Make Me Smart

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Each weekday, Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams makes today make sense along with her Marketplace colleagues, breaking down happenings in tech, the economy, and culture. Because none of us is as smart as all of us.

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The new fight for states' rights under Trump

The power struggle between the states and federal government is as old as the U.S. itself. But under the second Trump administration, that struggle has become particularly fraught. Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy joins Kimberly to explain how the president is wielding federal funding as a tool to expand his authority, and how states are fighting back.

14 min
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From "This Is Uncomfortable": Wait...where did my retirement money go?

Hey Smarties! There won’t be a livestream for “Economics on Tap” today. But don’t worry! We’ll be back next week. For now, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Enjoy! What happens to your retirement savings when you leave a job? And if you’ve forgotten about an old 401(k) account, how do you track that money down? That’s the mystery Reema is trying to solve this week, as she confronts her own financial anxiety and goes searching for retirement accounts left behind at previous jobs. Along the way, she talks with retirement expert Geoffrey Sanzenbacher about just how common this is -- only about 15% of people roll their retirement savings over to a new employer's plan! And she asks behavioral economist Katy Milkman why this kind of chore feels so hard. Plus, brain hacks that will help you get through that daunting financial to-do list. Here at Marketplace, we’re celebrating Public Media Giving Days on May 1 and 2. Help us keep the conversations going. Donate now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

37 min
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It's tough out there for new college grads

We’re approaching graduation season for this year’s crop of college seniors. But along with all the celebrations, there’s an extra dose of uncertainty hanging in the air around new grads, as they face an extra-tough job market and the rise of AI. On today’s show, Kimberly talks to New York Times labor and workforce reporter Noam Scheiber, whose new book “Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of the College-Educated Working Class” digs into the historical context for the environment today’s seniors are graduating into. Here’s everything we talked about today: ”Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of the College-Educated Working Class” by Noam Scheiber”Young Graduates Face the Grimmest Job Market in Years” from The New York Times”The Labor Market for Recent College Graduates” from The Federal Reserve Bank of New York ”College Graduates Are Struggling to Find Jobs. AI is Partly to Blame.” from CNBC”U.S. Worker Thriving Declines as Job Market Pessimism Grows” from Gallup We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

19 min
28 AVR.

How second chance employment is lowering recidivism in the U.S.

In the United States, recidivism rate, or the likelihood that a criminal re-enters the prison system after being released, is among the highest in the world. The state with the highest reincarceration rate (within 3 years) is Delaware at 55.9 percent. While the lowest is Virginia at 17.9 percent. Earlier this month, Kimberly moderated the 2026 Second Chance Forum at Georgetown University on the importance of second-chance employment programs to lowering recidivism rates in the United States. She sat down with two top law enforcement officials from across the aisle: Delaware Attorney General and Democrat, Kathy Jennings and Pennsylvania Attorney General and Republican, Dave Sunday. Today’s podcast is an edited version of their conversation. To listen to the full panel discussion, click the link below: 2026 Second Chance Forum: Barriers to Breakthroughs — How Second Chances Are Driving Success We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

18 min
24 AVR.

The economic outlook of the great outdoors

Are you team camping or glamping? On today’s show, we’re checking in on the outdoor recreation economy in the Western United States. KUNC’s Mountain West News Bureau reporter Rachel Cohen joins Kimberly to unpack the pressures facing the industry, from climate change to Trump administration policies. Plus, will President Trump’s new $100 foreign tourist fee hurt national parks? Here’s everything we talked about today: "The Mountain West’s outdoor economy continues to grow – but pace may be slowing" from KUNC"Ski resorts gain year-round adaptability in Forest Service rule" from KUNC"Visits to national parks dipped slightly in 2025—after a record-breaking year" from KUNC"Forest Service plans to move D.C. headquarters to Salt Lake City" from KUNC We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

23 min
23 AVR.

Mass deportations don’t lead to more jobs for Americans. Why does the myth persist?

The labor force participation rate in the U.S. has fallen to the lowest level it’s been since 1977 (aside from the during the height of the pandemic). One reason for the decline? President Trump’s immigration crackdown. University of Colorado Boulder economist Chloe East joins Kimberly to break down the unexpected ways restrictive immigration policies affect the labor market, and trends she’s paying attention to during this second Trump administration.

14 min
21 AVR.

Vietnam's economy on the rise

While the United States’ workforce is aging out of its prime, some countries, like Vietnam, are just hitting their stride. On today’s show, Kai joins Kimberly to share his takeaways from reporting in Ho Chi Minh City for the “Marketplace” series “The Age of Work.” We’ll get into how Vietnam’s younger workforce is transforming the country’s economy for the future and the pressures it faces from all around the globe.

16 min
17 AVR.

Seattle's tech industry blues

Recently, Seattle’s tech workforce has been hit by wave after wave of layoffs. Some company execs say it’s AI’s fault. KUOW’s Monica Nickelsburg joins Kimberly on today’s show to share what she’s hearing from tech workers. And, we’ll get into another side of the AI boom: the push to build more data centers and the pushback from locals. Plus, a round of Seattle trivia! Here’s everything we talked about today: "Booming" from KUOWWhy Seattle tech companies are still laying off workers from The Seattle Times"From coder to shuttle driver: Where Seattle's laid off tech workforce is now" from KUOW"A small town in Central Washington is Microsoft's answer to the data center backlash" from KUOW"What produce prompted the creation of the Market?" from the Pike Place Market Foundation"Seattle doesn't have many unicorns. Does it matter?" From GeekWire"Scents from a Mall: The Sticky, Untold Story of Cinnabon" from Seattle Met"Seattle area expected to generate $845 million from FIFA World Cup" from Fox 13 Seattle We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

20 min

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Kimberly Adams

Animation
Geoffrey Sanzenbacher

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Katherine Milkman

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Noam Scheiber

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Kathy Jennings

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Dave Sunday

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Rachel Cohen

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Chloe East

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Kai

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Monica Nickelsburg

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5 449 notes

Thanks!

28 févr.

Palmarosa33

Oh Kai. Come home! Kimberly is so wonderful. The magic of the two of you just isn’t matched by anyone else.
Done?

25 avr.

CGK in PDX

This show has lost its fastball. Kimberly ever the pessimist, now solo is just a downer. Fridays with some random public radio reporter makes for just another show. Miss the two-host model and the dialogue. KA just reading scripted questions doesn’t do it for me. Assume this is all budget cuts. I will give it 2 more weeks then I am likely gone -seeking a replacement. Mrs Balmer just donated 💰💰💰Is now the time to blow up MMS and reload?
Declining

11 avr.

Sa2392

Agree with other reviewers that this show is not what it used to be. I used to listen and pay attention but now use it as background noise when I run.
No longer worth listening to

26 mars

Marthamaywhooo

Molly & Kai were phenomenal. I started tuning in at the start of the pandemic & it’s been so disappointing to see how the quality of the show has fallen. Kimberly doesn’t add much to the show. When it was Kai + Kimberly, we at least had Kai to speak truth to power and call out the ridiculousness that is this administration. Their chemistry just wasn’t there, and she would often come off as condescending. Since Kai left, I’ve found myself tuning in less and less. I decided to give it another go recently and was reminded of why I stopped listening. It’s really a shame, because the guests are great.

Each weekday, Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams makes today make sense along with her Marketplace colleagues, breaking down happenings in tech, the economy, and culture. Because none of us is as smart as all of us.