Make Me Smart
1,010 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago - ★★★★★ - 4.6K ratingsEach weekday, Marketplace’s Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams make today make sense. Along with our supersmart listeners, we break down happenings in tech, the economy and culture. Every Tuesday we bring on a guest to dive deeper into one important topic. Because none of us is as smart as all of us.
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Episodes
It’s a rough housing market out there, folks
January 20, 2024 01:03 - 28 minutes - 11.8 MBA drop in preowned home sales in December was the cherry on top of the worst year for the U.S. housing market since 1995. We’ll get into the causes of the slump and what it would take for the housing market to get back on track. And, a tax deal that would expand the child tax credit is gaining momentum. Then, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Strong bipartisan showing in first test of tax deal’s support” from Roll Call “Mars Express fin...
More Big Tech layoffs. Is AI to blame?
January 18, 2024 23:48 - 15 minutes - 11.8 MBThe head of the International Monetary Fund said artificial intelligence could impact over half of jobs in advanced economies. But is AI already displacing workers? We’ll get into the latest layoffs sweeping the tech industry. And, the forecast on Capitol Hill: snowy with a chance of negotiations on border security and spending bills. Plus, NASA’s return to the moon is facing some setbacks. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Johnson Casts Doubt on Border Deal to Unlock Ukraine Aid,...
What federal rulemaking power has to do with the economy
January 17, 2024 21:52 - 14 minutes - 11.8 MBThe Supreme Court is hearing two cases that deal with a foundational part of administrative law, known as the Chevron deference, which gives federal agencies broad powers to create policies and regulations. We’ll explain the fight over the Chevron deference and how the economy could be impacted if it were overturned. And, what do we lose when we don’t get to see candidates debate each other? Plus, don’t talk to me about this year’s presidential election until I’ve had my coffee. Here’s eve...
The afterlife of MLK’s call for a guaranteed income
January 16, 2024 23:37 - 21 minutes - 11.8 MBIn 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote that “the solution to poverty is to abolish it directly by a now widely discussed measure: the guaranteed income.” Decades later, while still a divisive idea, the conversation around guaranteed income is starting to simmer, and pilot programs looking at universal basic income, a similar idea, are popping up around the country. On the show today, Stacia West, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Guaranteed Income Research, explains why...
When substances are legal but dangerous
January 13, 2024 01:41 - 28 minutes - 11.8 MBCertain dietary supplements with an ingredient that mimics opioids are a bubbling problem for public health officials. Sometimes called “gas station heroin,” they’re sold at run-of-the-mill smoke shops and convenience stores. We’ll get into why health officials are concerned and how under-regulation can muddy our understanding of how safe a substance actually is. Then, a much needed-happy puppy story. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today...
The federal budget loop de loop
January 11, 2024 22:42 - 15 minutes - 11.8 MBWe’re approaching a partial government shutdown, again. We’ll get into why it feels like we’re back at square one and where Congress goes next. And, we’ll explain why the panel blowout during an Alaskan Airlines flight is a big problem for Boeing, despite its strong position in the market. Plus, what bitcoin exchange-traded funds mean for the future of crypto and Nikki Haley’s Social Security plan. Here’s everything we talked about today: “US Senate Democrats plan for stopgap to avert shu...
The risky business of bitcoin ETFs
January 10, 2024 23:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBToday, the Securities and Exchange Commission voted to approve the first exchange-traded funds holding bitcoin. But regulators still have concerns, and a recent hack of an SEC social media account have only heightened fears. Plus, the pandemic relief funds that’ve been keeping state budgets afloat are gone. We’ll unpack why state budgets can be trickier beasts than the federal budget. And: This is normally a zombie-free zone, but “The Last of Us” TV series has us reconsidering. Here’s ever...
The death of social media as we know it
January 10, 2024 01:40 - 26 minutes - 11.8 MBAfter Elon Musk’s gut renovation of Twitter, now known as X, other platforms like TikTok and Mastodon attempted to take its place as the new hub. But as users flock to various apps and algorithms replace follower-based feeds, the very core of social media is changing. On the show today, The Atlantic’s Charlie Warzel explains the silo-ification of social media, what it means to go viral on today’s internet and how the changing medium might impact the 2024 elections. Plus, a potential upside ...
