Make Me Smart

Make Me Smart

Each weekday, Marketplace’s Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams make today make sense. Along with our supersmart listeners, we break down happenings in tech, the economy and culture. Every Tuesday we bring on a guest to dive deeper into one important topic. Because none of us is as smart as all of us.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    The myth America exported to the world

    Today we’re talking about American exceptionalism: the idea that the United States is a uniquely virtuous nation and a “shining city on a hill.” It’s a belief that’s long shaped how the U.S. acts on the global stage and how Americans see themselves, the economy and democracy. In the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election, many Americans are questioning the idea of exceptionalism. Journalist Suzy Hansen challenges the notion of American exceptionalism in her book “Notes on a Foreign Country: An American Abroad in a Post-American World.” On the show today, she explains where the idea of American exceptionalism comes from, how it has shaped today’s world, and why many Americans are disillusioned with it. Plus, is a new version of national pride the answer to the pitfalls of American exceptionalism? Then, we’ll get into the creative ways the European Union is preparing for President-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs. Plus, perspectives from an American abroad and thoughts on mandatory national service. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Unlearning the myth of American innocence” from The Guardian “Opinion | Is America a City on a Hill or a Nation on the Precipice?” from The New York Times “The End of American Exceptionalism: Trump’s Reelection Will Redefine U.S. Power” from Foreign Affairs “American Exceptionalism Is a Dangerous Myth” from Intelligencer “The US is leaving millions behind: American exceptionalism needs to change by 2030” from The Brookings Institution “Democrats look at late-night, weekend votes to confirm last Biden judicial nominees” from The Hill “Locked and loaded? The EU weapons to fight Trump’s trade war.” from Politico “Oil Glut Set to Thwart Trump’s Call to ‘Frack, Frack, Frack’” from Bloomberg We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    30 min
  2. NOV 14

    Whaddya wanna know about a second Trump term?

    Over the course of his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump made a lot of promises. What does that mean for the years ahead? Today we’re answering your questions about Trump’s second term. We’ll explain whether the Trump administration could actually eliminate the Department of Education, how income tax cuts for tips and overtime pay could impact the economy, and where the Biden administration’s student debt relief plans go from here. Plus, if not tariffs, then what? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Could Trump actually get rid of the Department of Education?” from Vox “Is It Possible for Trump to Shut the Department of Education?” from The New York Times “Donald Trump Tax Plan Ideas: Details and Analysis” from the Tax Foundation “Both Harris and Trump want to eliminate federal taxes on tips” from Marketplace “As the election nears, Biden’s student debt agenda is in tatters. Will it hurt Harris?” from USA Today “What a Trump presidency might mean for student loan forgiveness” from NPR “As Trump Threatens a Wider Trade War, the U.S. Confronts a Changed China” from The New York Times “Why Alternatives To Tariffs Can Be More Effective” from NPR “Nontariff Barrier: Definition, How It Works, Types, and Examples” from Investopedia Heads up: Tomorrow’s “Economics on Tap” episode won’t be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. But you can still listen wherever you get your podcasts.

    12 min
  3. NOV 12

    Trump, COP29 and the future of climate finance

    COP29, the United Nations’ annual climate summit, is underway in Azerbaijan. This year’s conference is all about how the world will pay to deal with climate change. But Donald Trump’s election victory looms large over the talks. President-elect Trump could roll back United States climate policy like he did during his first term. On the show today, Gautam Jain, senior research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, explains why climate investment won’t come to a complete halt under the next Trump administration. Plus, he weighs in on who might fill the void in global energy transition talks. Plus, the message ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods is sending Trump about the nation’s energy policy. And, how early is too early for Christmas lights? Here’s everything we talked about today: “What Trump can do to reverse US climate policy − and what he probably can’t change” from The Conversation “COP29: What are the key issues at the UN climate summit in Baku?” from Reuters “Trump Victory Leaves China Calling the Shots at COP29 Climate Negotiations” from The Wall Street Journal “Burning Questions: What are the climate wins and setbacks from the election?” from Marketplace “Exxon chief urges stability in US climate policy, knocks carbon border tariffs” from Politico We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

    28 min
4.6
out of 5
5,299 Ratings

About

Each weekday, Marketplace’s Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams make today make sense. Along with our supersmart listeners, we break down happenings in tech, the economy and culture. Every Tuesday we bring on a guest to dive deeper into one important topic. Because none of us is as smart as all of us.

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