Make Me Smart

4.6 (5.3K)
BUSINESS
UPDATED DAILY

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.

11 HR. AGO

The Cuban dispatch II

On the show today, we check in with Kimberly to hear more about her adventures in Cuba, a country that’s back in the news thanks to President Donald Trump’s commitment to establish a massive migrant detention facility at Guantánamo Bay. We’ll explain how Trump’s promised crackdown on immigration could affect the Cuban economy. Plus, more on how Cubans have managed to make do under a strict U.S. trade embargo, from dealing with medicine shortages to navigating a pandemic without Zoom. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Trump Says U.S. Will Hold Migrants at Guantánamo Bay” from The New York Times “Timeline: U.S.-Cuba Relations” from the Council on Foreign Relations “Trump moves to end refugee resettlement and parole for Cubans, Haitians and Venezuelans” from The Miami Herald Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

11 min
1 DAY AGO

What you need to know about DeepSeek and the AI race

Today, we’re diving into a listener’s question about the new artificial intelligence chatbot on the scene. Chinese start-up DeepSeek’s AI model is said to be more cost-effective, less complex, and in some ways, just plain better than OpenAI’s ChatGPT. We’ll explain why the stock market’s freaking out and what it means for the U.S.-China AI race. Plus, we’ll share a story about a historic test flight that’ll have aviation nerds smiling. And the iconic “When Harry Met Sally” diner scene is recreated 35 years later. IYKYK. Here’s everything we talked about today: “How DeepSeek Went From Stock Trader to A.I. Star” from The New York Times “Chevron Wants to Tap Into A.I. Boom by Selling Electricity to Data Centers” from The New York Times “DeepSeek’s AI Model Just Upended the White-Hot US Power Market” from Bloomberg “DOE Releases New Report Evaluating Increase in Electricity Demand from Data Centers” from the Department of Energy “China’s DeepSeek Ends the Party for U.S. Energy Stocks” from Heatmap News “Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan Return as Harry and Sally in Hellmann’s Super Bowl Spot” from The Hollywood Reporter Video: “Boom Supersonic XB-1 jet breaks sound barrier on historic test flight” from Space Got a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

12 min
2 DAYS AGO

From Burning Questions: Is the future insurable?

Today we’re handing the mic over to the team behind “Burning Questions” from Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast “How We Survive” as they survey the devastation on the ground in the Pacific Palisades, and dig into the homeowners insurance crisis. Since the Los Angeles fires broke out, thousands have lost their homes and current estimates say insured losses may exceed $30 billion. The disaster has raised existential questions about the future of the insurance industry and its potential impact on the housing market. Host Amy Scott talks with Carolyn Kousky from the Environmental Defense Fund to find answers.

21 min
3 DAYS AGO

The Cuban dispatch

On today’s episode, Kimberly takes us along her trip to Cuba, a country that remains under strict U.S. economic sanctions. She’ll explains some unique aspects of the Cuban economy, from how the currency works to the island’s complicated complicated past as a colonial outpost for sugar plantations. Plus, what makes the Cuban mojito special. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Cuba predicts 1% growth in 2025 after dismal year, economy minister says” from Reuters “How U.S. sanctions and a Communist government caused Cuba’s power crisis” from NPR “Biden’s move to remove Cuba from terror list continues ‘yo-yo’ policy likely to be reversed by Trump” from The Conversation “How Cuba’s sugar industry has been ground into dust” from Al Jazeera Got a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

11 min
6 DAYS AGO

Finally, a resolution to the Purdue Pharma case?

Purdue Pharma’s owners in the Sackler family have agreed to a new $6.5 billion settlement to lawsuits over their role in the U.S. opioid crisis. This comes after a previous deal was rejected by the Supreme Court last year. We’ll break down the details of the settlement and what could come next. And, the U.S. housing market is the slowest it’s been in 30 years, but prices aren’t coming down. What gives? Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Existing-Home Sales in 2024 Were Slowest in Decades Amid High Mortgage Rates” from The New York Times “United States Housing Market & Prices” from Redfin “Purdue Pharma’s Sacklers Agree to New $6.5 Billion Deal for Opioid Lawsuits” from The Wall Street “Supreme Court Jeopardizes Opioid Deal, Rejecting Protections for Sacklers” from The New York Times “Is there a market for luxury EVs? GM thinks so.” from Marketplace “This 24-hour diner helps New Yorkers make it through the night” from Marketplace “The American workweek is shrinking” from Marketplace “‘Lost’ Tina Turner track to be released 2 years after queen of rock ‘n’ roll’s death” from USA Today “UK’s 20mph speed limits ‘are cutting car insurance costs’” from The Guardian We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