Let’s talk about privilege in the workplace
January 08, 2024 23:34 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBFormer Harvard President Claudine Gay resigned after backlash following controversial testimony to Congress and accusations of plagiarism. We’ll get into Gay’s exit and what it says about privilege in the workplace. And, why Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s failure to tell the White House about his hospitalization is a big deal. Plus, the lore behind John Coltrane’s cover of “My Favorite Things” is making us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Opinion | Former Harvard Preside...
From “Million Bazillion”: What’s a recession?
January 05, 2024 11:00 - 28 minutes - 11.8 MBHey Smarties! Today we’re sharing an episode from “Million Bazillion,” a Marketplace podcast that answers kids’ questions about money. This episode tackles a question many of you might have too: What’s a recession? To get to the bottom of it, hosts Bridget and Ryan take an adventure-filled trip to the Federal Reserve, where they bump into Fed Chair Jerome Powell (who might sound a bit like Kai Ryssdal). We’ll be back with new episodes next week. Until then, if you’ve got a question, comment...
The new in-space economy (rerun)
January 02, 2024 11:00 - 27 minutes - 11.8 MBHey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2023. 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 2024 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. Today, we’re talking about two topics near and dear to our hearts: space and economics. Over the last several yea...
Who benefits from the welfare-to-work system?
December 29, 2023 11:00 - 46 minutes - 11.8 MBHey Smarties! Today we’re handing things over to the team at “The Uncertain Hour,” a podcast all about the obscure policies and forgotten histories that explain who gets left behind in this economy. In the episode, host Krissy Clark explains the origins of welfare work requirements and gets into the experience of a mother who sought help from a for-profit welfare company when she came upon hard times. Give now to support Make Me Smart in the new year and beyond!
A U.S. history lesson through food (rerun)
December 26, 2023 11:00 - 31 minutes - 11.8 MBHey Smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2023. 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 2024 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! What can Jell-O tell us about the United States during the Gilded Age? What about Spam during World War II? ...
The real costs of reality TV
December 22, 2023 11:00 - 43 minutes - 11.8 MBThe Golden Bachelor reality dating series has been a big hit this Fall. These kinds of reality TV shows are relatively cheap to produce, but at what cost? Today we’re bringing you an episode of Marketplace’s “This Is Uncomfortable” that gets into the economics of the reality TV industry for contestants and creators alike, and the real life financial and emotional consequences for the stars of the show. Give now to support Make Me Smart in the new year and beyond!
Where’s the (lab-grown) beef? (rerun)
December 19, 2023 11:00 - 29 minutes - 11.8 MBHey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2023. 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 2024 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. Americans love to eat meat. Last year alone, the average American ate 227 pounds poultry, pork and beef. But meat ...
How technology can help solve the water crisis in the West
December 15, 2023 11:00 - 27 minutes - 11.8 MBToday we’re bringing you an episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. In the episode, host Amy Scott and the “How We Survive” crew explore how communities in the Southwest are using technology to reimagine how the region manages its drought-stricken water supply. It turns out that water is everywhere. And it can be sourced in unexpected ways. We can’t do this show without you and we still need your support. If you can, donate today to keep...
The dirty side of the fast-fashion business (rerun)
December 12, 2023 11:00 - 26 minutes - 11.8 MBHey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2023. 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 2024 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. It’s time to air out some of fast fashion’s dirty laundry. Recently, fast-fashion retailer Shein was in the headli...
And that’s a wrap on 2023
December 09, 2023 01:05 - 25 minutes - 11.8 MBFor our final episode of 2023, we’re throwing a holiday party with music, festive fascinator hats and drinks. We’ll also get to some big medical news: For the first time, the FDA approved gene therapies to treat sickle cell disease, which affects mostly Black people in the United States. And, the head of OPEC is meddling in climate talks at COP28. Plus, we’ll play a holiday-themed round of our favorite game, Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “OPEC Leader Tells...
