250 episodes

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.

Make Me Smart Marketplace

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

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.

    Boeing and the “glass cliff”

    Boeing and the “glass cliff”

    In corporate America, struggling companies often pull a classic move: They promote women to lead them through a crisis. Boeing did just that. We’ll talk about the new boss at Boeing and how the “glass cliff” phenomenon impacts women and people of color moving up the corporate ladder. Also in this episode, a Kai rant about Truth Social and the greater fool theory, why dogs might be even smarter than we think, and is “bazoodaful” a new Kai word?

    Here’s everything we talked about today:





    Trump’s Truth Social stock from CNN


    The greater fool theory from Investopedia


    “Boeing just pulled a classic corporate America move and promoted a woman to clean up its mess” from Business Insider


    “Dogs can understand the meaning of nouns, new research finds” from The Guardian


    “Dogs can understand words for specific objects” from BBC







    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.

    • 12 min
    The political and economic power of white evangelicals

    The political and economic power of white evangelicals

    Today we’re talking about a key voting bloc in this year’s elections: white evangelical Christian voters. In 2016 and 2020, they helped Donald Trump rise to power. NPR’s Sarah McCammon, author of “Exvangelicals,” discusses why evangelicals continue to back Trump, her personal journey leaving evangelicalism and the economic systems built around the evangelical movement.

    We’ll also talk about the Maryland bridge collapse and the state of U.S. infrastructure. Plus, Neil King Jr., author of the memoir “American Ramble,” answers the Make Me Smart question.



    Here’s everything we talked about today:







    “‘You gotta be tough’: White evangelicals remain enthusiastic about Donald Trump” from NPR








    “How younger voters will impact elections: What is happening to the white evangelical vote?” from Brookings








    “Why White Evangelicals Stuck with Trump” from the University of Chicago Divinity School








    “Latinos Will Determine the Future of American Evangelicalism” from The Atlantic








    “Bridge Collapse in Baltimore Puts an Election Year Spotlight on Infrastructure” from The New York Times








    “Elon Musk’s Starlink Terminals Are Falling Into the Wrong Hands” from Bloomberg







    We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. You can reach us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    • 32 min
    The trickle-down effects of the Dobbs abortion decision

    The trickle-down effects of the Dobbs abortion decision

    This week, the Supreme Court will hear its first major abortion case since the Dobbs decision. We’ll get into how the use of abortion pills has changed post-Roe and the possible revival of a 150-year-old anti-obscenity law. Plus, an update on the efforts to limit judge shopping. And, the story of a woman who completed an extreme running race.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:







    “Biden’s Trustbuster Draws Unlikely Fans: ‘Khanservative’ Republicans” from The Wall Street Journal








    “Showdown in Cowtown” from Politico’s Morning Money








    “Where a Suit Can Proceed: Court Selection and Forum Shopping” from the Congressional Research Service








    “Use of Abortion Pills Has Risen Significantly Post Roe, Research Shows” from The New York Times








    “What is the Comstock Act?” from The 19th








    “Optimist Pollster Finds Americans Are Far More Alike Than Different, With Shared Values Bridging Political Divides” from Good News Network








    “Jasmin Paris Is First Woman to Finish Barkley Marathons” from The New York Times







    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.

    • 13 min
    Immigration and U.S. economic growth

    Immigration and U.S. economic growth

    Since the Congressional Budget Office last released its long-term outlook for the federal deficit and strength of the U.S. economy, things have become a teeny bit better. Why? The CBO points to increased immigration and last year’s spending deal struck between Congress and President Joe Biden. And, we’ll get into the looming commercial real-estate reckoning. Plus, we’ll weigh in on tote bags, Free Blockbuster libraries and more in a round of Half Full/Half Empty!



    Here’s everything we talked about today:


    “PRP Pays $323M For Market Square, D.C.’s Largest Sale In 18 Months” from Bisnow




    “Budget Office report credits immigration and spending deals with improved outlook despite huge debt” from AP News




    “The Long-Term Budget Outlook: 2024 to 2054” from the CBO




    “How the tote bag became the hottest fashion accessory around” from Marketplace




    “Tired of Streaming? Free Blockbuster Libraries Offer an Alternative.” from The New York Times




    “Encyclopædia Britannica is eyeing a $1 billion valuation in its IPO, report says” from Quartz




    “I Pizza A | Voodoo Ranger” from Voodoo Ranger




    “Walmart Is Luring Wealthy Shoppers With Blazers and Duck Breast” from Bloomberg





    Help us meet our spring fundraiser goal and get your throwback Marketplace swag today!

    • 24 min
    Government shutdown déjà vu

    Government shutdown déjà vu

    Congress is once again in a race against the clock to pass a gargantuan federal spending bill to keep the government up and running past Saturday. We’ll get into it. And, the Joe Biden administration made a groundbreaking investment in Intel’s chip manufacturing business in an effort to spur the domestic semiconductor industry. Plus, Nvidia’s next generation AI chips and Caitlin Clark’s place in the booming world of women’s sports.



    Here’s everything we talked about today:







    “Nvidia reveals Blackwell B200 GPU, the ‘world’s most powerful chip’ for AI” from The Verge








    “CHIPS Act to give Intel $8.5 billion in direct funding, plus loans” from Marketplace








    “For Women’s Basketball, Caitlin Clark’s Lasting Impact May Be Economic” from The New York Times








    “NCAA women’s basketball success is about more than Caitlin Clark” from Marketplace







    Pledge to give monthly to support our newsroom and your donations will be matched for a full year by the Investors Challenge Fund!

    • 14 min
    Why are Americans so unhappy?

    Why are Americans so unhappy?

    Our happiness is slipping. According to Gallup, the U.S. has dropped out of the cohort of 20 happiest countries. What gives? Guest host Matt Levin joins Kimberly Adams to discuss some of the possible economic explanations. Plus, the Joe Biden administration’s efforts to expand women’s health research, and menopause might need more looking into. And, our growing obsession with houseplants.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:







    “What’s the Happiest Country on Earth?” from Gallup








    “The U.S. is falling in global happiness and this time it’s young people’s fault” from Quartz








    “Biden just signed the largest executive order focused on women’s health” from The 19th








    “Bayer to seek approval for menopausal relief drug after third trial win” from Reuters








    “Is menopause getting worse? Scientists say it is.” from The Washington Post








    “Parkinson’s Disease Can Now Be Detected Through the Skin” from The Wall Street Journal








    “Gardening bloomed during the pandemic. Garden centers hope would-be green thumbs stay interested” from The Associated Press







    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.

    • 20 min

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