Marketplace All-in-One

What would make Kevin Warsh consider a "Fed put?"

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 22:35:00 +0000

It’s unclear what Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh will do regarding interest rates, but would a “Fed put” actually help promote stability in financial markets? Also in this episode, we look at why fewer teens are getting paid jobs, a decline in single-family homebuilding, prediction markets for natural disasters, traffic expanding way beyond rush hour, and the booming cowboy boot market.

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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.

How to stop putting off your personal finance tasks

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:35:00 +0000

Americans spend, on average, just over 8 minutes a day on financial management — things like budgeting or paying bills — according to a recent paper in the Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance. But those few minutes are among the most stressful and least enjoyable parts of the day. So how can we stop that painful procrastination? Reema Khrais, host of Marketplace's "This Is Uncomfortable," joins the show to discuss. Also, we continue our look back at America's economic history and parse some private payroll data.

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Marketplace Morning Report 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.

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How to get yourself to do those personal finance tasks you've been avoiding

What a Supreme Court decision means for money in politics

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:59:00 +0000

The Supreme Court finished its session yesterday with major opinions on birthright citizenship, transgender athlete rights, and campaign finance. We're going to focus on that last one. In National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission, the court struck down limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates. Without those caps, the way parties raise and spend money could quickly change. Plus, we’ll look back on how some provisions from last year's big tax bill have played out.

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High Court's latest campaign finance decision hands more spending power to political parties

How Anthropic is tracking AI's impact on the labor market

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Who is using AI? And what are they using it for? Anthropic, the AI company behind Claude, has been trying to answer these questions to better understand how AI is reshaping the economy. The firm’s latest Economic Index report offers new insights on how people are using Claude and how they feel about AI’s potential effects on the labor market. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Anthropic’s head of economics Peter McCrory to learn more about what the data reveals.

Your geoengineering questions, answered!

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This season, we explored large-scale climate interventions that could be our last hope. One intervention in particular, solar geoengineering, made a lot of listeners’ heads spin. (We’re right there with you.)

This episode, we answer some of your most pressing questions about solar geoengineering. We get into whether solar sunshades could harm crops, what international efforts around solar geoengineering look like, and what would happen if a powerful country went rogue and put sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere. Plus, we look at a solution to some of these more extreme solutions: decarbonizing.

A confusing economy means a less confident consumer

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Fresh data on consumer confidence shows a lot of mixed signals — Americans are feeling better about the economy and where inflation is headed, but worse about job prospects and family finances. Also in this episode, we look at the widening gender wage gap, a small business owner dealing with tariffs, how remote work is giving families more options, and growing natural gas infrastructure.

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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.

Chinese economic data and U.S. consumers

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:20:00 +0000

The Chinese government reported a slight increase in its June factory activity, driven mostly by exports and demand tied to AI. Today, we'll delve into what these latest numbers tell us about how China's economy is doing and discuss how the ebbs and flows of Chinese manufacturing affect consumers here in the United States. Then, yesterday, the Supreme Court allowed Fed Governor Lisa Cook to keep her job (for now) but gave the president broader authority to fire other federal officials. What are some of the shorter- and long-term impacts?

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The ripple effects of Monday's Supreme Court decisions

Steep ACA enrollment declines

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:55:00 +0000

About 3 million fewer people had Affordable Care Act insurance plans in February compared to last year. Much of the drop is likely due to the end of pandemic-era enhanced subsidies, which resulted in higher premiums. And ACA premiums are only likely to increase next year. Plus, starting tomorrow, Medicare will begin covering GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. And, as we prepare to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, we'll look back at the economic moments that defined the first 50 years of our nation.

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Marketplace Morning Report 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.

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Millions drop ACA insurance as premiums rise

Why Boston Dynamics is deploying robot dogs at the World Cup

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The resemblance to an actual dog is loose but the quadrupedal robot dogs known as “Spot” from Boston Dynamics do have four legs. They're often used to do reconnaissance in hazardous environments. And four of them are working security at the World Cup games in Dallas and New York. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Merry Frayne, at Boston Dynamics about Spot’s capabilities and why they wanted to deploy them at live sporting events.

The president's new power over independent agencies

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:12:00 +0000

The Supreme Court’s ruling Monday expanded presidential power over agencies that would traditionally be viewed as independent, with the Federal Reserve as an exception. What does that mean going forward? Also in this episode, we look at rising transportation costs, infrastructure projects, Comcast’s spinoff of NBCUniversal, and the business of estate sales in Los Angeles.

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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.

The good, the bad, and the complex of student loan caps

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:15:00 +0000

Major shifts to federal student aid kick in on July 1, including strict limits on how much graduate students can borrow from the federal government. The new loan caps raise questions about who can access graduate education in the U.S., who should pay for it, and whether the country’s workforce pipeline can keep pace with the growing demand for highly-skilled professionals. We'll also preview this week's economic data releases, including consumer confidence and the June jobs report.

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Marketplace Morning Report 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.

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Will new federal student loan caps make grad school more affordable or less attainable?

Slimmed down grocery sales

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000

More Americans are using GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic and Wegovy, for weight loss, and that’s impacting their grocery shopping habits. A new survey finds that GLP-1 use could shave up to 2.7% off grocery store sales this year. So, how are food companies adapting? Also on the program: a preview of major Supreme Court decisions coming up and a frank conversation about the costs of being in a wedding party, courtesy of the Marketplace podcast "This Is Uncomfortable."

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Marketplace Morning Report 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.

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Hospitals pull back on robotic nursing assistants

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

There’s a longstanding nursing shortage in the U.S. that's only expected to get worse. Some hospitals have experimented with robotic nursing assistants to lighten the load, like a model known as Moxi that rolled out in 2019. They’re kind of R2D2-meets-Rosie-the-robots and were designed to handle non-patient-facing tasks like transporting lab samples. But many hospitals eventually pulled them from operation. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Varsha Bansal, reporter at Proof News, about what went wrong.

The AI inflation roller coaster

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:03:00 +0000

Economists are forecasting that AI is likely to cause prices to rise over the course of the next year. On Thursday, both Microsoft and Apple said they’re raising prices some of their flagship products thanks to skyrocketing memory and storage costs. But AI could end up making a whole lot of things cheaper — eventually. Also in this episode: how one union negotiated huge savings on healthcare prices, a look at the garage sale culture in Alaska, and the return of the restaurant matchbook.

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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.

What Congress' housing bill could mean for rural America

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:20:00 +0000

Congress’ historic housing bill still hasn’t been signed by President Donald Trump. There’s a lot in the bill, and changes may take years. Some of the provisions are meant to help rural America, where about a quarter of Americans live. We'll dig into some of the impacts. Then, language in the current U.S.-Iran peace deal could help Iran develop its own economy and become more integrated in the global economic system.

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Marketplace Morning Report 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.

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What it's like working as an animal talent agent

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:50:00 +0000

This morning, as part of our "What's that Like?" series, where we get firsthand accounts from people working unusual jobs, we hear from animal talent agent Dawn Wolfe. She's the owner of the agency Pawsitively Famous and has worked with dogs, cats, reptiles, and even tarantulas. But first, a week after a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, are ships able to transit the Strait of Hormuz?

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Why SpaceX stock soared, then stumbled

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

SpaceX stock prices fell back to earth this week after they skyrocketed in the wake of the IPO a couple weeks ago. Plus, why a Google AI subsidiary is investing in the film studio A24. And why Meta might be getting into the prediction markets. The New York Times reported this week the social media giant was working on its own prediction market app, sort of like Kalshi and Polymarket, which have been bringing in billions of dollars but also drawing lots of scrutiny and legal challenges. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Anita Ramaswamy, financial columnist at The Information, for this week’s “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of “Tech Bytes.”

Inflation sped up in May. What's to blame?

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Inflation was up 4.1% in May, according to the BEA’s personal consumption expenditures index. We know hot energy prices, resulting from the war in Iran, were part of that spike. But cut out energy and food, and inflation still hit a three-year high, at 3.4%. So what else is driving the increase? Also in this episode: Q1 GDP is revised up, Wyoming navigates the consequences of property tax cuts, and Great Lakes cargo ships make up a vital branch of U.S. supply chains.

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A key inflation measure hits a three-year high

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:13:00 +0000

Core inflation rose to 3.4% in May, according to this morning's PCE report out from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. That's the highest since October 2023. Part of the rise is driven by service sector inflation, which should be more immune to shocks from tariffs and energy costs. We dig in. And later, now that Spirit Airlines has shut down, its bankruptcy estate is auctioning off its access to New York’s LaGuardia Airport.

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Spirit to auction $80 million in takeoff and landing slots at LGA

Inclusion is a smart business decision

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:48:00 +0000

According to the ACLU, state lawmakers have introduced more than 500 bills targeting LGBTQ people in the 2026 legislative session. Those policies have economic consequences. Today, we explore what's at stake for states with anti-LGBTQ laws and how companies are navigating a climate unfriendly to DEI policies. But first, the dollar's recent strength is not about investors fleeing to safety, and hotter-than-hoped-for inflation means a higher chance of an interest rate hike.

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Stanford launches AI economy indicator to match AI's pace

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

We here at Marketplace love indicators that give us insights into which direction the economy is moving. But AI is evolving fast and it can be hard for the data — and the people looking to it for clues about AI's effects — to keep up. So the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, with help from the payroll firm ADP, recently launched its own AI Economic Indicators. They track things like AI adoption, productivity, and of course, jobs. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Connacher Murphy, research manager at Stanford Digital Economy Lab, to learn more about the database and what researchers call the Canary Dashboard for jobs.

Should I adopt my friends?

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Marriage brings with it a slew of state and federal privileges – when it comes to taxes, inheritance, and benefits – but what if that’s not the most important relationship to you? What legal and financial options are out there for chosen family? Reema talks to LGBTQ+ legal advocate Angela Giampolo and tax expert Brixton Carothers about everything from setting up a revocable living trust to forming an LLC with a polycule.

Plus, Reema and Alice respond to listener messages, including confessions about workplace mishaps and financial infidelity.

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High inflation or ... high inflation?

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:25:00 +0000

When the U.S. launched a war against Iran, some Wall Street traders bet the ensuing energy shortages would push inflation up. Now that a ceasefire has brought down gas prices, the narrative has shifted: What if cheaper gas fires up the economy too much? In this episode, the markets are betting on inflation, whichever way you slice it. Plus: Prospective buyers struggle to secure mortgages on homes worth less than $100,000, local getaways anticipate healthy summer vacation demand, and direct-to-consumer brands reframe their environmental commitments.

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AI's growing influence in healthcare

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:20:00 +0000

AI’s burgeoning influence on the field of healthcare is raising concern among nurses about the future of their profession. New AI tools are being developed to perform tasks ranging from notetaking to proposing diagnoses, but recent research found that those tools can make severely harmful errors. Now, unions representing nurses are fighting to keep their professional judgment front and center. But first, we spoke with Susan Schmidt at Exchange Capital Resources about how Micron Technology’s focus on memory has made it a central player in the tech stock scene.

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Marketplace Morning Report 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.

What new loan limits could mean for the future of the medical field

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:15:00 +0000

New limits on federal student loans for graduate programs, going into effect on July 1, will cap the amount students can borrow at $100,000. For professional programs, like medical school and law school, the cap is doubled. But that category doesn’t include physician assistant and nursing programs, and advocates say that could deter enrollment. Plus, a look into why mission-driven fashion brands are toning down their sustainability efforts.

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Tech companies are turning to HBCUs to host AI data centers

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Big Tech is looking for land to build its AI data centers. HBCUs are looking for new funding after federal cuts.

And partnerships between them, like one announced by Fisk University, could be a mutually beneficial — or could end up being a form of "digital sharecropping," according to strategist Ashley Northington, who wrote about this for Tech Policy Press.

Should we mess with nature?

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

All season, we’ve been unpacking the controversial ways we’re messing with nature to save the planet. In this episode, we explore the wildest intervention to date: de-extinction. We take a tour of Colossal Labs, the $10 billion Dallas startup betting it can reverse-engineer extinction itself, to see how they plan to turn pigeons into dodos and Asian elephants into woolly mammoths.

But whether it’s bringing back the woolly mammoth from extinction or shooting sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, just because we can mess with nature, does that mean we should? After the tour, host Amy Scott chats with Pulitzer Prize-winning environmental journalist Elizabeth Kolbert to find out.

A "starter" home for $1 million?

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

A typical starter home in nearly 250 U.S. cities is now worth $1 million or more, according to Zillow. Is that even a starter home anymore? In this episode, how rapid housing inflation has changed the game for first-time homebuyers and why more Americans are opting for a starter home in the suburbs. Plus: Manufacturing data reflects strong sector growth, U.S. trading partners bear the economic brunt of Trump’s war with Iran, and the 1973 oil crisis provides lessons for dealing with chaotic fuel costs today.

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An AI-fueled Amazon Prime Day

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:15:00 +0000

Amazon Prime Day starts today and runs through Friday. Consumers are expected to spend $26 billion over those four days, and they’ll have plenty of help from AI. Today: a primer on Amazon’s big AI shopping experiment. Then, will a new U.K. prime minister mean an altered trade relationship with the EU? And later, Congress is pushing forward with homebuying restrictions for institutional investors, but the plan may not be foolproof.

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Investors are buying up Sunbelt homes. Could a congressional ban help?

Why the affordable housing supply has dried up

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:05:00 +0000

Last night, the Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bill aimed at making it easier to build housing and bring down the cost of both buying and renting. Home prices have jumped about 50% in the past six years, and rents are up nearly 30% nationally. Today, we’ll delve into why it seems impossible to construct new, low-cost housing. Then, we’ll check in on the economy of Northern Ireland 10 years after Brexit.

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Marketplace Morning Report 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.

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Why this Silicon Valley priest wants to teach AI right from wrong

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In late May, Pope Leo XIV released Magnifica Humanitas. His first papal encyclical is an appeal for a more human-centered approach to artificial intelligence. Joining him at the Vatican for the unveiling was Anthropic co-founder, Chris Olah, and Father Brendan McGuire, pastor at St. Simon parish in Silicon Valley.

McGuire joined the priesthood after a career in tech and co-founded the Institute of Technology, Ethics and Culture — a joint initiative of the Vatican and Santa Clara University. He's one of a handful of religious leaders Anthropic has consulted on building ethics into AI.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Father Brendan about his experience as a spiritual advisor to AI.

Inflation is moving the wrong way

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

The last time Austan Goolsbee voted in an FOMC meeting, he was one of two policymakers opposed to cutting interest rates. Six months later, he doesn’t regret that dissent. In this episode, Kai catches up with the Chicago Fed president to discuss the central bank’s communication style, persistent inflation concerns, and former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan’s legacy. Plus: Beef prices are likely to keep climbing this year, it could take months to rebuild depleted oil reserves, and economists make a case that AI could drive more inflation.

