Make Me Smart Marketplace

Today, we’re diving into Bumble’s controversial anti-celibacy ad campaign, what it says about the state of dating apps and why some women are joining the anti-patriarchy movement. It’s time for a Kimberly rant. Plus, more updates on the Baltimore bridge collapse. Later, we’ll get queasy about cicadas and smiley about puppies!

Here’s everything we talked about today:


“Bumble’s billboard ads sneered at celibacy as an alternative to dating — and the company got stung” from The Associated Press
“The Controversy Around Bumble’s Anti-Celibacy Billboards” from The Cut
“Singles done with dating apps opt for speed-dating, matchmaking” from Marketplace
Apology from Bumble on Instagram
“What the 4B movement and boycotting men tells American women about where we are” from USA Today
Preliminary Report on Baltimore Bridge Collapse from The National Transportation Safety Board
“It’s on (for now): Biden and Trump agree to 2 debates” from Politico
“Cicadas Are Here in St. Louis, and Here’s What You Need to Know” from The Riverfront Times
“We tried to pet all 200 breeds at the Westminster dog show” from The Washington Post

We want to hear your cicada stories! Share them with us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

With the big push to unionize auto workers in the South, it looks like it might be another hot labor summer. And if you and your little ones have questions, this episode is for you! Today, we’re bringing you a special episode from Marketplace’s kids podcast, “Million Bazillion,” all about the history of labor unions, collective bargaining and how unions changed the way we work. Plus, how many hours a day should a person work? Kids have thoughts!

The next $50,000 in donations to Marketplace will be matched, thanks to a generous gift from Joe Rush in Florida. Give now and double your impact: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

A “third place” is where people hang out when they’re not at home or work, and they’re becoming increasingly important for building community and connection. Guest host Reema Khrais explains why we’re hearing a lot more about them these days and shares the story behind her own third place. But first, we’ll discuss the knock-on effects of falling birth rates across the globe, why some cities are lowering speed limits, and why we don’t recommend throwing darts at stock listings.

Here’s everything we talked about today:


“Suddenly There Aren’t Enough Babies. The Whole World Is Alarmed.” from The Wall Street Journal
“Why New York City is lowering its speed limit” from Vox
“Why accidents aren’t accidental” from The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
“The Random Path to Stock-Market Riches” from The Wall Street Journal
“If you want to belong, find a third place” from Vox

We want to hear about your third place! Tell us about it at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The next $50,000 in donations to Marketplace will be matched, thanks to a generous gift from Joe Rush in Florida. Give now and double your impact: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

The latest survey data from the University of Michigan shows consumer sentiment in the U.S. is at a six-month low. We’ll unpack the numbers and get into what they can and can’t tell us about what’s really going on in the economy. And, a plan to split up U.S. Cellular between T-Mobile and Verizon is in the works. It’s part of a larger fiasco brewing at the Federal Communications Commission. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full / Half Empty!



Here’s everything we talked about today:


Consumer Sentiment Index from the University of Michigan




“T-Mobile, Verizon in Talks to Carve Up U.S. Cellular” from The Wall Street Journal




“A solar storm could produce northern lights in US” from AP News




“Apple is revamping Siri with generative AI to catch up with chatbot competitors, report says” from Business Insider




“Millions more Americans travel to bird-watch. Texas businesses are cashing in.” from Marketplace




“McDonald’s Will Offer a $5 Meal Deal to Lure Customers Back Into Stores” from Yahoo Finance




“Bluey Is Back! Disney Announces Collection of New ‘Minisodes’ Are Coming Soon” from People





We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Plus, support our nonprofit newsroom today and pick up a fun thank-you gift like our new Shrinkflation mini tote bag or the fan favorite KaiPA pint glass!

Joint fundraising committees allow aligned political campaigns to raise more money faster. We’ll break down how these operations work and how they’re affecting the cost of elections. Then, guest host Sabri Ben-Achour explains why China’s electric vehicle industry may not be at “overcapacity,” as U.S. and European officials have argued. Plus, artists’ fears summed up in one controversial iPad Pro commercial.



Here’s everything we talked about today:







“Joint fundraising: A campaign strategy to increase contributions” from Marketplace








“U.S., Europe vexed by China’s ‘overcapacity’ of clean-energy goods” from Marketplace








“OpenAI’s Brad Lightcap on new content tool, copyright claims and AI outlook” from CNBC








“OpenAI says it’s building a tool to let content creators ‘opt out’ of AI training” from TechCrunch








“Watch Apple Trash-Compact Human Culture” from The Atlantic








“Apple’s new iPad ad has struck a nerve online. Here’s why” from AP News







Shrinkflation tote bags, mini pencils, maybe even some KaiPA glasses — check out our May fundraiser thank-you gifts and make your donation to support our newsroom today: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Increasingly popular buy now, pay later services allow shoppers to split their purchases into smaller, recurring payments. We’ll get into why these loans are blurring economists’ understanding of today’s consumer debt landscape. We’ll also discuss President Joe Biden’s climate and infrastructure spending spree, and the knock-on effects of parents dying from drug overdoses. Plus, singer Tyla’s sandy Met Gala look, and forgotten 100-year-old love letters make us smile.



Here’s everything we talked about today:







“More than 320000 U.S. children lost a parent to drug overdose from 2011-2021” from Axios








“Playbook: Biden’s race to Trump-proof his legacy” from Politico








“Biden’s biggest challenge: How do you even spend $1.6 trillion?” from Politico








“‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Has Americans Racking Up Phantom Debt” from Bloomberg








“Video: See moment Tyla is carried up Met Gala steps” from CNN








“Tyla’s sand-covered Met Gala 2024 gown was chopped in half after the red carpet” from Page Six








“When to use buy now, pay later services” from Marketplace








“Hidden love letters spark historical mystery in Baltimore” from The Baltimore Banner







We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.