Marketplace podcast

Marketplace

Every weekday, host Kai Ryssdal helps you make sense of the day’s business and economic news — no econ degree or finance background required. “Marketplace” takes you beyond the numbers, bringing you context. Our team of reporters all over the world speak with CEOs, policymakers and regular people just trying to get by.

Every weekday, host Kai Ryssdal helps you make sense of the day’s business and economic news — no econ degree or finance background required. “Marketplace” takes you beyond the numbers, bringing you context. Our team of reporters all over the world speak with CEOs, policymakers and regular people just trying to get by.

 

#50

Solutions to the affordable housing shortage

The U.S. is somewhere between 3 and 7 million units short of meeting the nation’s housing needs. How do we get more homes that Americans can actually afford? We asked experts across the political spectrum for policy advice. Also in this episode: A new program to cool down electric grid demand comes to Texas and an Iowa soybean farmer stays optimistic in the face of a bad harvest and a potential upcoming trade war. ... Read more

4 hrs Ago

27 MINS

27:35

4 hrs Ago


#49

Import rush

If President-elect Donald Trump gets his way, importers are about to pay a ton more in tariffs. Some businesses are scrambling to bring as much stuff as possible into the country before his inauguration — and that’s not exactly easy. Also in this episode: Streaming platforms gain more international subscribers, hybrid workers Lyft to the office and the Fed cuts its key interest rate. ... Read more

Yesterday

28 MINS

28:44

Yesterday


#48

The economy Trump will inherit

What will happen to the economy during Trump’s second stint in the White House? We don’t know for sure. But his planned immigration crackdown could cut into gross domestic product and raise prices, and his promised high tariffs are likely to do the same. Plus: Stocks jumped after the election was called, Biden will leave behind a vigorous economy and firms seeking skilled labor are gonna need to educate new workers. ... Read more

07 Nov 2024

28 MINS

28:48

07 Nov 2024


#47

Who insures the insurers?

Back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused billions in damage. How are insurers going to pay for it all? Turns out, insurance companies have their own insurance. But as disasters get more severe and more frequent, “reinsurance” isn’t covering what it used to. Also in this episode: Boeing has major catch-up to do, an abandoned oil field could become a lithium extraction hotspot, and small businesses seem hesitant to cut health benefits. ... Read more

05 Nov 2024

27 MINS

27:25

05 Nov 2024


#46

Don’t touch that AM dial!

There are only a few bills with strong bipartisan support in the soon-to-be lame duck Congress. Requiring AM radio in new cars is one of them. Proponents say AM radio is a vital part of the Emergency Alert System and still broadcasts news in rural communities. Carmakers aren’t buying it. Plus, the Dow’s got some newcomers, OPEC (once again) postpones increasing oil production, and farmers stress about tariffs ahead of the election. ... Read more

05 Nov 2024

29 MINS

29:44

05 Nov 2024


#45

Big Tech trust-busting

The federal government is seeking a legal remedy for Google’s monopoly on internet search, as adjudicated by a federal judge. That remedy could include a breakup of its parent company, Alphabet. But when similar accusations were leveled against Microsoft a couple of decades ago, the software titan emerged from its trial intact. Also in this episode, Shohei Ohtani is a star in the baseball card market and California’s battle with planet-clogging plastic bags enters a new phase. ... Read more

01 Nov 2024

25 MINS

25:45

01 Nov 2024


#44

What happens if Trump brings back Schedule F?

An estimated 50,000 civil service jobs were slated to become political appointments under a Trump-era executive order. If Donald Trump returns to the White House, there’s a chance he’ll reinstate it, leading to the biggest federal workforce shakeup in nearly 150 years. Also in this episode: A new resource for farmers market pricing and the key to sustainable wage growth. ... Read more

31 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:22

31 Oct 2024


#43

The consumer spending sweet spot

Consumer spending has been strong since the post-pandemic-crash economy got back on its feet, and it continues to prop up GDP. But too much spending, as well as too little, could mess with the Federal Reserve’s goals of stable prices and maximum employment. Also in this episode: WNBA players want a contract to match their popularity and brand power, wage growth stays ahead of inflation and farmers are having a down year. ... Read more

30 Oct 2024

27 MINS

27:21

30 Oct 2024


#42

Why American solar manufacturers are divided on tariffs

Solar panels are key in the transition to cleaner energy. But despite oodles of federal investment, there are still obstacles in the way of the U.S. manufacturing industry. Also in this episode: Home price increases slow, “The Diplomat” showrunner aims for authenticity, and the Fed’s next move. ... Read more

29 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:16

29 Oct 2024


#41

Why Fed independence is crucial

If Donald Trump is reelected president, the Federal Reserve’s political independence would go “right out the window,” Alan Blinder, a former Fed vice chairman, told us. In this special episode, economists weigh in on the importance of Fed autonomy in policymaking, and what political interference — something Trump is threatening — could mean for the global economy. ... Read more

28 Oct 2024

29 MINS

29:58

28 Oct 2024


#40

Tupperware, Halloween candy, claw machines — oh my!