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A remembrance of Alan Greenspan

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan died today. He was 100. Greenspan served under four presidents in his five terms as central bank chair. This morning, we're joined by Julia Coronado — she’s the founder and president of MacroPolicy Perspectives and once worked alongside Greenspan — to discuss his economic legacy, his role in boosting Fed transparency, and his particular way of communicating. Then, from the latest season of Marketplace's "How We Survive," we dive into the ocean’s vast potential to store carbon.

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From “How We Survive”: A Carbon Burial at Sea

Institutional investors versus average homebuyers

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:50:00 +0000

Congress is working on a bipartisan bill to address housing affordability by, among other things, making it easier to construct homes. One provision would place limits on the number of single-family homes that companies and institutional investors can purchase. The idea is to prevent deep-pocketed investors with all-cash offers from competing with regular buyers. Investors say they aren't the problem. So, who's right? This morning, we head to Las Vegas to find out. But first, businesses around the globe are pessimistic about how the war is affecting the economy.

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In Las Vegas, institutional investors crowd out prospective homebuyers

Nurses want a seat at the table when it comes to AI in healthcare

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Nurses have a tough job. AI tools promise to take care of some of the more mundane and repetitive tasks that eat up so much time and, by extension, money in healthcare. But often these AI efficiency initiatives can be a bit top down without much consideration for how workers actually do their jobs. So, some nurses unions are bargaining over AI. Claire Keenan-Kurgan of Interlochen Public Radio has this story.

From "Marketplace Morning Report": The Rural Healthcare Crisis

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

“Marketplace Morning Report” host Kimberly Adams is back in the “Make Me Smart” podcast feed to share some reporting from a trip to southwest Alabama. It’s a deep dive on rural health care access — about 700 rural hospitals nationwide are at risk of closure, according to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform.

Many of the headwinds are longstanding, but recent federal policy changes from the big Republican tax and spending law signed last year threaten to make the challenges more intense.

As those changes kick in, the “Marketplace Morning Report” wanted to better understand what that will mean for communities all around the country.

In this episode, we share the lessons learned from Alabama, starting with how hard a hospital closure can hit a community.

The Rural Healthcare Crisis

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

With midterm elections just months away, the top economic concern for voters is the cost of healthcare. That's according to a recent poll from the health policy nonprofit KFF.

With that in mind, the “Marketplace Morning Report” team traveled to southwest Alabama to learn more about how policy decisions at the national level lead to consequences for health care access in local communities across rural America.

Many of the people we met often have to travel hours for basic healthcare needs. And experts say that’s a fate that lies ahead for even more communities because of changing federal policies.

In the absence of action to address health care shortages, many communities are turning within, leaning on each other and their own resilience to navigate the complicated landscape of what services remain.

What's with the uptick in homebuilder incentives?

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 20:53:00 +0000

As high interest rates tamp down homebuying demand, more homebuilders are offering free appliances or upgraded hardware to sweeten the deal. Throwing in a free dishwasher is one thing, but how are they able to offer lower mortgage interest rates? In this episode, we check on the homebuilding sector. Plus: Hotel housekeepers say AI-driven app makes work more difficult, scientists design sunshades built for space, and a “talking book” nonprofit brings news and books to blind people.

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A rough start to the new U.S.-Iran deal

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:10:00 +0000

A planned summit in Switzerland between the U.S. and Iran was postponed due to a fresh round of Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Though Israel and Hezbollah have reportedly agreed to a ceasefire, the developments are leading to skepticism of a longer-term fix for the Middle East conflict. How are global markets taking this news, and how long might it take to get back to business as usual? Also: the EEOC eliminates federal workforce demographic-tracking requirements, and California buildings must limit "embodied carbon."

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California buildings must limit "embodied carbon." Here's what that means

What changing policies mean for higher education

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:50:00 +0000

This Juneteenth, we're checking in on the state of higher education among Black Americans. In 2024, the percentage of Black adults in the U.S. over the age of 25 who’d earned a bachelor's degree or a higher credential hit nearly 28%. That’s almost double what it was in the year 2000. Will the anti-DEI era change that trend? Then, brands have been spending big to reach U.S. Latino audiences during the World Cup.

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Snap's new smart glasses received mixed reactions — mainly on aesthetics

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Meta responded to plummeting morale this week with a pledge to do better with company snacks. Plus, the new AI augmented reality smart glasses everyone's talking about, and not in a good way. But first, SpaceX is acquiring the AI coding startup Cursor a week after it's IPO took off like a rocket.

The company hit a $2.5 trillion valuation at one point, but has dropped since then. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Paresh Dace, senior writer at Wired, to learn more.

Warsh wants to keep markets guessing. Will it work?

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:05:00 +0000

Kevin Warsh held his first press conference as Fed chair on Wednesday, and — unlike his precedessor — did not say what the central bank plans to do next. Despite his tight lips, markets read between the lines and predict a rate hike is coming soon. In this episode, why Warsh is rewriting the Fed’s communication style, and how it could alter the economy. Plus: Jobless claims tick down a bit, GPS shapes global infrastructure, and RV owners struggle to sell their vintage digs.

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Is AI the answer to inflation?

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:25:00 +0000

While the Federal Reserve voted to keep interest rates steady yesterday, the path ahead for rates is far from certain. One big factor is artificial intelligence, which new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh thinks can help workers produce more, adding to the supply of whatever a company makes with the same resources. Today, we'll unpack the argument, then paint a picture of the labor market and dig into energy lessons from the 1970s.

How to market EVs to rural America

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 11:40:00 +0000

The company behind the new electric Slate vehicle — which has a somewhat rudimentary, Tonka-truck-like frame — is highlighting its simplicity and affordability. Next week, we’re going to learn just how affordable it really is. And while some of Slate’s marketing is geared toward rural and working people, the reality is that driving EVs in those areas can still be a challenge. Then, Hollywood is backsliding on diversity, but that's not true for audiences.

Online casting scams hit Hollywood

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

AI has ushered in a golden age for scams. There are the deepfake kidnapping calls, the vibecoded ecommerce websites and one of the latest, according to a recent article in the Hollywood Reporter, is a casting scam targeting aspiring actors. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with labor and media reporter Katie Kilkenny who wrote about how this scheme typically unfolds.

Would you go broke for a bachelorette?

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Weddings are meant to be joyful milestones and a chance to show up for the people we love. But for many people today, being a part of a wedding can come with multi-day trips, expensive outfits, and financial pressure that leads to years of debt.

Reema is joined by cultural commentator Josh Lora and The Atlantic editor Annie Joy Williams to talk about the cost of being a wedding guest, why wedding culture is getting more expensive, and how to navigate the pressure to say yes.

Did you find a creative way to make your wedding affordable for your friends? Give us a call at 347-RING-TIU or send us an email at uncomfortable@marketplace.org

If you want to answer our “Uncomfortable Questions” see more info here.

Check out our upcoming virtual event, "Get Your Life Together with This Is Uncomfortable" - a work session to tackle one tedious task...with friends! More info here: https://www.marketplace.org/tiu

Support This Is Uncomfortable with your donation today: https://bit.ly/mkp_tiu_pod

When the going gets tough, just keep spending

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Retail sales were up 0.9% in May, which is a generally positive economic sign. But it doesn’t square with our reality, in which price inflation outpaces wage growth. That is, until you look at that pesky personal savings rate. In this episode, YOLO consumers in a grim economy. Plus: Fed Chair Warsh holds rates steady, the rate of new households is falling, and what would happen if the U.S. lost its global reserve currency status.

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.

The changing definition of the American Dream

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:30:00 +0000

What does the American Dream look like to you? Getting ahead? What about homeownership, raising a family, or financial security? This morning, we'll feature a discussion about generational differences in what success looks like and how the affordability crisis is forcing Americans to reevaluate what they're willing to sacrifice to get there. Also on the show: how retail sales data may factor into interest rate decisions and why Yum Brands is offloading Pizza Hut.

Let's talk about that Social Security cliff

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000

A recent report from the Social Security Board of Trustees finds that the fund that helps pay for retirement benefits will run out of money earlier than previously projected. This morning, we'll unpack when people's benefits will actually be hit, the Congressional inaction behind this bleak picture, and how immigration policy plays into all. But first, if the Straight of Hormuz reopens, there could be a glut of oil next year.

Who should get an AI kill switch?

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Last week, the Trump Administration ordered Anthropic to cut off access to its most advanced AI models — Mythos 5 and the pared-down public version, Fable 5 — from foreign nationals due to reported security weaknesses in Fable's safeguards.

In response, Anthropic shut them down for everyone including the handful of companies that had been granted access to Mythos.

One of those companies is Mozilla, which said Mythos identified about 270 bugs in its Firefox browser that had slipped through previous reviews.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Mozilla chief technology officer Raffi Krikorian about the government essentially hitting a kill switch on the system.

More on this

What to know about the Anthropic models takedown - from The Hill

Mythos and Fable can make us all safer. Shutting them down is reckless - from the Transformer Substack

Federal spending on Y2K reaches $8.38 billion - from CNET

A Carbon Burial at Sea

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

We can't avoid catastrophic warming without also capturing and storing carbon dioxide — both the carbon we've already emitted and the carbon we continue to emit through industries that are tough to decarbonize, like steel, petrochemicals, and cement.

Europe is a leader in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), with a goal of storing at least 50 million tons of captured CO2 a year by the end of this decade.

So this episode, we team up with Germany-based reporter Sam Baker from the DW podcast “Living Planet.” We follow carbon dioxide from its source at a cement plant, all the way to its final resting place under the North Sea. And we look beyond the hype to see if Carbon Capture and Storage could be a real climate solution. Or just another way for the fossil fuel industry to keep on drilling.

AI corporate bonds are booming

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:22:00 +0000

Nvidia just joined the likes of Amazon and Alphabet in selling off billions of dollars in bonds. What do these tech giants need help financing? Data centers, of course, to support the buildout of artificial intelligence infrastructure. For now, the cash is flowing, but when will these firms need to show some returns on those investments? Also in this episode: Commercial solar energy projects approach a deadline for federal tax credits, Fox enters the streaming wars by acquiring Roku, and Kai breaks down the history of post-FOMC press conferences.

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.

The G7, war in the Middle East, and African economies

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:35:00 +0000

World leaders are meeting at the G7 in France, and one of the major topics is the diverse economic needs of Africa. The U.S. and Iran are also slated to sign a new peace deal on Friday. This morning, we'll discuss some headlines from the economic forum and how the war has affected African economies. Then, Corpus Christi’s water supply is reaching crisis levels, and one potential solution — a desalination plant — is sparking debate among area residents.

Health insurance companies adapt to people dropping coverage

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:50:00 +0000

More than a million people dropped their Affordable Care Act coverage this year after Congress let enhanced pandemic-era subsidies expire. That number is likely to rise significantly as the year goes on. And for the first time in years, the number of insurers offering ACA plans has dropped, too. We'll dig in. Also on the show: the global wait for fertilizer and the challenges of the teen summer job market.

Are our electric grids too big to function?

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Demand for power is growing thanks to the rapid expansion of data center infrastructure across the U.S. But as utility bills continue to rise, states and grid operators are turning to address problems in grid infrastructure. Reliability and affordability are among the largest concerns for regulators and consumers alike. On July 23rd, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a meeting with PJM Interconnection LLC, the nation’s largest electric grid operator, to address these issues. “Marketplace Tech” host Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Ethan Howland, a senior reporter at Utility Dive, about how these problems may get addressed, and what’s at stake for the United States power grid.

Why did the U.S. stop making pennies?

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Bridget and Ryan are approached by a big film producer to write the next summer blockbuster — a movie all about the penny! The timing couldn’t be better because so many of you have been wanting to know: why did the U.S. stop making pennies? The answer comes down to dollars and cents. But … will this be “Million Bazillion”’s big break into Hollywood? Listen now to find out.

Nuclear power payment plan

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Nuclear energy can lower one cost that has seen rapid inflation in recent years: electricity bills. But nuclear power plants aren’t cheap to build. In one state, legislators wade into a debate over whether taxpayers or utility companies should shoulder the burden. Also in this episode: Kevin Warsh faces war-driven inflation ahead of his first FOMC meeting as Fed chair, MAHA movement drives up cotton demand, and advertisers leverage the World Cup to reach Latino consumers.

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.

Lessons for financial success — from outside of Wall Street

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:30:00 +0000

In a time of economic uncertainty and with so much information at your fingertips, where you get your financial advice matters more than ever. In a new Marketplace series called "Must Be the Money," journalist and author Lee Hawkins has candid conversations with athletes, influencers, and entrepreneurs about wealth creation and navigating today's economy. But first on the show, with an Iran deal and this first Federal Reserve meeting under Chair Kevin Warsh, we'll preview the economic week ahead.

What comes next for the Strait of Hormuz?

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:05:00 +0000

A tentative deal has been reached to end the war in the Middle East and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan, which has served as a mediator, says the agreement will be signed in Switzerland on Friday. But details of the agreement are scarce, and that uncertainty is likely to be reflected in oil prices. Then, first-time homebuyers remain locked out of the market. And from the latest season of the Marketplace podcast "How We Survive," can cloud-seeders save Utah's Great Salt Lake?

It's a tough time to break into cybersecurity

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

On today’s episode, Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino walks us through how AI is making it harder to break into the cybersecurity sector.

How conspiracy theories impact geoengineering efforts

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Across the country, anti-geoengineering bills are being proposed in state legislatures. These bills would ban the intentional release of chemicals into the atmosphere for the purpose of affecting sunlight or weather, and could impact future research into stratospheric aerosol injection — or even cloud seeding.

But, unlike environmentalists that are advocating against the potential use of geoengineering as a climate solution, the bills’ proponents think that it’s already happening. Their proof? You can see it in the sky, they say: just look up.

In this episode of “How We Survive,” Amy Scott talks with producer Rachel Kahn about how a once-fringe conspiracy theory could impact the future of geoengineering.

From "How We Survive": How to Dim the Sun

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Today, we’re featuring an episode from the new season of “How We Survive.”

Could dimming the sun be the key to cooling things down before the climate crisis worsens? Some scientists say yes, that we can cool the earth by launching tons of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere. It’s a type of solar geoengineering that was once seen as preposterous, meant to exist only in the pages of a sci-fi novel. But now, it’s a reality.

To find out for ourselves, we travel to Northern California where two entrepreneurs are launching sulfur-filled balloons from the top of stacked shipping containers. Later, we talk with scientists on both sides of this issue to find out if solar geoengineering could help prevent catastrophic tipping points or introduce a whole new slew of cascading consequences.

The SpaceX share lock-up period, explained

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 22:22:00 +0000

SpaceX went public Friday, with much pomp and circumstance. Investors are already buying and selling the company’s stock — well, some investors. Employees, early investors, and Elon Musk all held SpaceX stock pre-IPO. Now, the company will supervise when and how they can sell it off. In this episode, we explain why. Plus: An unlikely city tops list of best metro areas for recent college grads, an AI chatbot helps one reporter sell his house, and we break down the week’s economic headlines.