The battle over aid to Ukraine
December 07, 2023 22:12 - 11 minutes - 11.8 MBPresident Biden has asked Congress to pass a hefty aid package for the war in Ukraine and other defense initiatives, but the funding can’t seem to get through the Senate. We’ll hear the president implore lawmakers to act swiftly and get into why the package is being held up. Plus, the ballet of federal regulators and Wall Street banks continues. And, Google introduced its new AI model called Gemini. Among other capabilities, it can see! Here’s everything we talked about today: “As Ukraine...
Taking the pulse of the U.S. bond market
December 06, 2023 22:52 - 19 minutes - 11.8 MBToday we’re geeking out over the bond market. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note has dropped from a few weeks ago and now sits close to 4.1%. We’ll unpack what a bond market rally could mean for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision-making as well as for the average American. Plus, what happens when someone says they intend to abuse their power? We’ll get into former President Donald Trump’s remarks at an Iowa town hall last night. Here’s everything we talked about tod...
What is MAGAnomics, actually?
December 05, 2023 22:06 - 33 minutes - 11.8 MBWe’re less than a year out from the 2024 presidential election. And former President Donald Trump is still leading the pack of Republican candidates, by a lot. This has us wondering: What would another Trump presidency mean for the economy? On the show today, William Howell, professor of American politics at the University of Chicago explains how Trump’s plans to weaken the federal bureaucracy could disrupt the economy, how the former president’s proposals on immigration and Obamacare cou...
Millennial mom dread
December 05, 2023 02:52 - 14 minutes - 11.8 MBThe U.S. population is aging as Americans choose to have fewer children or none at all. We’ll get into the many reasons millennials hesitate to jump into motherhood and how to change the narrative around parenting. Plus, fewer children mean fewer people to take care of our aging population in a country already dealing with a senior care crisis. And, Patti LaBelle’s infamous performance of “This Christmas” at the 1996 National Christmas Tree Lighting makes us smile. Here’s everything we tal...
Economics on Tap: Wastewater beer edition
December 02, 2023 01:17 - 35 minutes - 11.8 MBThe future of beer is here. “How We Survive” host Amy Scott is on the show today to help us taste test beer brewed from recycled water. And we’ll get into George Santos’ expulsion from the House and why his lies and luxurious spending were particularly provoking. Then we’ll weigh in on Walmart’s creative spin on holiday romcoms and more in a game of Half Full / Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about: “Water, water, everywhere” from Marketplace “Rep. George Santos expelled from Hou...
COP28’s big question: who should pay for the climate crisis?
November 30, 2023 22:58 - 15 minutes - 11.8 MBIt’s day one of COP28, the global climate conference, and countries have already agreed on details for a fund to aid developing countries affected by climate disasters. As wealthier nations begin paying for their contributions to the climate crisis, how long will their support last? Plus, we’ll hear a Fed Chair’s divisive turkey analogy for what happens when interest rates are too high for too long. And, why brands are extending those Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Here’s everything ...
Is GM feeling iffy about EVs?
November 30, 2023 01:10 - 13 minutes - 11.8 MBGeneral Motors is planning higher-octane cash returns for investors in an attempt to restore confidence in its main gig — making vehicles that are not electric. We’ll get into what this could signal for the broader EV industry. And, many of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s regulatory powers are on the line in a current Supreme Court case. We’ll examine what the case has to do with conservative justices’ disdain for the administrative state. Plus, a National Spelling Bee champion’s s...
The circular economy and closing our resource loop
November 29, 2023 00:16 - 22 minutes - 11.8 MBAmericans consume a lot of stuff and in turn produce a lot of waste. The average American generated 46 pounds of just e-waste in 2019. But what if there was a way to design an economy that’s less wasteful and more environmentally friendly? On the show today, Callie Babbitt, professor of sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology, breaks down the circular economy, its role in fighting climate change and the challenges that lie ahead in public policy and manufacturing if we hope to a...
