump’s First Term Proves It” from The White House “Economic View: Tariffs Have Strengthened the U.S. Economy” from the Coalition for a Prosperous America “Economic Impact of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs on U.S. Industries” from the United States International Trade Commission “ITC Study Proves Effectiveness of China Tariffs on Boosting Domestic Production, Reducing Dependence on Imports” from the Coalition for a Prosperous America “Home Depot to Charge For Parking to Combat Inflation” by Pro Tool Reviews “Booker sets new record for longest Senate floor speech” from Roll Call @kimberlyadams.bsky.social‬ via Bluesky Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The idea that the government should be run more like a business isn’t new. But with two businessmen, Donald Trump and Elon Musk, now taking a proverbial chainsaw to the federal bureaucracy all in the name “efficiency,” this theory is being put to the test. While it’s an appealing idea, Philip Joyce, professor of public policy at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, said governments can’t afford to take risks the way businesses can. On the show today, Joyce explains the origins of the idea that the government should be run like a business, how we define “success” differently for the two entities, and how the way Trump and Musk do business is showing up in the White House. Then, we’ll break down the high stakes of today’s special elections in Wisconsin and Florida. Plus, reflections on serendipitous moments in walkable communities and what we gain by admitting we were wrong. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Why Running the Government Like a Business Would Be a Disaster” from The New York Times“The US Government Is Not a Startup” from Wired“The US Postal Service has been struggling for years. Now Trump’s talking about privatizing it” from AP News“DOGE wants businesses to run government services ‘as much as possible’” from The Washington Post“UPDATE: RECOVER Long COVID pathobiology grants restored” from The Sick Times“NIH restores some long COVID grants” from C&EN“What to Watch in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Election and Florida’s Special Elections” from The New York Times“What to watch for Tuesday in Wisconsin’s high-stakes Supreme Court race and special elections in Florida” from CNN Politics“Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is at stake in race that’s drawn powerful political interests” from AP News“Volume 52 | Issue 1 | February 2025” from the American Ethnological Society Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump has promised that a fresh wave of tariffs on April 2 will usher in an era of growth in American manufacturing. But does history bear that out? We’ll explain how steel tariffs under President George W. Bush did more harm than good. And, in response to Trump’s trade agenda, the “buy Canadian” movement is gaining steam. American exporters are already feeling it. Plus, we’ll smile about flowers, parties and the unspoken rules of texting. Here’s everything we talked about today: “As ‘Buy Canadian’ grows, more US companies say retailers shunning their products” from Reuters“Republicans scramble to shield their states from Trump’s next wave of tariffs” from Politico“Why steel tariffs failed when Bush was president” from Politico“Are You a Hostile Punctuator???” from Time“‘God’s way of smiling at us’: Iconic DC cherry blossoms create lasting joy, new beginnings” from USA Today Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The artificial intelligence cloud computing provider CoreWeave sold shares to the public today with so-so results. Because it’s the first major IPO of the current generative AI era, some argue that CoreWeave could be a barometer of the AI boom. We’ll get into it. And, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of President Donald Trump’s firings of independent agency heads. The case will likely make its way to the Supreme Court. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Appeals court clears way for Trump to fire leaders of ‘independent’ federal agencies” from Politico“CoreWeave stock seesaws after IPO in first big test of AI trade” from Yahoo Finance“CoreWeave Is A Time Bomb” from Ed Zitron’s Where’s Your Ed At“OpenAI Unveils New Image Generator for ChatGPT” from The New York Times“DoorDash and Klarna partner to offer buy now, pay later for takeout” from Marketplace“Crocs hits record revenue as popularity with younger consumers soars” from Marketplace“When should we pay rent with a credit card? from Marketplace“Facebook’s New Friends Tab Brings App Back to Its Roots” from The New York Times Marketplace’s March fundraiser ends today! Chip in now and pick up a classic public media thank-you gift: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

On today’s episode, Kai and Reema discuss the disturbing arrest of a Turkish national with a valid student visa at Tufts University and the effects these immigration detentions are having on political speech. Plus, WNBA team New York Liberty got a shiny, new training facility. (No, it’s not a spa!) And, another big oops for National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. You just can’t make this stuff up. Here’s everything we talked about today: “New York Liberty Unveil Practice Facility Amid WNBA’s Race to Attract Talent” from The New York Times “DoJ lawyers say detained Tufts student was sent to Louisiana before court order” by The GuardianVideo: Marco Rubio’s comments on Ozturk’s arrest posted by Aaron Rupar on Bluesky “Mike Waltz Left His Venmo Friends List Public” by Wired Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.