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.

How inflation is changing the way we shop

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Today, “Marketplace Morning Report” Kimberly Adams is joined by economist Lauren Saidel-Baker with ITR Economics to break down the results. The food manufacturer Campbell’s reported a 4% decline in sales, citing inflationary pressures and softer demand, while Smucker’s, Dollar General, and Five Below all flagged consumer stress in their outlooks. Later in the show, we look at how longstanding challenges for rural Alabama communities accessing healthcare might get worse because of federal policy changes.

The biggest IPO ever is here

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:40:00 +0000

This morning, “Marketplace Morning Report” host Kimberly Adams joins Marketplace’s Nova Safo to discuss the unknowns with which the stock will debut. SpaceX confirmed the public offering price is $135 dollars per share — that’s how it raised $75 billion, and how it'll make CEO Elon Musk a trillionaire — but the company followed an unconventional IPO process. Later in the show, Adams speaks with hospital administrators in Alabama about how they’re preparing for the effects of rural healthcare changes.

Why Siri AI isn't coming to the EU

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The White House is not giving up its push to preempt states from passing their own AI laws, something it tried and failed to accomplish last year. We'll get into it on today's “Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review.” Plus it looks like federal regulators might actually put some rules on prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. And Siri AI is coming to an Apple device near you later this year, as long as you're not in Europe.

But first, back to that renewed attempt to pass federal guidelines and preempt state-level AI laws. The Trump administration tried and failed to get a similar provision into a defense spending bill last year, then signed an executive order that hasn't really slowed states down much. So what's different about this newest push? Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Maria Curi, tech policy reporter at Axios, to learn more.

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of “Tech Bytes.”

Gas prices will probably go up this summer

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:25:00 +0000

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but all three economists we asked say gas prices are due for another hike this summer. The war in Iran continues to drain oil reserves in the U.S. and abroad, and eventually prices will have to match growing supply-demand tension. (Yes, that’s even if the war ends today.) Also in this episode: Bond investors expect inflation to stick around for a while, a trio of upcoming IPOs will barely put a dent in total market cap, and Kansas City short-term rental demand disappoints as World Cup kicks off.

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.

What will the World Cup's impact look like for host cities?

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Today, “Marketplace Morning Report” host Kimberly Adams talks with Marketplace’s Henry Epp about his reporting on the tournament. High ticket prices are making it an expensive endeavor for fans, and those in host cities — like Kansas City — aren’t seeing the boon they may have expected from increased economic activity. But first, Adams is joined by Marketplace’s Nova Safo to discuss Visa, which says it integrated its payments network into ChatGPT to allow autonomous agents to shop for you.

The screwworm's return is affecting more than just cattle

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

This morning, we’re taking a look at screwworms — little flies that’ll essentially eat an animal alive if untreated. When cases started spreading in Mexico in late 2024, the U.S. mostly banned the import of live animals. Now, Mexico is responding in kind, with the most visible impact being to the horse industry. Later in the show, “Marketplace Morning Report” host Kimberly Adams will unpack how, in Alabama, rural communities and healthcare systems are taking funding issues into their own hands.

Can humans and AI complement each other?

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Should you learn prompt engineering, or maybe a physical trade? There's almost no skill that AI won't eventually surpass, according to neuroscientist Vivienne Ming.

In her new book, "Robot-Proof: When Machines Have All the Answers, Build Better People," she argues humans still have qualities AI can't replicate, like curiosity, social intelligence and a sense of inner purpose. And honing those makes us better partners to AI.

Ming has found in experiments that the most capable form of intelligence is neither human nor AI on its own, but both working together in ways that play to each of their strengths. She calls this the Cyborg model.

The secret lives of romance scammers

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Unfortunately, a lot of us know someone who has been scammed… but how many scammers do you know?

After reporter Carlos Barragán’s mother fell victim to an online romance scam, he traveled to Lagos, Nigeria, to investigate the world of “Yahoo Boys,” as Nigerian scammers call themselves. He spent years getting to know these young men, earning their trust and reporting the most intimate details of their lives.

This week, Carlos joins Reema to talk about his new book, “Yahoo Boys: Love, Deception, and the Real Lives of Nigeria's Romance Scammers,” and the complicated story he discovered about the social and economic forces that push people into these crimes. Plus, how loneliness is key to the scam… on both sides!

Here is our Spotify playlist of all the stories about scams and scammers that we’ve had on the show.

If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

If you want to answer our “Uncomfortable Questions” see more info here.

Support “This Is Uncomfortable” with your donation today: https://bit.ly/mkp_tiu_pod

May CPI: glass half-empty, glass half-full

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

The May CPI report dropped Wednesday and it’s a doozy: Inflation rose 4.2% over the last 12 months. This means wallet pressure is bearing down on consumers, as wage growth lags behind price growth. On the other hand, the CPI report includes signals that inflation may have reached its peak. In this episode, an optimist’s and pessimist’s reading of the latest inflation data. Plus: Slowing immigration will have long-term effects on the U.S. economy, and summer camps shift to accommodate anxious teens.

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.

How the war in the Middle East is impacting inflation

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:45:00 +0000

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the consumer price index for May this morning, with some bad news for consumers. Headline inflation soared over 4% for the first time in three years, driven in part by higher energy prices caused by the war in the Middle East. The question remains of how much higher oil prices will continue to seep into other areas of the economy. Also on today’s show is a look at how index fund providers could react to SpaceX’s upcoming IPO.

Medicare reimbursements are a hurdle for Alabama hospitals

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:30:00 +0000

This week, “Marketplace Morning Report” host Kimberly Adams has been in Thomasville, Alabama as part of our series examining the economic challenges facing rural health care. This morning, we’ll look at how low wages in Alabama can mean low Medicare reimbursement rates — shaping how much doctors and nurses get paid, and how much money hospitals and clinics can make. But first, we’ll cover how solar power use in the U.S. is hitting new milestones amid energy price fluctuations.

Introducing "The Midnight Rebellion": which climate path would you take?

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Hey Million Bazillionaires, we're dropping into your feeds again this week to tackle a different kind of question: can we actually change course on climate change? That question is at the heart of a new podcast for kids and families from our friends at WBUR. “The Midnight Rebellion” is a pick-your-own-path podcast set 100 years in the future, where the stakes are nothing less than the planet itself. It's fiction rooted in real science. Each episode ends with a choice. YOU decide what’s next. Choose wisely.

And if you liked what you heard, listen to the rest and follow “The Midnight Rebellion” wherever you get your podcasts.

Have a question you want Million Bazillion to answer? Send it to us! And join us next week for our season finale episode all about pennies.

A climate change solution from science fiction

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Earth keeps getting hotter. And despite some efforts to slow planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, they're still rising, leaving a lot of people hungry for alternative climate solutions. One idea: reflect sunlight away from Earth. Amy Scott, host of the Marketplace climate podcast, “How We Survive,” looked into one out-there proposal to do just that, and whether it could one day become a reality.

Make It Rain

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Can a technology used for war help prevent an environmental catastrophe in the making?

Cloud seeding is a technique where particles, usually silver iodide, gets dispersed into clouds to help generate more rain or snow and it’s been around for 80 years. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. used cloud seeding in a top secret mission called Operation Popeye, to prolong the monsoon season in Vietnam. It’s since been deployed by state governments and private companies to bring more water to arid places. The only problem? It was hard to verify just how well it worked, which meant it was hard to make any money doing it. Until now.

We tag along with a team of cloud seeders in Utah as they race to try to save the Great Salt Lake, and build a rainmaking empire.

Why did BoA tell investors to "take profits"?

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Bank of America advised investors late last week that too many red flags pointed to a market peak, and that it was time to “take profits.” In plain English? The stock market could see a downward turn soon, so it may be time to sell. In this episode, why tell investors to sell? Plus: Ongoing war in Iran strengthens oil and gas outlooks, we check in on foreign trade zones operating under new Trump-era rules, and packaged food brands face myriad potential headwinds.

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.

A hospital saved her son. What happens now that it's closed?

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:41:00 +0000

We heard earlier about the closure of a hospital in Thomasville, Alabama, as part of our series chronicling the economic crisis that rural hospitals are facing. Now, “Marketplace Morning Report” host Kimberly Adams speaks with the director of Thomasville’s public library about the critical role the hospital played during a personal emergency and where community members turn now that it’s closed. But first, we’ll check on how small businesses feel about inflation and find out how SpaceX’s initial public offering could affect the rest of the market.

When the only hospital in town closes

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:05:00 +0000

Yesterday, as part of our series examining the economic challenges facing rural health care, "Marketplace Morning Report" host Kimberly Adams visited Thomasville, a town of 3,500 people in southwestern Alabama. Today, we'll learn from town residents what happens to a community — and its local economy — when addressing certain healthcare needs also means a multi-hour drive. But first, what would a government-controlled sovereign wealth fund that invests in AI look like?

When AI fabricates your quotes

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

File this under the definition of irony: last month, The New York Times reported that a high-profile new book, "The Future of Truth: How AI reshapes reality," includes several quotes that appear to be made up or misattributed. Author Steven Rosenbaum acknowledged he'd used AI in the writing process.

One of the quotes came, allegedly, from a book by data journalist and NYU professor Meredith Broussard. It was a critique of trusting algorithms to make decisions in medicine.

Here at “Marketplace Tech,” we have an unexpected connection to this story. We called up Broussard to discuss it.

What’s the difference between capitalism, socialism, and communism?

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Bridget and Ryan are having their lunch break at a Chinese restaurant when they run into “Million Bazillion” listener Daphne with a big question: What’s the difference between capitalism, socialism, and communism? Turns out, each system was born out of people’s attempts to build a better society, but they have very different ideas about the role the government should play in our money lives. As the duo work their way through these "isms," they explore the problems that each system tries to solve and the tradeoffs that come with it.

Fed eyes sluggish wage growth

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:25:00 +0000

Averages wages grew 3.4% year over year, but at the same time, inflation as measured by the consumer price index, has been eating away at those gains. Workers don’t want to lose purchasing power — rising inflation will feel like a pay cut — but the Fed may see things a bit differently. Plus: Home cooks are a bright spot in Campbell’s soup sales, the owner of Vimeo, AOL, and WeTransfer files for an IPO, and a former diplomat rehabs old movie theaters.

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.

Oil markets scramble after new strikes in the Middle East

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:15:00 +0000

Oil prices are still heading up this morning, but a bit more slowly after tensions in the Middle East appear to be easing. Earlier today, Israel and Iran attacked each other for the first time since the ceasefire in April. What’s behind these rising oil prices, and why are traders bidding up crude? Also in the show: a preview of May inflation data and encouragement to work from home in World Cup host cities.

What the rural healthcare crisis looks like in Alabama

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:35:00 +0000

There are about 700 hospitals at risk of closure across rural communities in the U.S. Financial headwinds are mounting, with disappearing federal subsidies and cuts to Medicaid. Alabama is a state familiar with hospital closures and at risk for more. This morning, host Kimberly Adams visits Thomasville Regional Medical Center, a hospital that looks frozen in time but has been closed for almost two years, to learn what happens to a community's economy and access to healthcare when vital resources disappear.

The Take It Down Act is in full effect. Now what?

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Enforcement of the Take It Down Act began last month. If tech firms don’t comply and take down non-consensual intimate images — AI-generated or not — within 48 hours of being notified, they face financial and criminal penalties.

Lauren Feiner is a senior policy reporter at The Verge, who’s been writing about the law. She walked us through how platforms have been responding.

It's not just you — healthcare deductibles are ballooning

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:15:00 +0000

Growing health insurance premiums, particularly for plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, have been in the headlines as cuts to Medicaid roll out nationwide. But healthcare deductibles are also growing — and with them, the group of Americans who have insurance but can’t afford to use it. Also in this episode: The hospitality industry adds jobs in May, a jeweler in California mines his own gold, and we recap the week’s economic headlines.

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.

A blockbuster jobs report

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:05:00 +0000

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its May jobs report earlier this morning. The economy created 172,000 jobs last month. The unemployment rate stayed at 4.3%, and the April number was revised up by 64,000 jobs. Who's doing all this hiring? Also on the program, global food prices stabilized last month, but we're not out of the woods yet. And we'll check in on the momentum of the $100 billion wedding industry.

Should you buy SpaceX, Open AI, or Anthropic stock at IPO?

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:05:00 +0000

SpaceX is expected to go public next week in what could be the biggest initial public offering ever. Anthropic has also filed for an IPO, likely later this year; OpenAI is moving in that direction, too. With all the hype around these companies, should retail investors — or regular people, for that matter — get in on these IPOs? We do the numbers so you don't have to. Plus, migrant workers in Italy are organizing for better conditions, and Anthropic wants coordinated plans for slowing AI development.

SpaceX is reportedly overvalued ahead of its IPO

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

SpaceX is targeting a $1.77 trillion valuation, but some analysts think it's worth half that. Plus, Florida sues OpenAI — the first state to take legal action against an AI company.

But first, President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week, similar to the one he called off last month, asking AI companies to give the government a first look at advanced models that could have national security implications. It comes after models like Anthropic's Mythos have raised cybersecurity concerns for reportedly being too good at finding and exploiting software vulnerabilities.

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Liz Lopatto, senior reporter at The Verge, to learn more.

Everything we talked about:

“PROMOTING ADVANCED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INNOVATION AND SECURITY” from the White House

“Trump Signs Executive Order Seeking Oversight of A.I. Models” from The New York Times

“SpaceX: What Investors Need to Know About Its Enormous Upcoming IPO” from Morningstar

“SpaceX is worth less than half of its $1.75 trillion IPO target, Morningstar says” from CNBC

“Attorney General James Uthmeier Files First-in-the-Nation State-Led Lawsuit Against OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman for Deceptive Practices and Harms to Floridians” from Florida’s Attorney General

“OpenAI Sued by Florida’s Attorney General Over AI Harms” from The Wall Street Journal

U.S. oil inventories fall to a 22-year low

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Oil inventories have fallen drastically since President Trump launched the war against Iran. But it’s not because we’re suddenly using more fuel. Instead, the U.S. is exporting much more oil than usual — to places that can’t get enough with the Strait of Hormuz blocked. All this will have knock-on effects for oil prices in the U.S. for months to come. Plus: Investors want to yank more money from private credit firms, your social media algorithim is likely full of “stealth ads,” and we visit the elk antler market in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

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.

A different kind of launch for SpaceX

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:10:00 +0000

SpaceX is set to go public next Friday. If all goes according to plan, the company is seeking a valuation of nearly $2 trillion. That would be the biggest initial public offering on record, and it would make CEO Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire. We'll learn more. Then, as part of Marketplace's "What's That Like?" series, we head to Zigong, China, to learn what it takes to be a master lantern artisan.