OpenAI’s “breakthrough”
November 28, 2023 01:00 - 15 minutes - 11.8 MBAfter being banned from talking about artificial intelligence at Thanksgiving, guest host Matt Levin is eager to chime in on the ongoing Sam Altman controversy and news about a powerful artificial intelligence development at OpenAI. Plus, tech tycoons are behaving more and more like foreign dignitaries. And: Doritos’ new crunch-cancellation technology. Here’s everything we talked about: “Unpacking the hype around OpenAI’s rumored new Q* model” from MIT Technology Review “OpenAI researche...
Who wants to work in Congress anymore?
November 23, 2023 00:43 - 13 minutes - 11.8 MBThis month, at least 12 members of Congress have announced they won’t seek reelection at the end of their terms. We’ll get into the record number of retirements and why the job might not be worth the trouble. Then, we’ll discuss how OpenAI’s leadership turmoil might be a turning point for the artificial intelligence industry. Plus, a St. Louis football team’s failed attempt to become a Thanksgiving game day staple. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Larry Summers Is OpenAI’s Surpri...
The origins of America’s consumer-driven economy
November 22, 2023 00:23 - 22 minutes - 11.8 MBThe holiday shopping season kicks off this week with Black Friday, and American shoppers are expected to spend a record amount, particularly in online sales. Consumer spending keeps the U.S. economy humming, making up 70% of the country’s gross domestic product. But it wasn’t always this way. On the show today, Cornell economic historian Louis Hyman gives us a history lesson on how the American economy became dependent on the consumer, why that change has created serious environmental con...
The rise of stay-or-pay hiring
November 21, 2023 00:09 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBIn this tight labor market, a growing number of companies are trying to discourage workers from quitting by charging them. Stay or pay clauses are becoming a thing in more workplaces. We’ll talk about who really bears the cost of calling it quits. Plus, how Federal Reserve economists are taking a page from journalists. And Snoop Dogg, the master marketer! Here’s everything we talked about: “Federal Reserve Seeks Anecdotes Over Economic Data for Uncertain Outlook” from Bloomberg “The Stay...
Grief and work in the time of war
November 18, 2023 01:50 - 23 minutes - 11.8 MBSince Oct. 7, Palestinian and Jewish Americans have been navigating work while enduring anxiety and heartache as the Israel-Hamas War plays out. We’ll discuss the pressure to perform professionally as the conflict continues. And there’s some hopeful climate news out of Portugal: The country ran on 100% renewable energy for six days. Plus, we’re settling the debate on the least-liked Thanksgiving side dish in a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about: “If Gaza were...
The governing work that remains to be done
November 17, 2023 01:35 - 13 minutes - 11.8 MBIt’s been a wild week on Capitol Hill. GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and Teamsters union President Sean O’Brien almost came to blows in a Senate hearing. And Republicans averted a government shutdown, but only to push the deadline to next year. We’ll dig into the historically low congressional productivity amid a growing mountain of work. And we’ll hear President Joe Biden’s remarks about meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Plus, a look at YouTube’s AI musical experiment. Here’...
What would a Starlink IPO mean for Elon Musk’s geopolitical clout?
November 16, 2023 01:16 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBElon Musk today disputed claims that an initial public offering is in the works for his satellite business Starlink, an offshoot of SpaceX. But hypothetically speaking, would more eyes on Starlink following an IPO change the way Elon Musk operates on the global stage? And, an influential liberal super PAC is ditching TV ads. We’ll get into what that tells us about political campaigning in the modern age. Plus, let the holiday party invites start flowing! Here’s everything we talked about t...
The moral conundrum of carbon credits
November 15, 2023 00:01 - 31 minutes - 11.8 MBMany of the world’s largest companies are setting net-zero climate goals, and they’re using carbon credits to get there. That means they can keep producing carbon emissions as long as they pay for emissions to be reduced elsewhere. But do carbon credits actually incentivize companies to reduce their emissions? On the show today, Pedro Martins Barata, associate vice president for carbon markets at the Environmental Defense Fund, explains what carbon credits are and the ethical concerns wit...
