Make Me Smart

4.6 (5.4K)
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.

15H AGO

Introducing ... The Ryssdal Window

The Overton Window is a concept that helps explain how the range of policies considered politically acceptable shifts over time. But have you heard of the “Ryssdal Window"? We’ll explain how it relates to what’s happening in the markets right now as president Trump hints at a possible change of heart on China tariffs. Plus, the FDA suspended a milk quality testing program. With less federal oversight, can private industries regulate themselves? And, the physics behind a great cup of coffee. Here’s everything we talked about today: "White House Considers Slashing China Tariffs to De-Escalate Trade War" from The Wall Street Journal "FDA milk quality testing program suspended after job cuts" from The Hill "‘Crazy’: Forest Service cuts ignite fear, fury over wildfire risks" from Politico "The Physics of Perfect Pour-Over Coffee" from The New York Times "Hegseth orders makeup studio installed at Pentagon" from CBS News Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

8 min
1D AGO

The religious roots of ESG investing

Hey Smarties! Today we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. This season, host Amy Scott and the team dig into the rise of environmental, social and governance-based investing, or ESG, and the right wing backlash that followed. In this episode, the story of ESG’s start revolves around some unexpected players: rabbis, nuns and other faith-based investors.

27 min
2D AGO

Could the Supreme Court gut preventative care under Obamacare?

Yes — Obamacare is before the Supreme Court, again. This time, the case centers on the legality of an advisory task force. Experts worry it could spell the end of an ACA mandate requiring insurers to cover certain preventative care services at no cost. But first: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is caught up in another Signal group chat scandal. Plus, Paul Revere wasn’t the only midnight rider to warn that the British were coming. Here’s everything we talked about today: "‘An amateur person’: GOP Rep. Bacon says Hegseth should go" from Politico "Obamacare returns to SCOTUS, with preventive care on the line" from Politico "Court to hear challenge to ACA preventative-care coverage" from Scotus Blog "Kristi Noem’s Purse, With Security Badge and $3,000, Is Stolen" from The New York Times "Paul Revere Wasn't the Only Midnight Rider Who Dashed Through the Darkness to Warn the Patriots That the British Were Coming" from Smithsonian Magazine "April 18, 2025" from Heather Cox Richardson Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

14 min
3D AGO

Selling America: Special Coverage From Marketplace

Stop us if you’ve heard this before: We’re in an unprecedented economic moment. But this time really is different. America’s place in the global economy is shifting. And what happens next is going to matter for businesses, consumers and you. Today, Kai Ryssdal’s popping into your feed with special coverage and reporting from Marketplace to help you make sense of the scale and scope of the economic change in real time. We count on you, our listeners, to help cover the cost of the reporting that you rely on. If you can, please donate to help keep Marketplace programming free and accessible for all.

53 min
5D AGO

Trump's immigration crackdown is coming for legal workers

Undocumented workers aren’t the only immigrants being targeted by the Donald Trump administration. Green card holders are facing deportation threats as well. We’ll discuss the far-reaching implications of Trump’s immigration crackdown, from the labor market to higher education in the United States. Plus, what Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation case could mean for due process. And, we’ll weigh in on crunchy foods and living underwater during a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Expands to Green Card Holders" from The New York Times Tweet from the White House "Colleges Fear Decline in International Student Enrollment" from Inside Higher Ed "A Young Generation Goes to Work for Mom and Dad Inc." from The Wall Street Journal "How crunch took over our taste buds" from Fast Company "The Techno-Utopian Seasteaders Who Want to Colonize the Ocean" from The New York Times "Fox Nation Plans Game Show About Isolated People Guessing What Trump Did In His First 90 Days" from The Hollywood Reporter Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

28 min
6D AGO

Trump vs. Powell

In over a hundred years, no president has ever fired the chair of the Federal Reserve … yet! President Donald Trump says he could show Jerome Powell the door, even though Powell says he’s not going anywhere. We’ll explain why it might all come down to the Supreme Court. Plus: the economic conditions that led to the American Revolution. And, a smile-worthy photo reminds us it's never too late to try new things! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Trump: If I ask Powell to leave, ‘he’ll be out of there’” by The Hill Humphrey's Executor v. United States from Oyez “Recreating Paul Revere's ride from Boston 250 years later, 2 men prepare for landmark journey” from CBS News Boston “A Hall of Fame baseball player picked up photography in retirement. He captured one of the defining shots of the Masters.” by Business Insider Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