Wanting full-time, only finding part-time

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000

The jobs report comes out tomorrow. One of the stats in the report that's been rising is the number of people working “part-time for economic reasons.” That’s BLS-speak for workers who would like to be full-time but have had their hours cut or haven’t been able to find full-time jobs. Today, we'll hear from some of those workers and what it means for the overall job market. Also: construction jobs in the Mountain West and red warning signs in the Fed's Beige Book.

Maryland's plan for the AI future

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

When a store offers different shoppers different prices depending on factors like the weather, the time of day, and what the store knows about each buyer, it’s called dynamic pricing.

This spring, Maryland, became the first state to ban this practice in grocery stores. The state’s governor Wes Moore proposed the law.

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Gov. Moore at the statehouse in Annapolis about why he wanted this ban, his administration’s plans to train the state’s workforce for a future AI economy, and more.

Is it time for a new career?

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Lots of us have dreamed about taking on a completely different career, but how do you actually make the leap? This week, Reema visits a cohort of people pivoting to the trades in North Carolina and speaks with career coach Phoebe Gavin to get her tips on making a successful pivot.

If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU.

If you want to answer our “Uncomfortable Questions” see more info here.

Support This Is Uncomfortable with your donation today: https://bit.ly/mkp_tiu_pod

Small businesses (finally) get to hiring

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:25:00 +0000

For a while now, we’ve talked to small business owners who say they want to hire more employees, but aren’t in a financial position to do it, can’t find qualified applicants, or are too concerned about the economy to make the jump. But two new reports show small business hiring picked up this spring. In this episode, whether that’s a blip or the start of a positive trend. Plus: An AI prescription renewal tool is launched in Utah, Macy’s tries to turn things around, and we visit a river in the Pacific Northwest with two aging bridges at risk of collapse.

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.

Novel Solutions

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Talk to enough experts about geoengineering and the conversation eventually turns to termination shock. That’s the idea that if we were to start cooling the planet and then suddenly stop, the resulting “shock” of heat could be catastrophic. It’s also the title of a novel by bestselling sci-fi writer Neal Stephenson, who explores the science, politics, and unintended consequences of trying to engineer the earth’s climate.

In this episode, we sit down with Stephenson to talk about what sci-fi can teach us about real-world climate solutions. But first: a climate idea so ambitious it sounds like it came straight from the pages of science fiction.

Let's do the (trimmed) numbers

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:50:00 +0000

The Federal Reserve has long relied on the PCE as its preferred measure of inflation. But there's another inflation yardstick known as the trimmed mean, which tries to smooth out big inflation bumps. Last week, the Dallas Fed's trimmed mean came in at 2.3% — lower than the PCE and much closer to the Fed's 2% target. What accounts for the difference, and why does it matter? Then, we hear how 48 "base camp" venues are preparing to host World Cup athletes.

More tariff whiplash

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:35:00 +0000

A day after lowering tariffs on some agricultural and manufacturing machinery, the Trump administration is proposing new tariffs on 60 countries, including major trading partners. President Donald Trump has been seeking to rebuild its global tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down many in February. Then, we'll dig into Big Tech's spending spree on AI infrastructure. And after, figure skating is having its biggest moment in decades. Can it last?

AI bots are collecting debts — or at least trying to

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

If you have a debt, you may get a call, a letter or a text prodding you to pay it back. Now, that call could come from an AI agent.

The AI debt collection market is expected to reach $16 billion by 2034, according to the Kaplan Group. Kate Nibbs of Wired has been reporting on this and said these bots are not as effective at getting people to pay back the money they owe.

What happens when we lose healthcare coverage

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Massive Medicaid cuts, including new work requirements, are rolling out across the country. Trouble filing paperwork will be one reason qualifying Americans lose their coverage. In this episode, what history tells us about cutting Medicaid funding. Plus: Personal incomes are falling, consumers are prioritizing value over luxury, and we explain incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s preferred inflation measure.

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.

Inside a massive 24-hour braiding salon

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:20:00 +0000

At Nadine’s Hair Braiding, located in suburban Maryland, customers can walk in at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. and find a stylist. The 10,000-square-foot salon operates with roughly 400 braiders working as independent contractors and serves hundreds of clients a day. Today, we're visiting the salon to learn about the challenges — and successes — of running such a huge operation. Also: why President Trump is reducing tariffs on certain large machinery, and how remote work could be sidelining younger workers.

What it's like on the ground in Cuba right now

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:17:00 +0000

It’s been about four months since President Donald Trump threatened sanctions against countries supplying much-needed oil to Cuba. The country's economy is already struggling with shortages, inflation, rolling blackouts, and the longstanding U.S. embargo. This morning, we'll hear from a sociologist and retired professor at the University of Havana who's lived through nearly every major chapter of Cuba’s modern economy — from the rise of Fidel Castro to the current economic crisis. But first, there's a modern gold rush (but this time for uranium).

How do athletes get paid?

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Today, we’re resharing an episode from our archive that feels especially relevant as the World Cup men’s soccer tournament kicks off next week! “Million Bazillion” listener Alistair wants to know how professional athletes get paid. It’s perfect timing for the question as Bridget and Ryan prepare for the semi-annual Public Radio Foosball Tournament. They scramble to assemble their dream team on a limited budget, while learning the reasons why big teams pay big bucks to the players who bring in big wins.

Wall Street sets its sights on an AI futures market

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

There is growing demand for time with GPUs, the chips that power artificial intelligence. AI companies need those chips in order to keep their models up and running. And to do that, they can reserve time with a GPU.

Now, there’s interest from Wall Street in creating a futures market for this AI compute time, essentially treating it like a commodity.

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Liz Hoffman, business and finance editor at Semafor and host of the “Compound Interest” podcast, who recently wrote about this.

What's sector growth without job growth?

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Manufacturing production, new orders, imports, and exports were all up in May, according to the latest PMI report. The only piece of the manufacturing business that didn’t grow was the labor force — payrolls contracted for the 32nd month in a row. In this episode, how much can a sector grow without hiring more humans? Plus: Dollar stores dip into delivery, college campuses turn into robot training grounds, and new jobs data will tell us whether inflation growth keeps outpacing wage growth.

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.

The Fed's credibility is a "priceless asset"

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:50:00 +0000

Former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell accepted the Profile in Courage award last night. Today, we'll delve into the role of the central bank, its current controversies, and signals from new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. Then, there's another potential wrinkle in the tariff refund process. And later, who’s underrepresented when it comes to shaping AI policy? A new mapping tool aims to boost transparency over the future of AI.

The state of the dollar store

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:40:00 +0000

Dollar General reports earnings tomorrow. The company already saw its stock jump last week after one of its rivals, Dollar Tree, reported a great first quarter. This hints at a growing demand for deals from consumers across the income spectrum who are feeling pinched by inflation. Then, we chat with the creators of an interactive map, which shows users the different companies and people who are shaping AI regulation across the U.S.

What happened to alternative energy investments from the 1970s?

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The price of oil has gone up significantly since late February, when the US invaded Iran. And when oil prices see a crazy rise, it makes other sources of energy look more attractive. But we’ve been here before - back in the 1970s, oil prices skyrocketed, and people started to turn to alternative or renewable energy sources. But, for a few reasons, it didn’t stick. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes explores why.

The hourly vs. salary wage gap

Fri, 29 May 2026 22:15:00 +0000

Hourly wages went up 1.7% over the past year, according to Indeed Hiring Lab. Salaried wages went up 2.9%, reversing a 2022 trend in which hourly raises outpaced salary raises. Still, there’s one thing all workers have in common: Neither group kept pace with inflation. Also in this episode: Oil futures tell us where fuel prices are headed, convenience stores transcend utility, and a travel nurse tells us about life on the road.

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.

From "How We Survive": How to Dim the Sun

Fri, 29 May 2026 19:41:00 +0000

Cheaper EVs are on the way

Fri, 29 May 2026 15:10:00 +0000

The Jeff Bezos-backed Slate is a super bare-bones EV that can be configured as an SUV or pickup with starting costs in the mid-$20,000s. Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota, and Subaru presently offer fully electric models in the $30,000 and $35,000 range, and Ford plans on launching a lower-cost electric truck next year, too. Today, we dig into the growing competition for cheaper electric cars. Also on the show: a check-in on consumer savings and market movements.

"Just me, myself, and I with the same bills"

Fri, 29 May 2026 11:50:00 +0000

More than a third of all Americans think they’ll lack enough savings to retire, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. For some, one solution to financial precarity in retirement is going back to work, or unretiring. Today, we hear from a 74-year-old retiree who's back in the job market in order to make ends meet. But first, durable goods orders are a sign of strong growth in a sea of economic worry.

The great AI race to Wall Street

Fri, 29 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This week, rideshare drivers in Massachusetts unionize; plus, Robinhood lets AI agents trade on behalf its customers.

But first, there’ve been hints for a while that Anthropic, OpenAI and SpaceX are planning to go public in the near future. Last week, SpaceX filed its initial public offering prospectus, also known as an S1, which is meant to help investors understand the company’s business model, including the risks it faces. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Paresh Dave, senior writer at WIRED, to learn more.

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of “Tech Bytes.”

Everything we talked about today:

“Tech titans prepare for blockbuster IPOs in new front of AI race” from The Hill

“SpaceX Listed Grok’s ‘Spicy’ Mode as a Risk in Its IPO Filing” from Wired

“Your AI agent can now trade for you on Robinhood. And buy stuff with your credit card too” from CNBC

“Rideshare drivers union in Mass. says it's the 1st to be recognized in the U.S.” NBC Boston

"Running out of that buffer"

Thu, 28 May 2026 22:35:00 +0000

The personal savings rate fell to just 2.6% in April — a low not seen since June 2022, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. That means Americans have, on average, less cash leftover at the end of the month. Gas and grocery price inflation are partially to blame. Also in this episode: Office real estate looks a little K-shaped, one city tries to relieve budget problems with trademarked merch, and Kai breaks down the April PCE report and Q1 GDP revision.

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.

Inflation's heading in the wrong direction

Thu, 28 May 2026 14:20:00 +0000

Inflation's heating up and is well above the Federal Reserve's goal. The central bank's preferred reading on inflation came out this morning for April. Prices are up 3.8% from a year ago; it was 3.5% in March. What does that mean for the future of interest rates and the inflation consumers expect going forward? Then, we'll discuss how the war in Iran has added new pressure to an already strained farm economy.

A harsh economic reality for famers

Thu, 28 May 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Before war in the Middle East, roughly one-third of the world’s fertilizer shipped by sea moved through the Strait of Hormuz. In the last three months, fertilizer prices have climbed between 30% and 50%, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. It's yet another growing expense for farmers, and it comes at a time when more farms in the U.S. are closing or going bankrupt. But first: A new study finds racial bias in AI hiring tools.

Plug-in solar is gaining traction in the U.S.

Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Like the name suggests, plug-in solar panels can be plugged into an electrical outlet just like you would your toaster. But instead of using electricity, they send power back to be used elsewhere in the home.

In most of the country, plug-in solar is neither illegal nor legal. But energy policy consultant Bentham Polis, who's also a senior researcher with the Clean Energy States Alliance, says a growing number of states are passing laws to help spell out the rules around the technology.

Discussed in this episode:

Instagram video from The Garbage Queen

“How do plug-in solar panels work and how are they installed?” from The Independent

“What States Need to Know About Plug-In Solar” from Clean Energy States Alliance

What if there was only one currency in the whole world?

Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

We’ve talked a lot about how money works and why countries have their own currencies here on “Million Bazillion.” But listener Alessio wants to know: Why DOESN’T the whole world use the same money? And could the world’s nations all decide to just use one shared currency? In this bonus mini-episode, we’ll get some answers!

Money can make or break your relationship, from NPR’s "It’s Been a Minute"

Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Today, we’re featuring an episode of NPR’s “It’s Been A Minute.” Reema Khrais joins host Brittany Luse and Wailin Wong, host of NPR’s “The Indicator,” to talk about the hidden ways money shows up in dating and marriage.

And we’ve got a new “This Is Uncomfortable” project to share! You’ve heard Reema Khrais ask rapid-fire “uncomfortable money questions” on the show, where she asks guests to share details of their financial lives. Now we want to hear how you would answer! Send us a voice memo, and we may feature it on the show. This week, we kick things off off with listener Thistle from California.

Learn more here: https://www.marketplace.org/uncomfortablequestions

Follow This Is Uncomfortable on Instagram and Tiktok!

And support This Is Uncomfortable with your donation today: https://bit.ly/mkp_tiu_pod

If you liked this episode of NPR's “It’s Been A Minute,” you can follow their podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Four days a week you will get for more episodes like this, featuring deep dives into how culture impacts what you think, feel, and believe.

Inflation manifestation

Wed, 27 May 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Forget hard inflation data. Where do everyday Americans think our economy is headed? Well, one survey says consumers expect prices to rise 4.8% over the next year. And in a way, that might have jinxed us — expectations alone can raise actual prices. It’s the power of manifestation, baby! After that: Farmers face compounding hardships, a GDP revision will show the Iran war's economic impact, and environmental concerns spur a wool demand surge.

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.

Should federal workers be bound by NDAs?

Wed, 27 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

The Office of Personnel Management is proposing a strict new non-disclosure agreement for federal workers, which would bar them from disclosing “non-public, confidential, or proprietary information.” The Trump administration says a new agreement is needed to stop leaks to the press. A draft of the NDA is being published today. Then, from the latest season of Marketplace's "How We Survive," can we engineer nature to slow the climate crisis?

Younger consumers are stressed — but resilient

Wed, 27 May 2026 11:45:00 +0000

Consumers have grown increasingly worried about inflation, and many are delaying major purchases, according to J.D. Power. That's especially true for people under 40. In a survey, J.D. Power found that only about a third in that age group believe they can cover everyday expenses. We'll dig in. But first, Spotify has long invested in podcasts and audiobooks. Now, it wants you to listen to magazine articles on the platform, too.

Amid AI backlash, brands are emphasizing the human side of marketing

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Public backlash to content generated by artificial intelligence has pushed brands to reconsider how AI is used in their marketing.

Some companies are swerving away from AI and finding ways to prove that their advertisements were made by humans.

One of those humans is Ash Xu, a commercial director and online content creator. Brands hire her to make a commercial plus a behind-the-scenes video about how the ad was made.

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Xu to learn more.

How to Dim the Sun

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Could dimming the sun be the key to cooling things down before the climate crisis worsens? Some scientists say yes, that we can cool the Earth by launching tons of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere. It’s a type of solar geoengineering that was once seen as preposterous, meant to exist only in the pages of a sci-fi novel. But now, it’s a reality.

To find out for ourselves, we travel to Northern California, where two entrepreneurs are launching sulfur-filled balloons from the top of stacked shipping containers. Later, we talk with scientists on both sides of this issue to find out if solar geoengineering could help prevent catastrophic tipping points or introduce a whole new slew of cascading consequences.

Clarification (June 18, 2026): This episode has been updated to more accurately reflect David Keith's relationship to the carbon removal company he founded.