Has the movie business reached peak superhero?
November 14, 2023 01:23 - 20 minutes - 11.8 MBMarvel Studios’ latest movie, “The Marvels,” had the franchise’s worst opening weekend. We’ll dig into whether superhero movies are a thing of the past and if theaters can get by without them. Then, another government shutdown may be around the corner. This time it could interfere with Thanksgiving travel plans. Plus, news you can use about online payment apps, and what would be your state’s signature cocktail? Here’s everything we talked about: “‘The Marvels’ Disappoints at Box Office, S...
Polarization, partisanship and threats to democracy
November 11, 2023 02:35 - 34 minutes - 11.8 MBWe’re discussing some heavy topics today, including threats to democracy from Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, and traditional Republicans bowing out of reelection as the party heads further to the right. Then, we’ll reflect on how we should honor our veterans. Later, we’ll weigh in on an Elon Musk biopic and a global Starbuck expansion in a game of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about: “Trump suggests he or another Republican president could use Justi...
Actors and studios strike a (tentative) deal
November 10, 2023 01:27 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBAfter 118 days, the SAG-AFTRA strike appears to have come to an end, marking a historic win for actors. We’ll hear from the union’s president, Fran Drescher, about her delight with the new deal. Also, what Fed chief Jay Powell’s recurring message on interest rates says about economic belief versus reality. Plus, it’s the beginning of the end for panda diplomacy, as D.C. bids farewell to its cuddly friends. Here’s everything we talked about: “Powell Closes The F—— Door On Early Rate Cut Ho...
The national debt is turning economists’ heads
November 09, 2023 00:49 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBHigh interest rates are making our already enormous national debt more expensive, and many economists are worried. We’ll discuss what it may cost to get the national debt under control. Plus, a referendum to replace Maine’s two main power companies with a publicly owned alternative was shot down in yesterday’s election. And, the James Webb Space Telescope is revolutionizing the way we see the universe. Here’s everything we talked about today: “What it would cost to stabilize the soaring n...
The promises and risks of carbon capture
November 08, 2023 02:28 - 24 minutes - 11.8 MBToday we’re talking about another potential tool in the climate solutions toolbox: carbon capture. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law put $12 billion toward the tech, which promises to take carbon emissions straight from the air and store them underground. But there are concerns that supporting the fledgling industry could backfire. On the show today, Inside Climate News’ Nicholas Kusnetz explains the ins and outs of carbon capture and the challenges of making it work on a scale big e...
Elon Musk’s Starlink business going gangbusters
November 07, 2023 01:42 - 11 minutes - 11.8 MBSpaceX is on track to make record profits this year, particularly through its Starlink satellite program. With the reins of this powerful company in the hands of a celebrity entrepreneur, has that celebrity, Elon Musk, become invincible? We’ll also dig into the details of the U.S. birthrate. As it turns out, being an only child did not become the norm we expected it would be. And we’ll learn about the physicist who’s created over 1,000 Wikipedia bios for neglected female scientists. Here’s...
Promises won’t pay for climate adaptation
November 04, 2023 00:45 - 32 minutes - 11.8 MBA new United Nations report found that wealthy nations are scaling back funding for climate adaptation in developing countries, while the cost of mitigating the effects of climate change continue to grow. We’ll get into it. And, the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust lawsuit against Amazon revealed a secret pricing algorithm used by the company, known as Project Nessie. We’ll unpack how the algorithm has amassed huge profits for Amazon while raising prices across the board. Then, we’ll pl...
AI safety takes center stage
November 03, 2023 01:07 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBHey Smarties! We recorded today’s episode before the news of Sam Bankman-Fried’s conviction came out. We’ll continue to monitor the story. This week, President Joe Biden signed a sweeping executive order on the safety of artificial intelligence, and world leaders (plus Elon Musk) met to discuss the risks of the rapidly developing technology for the first time. We’ll get into what future AI regulation could look like as governments agree to cooperate. And, we’ll hear from Target’s CEO on tr...