31 min
JAN 24

How Trump’s executive orders are impacting migrant workers

During his first week back in office, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders targeting immigrant communities. We’ll hear how migrant workers are responding. Then, Kimberly explains the fiasco over Trump’s plan to “drill, baby, drill.” Plus, an economics professor shares a 1940s movie pick that’s on point for today’s debate on tariffs. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Central Valley farmworkers scared to show up to work over deportation fear” from NBC “Farmer ties immigration to food security, strong exports” from Marketplace “Rush for preterm babies to beat birthright citizenship deadline” from the Times of India “ICE Watch Programs Can Protect Immigrants in Your Neighborhood — Here’s What to Know” from Teen Vogue “Trump clarifies executive order restricting IRA-related funding” from Marketplace “White House says order pausing IRA disbursements only applies to some programs” from Reuters “As LA blazes rage, even firefighters turn to Watch Duty” from Marketplace from YouTube WATCH: “Life With Father” | Elizabeth Taylor, William Powell, Irene Dunne | Classic Drama Comedy from YouTube Join Amy and Nova tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

15 min
JAN 23

The mainstreaming of meme coins

President Donald Trump drew scrutiny after he and First Lady Melania Trump launched namesake meme coins ahead of his inauguration, triggering a speculative boom and bust. But one exchange-traded fund firm wants to take the meme coins mainstream. We’ll get into the potential risks of incorporating volatile crypto tokens like these into traditional financial markets. And, a public service announcement: It’s OK to take a break from the news. Plus, guest host Matt Levin tells us about a new potential water source for the thirsty American West. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Trump Memecoin Frenzy Spawns ETF Bid in Test of SEC Boundaries” from Bloomberg “Sign up for The Logoff newsletter” from Vox “Scientists just found 21 trillion gallons of water north of the Calif. border” from SF Gate “Musk undercuts Trump on Stargate AI investment announcement” from CNBC We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

13 min
JAN 22

The American diet under Trump

In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump said he wanted to end chronic illnesses. The promise is part of the Make America Healthy Again campaign pushed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump picked to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. It’s a powerful slogan. But experts warn that some of RFK Jr.’s proposals are based on conspiracy theories and false information instead of actions that could actually improve Americans’ health, like backing targeted reforms in the food industry. On the show today, Jessica Knurick, a registered dietitian who decodes nutrition and public health misinformation, joins the show to discuss the business of food, what processed foods actually are, how our food supply became full of them, and why chronic disease disproportionately impacts low-income communities. Plus, the policy solutions she would propose to improve Americans’ health. Later, as the LA fires continue to burn, listeners share how they’re thinking about climate risk in their neck of the woods. Plus, a sober health journalist changes her mind about Dry January. Here’s everything we talked about today: “RFK Jr. faces battles in quest to change America’s food” from The Washington Post “What Is MAHA?” from New York magazine “How RFK Jr.’s Pledge To Make America Eat Healthier Clashes With Trump” from Forbes “A Dietitian’s Guide to the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Movement” from Public Health Dad “Junk food turns public villain as power shifts in Washington” from CBS News 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.

31 min

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4.6

out of 5

5,319 Ratings

Can’t find our bottom with both hands

Jan 22

Old Guys and Cars

I’m a long time listener, first time reviewer. I love how you two are frequently sharing generational facts, situations and idiomatic phrases. I’m more Kai generation than Kimberly’s. Keep up the good work. Oh, I listen to the podcast in Minnesota in the car during my brisk commute of 30 miles in 30 minutes.
Make me smart

12/14/2024

Serihitfenkil

Love your voices love your work.
My fav Podcast by far!

10/22/2024

A'liz

Just great a Podcast to be in the know about a variety of subjects, the ones making the headlines and those not being covered as much! Love Kai, and Kimberly you’re terrific!!
Shifted to Single POV

12/11/2024

In Search of the Open Minded

I started listening when the show first started. Up until a 1-3 years ago the show was open to a wide range of thought and opinions. Slowly the show has shifted away from being open minded to vilifying thoughts and opinions that did not fully align with whomever the host was for the episode. Additionally the guests on Tuesday seemed to move to be more politically minded and not about the content that guest was supposed to make me smart 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.