Why gas costs more in California than Texas

Tue, 26 May 2026 22:25:00 +0000

As President Trump’s war in the Middle East continues, Americans continue to face higher fuel prices. But some have it worse than others. In this episode, we compare the situation at the pump in Texas, heart of the U.S. oil industry, and California, where air quality regulations make gas pricier. Plus: Wholesale clubs attract higher-income shoppers, fast fashion giant Shien acquires eco-conscious Everlane, and a new Chicago Fed report reveals strong manufacturers and shaky consumers.

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.

Disillusioned and doomspending

Tue, 26 May 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Heard of "doomspending"? It refers to a feeling of hopelessness about your financial future and spending more freely now than you maybe should. From Marketplace's "This Is Uncomfortable," we dig into the self-defeating financial decisions we sometimes make — from splurging to regain a sense of control to not saving for retirement because it's hard to envision the future — and how to rethink those impulses. But first: new strikes in Iran but the same old market uncertainty.

So maybe no AI-induced job apocalypse?

Tue, 26 May 2026 12:17:00 +0000

At a recent conference, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman toned down his talk of mass worker displacement caused by AI. He said he thought AI would have had more of an impact on the elimination of white-collar jobs by now, adding that he’s “delighted to be wrong about this” and that there’s a “human part” of work that can’t be replaced. Also on the show: a preview of a Q1 GDP revision and the astronomical costs to attend this year's World Cup.

Startups are betting on a legalized peptide market

Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Peptides are short chains of amino acids. GLP-1 weight loss drugs are peptides. Insulin is one, too. And there are thousands of others. Now, people are seeking out peptides in the hope of better muscles, better skin, better memory, better…everything. Many of the peptides people wanna try are available for research use only but the Food and Drug Administration might change this. In July, the agency could decide to make about a dozen peptides more accessible by allowing pharmacies to compound and distribute them Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Zara Stone, tech culture reporter at The San Francisco Standard, to learn more.

How does a company buy another company?

Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

“Million Bazillion” listener Cora wants to know: How does a company buy another company? But before Bridget and Ryan can answer, Borpo, host of “Learning with Borpo” and CEO of a giant educational media empire, shows up with an offer to buy “Million Bazillion!” As the duo tries to figure out whether it’s a good deal or not, they’ll learn that buying (or selling) a company is more than just money on the table. It also involves intense negotiations, government regulations, and could change things for workers and customers.

The cost of SNAP restrictions

Mon, 25 May 2026 21:25:00 +0000

Convenience stores face new barriers to accepting SNAP dollars this year. A USDA rule aimed at providing healthier options mean some stores must choose between expanding their perishable offerings — which can be expensive — and accepting SNAP dollars at all. In this episode, we examine SNAP regulations from the perspective of businesses. Plus: Upcoming tech IPOs could shake up your retirement fund, first-time homebuyers keep getting older and Quince might set a new standard for retail business models.

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.

A different type of college counselor

Mon, 25 May 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Last month, four high school seniors participated in an experiment. A Stanford economist was given a list of colleges they were accepted to, what they were contemplating studying, their financial situations, and the aid packages they were offered. Then, she recommended the most economically sound college choice for each. Today, we'll delve into her choices and thinking. But first: why it would be crazy to think about cutting interest rates right now.

Worries about water out West

Mon, 25 May 2026 11:35:00 +0000

A new U.S. Department of the Interior report confirms what many already feared: The Colorado River system, which pumps out water to 40 million people in seven western states, is looking grim. It was already depleted from drought and a dry winter, but there’s now concern over hydropower and keeping taps flowing in Phoenix and Tucson. We'll dig in. Then, the number of Latino-owned businesses is growing at a fast pace.

How one company is using AI for improved wildfire risk mitigation

Mon, 25 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The wildfire risk mitigation company Technosylva helps utilities, insurers and government agencies predict where and when a fire could spark. It uses historical weather data to make those predictions and suggest changes to help prevent or mitigate a fire. For example, maybe moving a tree branch that's close to a power line so it doesn't fall and start a fire.

The company is nearly 30 years old, and Technosylva's chief executive, Bryan Spear, explains how the advent of AI has changed the work they do.

Services stall as manufacturing booms

Fri, 22 May 2026 22:15:00 +0000

S&P Global’s flash Purchasing Managers’ Index for May reflects “a tale of two economies.” Input costs increased across industries this month, and while manufacturers could keep up, the services sector faced softening demand. Also in this episode: Birdwatching brings tourist dollars to Northwest Ohio, an independent performance venue in Iowa gets creative to keep the lights on, and we discuss the week’s economic headlines.

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.

When an algorithm tells you how to do your job

Fri, 22 May 2026 14:30:00 +0000

HotSOS Housekeeping is an app that uses real-time data to help hotel housekeepers speed up room turnover. But the constant monitoring means the tracking of every move, which can add stress and discomfort for some workers. Today, we hear from two housekeepers — one who has union protections and one who doesn't — about how the algorithmic app has changed their worklives. But first, rising prices mean the central bank may flirt with interest rate hikes this year.

The cost of that Memorial Day travel

Fri, 22 May 2026 11:40:00 +0000

Memorial Day weekend is here, kicking off the summer travel season. More Americans are expected to hit the roads this year, but it comes at a time when gas prices are the highest they've been in four years — up about a $1.40 since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, and Iran effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz. Also on this morning’s podcast: high-profile concert cancellations and a preview of consumer sentiment.

Google search gets an AI makeover

Fri, 22 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

On this week’s Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review, we take a look at how college graduates do not wanna hear about AI. Plus, what we all learned from the Musk v. Open AI case.

But first, AI was unsurprisingly front and center at Google’s annual I/O developer conference. Among a suite of new AI products, Google said it updated its iconic search bar. Now, when searching in AI mode, the bar will expand as you ask a question. It will also provide suggestions about what you might wanna ask. Google says this is the biggest change to its search box since it debuted over 25 years ago. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Anita Ramaswamy, a columnist at The Information, about how this could change how people experience the internet.

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of “Tech Bytes.”

Why do some companies wait to IPO?

Thu, 21 May 2026 22:20:00 +0000

Elon Musk’s SpaceX just filed to go public, and OpenAI is expected to file in the fall. Both businesses have been around for over a decade — what was the hold up? In this episode, we explain the tradeoffs that come with an IPO. Plus: U.S. manufacturers struggle with climbing tungsten prices, Stellantis doubles down on affordable car models, and the authors of “How to Win a Trade War” make an optimistic case for our future global economy.

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.

Big Tech's big IPOs

Thu, 21 May 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Some of the biggest names in tech are making moves to go public this week. SpaceX — Elon Musk’s rocket, social media, and AI company — filed for an initial public offering yesterday. And the Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, could file for an IPO as soon as tomorrow. These companies have raised a lot of private capital over the years. Why go public now? Plus, the pharmaceutical industry is investing billions in finding exotic radioactive isotopes to treat cancers.

Call it the "Great Flattening"

Thu, 21 May 2026 11:55:00 +0000

About 8,000 Meta employees lost their jobs this week. The company is looking to offset its massive AI spending and “operate with a flatter structure." 'Flatness' has become a common refrain when tech companies shed jobs. It refers to the elimination of layers of middle-management roles, as AI agents take over some coordinating functions. Also on the show: Nvidia faces stiffer competition, and we learn about advancements in radiation cancer therapies.

AI's double-edged (cyber) sword

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Anthropic’s newest AI model, Mythos, is so good, the company says, at uncovering security vulnerabilities that it's too dangerous to release to the public. Anthropic shared a preview version with a select group to help patch the holes that Mythos finds.

But the prospect of a super-hacker AI system is still sending some business leaders into a panic. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino reports.

Everything's on fire, might as well get my nails done?

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Do you ever look at the world and think: everything is so uncertain, who knows if I’ll ever be able to retire … so I might as well get those concert tickets? Then you might be doomspending. Reema talks with The Financial Diet’s Chelsea Fagan and behavioral economist Judd Kessler about why we doomspend, and what we should do instead. Plus, producer Alice Wilder makes a confession.

If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU.

Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok! And support This Is Uncomfortable with your donation today: https://bit.ly/mkp_tiu_pod

Rising ACA premiums, falling enrollment: It's a vicious cycle

Wed, 20 May 2026 22:30:00 +0000

Affordable Care Act premiums are higher this year, after Congress declined to renew subsidies for the health insurance program. As a result, about a million fewer Americans enrolled for 2026 and even more are slated to drop by the year’s end. In this episode, why falling enrollment will raise premiums further. Plus: Bond yields hit record highs around the globe, businesses start to see tariff refunds ahead of schedule, and utility rates are about to get worse.

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.

Why you should care about the global bond sell-off

Wed, 20 May 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Investors have been souring on bonds. To entice them back, bond yields have been rising. The yield on the 30-year bond yesterday hit 5.2%, the highest rate since 2007; 10-year yields are about as high as they've been in more than a year. Many people have exposure to bonds in their retirement accounts. Bond yields also impact the rates on mortgages and business loans. We'll explain. Then, Google's search revenue remains strong — thanks in large part to AI.

A longer — and more expensive — fire season

Wed, 20 May 2026 11:55:00 +0000

The number of hot, dry, windy days is increasing, setting the stage for fires. Wildfire season is off to an awful start. In March, Nebraska had its largest wildfire in state history. Right now, a fire outside of LA is forcing evacuations. While the federal government spends about $3 billion on wildfire suppression each year, most of that is being spent, and states are having to fill the gaps. Also: why Google is "leading the way" in the AI race.

What we learned from the Canvas hack

Wed, 20 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Earlier this month, a group called ShinyHunters took responsibility for a hack on the education platform Canvas, which is used for coursework at colleges. In a letter posted online, the group threatened to leak data it took from the platform, including billions of private messages between students and teachers. Canvas was also temporarily unavailable, disrupting students’ ability to do their work.

Then, last week, Instructure, which makes Canvas, said it had reached a deal with the hackers, that the data had been returned and all copies destroyed. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes asked Rachel Tobac, CEO at Social Proof Security, what we know about the deal.

"How We Survive" returns May 27

Wed, 20 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The climate crisis is escalating. We have to decarbonize our economy, but we’re moving too slowly. So, what’s the backup plan?

This season of “How We Survive” is about engineering nature: large-scale interventions that could be our last hope. We’ll explore technology being developed that could alter our weather patterns, transform our planet, and possibly save us all from the worst outcomes of the climate crisis. Or lead to catastrophic, unintended consequences.

On our hunt for solutions, we tag along with entrepreneurs trying to launch sulfur into the stratosphere, venture to the Utah mountains where there’s a serious endeavor to create more rain and snow, find out how (and why) scientists are trying to resurrect extinct animals.

Join us for the new season of “How We Survive,” starting May 27.

What happens if the Fed goes mum

Tue, 19 May 2026 22:15:00 +0000

The era of frequent public speeches given by Federal Reserve officials on monetary policy may be over. Incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh has expressed a desire to reform the central bank’s robust communication style, which has been the norm since the 1990s. In this episode, what do we stand to lose if the Fed zips its lips? Plus: Retailers weigh passing higher costs onto cash-strapped consumers, stateside EV sales don’t keep up with European surge, and cities make an economic case for planting more trees.

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.

Should home insurance companies be making this much money?

Tue, 19 May 2026 14:30:00 +0000

If you’re a homeowner — this is no surprise to you — property insurance can be expensive. It seems to get more and more pricey each year. Some might blame climate change or natural disasters, but if you look under the hood of the $1 trillion in premium payments last year, the numbers might tell a different story. We'll unpack. But first, we'll discuss and preview earnings for some of America's largest retailers.

Understanding Trump's new "Anti-Weaponization Fund"

Tue, 19 May 2026 12:05:00 +0000

President Donald Trump has dropped his lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns in exchange for the creation of a new $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which will compensate people who have been investigated or targeted for “political, personal, or ideological reasons.” We'll dig into the highly controversial fund. Also on the show: home sellers stay on the sidelines, and a pro dumpster diver finds gems amid dorm moveouts.

Study finds AI is making the internet more artificially happy

Tue, 19 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

As of mid-2025, about a third of newly published websites were generated by artificial intelligence. That’s a massive increase from just three years before when the number hovered around zero.

The AI written text provides fewer diverse viewpoints and is generally presented in a cheerful manner. That's all according to an early study out last month.

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with one of the study’s authors, Stanford University researcher Maty Bohacek, about how AI is changing the nature of the internet.

What is the gold standard?

Tue, 19 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Bridget and Ryan travel through the history of money in front of a live audience of kids and families (for real!) to answer Sofia’s big question: What is the gold standard? Together, they explore this old money rule, how paper money became a thing, and why no countries in the world – not a single one – use gold to back their money anymore.

This episode was performed as part of WBUR’s Podcast Playdate festival for kids in Boston. It was one of the most fun experiences we’ve ever had on the show. We loved seeing so many of you in the audience, hearing your reactions in real time and getting to meet you in person.

Thank you to everyone who came out. We can’t wait to go back next year!

If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!

Love the show? You can help make it happen. Donate what you can at marketplace.org/givemillion

AI chips away at cybersecurity job opportunities

Mon, 18 May 2026 22:15:00 +0000

Cybersecurity was once the focus of a huge workforce development push. Job opportunities and training programs were abundant. But as artificial intelligence makes it easier for hackers to pull off sophisticated cyber crimes, it’s also replaced entry-level cybersecurity roles. In this episode, one corner of the AI-affected job market. Plus: What retail earnings could reveal about consumer spending, how homebuilders are feeling, and how the U.S. dollar became dominant.

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.

The spillover of higher energy prices

Mon, 18 May 2026 15:20:00 +0000

The U.S. and Iran remain far apart on a ceasefire, as President Donald Trump warns on social media that "the clock is ticking." The standoff is rattling global markets. Government bonds are rising, pushing up borrowing costs. And oil prices are moving higher this morning, as traders worry that the war in the Middle East will lead to a prolonged period of higher inflation. We'll discuss. And later: how Brazil became BYD’s biggest market outside of China.

What war in the Middle East is costing you

Mon, 18 May 2026 12:45:00 +0000

The war in Iran has cost Americans more than $40 billion in additional fuel costs, according to an analysis from Brown University’s Watson School of International and Public Affairs. The costs go beyond just what Americans pay at the pump; higher diesel costs are factoring into rising prices for other consumer goods, too. This morning, we'll do the numbers. Plus, after a slowdown, "vertical dramas" are putting some Hollywood crews back to work.

Canada to share its hydropower with Northeast U.S.

Mon, 18 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Hydropower is one of the oldest forms of energy creation, and uses the flow of rushing water to create electricity. The province of Québec, Canada, has historically had an abundance of it and, later this spring, will start supplying hydropower to New York City.

This is the second big hydropower line to link Québec and the Northeast U.S. this year, after a line to Massachusetts came on board this winter.

Right now, the power is going one way, from Canada to the U.S., but some are thinking that the U.S. could eventually sell renewable wind energy back to Canada and let that country hold on to its hydropower for when it's really needed, creating a “regional battery,” says Marketplace's Henry Epp, who’s been reporting on this.

