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.

2D AGO

Is U.S. trade policy being run on vibes?

As the Trump administration heads into a weekend of trade talks with Chinese officials, the President is floating a new tariff rate on Chinese imports: 80%. While it’s much lower than the current tariff rate of 145%, it’s still far too high for many businesses. We’ll get into it. And, a recent legal win for Epic Games could shake up Apple’s App Store. Plus, we’ll weigh in on mass producing orchids and going cashless during a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "DOJ, FTC open inquiry into the concert industry" from The L.A. Times "Fortnite applies to launch on Apple's App Store after Epic Games court win" from CNBC "How Apple Created a Legal Mess When It Skirted Judge’s Ruling" from The New York Times "Ahead of China-US talks, Trump says 80% tariff 'seems right'" from Reuters"Revenge RTO: Workers are coming in late, leaving early and stealing snacks as they find small ways to get back at their bosses" from Fortune"Trump Revives Push for Higher Taxes on the Rich" from The New York Times"How the Exotic Orchid Became a Mass-Market Commodity" from The Wall Street Journal "The drawbacks of an increasingly cashless society" from Marketplace Stand up for Marketplace and public media during this critical time. Donate today: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

20 min
3D AGO

So, about that U.S.-UK trade "deal"

Following Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, the United States has now struck a trade deal (sorta) with the United Kingdom. We’ll get into it. Plus, childcare costs a lot – and in some places, more than rent. Then, we’ll smile at the unexpected joy of “swole culture.” And what if, instead of sports metaphors, we used makeup lingo at work? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Trump unveils United Kingdom trade deal, first since 'reciprocal' tariff pause” by CNBC“U.S., Britain strike first major trade deal of Trump tariff era” by Axios“Sending 2 Kids to Daycare Costs More Than Rent in Most Major U.S. Metros” from Redfin“Head Start avoids Trump’s cuts, but advocates are ready to defend it: ‘There’s too much good in this’” by The GuardianLISTEN: “Will you be my nanny?” from “This Is Uncomfortable” “Life of the Mother” by ProPublica“Finding Strength in a Bigger Body” from The Cut“How one writer quit dieting and discovered her strength through weightlifting” by NPR Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

15 min
4D AGO

The million-dollar starter home?

On today’s episode: Marketplace’s Reema Khrais joins Kimberly to discuss two stories from opposite ends of the housing spectrum – cuts to rental assistance programs and the soaring cost of starter homes. Then, Kimberly explains yet another reason why the rest of the world is giving the U.S. major side-eye. And we’ll smile about a slimy substance that might help keep microplastics at bay and parrots connecting over Facetime. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Proposed cuts to housing programs could affect millions, experts warn” from The Washington Post“Where starter homes cost at least $1 million” by AxiosThis Is Uncomfortable Season 11 from Marketplace“You Have a Message From Taiwan” by The Wall Street Journal“Why the Asian currency blowup matters” from Axios“Scientists Taught Pet Parrots to Video Call Each Other—and the Birds Loved It” from Smithsonian Magazine“Okra and fenugreek extracts remove most microplastics from water, finds research” on Phys.org Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

18 min
5D AGO

Is the clean energy economy doomed?

So far, President Trump’s “drill, baby, drill,” agenda has proven to be a sharp turn from Biden-era climate initiatives, including the landmark spending bill the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). And thanks to President Trump’s attempts to claw back control over IRA funds, as well as his recent budget proposal which drastically cuts climate spending, the future of America’s fast-growing clean energy economy looks uncertain. “The world is switching to electric vehicles, the world is switching to solar and wind,” said Christopher Knittel, economics professor and associate dean for climate and sustainability at the MIT Sloan School of Management. “And the less we do domestically, the less capability we build domestically to provide those clean energy resources, the worse off our industries will be in the future.” Knittel explains President Trump’s efforts to phase out Biden-era climate initiatives, why some Republicans are reluctant to get rid of the IRA entirely, and why the U.S. getting left behind in a world committed to decarbonization poses a threat. Plus, the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told President Trump that Canada is “not for sale” in a meeting earlier today. And, the REAL ID deadline is coming in hot, though not all states seem equally prepared. Then, we’ll hear about how Seattle businesses are showing love for Canadian visitors and a listener share’s her daughter’s frustrations with “shrinkflation.” Here’s everything we talked about today: - Trump administration cancels clean energy grants as it prioritizes fossil fuels by AP News - What Trump's budget cuts could mean for the environment by AP News - The Race to the Top in Six Charts and Not Too Many Numbers from RMI - Republicans haggle over green tax credits as battle lines deepen from Politico - How We Survive from Marketplace - Trump’s trade war with Canada has backfired on America. Now he has a crucial meeting with Mark Carney from CNN Business - Trump knocks Canada ahead of Carney meeting by The Hill - @carlquintanilla.bsky.social‬ on Bluesky - What you need to know about the REAL ID requirements for air travel from NBC News - Real ID deadline is weeks away and most states aren't fully compliant yet from CBS News - Seattle Restaurants Are Offering Canadian Tourists a Discount, and an Apology by Eater Seattle Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