Tupperware, the once-innovative plastic container brand, filed for bankruptcy a few weeks ago. Other companies still sell via party, but Tupperware pioneered the model. What happened? Also in this episode: Gummy candy overtakes chocolate in the Halloween sales race, and a family trip overseas inspires a claw machine arcade business in Colorado. ... Read more

25 Oct 2024

27 MINS

27:21

25 Oct 2024


#39

What’s better, a pension or a 401(k)?

Machinists who have been on strike against Boeing for over a month just rejected a second contract. A major sticking point? Pensions, which the company suspended 10 years ago, in favor of 401(k) contributions. In this episode, we weigh the pros and cons of each. Plus: Colorado’s oldest business will become a co-op, a tight housing market means fixer-uppers are cool again and recent hurricanes test the catastrophe bond market. ... Read more

24 Oct 2024

27 MINS

27:38

24 Oct 2024


#38

Most young Americans are rent burdened

In 2022, over half of adult Gen Zers spent at least 30% of their income on rent. They’ve got it slightly better than millennials did 10 years prior, but not by much. In this episode, how being “rent burdened” could affect young people down the line. Plus: The Federal Reserve turns its attention to the job market, more stadiums introduce facial recognition software and fewer kids went straight from high school to college this year. ... Read more

23 Oct 2024

30 MINS

30:01

23 Oct 2024


#37

Why GM had a great quarter

It’s been nearly a year since the United Auto Workers ended its strike against General Motors, and the automaker has defied expectations with strong third-quarter earnings. Why is GM doing so well when other carmakers are struggling? Plus: Quebec is using a pension fund to build a light-rail system, and “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal plays U.S. president in a climate war game with two Department of Defense retirees. ... Read more

22 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:09

22 Oct 2024


#36

Women deserve credit

Half a century has passed since the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was enacted, guaranteeing women equal access to credit. In this episode, we look back on gender-based credit discrimination and discuss other forms of lending bias that still exist today. Plus: What’s at stake for Boeing as machinists vote on a tentative contract, the tipped minimum wage is on the ballot and the value of the U.S. dollar goes under the microscope during corporate earnings season. ... Read more

21 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:57

21 Oct 2024


#35

Visa-seekers in China weigh in on the U.S. election

Dozens of people wait in line at the U.S. consulate in Shanghai in hopes of scoring a visa. One worry on their minds? Whether the outcome of the U.S. presidential election will ease tensions between the two nations or heat them up. Plus, why builders are breaking ground on more single-family homes and fewer apartment complexes, and how mobile homes became an integral part of the American housing stock. ... Read more

18 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:23

18 Oct 2024


#34

Feeling meh about the economy and anxious about the election

Recent surveys have found that uncertainty surrounding the presidential election is impacting consumer’s outlook on the economy. Why are people feeling this way despite strong spending numbers and the recent interest rate cut? Also in this episode: Asheville businesses cope with water scarcity, oil markets are in “backwardation,” and clothing resale platforms struggle to turn a profit. ... Read more

17 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:04

17 Oct 2024


#33

Most seniors who qualify for food benefit aren’t getting it

An estimated 13 million older adults are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Fewer than 4 million are registered. SNAP benefits can be a lifeline for food-insecure Americans, but they’ve got to apply. Plus, mortgage rates are up, and the European Central Bank is expected to cut rates again. ... Read more

16 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:18

16 Oct 2024


#32

What’s up with drugstores?

Walgreens plans to close about 14% of its national footprint in the next three years, making it the third major drugstore chain in the past year to signal it’s struggling. In this episode: Why have drugstores become a tricky business model, and what happens when communities lose a pharmacy? Plus: Electric vehicle adoption grows but Americans are still cautious, an inventory data point helps indicate where the economy’s headed, and some family foster agencies are scrambling after their biggest insurer in California pulls out of the market. ... Read more

15 Oct 2024

27 MINS

27:40

15 Oct 2024


#31

Bad debt prep

JPMorgan Chase and other major banks are setting aside extra cash in anticipation of an uptick in bad loans. Lending always comes with some risk, but right now, banks are worried about a few specific types of debt. Also in this episode: Some discouraged job seekers aren’t included in the official unemployment tally, OPEC downgrades its demand forecast — again, and Russian bots take over online poker games. ... Read more