Giving up beer to pay for gas?

Fri, 15 May 2026 22:05:00 +0000

New consumer data shows alcohol sales were down over 5% in April. And, as you’ve probably noticed, gas prices were up. Is there any correlation? In this episode, why high fuel prices may exacerbate existing consumer trends — like cutting back on beer. Plus: Cerebras’ successful IPO signals hunger for AI stocks, Hollywood is buying more short stories, and we discuss the week’s economic headlines.

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.

Why you won't find horse racing bets on prediction markets

Fri, 15 May 2026 15:20:00 +0000

Tomorrow is the Preakness Stakes, the second event in the Triple Crown. Betting on horse racing in the U.S. has declined by more than 50% over the last few decades. And while you might think platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket would see opportunity in horse racing bets, they haven't made inroads. Why don’t prediction markets have a horse on that race? We explain. And later, we'll do the numbers on defense lobbying.

A surge in natural gas exports

Fri, 15 May 2026 13:15:00 +0000

"LNG is the next growth story of the next decade," says Kent Britton, CEO of the Port of Corpus Christi. Liquefied natural gas exports are expected to grow 30% in the U.S. in the next year and a half. That growth is driven mostly by new and expanding LNG export projects along the Gulf Coast. What does it mean for the global energy market and coastal economies? But first: inflation, imports, and U.S.-China trade deals.

Meta wants AI chats to be private

Fri, 15 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This week, WhatsApp is offering private chats with its AI. Plus, Princeton will now hold supervised exams after a rise in AI-fueled cheating.

But first, Google’s self-driving car division Waymo opted to do a voluntary recall of 3,800 of its robotaxis. This comes after a Waymo drove into a flooded road in San Antonio, Texas. The car was empty and no one was hurt, but Waymo is now updating its software to address how its cars deal with flooded roads.

Will Oremus at The Atlantic joins Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes for these stories.

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of “Tech Bytes.”

Trump & Co. take a trip to China

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:10:00 +0000

President Trump arrived for trade talks in China this week with a gaggle of corporate CEOs in tow. One expert tells us Trump’s body language, tone, and the C-suite entourage all hint Chinese President Xi has the upper hand in any negotiations. In this episode, what we expect the two world leaders to discuss. Plus: Consumers and retailers show signs of caution, the EU rethinks fiber optic cable routes in conflict zones, and traditional TV comapnies try out AI-driven ad programming.

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.

The TikTok-ification of music marketing

Thu, 14 May 2026 18:01:00 +0000

Recent controversy surrounding the rock band Geese and a digital marketing firm Chaotic Good Projects has sparked debate over the tactics firms use to drum up hype for artists online. How can we tell if online hype is real or fake? And does it really matter? Trapital founder Dan Runcie joins Kimberly to break it down. Plus, a final thank you from Kimberly.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

"Geese psyop debate: Rock band raises questions about music marketing" from Fast Company
"Fake Fans" from Eliza McLamb
"The Fanfare Around the Band Geese Actually Was a Psyop" from Wired
"If Geese are a psy-op, so is everything else" from Dazed
"Are Chaotic Good’s marketing practices bad for listeners?" From CBC Arts

“Make Me Smart” is a public media program. Show your support with a donation today and keep economic news available to everyone. Donate now: https://bit.ly/mkp_mms_pod

The U.S. spending spree continues

Thu, 14 May 2026 15:10:00 +0000

Retail sales in April were up 0.5% compared to the month before and are up 4.9% from a year ago, according to the Census Bureau. So are retail sales higher because consumers are resilient and buying more stuff, or are we spending more just because prices are higher and the stuff we want is more expensive? We discuss. Then, in search of cleaner energy, two new power transmission lines are connecting Quebec to New York and Massachusetts.

The Federal Reserve under Kevin Warsh

Thu, 14 May 2026 11:40:00 +0000

Kevin Warsh is officially the next chair of the Federal Reserve. The Senate voted to confirm him to a four-year term on Wednesday. He’ll replace Chair Jerome Powell, who led the central bank for the last eight years. He’ll face a challenging economic environment, worsening inflation, and pressure from President Donald Trump to cut rates. Plus, a look at how median actually rents fell in April and why one Arizona coffee roaster is unable to claim tariff refunds.

Why audio deepfakes are so hard to spot

Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Voice cloning is the use of artificial intelligence to generate a clone of a real person’s voice, imitating the sound, when they pause and what words they typically emphasize. And it can be hard for people to identify voices as being AI-generated.

Research last year from UC Berkeley professor Hany Farid, an expert in digital forensics, found that people correctly identify a voice as AI-generated only 60% of the time.

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Farid about the rapid sophistication of audio deepfakes, why it's so hard to tell the difference between a real voice and an AI-generated one right now, and some tips to help you spot voice clones.

How far would you go for a boycott?

Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

How far would you go to participate in a boycott? Cancel your concert tickets? Spend 25% more on groceries? What about refusing to visit your family? This week, Reema speaks to Canadians who are going to great lengths to boycott the United States. Plus, a conversation with financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin about how to practice “good enough” boycotting.

If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU.

Support This Is Uncomfortable with your donation today: https://bit.ly/mkp_tiu_pod

Another inflation alarm bell

Wed, 13 May 2026 22:35:00 +0000

The cost of goods for the producers of this economy was up a whopping 6% in April, according to the latest PPI. That means consumers can expect more inflation down the road. Plus: Treasury yields are creeping up, the global oil stockpile is shrinking by about 4 million barrels a day, and diesel pickup truck drivers are shelling out at the pump. In this episode, it all goes back to President Trump’s war in the Middle East.

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.

What does the federal gas tax go toward?

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:20:00 +0000

To address pain at the pump, President Donald Trump and some Congressional Republicans are floating the idea of temporarily pausing the federal gas tax. The thing is, that gas tax helps pay for the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and more. Today, we delve into how the tax shows up in our everyday lives. Then, we head to Boston to hear how a small college there is serving low-income, first-generation students.

Debt is on the rise

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:12:00 +0000

Household debt ticked up slightly in the first three months of this year, increasing by $18 billion, according to the New York Fed. Credit card debt is actually down slightly, but mortgage balances, home equity lines of credit, and car loan balances all grew. We unpack. Plus, later in this morning's show, how might economic tensions appear at the summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping?

Raising kids in an AI-driven world

Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In order to write her new book “I Am Not a Robot: My Year Using AI To Do ‘Almost’ Everything," journalist Joanna Stern decided to invite artificial intelligence into every aspect of her life — including her family life.

She has a wife and two sons. On their spring break, she took them to Phoenix, where it's easy to hail a driverless car. They rode in a bunch of them, including one that totally freaked out.

She brought home an AI-powered toy (which her four-year-old quickly tired of), and says she realized her kids will "grow up never knowing a world without computers as smart as them.”

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Stern about how she hopes her children will navigate that world.

When is inflation no longer "transitory?"

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:05:00 +0000

Inflation was up 3.8% in April, according to the latest CPI. Economists say the war with Iran has caused “transitory” inflation — that’s short-lived inflation from a specific inflationary event. It’s also how experts characterized Trump’s tariffs and the COVID-19 pandemic. But if inflation stays put for, say, five years, is it really still transitory? Also in this episode: Small business owners fret over rising costs, MIT students graduate with majors in AI, and Quebec brings hydropower to the Northeast U.S.

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.

The highs and lows of the global art market

Tue, 12 May 2026 19:40:00 +0000

After a pandemic-era boom, the fine art market is going through something of a bust. Many galleries have closed due to climbing overhead costs and sales just aren’t what they used to be. Author and freelance journalist Julie Belcove joins Kimberly to demystify the inner workings of the global art market and what a slump could mean for the those who work in the arts.

Consumer prices were up a lot in April

Tue, 12 May 2026 15:10:00 +0000

Prices in the U.S. were up 3.8% year over year in April. That's a faster rate of annual inflation than we saw in March. A main driver was higher energy prices, a result of the war with Iran. Those price increases are taking a bite out of consumer wages, but the pain may be temporary. Plus, small businesses are hanging in there. And, we'll preview President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

What's behind sluggish home sales?

Tue, 12 May 2026 11:45:00 +0000

In late February, mortgage rates dipped below 6%, and affordability was beginning to improve. In April, people bought and sold more homes than they did the year before, but not by much. The reason? A whole new source of uncertainty brought on by war in the Middle East. Later in the show: While specialty farmers aren't caught in trade war crosshairs the way commodity farmers are, they still have plenty to worry about domestically.

What AI can and can't do for you (for now)

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Imagine if you invited robots - smart ones or “smart-ish,” at least - into every aspect of your life. Your emails and texts are all composed by an AI, the bots look at a photo of what’s in your fridge and figure out what you can make for dinner. They even become emotional support, providing advice and sometimes companionship. Journalist and founder of media company New Things, Joanna Stern, decided to try this and she wrote about it in her new book “I Am Not a Robot: My Year Using AI To Do Almost Everything.” Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Stern about how AI did and didn’t help her and ultimately what she sacrificed by inviting AI into her life.

Why is there so much gold at Fort Knox?

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Today, we’re resharing an important episode from our archive! We’re answering Sadie’s question about why there is so much gold at Fort Knox. (And, we’re releasing a special new episode next week all about gold too. We can’t wait for you to hear it!)

Fort Knox is one of the most secure places in the world. In today’s episode, Bridget and Ryan are determined to get inside! But just as the pair lands a special tour to the top-secret gold vault, a couple of mysterious Fort Knox enthusiasts throw a wrench in their plans.

The other shoe

Mon, 11 May 2026 22:25:00 +0000

Inflation and employment are the dual pillars of this economy’s health, which the Federal Reserve is mandated to evenly manage. Last week saw sunny news for the latter category, when the April jobs report was better than expected. Economists anticipate the opposite for the upcoming consumer price index, as the war in Iran inflates prices at home. In this episode, we brace for a dreary CPI. Plus: Adult education programs promise higher wages, retail investors pile on to the chip market, and climate change makes food less nutritious.

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.

Young workers aren't feeling optimistic about the job market

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:45:00 +0000

Younger workers typically feel more optimistic about the job market than older ones, but a new Gallup poll found that only 43% of Americans aged 15 to 34 thought that last year was a good time to find a job. That’s compared to 64% of those above the age of 55. The optimism of young workers has dropped by 27 points since 2023, potentially signaling the influence of AI. Plus: a breakdown of the costs, both human and financial, of Nebraska’s Medicaid eligibility rollout and a look into the impact of rising gas prices on inflation.

How proving you're "not a robot" could be training AI

Mon, 11 May 2026 11:50:00 +0000

An announcement from Meta that information about employees’ keystroke and mouse movement would be collected and used to train its artificial intelligence has reportedly caused turmoil within the company. But the concept of harvesting data from everyday digital interactions isn’t new. “Marketplace Morning Report” Host Sabri Ben-Achour spoke with Panagiotis Ipeirotis, a professor of Technology and Business at NYU Stern, about how seemingly innocuous online activity can be used to train AI. But first: rising gas prices are making some Americans cut back, but the k-shaped economy knows no bounds.

Amid Silicon Valley scramble for AI agent productivity, "token anxiety" takes hold

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

There's a new flex in Silicon Valley: how big is your AI agent swarm? They can work on your behalf, autonomously, 24/7, on whatever goal you give them. You might think having an army of AI minions could free up some time, maybe make work more chill. But, you’d be wrong, as Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino reports.

Who's getting those tariff refunds?

Fri, 08 May 2026 22:35:00 +0000

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has begun processing applications for tariff refunds after the Supreme Court ruled against swaths of President Trump’s import taxes. But limitations on who can file have left some business owners out of luck, and those who are eligible must weigh how much of the refund they should pass down the line. Also on the program: the jobs report, tech layoffs, and what the Spirit Airlines shutdown could mean for a Florida airport. Plus: a look into Sparrow’s Nest Studio, Manhattan’s “home for mahjong.”

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.

Kimberly's final cheers on "Economics on Tap"

Fri, 08 May 2026 21:22:05 +0000

As Kimberly gets ready to step into her new role as the host of “Marketplace Morning Report,” her predecessor David Brancaccio joins her to talk about his years on the morning shift and what he’s looking forward to on his new beat covering future effects for Marketplace. Plus, the two swap summer reading recommendations and play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

"Liar's Poker" by Michael Lewis
"Number Go Up" by Zeke Faux
"Pattern Recognition" by William Gibson
"The Sum of Us" by Heather McGhee
"Public pools used to be everywhere in America. Then racism shut them down." From Marketplace
"Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI" by Ryan Rolansky and Aneesh Raman
"Want to make new friends? There's an app for that" from Marketplace
"Why online courses sold by influencers have become so popular" from Marketplace
"The Roomba Guy’s Second Act: A Robot You’ll Want to Snuggle" from The Wall Street Journal
"The Spirit Airlines Comeback Story No One Saw Coming" from Inc.

“Make Me Smart” is a public media program. Support “Make Me Smart” with your donation today and keep economic news available to everyone. Donate now: https://bit.ly/mkp_mms_pod

Care to invest in the U.S. during a trade war?

Fri, 08 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

President Donald Trump has tried to pressure foreign countries to invest in the U.S. by threatening tariffs. But for decades, the federal government has also been putting on the SelectUSA Investment Summit, a giant trade show where states and businesses try to attract foreign investors. We have a dispatch from this year's Investment Summit. Plus, some of Trump's latest tariffs have been deemed illegal. And: a better-than-expected jobs report and some slower-than-expected World Cup hotel bookings.

The context behind 115,000 new jobs

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:20:00 +0000

This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released fresh jobs data for April. Unemployment remained unchanged at 4.3%, and the overall economy added 115,000 new jobs. A warmer-than-average April resulted in strong seasonal hiring, though it may be too early to see drags from war and high gas prices. Then later, we'll check in with the owner of a Virginia tea shop, who — like many small business owners — has been buffeted around by changing tariff policy.

Anthropic’s new, powerful allies: Elon Musk and SpaceX

Fri, 08 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

On this week’s “Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review,” we’ll discuss why Apple is paying a $250 million settlement over its Apple Intelligence tool and its capabilities. Plus, GameStop makes a surprising buyout offer for eBay. But first up: Anthropic, maker of the chatbot Claude, announced a new computing deal this week with SpaceX and its AI division, xAI. Anthropic will get access to SpaceX’s Colossus One data center, which will let the company increase how much its customers can use Claude. The deal comes as SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is facing off in federal court against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman.

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke about all this with Caroline O’Donovan, AI and technology senior reporter at The San Francisco Standard, who noted that Anthropic's leaders talked about the need for more computing power at their developer conference this week.

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of “Tech Bytes.”