Where the fractured GOP goes from here
November 02, 2023 00:19 - 13 minutes - 11.8 MBTwo prominent Republican representatives announced they won’t seek reelection at the end of their terms in Congress. We’ll get into the future of the GOP, as former President Donald Trump continues to drive a wedge in the party’s identity. Also, how the verdict in a case involving the National Association of Realtors could upend the way we buy and sell homes. Plus, a breakthrough gene therapy treatment is allowing some deaf children to hear for the first time. And, coming clean about hotel ...
Hydrogen’s potential as a climate solution
October 31, 2023 22:59 - 29 minutes - 11.8 MBWhen it comes to solutions to the climate crisis, we’re going to need a whole menu of options. One item on the menu: clean hydrogen. The Joe Biden administration recently invested $7 billion into developing clean hydrogen hubs across the country, with hopes the technology could help reduce carbon emissions in a variety of industries. “Many people call it a Swiss Army knife of decarbonization,” said Emily Pontecorvo, staff writer at Heatmap News. “But the problem of thinking of it that way...
Who profits from war?
October 31, 2023 00:23 - 16 minutes - 11.8 MBA $14.3 billion Israel aid package from the House GOP is in the works, and some Republican representatives are looking into unconventional ways to fund it. We’ll get into where U.S. military aid usually ends up and who stands to make a profit from global conflict. Plus, how the media coverage leading up to the 2024 election often makes false equivalencies between the speaking abilities of former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Here’s everything we talked about: “House GOP ...
Why the definition of “employer” really matters
October 28, 2023 00:59 - 30 minutes - 11.8 MBThe National Labor Relations Board is redefining what it means to be an employer by changing the so-called joint-employer rule. We’ll explain how the change could impact the rights of contract and franchise workers across many industries, from tech to fast food. And, polling numbers on congressional approval are sinking lower and lower. Plus, are SEO-bait names and bloated movie runtimes the new norms? We’ll get into it in a round of Half Full / Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked abou...
Spending cuts aren’t the only answer to the budget deficit
October 27, 2023 00:43 - 15 minutes - 11.8 MBThere’s been a lot of talk about the ever-growing U.S. federal deficit lately. That discussion has largely revolved around spending cuts. But the flip side of the issue— that is, increasing revenue — is largely ignored. We’ll get into what increasing the government’s revenue could look like and how an approaching expiration date for some Trump-era tax cut provisions could impact taxpayers in the coming years. Also, we’ll hear from UAW President Shawn Fain about the union’s tentative deal wi...
A new speaker of the House, finally
October 26, 2023 00:25 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBAfter a three-week vacancy, House Republicans elected Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana speaker. We’ll give you the rundown on who Johnson is and what his far-right associations could mean for the challenging weeks ahead in Congress. And, on the other side of the Capitol rotunda, senators are working on new ways to end Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s military promotion blockade. Plus, a 14-year-old scientist’s cancer-fighting bar of soap. Here’s everything we talked about: “5 things to know about Sp...
Economic lessons from the video game industry
October 24, 2023 21:00 - 28 minutes - 11.8 MBHey Smarties! Today we’re bringing you a special episode of “Marketplace Morning Report” that dives into what the video game industry can teach us about the economy, from the socioeconomic hurdles that keep many young people from breaking into the field to the economics at work in many games. It’s part of the “Skin in the Game” series from David Brancaccio and the “Marketplace Morning Report” team, which explores how the massive industry can help us understand economics, business, money and ...
The work Congress could be doing
October 24, 2023 00:50 - 15 minutes - 11.8 MBWithout a speaker in the House of Representatives, Congress isn’t getting much work done. That includes progress on the farm bill, which is up for renewal this year. We’ll get into what potential cuts to the farm bill could mean and some of the bill’s past shortcomings. Plus, a new study found that the West Antarctic ice sheet will continue to melt faster despite serious action on climate change. Also, we say goodbye to a record holder who was a very good boy. Here’s everything we talked a...