14 Oct 2024

29 MINS

29:47

14 Oct 2024


#30

How the 2024 presidential candidates compare on national debt

As Election Day grows closer, economic-minded voters wanna know: How much do Harris and Trump plan on adding to the national debt? The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget reviewed the campaign promises of both candidates and predicted a spending range for each. In this episode, will Trump or Harris dig a deeper debt hole — and why should voters care? Plus, thousands in North Carolina are still without power, and why a mining company is paying billions for a lithium firm when the metal’s prices are down. ... Read more

11 Oct 2024

27 MINS

27:44

11 Oct 2024


#29

The data dogs

Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, counts himself as a data dog. It’s a name for economic policymakers who take the long view and are usually game to wait for more numbers. Goolsbee spoke with “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal about his voracious appetite for information and what he calls “the hardest thing that a central bank has to do.” Plus: Sports ticket prices are up 10% in the last year, and California requires retailers to help fund textile recycling. ... Read more

10 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:21

10 Oct 2024


#28

Evaluating the damage

As the Southeast assesses Hurricane Helene’s damage, Milton barrels toward Florida’s west coast. The proximity of the storms will make it harder for homeowners and insurers to estimate each one’s impact — and likely drive up recovery costs. Also in this episode: Corporate bonds shine after the Fed’s rate cut, the mortgage rate honeymoon is over and Nebraska’s elections attract major campaign spending — along with some odd yard signs. ... Read more

09 Oct 2024

30 MINS

30:06

09 Oct 2024


#27

The cost of being prepared

Natural disaster recovery is often expensive, but this season is shaping up to be particularly costly and painful. The Southeast is reeling from Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton is expected to inflict more damage starting tomorrow night. Disaster preparedness can reduce the economic burden of recovery, but not all localities can afford to be prepared. Also in this episode: The Fed’s interest rate cut raised business owners’ optimism and China invites more young Americans to visit. ... Read more

08 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:54

08 Oct 2024


#26

We added a ton of jobs last month. Surprise!

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, firms have taken some unprecedented measures to balance out the effects of lockdown, inflation and supply chain backups, leaving some economic predictors sorta … off. How can forecasters do their jobs when so many economic patterns have changed? Also in this episode: The Author’s Guild announces an anti-AI marketing strategy, consumer credit climbs, and for some agents, the National Association of Realtors settlement was the last straw. ... Read more

07 Oct 2024

29 MINS

29:42

07 Oct 2024


#25

Don’t be like Boeing

It’s a cautionary tale: Boeing was known for its reliably constructed aircraft. But when outsourcing for the sake of the bottom line went too far, product quality — and Boeing’s reputation — diminished. In this episode, the delicate balance of profit and perfection. Plus, the specialty contracting sector adds tons of jobs and an outdoor sleepaway camp in Wyoming combats brain drain. ... Read more

04 Oct 2024

27 MINS

27:38

04 Oct 2024


#24

U.S. exporters are on edge as port strike continues

The United States is the biggest importer and second-biggest exporter in the world. So if the dockworker strike lasts, some sectors may have to look for other ways to get their goods overseas — or pay to store them until cargo starts moving. Also in this episode: Prices probably won’t fall with inflation, economists keep an eye on the diffusion index, and Kai Ryssdal visits a remote atoll in the Pacific Ocean that’s important to U.S. security but vulnerable to climate change. ... Read more

03 Oct 2024

29 MINS

29:29

03 Oct 2024


#23

Biden’s “Great Society”

Medicare, Pell Grants and the Immigration Act of 1965 were all passed under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Several important government agencies were formed too. In fact, some historians argue that LBJ’s Great Society agenda was the last major shift in the relationship between the executive branch and the U.S. economy. In this episode, how does legislation passed under President Joe Biden compare? ... Read more

02 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:42

02 Oct 2024


#22

Automation on the waterfront

About 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association went on strike today over pay, yes, but also the automation of their jobs. We take a look at mechanization on the docks and how truckers feel the pain of shipping delays and slowdowns. Plus, the U.S. increased the number of available jobs in August, data centers are going higher and sleeker, and learning about white labels the hard way. ... Read more

01 Oct 2024

28 MINS

28:40

01 Oct 2024


#21

You gotta start paying back those student loans. No, really.

Sept. 30 marks the end of a yearlong grace period that came after a several yearslong pause on student loan repayments. Starting tomorrow, missing a payment will affect borrowers’ credit scores. Are the most vulnerable borrowers prepared to pay? Also in this episode: Women’s sports sponsorships gain ground, Zillow introduces climate risk scores for homebuyers, and a potential longshoremen’s strike looms on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. ... Read more

30 Sep 2024

28 MINS

28:43

30 Sep 2024