The erosion of the American tax base

Thu, 07 May 2026 22:35:00 +0000

After the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reduced taxes for 85% of households, disproportionately benefiting high-income earners, all eyes are on the GOP’s approach to taxation. But they’re not the only ones, as Democrats, too, seek to cash in on the tax cut strategy. “Marketplace” Host Kai Ryssdal spoke with Annie Lowrey, a staff writer at The Atlantic, about what that dwindling tax base could mean for public works and our national debt. But first: Whirlpool reports “recession-level low” demand, the first quarter’s lower-than-expected productivity, and a look into how some business owners are approaching tariff refunds.

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.

How the new WNBA CBA transforms player pay

Thu, 07 May 2026 20:00:00 +0000

The WNBA’s 30th season tips off tomorrow. This year, things look a lot different for players after the league and players union recently signed a landmark collective bargaining agreement (CBA). On today’s show, The Athletic’s Annie Costabile joins Kimberly to break down how the deal has transformed the way players are paid. Plus, has women’s basketball ever really been given the chance to maximize its earning potential?

Productivity is on the upswing

Thu, 07 May 2026 15:20:00 +0000

Labor productivity has been on a growth streak for the past year and a half. It increased 0.8% in the first quarter of this year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is up almost 3% from a year ago. How much of this boils down to AI? Also on the show: threatened tariffs against the European Union and a conversation about U.S. dollars, the oil shock, and investment from Gulf countries.

Will healthcare costs sway how you vote?

Thu, 07 May 2026 11:50:00 +0000

If you ask people what they’re most worried about affording these days, healthcare tops the list (now tied with gas). And that concern may translate to a wave of resentment at the ballot box: About 90% of people say healthcare costs will influence whether and how they vote in November, and more than half say it will have a major impact. Then, the United Arab Emirates wants a currency swap with the United States. We explain.

Elon Musk is in court arguing that OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit model

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Back in 2015, Elon Musk and Sam Altman got the idea to start a nonprofit AI lab to develop artificial general intelligence that benefits all humanity. The lab would also make its technology open source, calling it OpenAI.

All that is according to a complaint filed by Elon Musk, who has since parted ways with the organization. And now he is suing OpenAI, its CEO Sam Altman and its president Greg Brockman, saying they have abandoned the founding principles of the organization in pursuit of profits.

They are currently facing off in federal court in the Northern District of California. Paresh Dave at Wired has been in the courtroom. He explains more on what the core of Musk's case is.

Help! My work crush just became my boss!

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Got a tricky situation at work and not sure what to do? In our recurring advice column, “Work Drama,” we try to find answers to your sticky work questions. This week, Reema is joined by Tobin Low of “This American Life” to answer your workplace questions – from coworkers falling asleep mid-meeting to crushing on your boss.

If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And if you have any work drama going on, we want to hear about it! Leave a message at 347-RING-TIU or email uncomfortable@marketplace.org.

What to expect in the April jobs report

Wed, 06 May 2026 22:35:00 +0000

The private sector added twice as many jobs in March as it did in April — it’s a promising sign in an otherwise perplexing labor market. Private sector gains could translate to an overall boost in the upcoming BLS jobs report. But even if the quantity of jobs goes up, there are still some negative indicators to keep an eye on. Also in this episode: Corpus Christi's water crisis collides with an energy sector boom and Disney sees revenue wins after raising streaming prices.

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.

Markets mull an end to war in Iran

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:20:00 +0000

The U.S. and Iran are reportedly back to working on an end to the war, and sources say a deal is close. Axios reports that the deal would involve a moratorium on nuclear enrichment and an end to sanctions. This morning, we dig into how seriously markets are taking these peace talks. Then, we continue our discussion of Iran's beleaguered economy — and who exactly they blame for it.

Insurers ease up on prior authorization

Wed, 06 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000

United Healthcare, the nation’s biggest insurer, announced that it’s cutting back on its requirements for prior authorization by 30%. Prior authorization is when your doctor orders a medical procedure, test, or drug, but you can't get it before the insurance company's approval. For insurers, it's a way to cut costs. For doctors and patients, it's a source of massive frustration. Plus, we check in on the state of Iran's wartime economy.

Does AI save time in police work?

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Technology has been transformative for how police officers do their jobs. Body cameras, speed detection technology and surveillance drones are some prominent examples.

And now, law enforcement departments are trying to figure out if and how they want to add artificial intelligence to the mix.

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Greg Barber, a science and technology journalist who recently wrote about this for Proof News. He explained how AI is being used in police work now and whether or not AI has become a time-saving tool for officers.

Let's check in on the U.S. trade deficit

Tue, 05 May 2026 22:35:00 +0000

In case you forgot, President Trump's tariffs had one goal: narrow the U.S. trade deficit. Compare March ‘25 to March ‘26, and the deficit has shrunk by half. But from February to March of this year, it actually widened — exports rose, while imports rose even more. In this episode, what’s driving all that economic activity? (Hint, it’s not tariffs.) Plus: 30-year Treasury yields top 5%, home remodeling is projected to slow in 2027, and we visit a job fair in Philadelphia.

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.

The new fight for states' rights under Trump

Tue, 05 May 2026 19:45:00 +0000

The power struggle between the states and federal government is as old as the U.S. itself. But under the second Trump administration, that struggle has become particularly fraught. Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy joins Kimberly to explain how the president is wielding federal funding as a tool to expand his authority, and how states are fighting back.

How ICE skirts public input on detention centers

Tue, 05 May 2026 14:25:00 +0000

Immigrant detention facilities are being bought and retrofitted seemingly overnight without public input across the U.S., and there's little to no notice given to local governments. How can this happen? It's all traced back to a war-focused contracting method Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been using to its advantage. But first, the New York Times reports that the president is considering setting up a safety-vetting process for AI models.

The rise of the side hustle

Tue, 05 May 2026 11:40:00 +0000

Roughly one in every 20 U.S. workers is holding down multiple jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's fallen a fraction of a percent since last fall, when we saw the highest rate since 1999 — around the moment just before the dot-com bubble burst, when there were fears about what increasing automation meant for job-holders. Sound familiar? Then, we'll unpack a recent water-saving plan to address the ongoing water crisis in the Colorado River Basin.

Can AI improve your odds of finding good childcare?

Tue, 05 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The startup Winnie is a marketplace for childcare. It works like this: Parents type in the age of their kid and their zip code, then different childcare providers in the area will pop up. You can also filter by languages spoken, and whether you want a childcare center or home-based daycare or another option. It's free for parents to use.

But the company was founded back in 2016, when AI search wasn’t really a thing. And Winnie’s CEO and co-founder Sara Mauskopf says parents now want to be able to describe what they're looking for in natural language. So, Winnie has had to adapt. It's just released an AI-powered search tool.

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Mauskopf to learn more about their new AI search engine and the challenges of keeping up with the fast-paced AI sector.

What are checks?

Tue, 05 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The episode you’ve been waiting for is finally here. This is part 2 of the San Fran Fin Lit Pod Con cliffhanger episode from last season. Bridget and Ryan finally made it to the conference, only to find it’s entirely cashless. It’s the perfect opportunity to answer all your non-paper-money questions: What would happen if we lived in a cashless world and paid for everything with debit and credit cards? How do you send and receive money with mobile payment apps? And how exactly do checks work?

Consumers might see some tariff refunds — in 2036

Mon, 04 May 2026 22:25:00 +0000

We’ve said from the get-go that consumers paid the bulk of President Trump’s tariffs. Now that most were ruled illegal, individual businesses will get to decide whether to pass those tariff refunds onto customers. And any litigation of those decisions could take a while. Also in this episode: What’s next for the airline industry sans Spirit, why GameStop wants to buy eBay, and how states could claw back some tax dollars.

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.

Will students be shut out of pricier grad programs?

Mon, 04 May 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Starting July 1, a cap on federal student loan borrowing limits kicks in. Graduate students will soon only be able to take out $20,500 a year, and up to $100,000 in total; the cap is higher for some professional programs, like medicine or law. But all this could mean new barriers to advanced degrees for students with little or no credit. Plus, we look at the ever-shrinking consumer cushion. And, what happened to talks of a proposed Spirit bailout?

Fewer Americans are earning a living wage

Mon, 04 May 2026 11:39:00 +0000

A new report from Dayforce and the Living Wage Institute found that just over half of full-time workers earn enough to provide for themselves and their families. Wages have been rising, just not as quickly as costs. Familiar racial and gender gaps persisted, too — and got wider in 2025. But first, GameStop is trying to buy eBay for $56 billion, though it's unclear where all that money would come from. Then, is the robotaxi revolution ever coming?

A bill that bans kids from using AI chatbots is gaining momentum

Mon, 04 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The GUARD Act is a bipartisan bill that would prohibit companies from letting kids under 18 interact with what the legislation calls "AI companions,” which are chatbots designed to encourage the simulation of an interpersonal relationship.

This comes after some harrowing stories of teenagers who developed relationships with chatbots and then harmed themselves or others. The bill just passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes talks about this with Ashley Gold, a senior tech policy reporter at Axios.

Consumer electronics can't keep up with AI

Fri, 01 May 2026 22:20:00 +0000

Bad news for your next smartphone purchase: An extended memory chip crunch is upon us, warns Apple CEO Tim Cook. New artificial intelligence projects are outspending the consumer electronics sector on memory, and manufacturers have limited output capacity. Retailers will likely pass those higher costs onto consumers. Also in this episode: A retiree focuses on charitable giving, specialty movie ticket prices climb to $50, and America’s biggest energy port benefits from the Middle East oil tie-up.

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.

From "This Is Uncomfortable": Wait...where did my retirement money go?

Fri, 01 May 2026 19:30:00 +0000

Hey Smarties! There won’t be a livestream for “Economics on Tap” today. But don’t worry! We’ll be back next week. For now, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Enjoy!

What happens to your retirement savings when you leave a job? And if you’ve forgotten about an old 401(k) account, how do you track that money down? That’s the mystery Reema is trying to solve this week, as she confronts her own financial anxiety and goes searching for retirement accounts left behind at previous jobs.

Along the way, she talks with retirement expert Geoffrey Sanzenbacher about just how common this is -- only about 15% of people roll their retirement savings over to a new employer's plan! And she asks behavioral economist Katy Milkman why this kind of chore feels so hard. Plus, brain hacks that will help you get through that daunting financial to-do list.

Here at Marketplace, we’re celebrating Public Media Giving Days on May 1 and 2. Help us keep the conversations going. Donate now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

How student loan caps shaped one family's college decision

Fri, 01 May 2026 14:55:00 +0000

When college-bound high school seniors commit to a school, it's always a complicated calculus, especially for families who need financial aid. But for students starting this fall, there’s a new wrinkle: new caps on how much parents can borrow from the federal government to help their kids pay for college. Today, one high school senior and his mom talk college finances. Plus, we'll recap an especially busy week for the economy.

The U.S. economy with fewer immigrants

Fri, 01 May 2026 12:20:00 +0000

Last year, more people left the U.S. than moved in — it’s the first time that’s happened in at least half a century. And 2026 is expected to see even more outmigration. Immigrants pay taxes and are a major part of the labor force in construction, agriculture, and healthcare. All of that can have lasting effects on the economy. But first up, we explore federal government retirement matching and dig into underemployment.

Taylor Swift vs. AI

Fri, 01 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This week, Taylor Swift trademarked her voice and image in what appears to be a bid to protect against AI misuse. Plus, a Japanese airline is experimenting with humanoid robots to help with baggage.

But first, Google landed a deal with the Pentagon to let its AI models be used for classified work. A Google spokesperson told us in a statement that the company is proud to be providing its services for national security and that it believes AI should not be used for “domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weaponry without appropriate human oversight."

We talked with Maria Curi at Axios about how Google’s deal compares to ones the Department of Defense has with other AI companies.

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of “Tech Bytes.”

Growing GDP, thank GPT

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:15:00 +0000

U.S. gross domestic product grew by 2% in the first three months of 2026. (It’s a stark improvement to the final quarter of 2025, which saw GDP growth of just 0.5%.) Experts agree massive investment in artificial intelligence is the main driver of that growth. But what does that mean for the rest of the economy? Also in this episode: Financial market predictions fall short of real-life crude oil costs, airlines face an aircraft technician shortage, and social media is in the midst of a bean craze.

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.

It's tough out there for new college grads

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

We’re approaching graduation season for this year’s crop of college seniors. But along with all the celebrations, there’s an extra dose of uncertainty hanging in the air around new grads, as they face an extra-tough job market and the rise of AI. On today’s show, Kimberly talks to New York Times labor and workforce reporter Noam Scheiber, whose new book “Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of the College-Educated Working Class” digs into the historical context for the environment today’s seniors are graduating into.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

”Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of the College-Educated Working Class” by Noam Scheiber
”Young Graduates Face the Grimmest Job Market in Years” from The New York Times
”The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates” from The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
”College Graduates Are Struggling to Find Jobs. AI is Partly to Blame.” from CNBC
”U.S. Worker Thriving Declines as Job Market Pessimism Grows” from Gallup

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Big Tech knocked it out of the park

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Yesterday, we got quarterly results for some of the biggest companies in the economy, including Google parent company Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta. Investors have been pinning hopes on Big Tech. We'll do the numbers on tech firms' earnings and discuss whether the good times — and big spending on AI — can last. But first, the U.S. economy grew faster in the first three months of this year, and we'll outline challenges awaiting Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve.

Chipping away at Nvidia's chip dominance

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:20:00 +0000

It’s Big Tech week on Wall Street. Quarterly results from Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon all beat expectations. And shocker: They’re all still spending a lot on AI. One of the biggest expenses is chips. That’s made Nvidia the most valuable company in the world. Now, other Big Tech companies want to get in on that action. Then, the Trump administration has wound down funding for mRNA vaccine development. We’ll explore the impacts.

Middle East tensions are putting tech supply chains under pressure

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The war with Iran has upended supply chains including for materials that are critical to building the electronics we use everyday, such as a certain kind of thermoplastic, copper, and helium. We are now dealing with shortages of all of them. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Jeff Janukowicz, an analyst with the research firm IDC, to learn more.

Patrick Radden Keefe on parenting in the age of mega-wealth

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

What do you do when your child’s ideas about money start to sharply diverge from your own? Reema is joined by journalist Patrick Radden Keefe to discuss his new book, “London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth.” Along the way they get into the thorny realities of parenting in a time when young people are aspiring to be like the ultra-wealthy.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok! If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU.

Support “This Is Uncomfortable” with your donation today: https://bit.ly/mkp_tiu_pod

Powell's farewell?

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:15:00 +0000

Wednesday marked Jerome Powell’s final FOMC meeting as chair of the Federal Reserve. Central bank leaders held rates steady this week, though with the most dissenting votes in over 30 years. Powell also announced his intent to stay on as a Fed governor — the first chair to do so since 1948. In this episode, we recap Powell’s tenure as head of the Fed and unpack his latest press conference. Plus: Companies issue more corporate debt, Taco Bell outperforms sales expectations, and AI spawns new cybersecurity headaches.

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.

Will the Magnificent Seven have magnificent earnings?