24 min
6D AGO

How are companies handling tariffs? Exactly like we predicted

The Trump administration is hoping tariffs will spur companies to bring manufacturing back to the United States. But a new survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas found that most companies are planning to deal with tariffs another way. (Spoiler alert: we totally saw this coming!) We’ll also discuss how the Department of Homeland Security is hoping to cut the cost of mass deportations. Plus, did Trump get the idea to reopen Alcatraz from a movie? Here’s everything we talked about today: -Post on Bluesky from Carl Quintanilla -"Tariff Politics; Rent-Stabilized Tenants May See a Rent Hike; Surviving Wall Street; Celebrating NYC's Mexican Communities" from The Brian Lehrer Show -"DHS Announces Historic Travel Assistance and Stipend for Voluntary Self-Deportation" from Department of Homeland Security -"US offers $1,000 stipend to encourage migrants to self-deport" from Reuters -"Mass Deportation: Devastating Costs to America, Its Budget and Economy" from American Immigration Council -"Trump Seems to Have Decided to Reopen Alcatraz Because of a Movie" from The New Republic -"Trump Says He Wants to Reopen Alcatraz as a Functioning Prison" from The New York Times -"Met Gala 2025: Highlights from exhibit of Black style and designers" from AP News -"'Tailoring Black Style': Dandyism shines at the 2025 Met Gala" from NPR Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

11 min
MAY 2

Economics on Tap: Airport Edition

On today’s episode, Kimberly joins "Economics on Tap" from the Toronto airport. We’ll unpack President Trump’s elimination of a tariff loophole known as the de minimus exemption that went into effect today, meaning low-cost shipments will no longer enter the United States tariff-free. Without it, Americans could start to feel some serious tariff pain. And, President Trump is renewing threats to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today: -"Trump's tariffs come for fast fashion, and the blowback could be fierce." from Politico -"Harvard President Says Any Move to Revoke Tax-Exempt Status Would Be ‘Highly Illegal’" from The Wall Street Journal -"Trump aims to cut $6 billion from NASA budget, shifting $1 billion to Mars-focused missions" from CNBC -"Visit this store for a free iris scan to ‘prove’ you’re human, not AI" from The Washington Post -"MoviePass’ Next Big Bet: A Fantasy Box Office App" from The Hollywood Reporter -"A little retirement, as a treat" from Marketplace Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

16 min
MAY 1

Buy less, pay more?

This week, President Trump acknowledged his tariffs were resulting in costlier items in the U.S., but maintained his position that China was taking the majority of the heat. If people can’t afford to buy as much, might that be a recipe for recession? We’ll discuss, and answer a listener’s question on what exactly is a recession. Plus, how uncertain economic conditions might make someone reconsider a luxury cheese purchase. Here’s everything we talked about today: - Recession defined by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) - “Trump says US kids may get '2 dolls instead of 30,' but China will suffer more in a trade war” from the Associated Press - WATCH: “Trump says kids may get '2 dolls instead of 30' because of trade war with China” from the Associated Press - “Trump, on Tariffs, Says ‘Maybe the Children Will Have 2 Dolls Instead of 30’” from The New York Times - “Spending by American companies on computers in Q1 grew at the fastest pace since 1983” by Marketplace - Check out the Canadian cheese shop Kimberly mentions in this episode 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
APR 30

What’s driving the GDP slowdown?

The Commerce Department reported the U.S. economy contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter of this year. We’ll break down the GDP math formula and dig into what the latest report says about where the US economy may be headed. And, should businesses be transparent about the impact of tariffs on prices? A nixed plan from Amazon serves as a cautionary tale of the political risks. Plus, feeling stressed these days? Cow cuddling and bee therapy might help. Here’s everything we talked about today: -"Trump blames Biden after GDP shrinks in first quarter, says growth will 'take a while'" from CNBC -"Businesses weigh how much to tell customers about tariffs' impact on price" from Marketplace -"Trump-Bezos call sets stage for tense earnings report from Amazon" from CNBC -"Trump vs. Amazon’s Brilliant Tariff Idea" from The Wall Street Journal -"The Americans Fled Vietnam 50 Years Ago. I Visited the Buildings They Left Behind." from The New York Times "Anxious about the world? Cow cuddling or bee buzzing might help ease your stress" from The Denver Post Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

11 min

See All (260)

4.6

out of 5

5,372 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.

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.