10 min
APR 16

Let's talk about Zeno's paradox

Since President Donald Trump took office, his administration has ignored court rulings on a range of issues from press access to deportations. Now, a federal judge might hold him in criminal contempt of court. We’ll unpack the Zeno’s paradox of constitutional crises. Plus, where luxury goods actually come from and why you may want to think twice before buying one. And if you’re looking to zone out, turn on the “Great Moose Migration.” Here’s everything we talked about today: @kyledcheney.bsky.social‬ on Bluesky “What happens if a president and the federal government fail to follow a judge's orders?” by NBC News J.G.G., et al., v. Donald J. Trump, et al. from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia “What to do in case of a constitutional crisis” by CNN “How is civil society responding to the US constitutional crisis?” from the Brookings Institution “Trump’s China tariffs spark viral TikTok work-arounds” from Fast Company “'Chinese Warehouse' TikTok Videos Urge Americans to Buy Directly From Them” from Newsweek “Ignore advice to buy direct from Chinese factories with DHGate, others” from The Washington Post “The ‘Great Moose Migration’ Livestream Captivates Sweden” from The New York Times Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

14 min
APR 15

Will Congress deliver Trump's tax cuts?

Happy Tax Day, folks. While you’re hitting “Submit” on your returns, lawmakers in Washington are negotiating over what next year’s Tax Day could look like. Congress is aiming to pack President Donald Trump’s promised tax cuts into one behemoth reconciliation bill. But Caitlin Reilly, tax and economics reporter at CQ Roll Call, said there’s a long way to go before making these promises a reality. On the show today, Reilly explains why Congress is pursuing “reconciliation,” the accounting magic lawmakers are using to make certain tax cuts look free, and how the House and Senate will square two drastically different mandates for spending cuts. Then, we’ll look into how Boeing is getting caught up in the U.S.-China trade war. And, a tax professor answers the “Make Me Smart” question. Here’s everything we talked about today: "House Republicans Passed a New Budget. Here's What's in It." from The New York Times "Senate GOP passes budget plan, setting up a critical next phase for Trump agenda" from NPR "House GOP adopts budget framework, paving the way for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’" from Politico "'Current policy' debate dogs budget reconciliation efforts" from Roll Call "Your cheat sheet to Congress’ budget fight" from PBS Newshour "China Goes After Boeing, Tells Airlines Not to Order New Aircraft From U.S. Jet Maker" from The Wall Street Journal We want to hear your answer to the “Make Me Smart” question. Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

27 min

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4.6

out of 5

5,364 Ratings

Unfiltered analysys

Apr 15

omahagirl19

This is just what I need these days. An unfilered analysis of the chaos thats happening around up. I've been a fan of Kai's from Marketplace and love the energy Kimberly brings. Thay are telling it like it is these days and I'm all in for it.
Best pod ever!!!!!

Mar 6

Dork Queen

I depend on this pod for perspective 🥳 thank you for making me smart 🤓
Good except for Fridays

Apr 5

Auron Renouille

The Friday podcasts are extraordinary time-wasters, with mindless banter about drinks as opposed to the actual news. There is so much going on in the world; why do we need to suffer through the endless retreads of Kai and his IPAs? Just ditch the segment, please!
No advertorials for ketones please

Apr 5

Not bad otherwise

I unsubscribed from the show due to the unscientific explanation of ketone drinks. They will not trick your body into a ketogenic state simply by imbibing a drink. I expected more from a professional journalist in terms of facts and analysis. No thanks to wellness scams.
51st state

Apr 1

They’ve gone under

You cannot report on the ‘ buy Canadian’ movement without reporting that Trump has repeatedly called Canada the 51st state.
Not what it was

Mar 31

zmithy55

I was sad to see Molly Wood leave, but I loved the show, so I continued to give it a chance for another couple of years with Kimberly. I like her in Marketplace and I think she is a good journalist, but Kimberly interrupts, is condescending, and seems snobby and disingenuous in this podcast. I just came back to it after a couple of years and it doesn’t seem like it has changed. I’m sad to say that other podcasts replaced Make Me Smart
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.
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.
Trash for Karens

12/05/2024

SoulLove77

I’m constantly dismayed, the attitudes and information that these people one of which I had I used to have absolute respect for, being a naval aviator and all… But the programmed trash and the amount of Trump arrangement syndrome that is prominent on something that is associated as a new source is just disgusting. Just really sad that this is related to NPR. Just not very informative and when there’s comments of opinions made, there’s not any substantial fact behind them except for the basic premise that you about what the Democrat operating machine tells you to spout.. Kind of pathetic.