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Five of the Magnificent Seven — Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Apple — are reporting earnings this week. These tech titans have kind of been single-handedly holding up the market for a while now. Can the good times last? Then, China is the largest manufacturer of solar energy parts in the world, and it's considering restricting exports of solar panel manufacturing equipment to the United States. And, we look at the highly personal legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI’s Sam Altman.

It's farm bill time

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:40:00 +0000

Every five years or so, Congress considers and passes a new version of the farm bill. It is a massive law covering not just agriculture, but also food assistance programs. And it comes at a particularly tough time for farmers, who are being pinched by drought, tariffs, and rising fuel and fertilizer costs. Then, what's the UAE's departure from OPEC mean for oil prices? And later, from "Marketplace Tech," we hear how Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act opens the "backdoor" for warrantless searches.

How this startup is bringing nuclear power to AI data centers

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

There's been renewed interest in nuclear power in recent years, thanks in part to demand from tech companies in search of reliable energy to power their AI data centers.

The startup Kairos Power has jumped on this opportunity. Its nuclear reactors are cooled by molten salt. They also use golf-ball sized nuclear fuel, instead of uranium rods cooled by water used by traditional reactors.

Mike Laufer, co-founder and CEO of Kairos, says their reactors a bit like an upside down gumball machine.

The company just started construction on its first power plant, located in eastern Tennessee, called Hermes 2. It will supply energy to the utility in the area, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and specifically to Google to power its data centers.

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Laufer to learn more.

Central banks move in step, for now

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:05:00 +0000

The U.S. Federal Reserve meets this week — so do central banks in Japan, England, Canada, and the European Union. Most will keep rates unchanged for now, as war in the Middle East shakes up the global status quo. But as other banks weigh imminent rate hikes, the U.S. may move in the opposite direction. More on why in today’s episode. Plus: Consumer sentiment crept up in April, Medicaid cuts slash pediatric care options, and five Big Tech firms post earnings this week.

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.

How second chance employment is lowering recidivism in the U.S.

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:28:00 +0000

In the United States, recidivism rate, or the likelihood that a criminal re-enters the prison system after being released, is among the highest in the world. The state with the highest reincarceration rate (within 3 years) is Delaware at 55.9 percent. While the lowest is Virginia at 17.9 percent.

Earlier this month, Kimberly moderated the 2026 Second Chance Forum at Georgetown University on the importance of second-chance employment programs to lowering recidivism rates in the United States. She sat down with two top law enforcement officials from across the aisle: Delaware Attorney General and Democrat, Kathy Jennings and Pennsylvania Attorney General and Republican, Dave Sunday.

Today’s podcast is an edited version of their conversation. To listen to the full panel discussion, click the link below:

2026 Second Chance Forum: Barriers to Breakthroughs — How Second Chances Are Driving Success

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Would a government bailout of Spirit Airlines be worth it?

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:50:00 +0000

The Trump administration has reportedly been in talks to bail out Spirit Airlines, either with a big loan or by buying it. The budget airline had already been struggling, and now faces even tougher times with higher fuel costs. But does that justify bailing it out? Plus, an upstate New York toy and doll shop owner reflects on the stop-start jolts of U.S. trade policy and the challenges of the tariff refund process.

When tariff uncertainty means nixed retirement plans

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:12:00 +0000

We've talked a lot about the rollercoaster of tariffs. But behind every economic story is a human one, too. This morning, we check in with Joann Cartiglia, who runs a toy and doll shop in upstate New York. She's looking at around $15,000 in tariff refunds. Still, uncertainty, precarity, and debt have put her in "the scariest financial situation" of her life and mean that retirement has “been kind of taken off the table.” But before that conversation: a Federal Reserve meeting and a royal visit with the president.

Introducing the world’s largest Math Olympiad database

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The International Math Olympiad is a yearly competition for students, most of them high school age, who compete to solve six difficult math problems. They're chosen from a pool of math problems submitted by different countries that participate in the competition.

The problems that don't make the cut previously have mostly just been lost; there was no one place you could go to find them.

But now a team at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab has gathered over 30,000 of those problems together in one dataset so both humans and AI models can look through and study them.

Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Mark Hamilton, a visiting researcher at MIT CSAIL who has been part of the work to gather problems. He’s also a Research Scientist at Google's DeepMind laboratory.

Where do game shows get their prize money?

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

“Million Bazillion” listeners and brothers John and Peter want to know where game shows get their prize money. It’s the perfect opportunity to answer this question as Ryan and Bridget find themselves competing on a chaotic game show with a chance to win $1 million on the line. While they take on one challenge after another, the duo uncover the surprising ways game shows get the cash for those big prizes.

If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!

Love the show? You can help make it happen. Donate what you can at marketplace.org/givemillion.

Home prices won't stop rising

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:35:00 +0000

It’s been a trend for a year now — home prices are up even though demand is sluggish. As Americans face growing economic uncertainty and rising costs, many are staying put. So why won’t home prices cool off? We’ll explain. Also in this episode: Tighter budgets mean fewer orders at Domino’s, air taxis take to the sky in New York City, and banks fret over new stablecoin legislation.

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.

How about a roadtrip instead?

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:15:00 +0000

As people look to plan their summer vacations, they're being price-conscious. While 60% of Americans plan on traveling, more people will drive instead of flying, and more are opting for shorter trips. Plus, with the end of the Justice Department's investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, successor Kevin Warsh looks poised for a successful confirmation. And later, we head to Maine to hear how a Maine sea urchin processing firm has survived for four decades.

A Forest Service reorg ahead of fire season

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:20:00 +0000

The U.S. Forest Service is heading for a major restructure. Its headquarters are moving from D.C. to Utah, all regional offices are being eliminated, and dozens of research facilities across 31 states are being shuttered. This is all unfolding before what's expected to be a very active wildfire season. How do these changes affect our ability to fight wildfires? But first, we're digging into the latest economic impacts of war in the Middle East.

What a reform to Section 702 could look like

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, allows government agencies to collect information about foreign nationals located abroad. That surveillance can happen without a warrant and the government can order email providers to turn over any messages of a particular foreigner, including those with a U.S. citizen.

Section 702 is set to expire this week. President Donald Trump has called for its extension, but there are Congressional lawmakers in both parties who oppose the kind of surveillance the law allows for. Elizabeth Goitein at the Brennan Center for Justice has testified before Congress advocating for reform of the law. She says right now it lets agencies search through Americans’ sensitive data.

When does AI become a spending suck?

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:05:00 +0000

Companies are using AI tools more every day. Some, like Meta, are even encouraging employees to use as many AI tokens as possible. But companies also spending more to access the technology — most AI firms bill per token, and those costs add up. In this episode, there’s no such thing as free AI. Plus: Procter & Gamble posts strong earnings, Kai visits LA’s first women’s sports bar, and we discuss the latest Federal Reserve news.

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.

The economic outlook of the great outdoors

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:00:03 +0000

Are you team camping or glamping? On today’s show, we’re checking in on the outdoor recreation economy in the Western United States. KUNC’s Mountain West News Bureau reporter Rachel Cohen joins Kimberly to unpack the pressures facing the industry, from climate change to Trump administration policies. Plus, will President Trump’s new $100 foreign tourist fee hurt national parks?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Kevin Warsh and the Fed's balance sheet

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:11:00 +0000

The Federal Reserve has two jobs: promote job growth and control inflation. To do that, it sets interest rates. It also buys bonds and securities to influence those markets, and is now sitting on a massive $6.5 trillion pile. President Trump's nominee for Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh, wants to shrink that asset pile. We'll dig in. Also: optimism from one soon-to-be grad. Plus, how much longer can the standoff in Iran last before oil markets have to respond?

Let's understand the informal economy

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:35:00 +0000

When we talk about who makes up the economy, we're often talking about workers a company formally employs. But a lot of people find themselves working in the informal economy — generally defined as economic activity that falls outside of official regulation. It's not taxed, not tracked, and is mostly invisible to official statistics. Today, we'll dig into its importance and risks. But first, marijuana gets a tax break.

Bytes: Week in Review — Apple’s new CEO, Meta's latest AI play, and Roblox's safety updates

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This week, Meta is reportedly laying off 10% of its workers. But in the meantime, it's also capturing their mouse clicks to train its AI models. Plus, Roblox settles with states over child safety concerns.

But first, Apple's CEO is stepping down. The company announced this week that CEO Tim Cook is moving on from that role after about 15 years. His successor is John Ternus, a senior vice president of hardware engineering at the company. Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes spoke with Anita Ramaswamy, a columnist at The Information, about all these headlines for this week’s “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Yet another stockpile scramble

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:20:00 +0000

Business activity growth soared in April, according to S&P Global’s purchasing managers index. The topline number might sound rosy, but experts think the growth spurt is really a sign of fear. In this episode, why businesses spent month two of the war in Iran stockpiling goods. Plus: Avis experiences a stock market “short squeeze,” business owners apply for the first round of tariff refunds, and we look back at the 1970s to understand the economics of oil price caps.

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.

Mass deportations don’t lead to more jobs for Americans. Why does the myth persist?

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The labor force participation rate in the U.S. has fallen to the lowest level it’s been since 1977 (aside from the during the height of the pandemic). One reason for the decline? President Trump’s immigration crackdown. University of Colorado Boulder economist Chloe East joins Kimberly to break down the unexpected ways restrictive immigration policies affect the labor market, and trends she’s paying attention to during this second Trump administration.

Clearing the path to homeownership for renters

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:45:00 +0000

The Trump administration announced a big change in how people's credit is assessed when applying for mortgages. Instead of only using FICO scores to prove creditworthiness, prospective homebuyers can now use a separate score model — one that considers things like rent and utility payment history — when applying for loans from mortgage lenders, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Also on the show: discussions of the market's bullishness and plans for a graduate degree in a tumultuous job market.

The haves and the have nots of energy

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:45:00 +0000

Maybe it’s hoarding, or protectionist, or human nature. Whatever you want to call it, some countries have plenty of oil right now — especially wealthier ones with their own refineries and reserves — while others can't get what they need and are rationing fuel. Plus, "starting has always been hard. This era is making it harder," said New York Times bestselling author Jodi Kantor. Today, we hear her job-hunting advice for new grads.

Anti-AI data center sentiment is becoming a political issue

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Lawmakers around the U.S. are moving to restrict data center development. Maine, for example, recently passed what's being called the country's first statewide ban on data centers. The measure would prohibit building any new data centers until late 2027.

As of this taping, Maine's governor, Janet Mills, was reportedly still undecided on whether she'd sign the bill. And 13 other states are also considering bans on data center development, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Tony Pipa of the Brookings Institution talks more about how much of the pushback has to do with the speed with which data centers are popping up.

What it costs to leave the U.S.

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

As the U.S. immigration crackdown intensifies, some undocumented people are choosing to leave the country. But what’s the financial and emotional cost of leaving?

Reema speaks with immigration lawyer Michael Foote, who is helping his clients navigate this process, as well as two undocumented immigrants at different stages in their departure: Javi (not his real name) is an undocumented college student saving up to move abroad, and Monsy Hernandez left the U.S. for Germany almost ten years ago and now supports others weighing the same decision.

If you’re thinking about leaving the U.S., organizations like Onward provide toolkits with resources and information.

If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU.

Support This Is Uncomfortable with your donation today: https://bit.ly/mkp_tiu_pod

Boeing bounces back

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:25:00 +0000

Boeing posted strong Q1 earnings Wednesday, and executives breathed a sigh of relief. The aircraft manufacturer survived several years of significant tumult, which included labor disputes, plane malfunctions, a production backlog, and shifting FAA restrictions. In this episode, how Boeing managed a comeback. Plus: Prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket will start offering perpetual futures, carmakers push to follow Tesla’s direct-to-consumer sales model, and tariffs disrupt regular shipping cycles.

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.

Fearing the "black hole" of graduating without a job

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:18:00 +0000

We're less than a month away from graduation ceremonies at college campuses across the country. But the job market college grads are entering is an uncertain one, and the unemployment rate for young people with college degrees remains elevated. This morning, we hear one college senior's take on the slowing labor market and the emergence of AI. But first, the owners of a Brooklyn plant shop chat about navigating higher costs.

Will you have enough to comfortably retire?

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:40:00 +0000

New research shows more than a third of workers and retirees don’t think they will have enough money for their retirement years — that’s the highest proportion since 2017. Lower savings rates, higher bills, and concerns over Social Security all constitute a perfect recipe for lower confidence. Also on this morning's program: a preview of Tesla's quarterly earnings and a look at why home prices are falling in Texas.

When do tech companies need to be consistently profitable?

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

The social media company Snap recently announced it’s laying off about 1,000 workers — 16% of its employees. The company said these changes will reduce costs by more than half a billion dollars and help establish a path to net income profitability.

This move comes after one of Snap's investors, Irenic Capital Management, wrote a public letter to the company outlining what it needs to do to “save” the company and cut costs.

Snap has been a public company for nine years. It's had just a few non-consecutive profitable quarters. Sarah Kunst, a general partner at the venture capital firm Cleo Capital, explains more about when a company has to be consistently profitable.

Agentic AI anxiety

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 22:25:00 +0000

Haven’t you always wished for robots to do menial labor? That’s sort of what agentic artificial intelligence is — rather than existing solely in a chat box, the technology can excecute complex tasks. These “helpers” have spurred a rat race in certain tech circles: With the help of personalized AI agents, just how productive can you be? Also in this episode: The U.S. dollar drags, budget airlines seek relief from high jet fuel prices, and consumers use credit to keep up with daily expenses.

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.

Why markets are high despite war in the Middle East

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:15:00 +0000

JD Vance is expected to travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, on Tuesday for potential negotiations with representatives from Iran, but peace talks are still uncertain as the end of the ceasefire approaches. Markets, though, are nearing all-time records. “Marketplace Morning Report” Host Sabri Ben-Achour spoke with Ken Wattret, vice president of global economics at S&P Global Market Intelligence, about the disconnect. Plus, we check in with two plant shop owners about how they’ve been dealing with tariffs, rent, and our broader economy in this installment of Economic Pulse.

Trump's pick for Fed chair heads to Capitol Hill

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:50:00 +0000

President Trump’s nominee to head the Federal Reserve, former Fed governor Kevin Warsh, will testify on Tuesday for his nomination hearing. Warsh is expected to toe the line between maintaining Fed independence and heeding calls from elected officials. Also on the program: war in the Middle East has energy companies looking for ways to diversify their oil supply. Plus, a look into how “social capital” helped to rebuild morale, and economic growth, in Minneapolis following Operation Metro Surge.

Vietnam's economy on the rise

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:44:28 +0000

While the United States’ workforce is aging out of its prime, some countries, like Vietnam, are just hitting their stride. On today’s show, Kai joins Kimberly to share his takeaways from reporting in Ho Chi Minh City for the “Marketplace” series “The Age of Work.” We’ll get into how Vietnam’s younger workforce is transforming the country’s economy for the future and the pressures it faces from all around the globe.