Make Me Smart Marketplace
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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.
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Gaza’s food crisis
Five months into the Israel-Hamas war, the United Nations is warning of “imminent famine” in northern Gaza. Guest host Samantha Fields discusses the challenge of getting food aid delivered to the region. Plus, the nation’s largest employer is considering pay transparency laws. Then, we’ll smile about cherry blossoms and the upcoming solar eclipse.
Here’s everything we talked about today:
“UN says famine is ‘imminent’ in northern Gaza as Israel launches another raid on main hospital” from The Associated Press
“The first ship to use a new sea route delivers aid to Gaza, Israeli military says” from The Associated Press
Data on Gaza Strip Acute Food Insecurity from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification
“Senators Urge Biden to Stop Arming Israel, Citing Violation of U.S. Aid Law” from The New York Times
Acquisition Regulation: Pay Equity and Transparency in Federal Contracting
A Snapshot of Government-wide Contracting for FY 2021 from the U.S. Government Accountability Office
“What Constituent Correspondence Reveals About Voter Sentiment” from FiscalNote
2024 National Eclipse Maps
“Commentary: Eclipsenomics: April’s solar eclipse will be the most profitable 22 minutes in Texas history” from San Antonio Express-News
#BloomCam from the Trust for the National Mall
Live: Iconic cherry trees begin to blossom in Washington D.C. 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. -
Our annual cherry blossom episode
On today’s edition of Economics on Tap, we’ll get into some news while celebrating cherry blossom season in Washington, D.C. The National Association of Realtors agreed to settle a slew of lawsuits and change its rules on commissions. We’ll discuss how the fallout could impact the way we buy and sell homes in the United States. And, an usual political money phenomenon is the hot new thing in political strategy. Plus, we’ll play a blossom-themed round of This or That!
Here’s everything we talked about today:
“Kushner Developing Deals Overseas Even as His Father-in-Law Runs for President” from The New York Times
“Boeing Tells Airlines to Check 787 Cockpit Seats After Mishap on Latam Flight” from The Wall Street Journal
“An Obscure Group Hounded Kyrsten Sinema for Years — and It Worked. Is This a Sign of Things to Come?” from Politico
“National Association of Realtors Agrees to Slash Commissions to Settle Lawsuits” from The New York Times
“What the National Association of Realtors’ settlement means” from NBC News
“Our TikTok Peeps diorama contest winners for 2023” from The Washington Post
Donate to our nonprofit newsroom today and we’ll thank you with a sticker, mug, tote bag, or T-shirt featuring our throwback logo! https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn -
Reddit, meme stocks and an IPO
Reddit, a somewhat untamed fixture of the internet, is launching an initial public offering of its shares. We’ll get into why the company’s culture could become an obstacle to profitability and whether Reddit might get the meme stock treatment its users famously dished out in the past. And, the TikTok creators who’d be most affected by a nationwide ban are the social media company’s greatest lobbyists. Plus, the impact Family Dollar store closures could have on food deserts and an incredible feat by American sailor Cole Brauer.
Here’s everything we talked about today:
“TikTok’s ‘Juicy Body Goddess’ speaks to CNN about potential ban” from CNN Politics
“TikTok creators say House ban threatens lives and livelihoods” from The Washington Post
“There is something core to Reddit that is extremely powerful, says former Reddit CEO Ellen Pao” from CNBC Television
“Reddit will let users participate in its IPO” from Marketplace
“Dollar Tree to close nearly 1,000 stores” from AP News
“29-year-old becomes first American woman to sail nonstop around the world” from PBS NewsHour
“Sailor Cole Brauer makes history as the first American woman to race solo around the world” from NBC News
Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. -
Thoughts on TikTok
Today, the House of Representatives passed a bill that could ban TikTok in the U.S. We’ll weigh the national security risks behind the app and its growing impact on American culture. Plus, how bitcoin bounced back, a crackdown on judge shopping (yes, that’s a thing) and why we’re glad our podcast isn’t owned by a billionaire!
Here’s everything we talked about today:
“What to Know About the TikTok Bill That the House Passed” from The New York Times
“Bitcoin Hits Record $72,000, Emboldening Crypto Industry” from The New York Times
“Bitcoin soars to record high following UK approval of crypto asset” from ABC News
“Bitcoin Rally Is Minting More Than 1,500 ‘Millionaire Wallets’ a Day” from Business Insider
“Federal courts move against ‘judge-shopping'” from Politico
“Don Lemon says Elon Musk canceled his new show after ‘tense’ interview” from Axios
“Don Lemon says Elon Musk canceled X deal after taping an interview together” from The Washington Post
Celebrate 35 years of Marketplace by stepping back in time! Donate to our nonprofit newsroom today and we’ll thank you with Marketplace swag that features our dot-com era logo. https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn -
Boycotts, buycotts and the rise of consumer activism
Boycotts have been making headlines lately, from the movement to boycott Israel over the war in Gaza, which has hit companies like Starbucks and McDonald’s, to a new right-wing boycott of Doritos over the brand’s decision to partner with a trans influencer. Consumer boycott campaigns are frequently tossed around in the news cycle. But do they really make a difference in the long run? On the show today, Brayden King at the Kellogg School of Management explains why boycotts don’t usually affect a company’s bottom line, where boycotts actually do make an impact and how social media has changed the way these campaigns work. Plus, the difference between boycotts and buycotts.
Then, a reminder that inflation’s ride down is a bumpy one. And, this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question comes from Jasmine Harris, author of “Black Women, Ivory Tower.”
Here’s everything we talked about today:
“Shopping has become a political act. Here’s how it happened.” from Vox
“How Much Do Boycotts Affect a Company’s Bottom Line?” from KelloggInsight
“What to Know About the Global Boycott Movement Against Israel” from Time
“McDonald’s franchises emerge as new flashpoint in Israel-Hamas war” from The Washington Post
“Right-Wing Boycotters Have a New Target: Doritos” from Business Insider
“Inflation Picks Up to 3.2% in February, Slightly Hotter Than Expected” from The Wall Street Journal
“Judge blocks US labor board rule on contract and franchise workers” from Reuters
Don’t forget, your gift goes twice as far for Marketplace today only, thanks to a match from the Investors Challenge Fund. Give now! https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn -
Class, income and a shift in American politics
New data shows Black and Latino voters are shifting away from the Democratic Party and toward the GOP. But is this shift real? We’ll get into it and discuss the possible economic forces at play. Plus, what you really need to know about President Joe Biden’s budget proposal. And, the similarities between humans and bumblebees!
Here’s everything we talked about today:
“White House Forecasts Somewhat Higher Interest Rates” from The Wall Street Journal
Survey on racial realignment in American politics from John Burn-Murdoch on X
“Bees Reveal a Human-Like Collective Intelligence We Never Knew Existed” from ScienceAlert
“Ancient Rome successfully fought against voter intimidation − a political story told on a coin that resonates today” from The Conversation
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.
Customer Reviews
Still interesting and fun
Kai and Kimberly are smart and funny. The podcast started during the pandemic, when it was important to feel connected, and it succeeded exceptionally. 4 years later, I’m still listening and learning.
Great Information every day
One of my favorite shows to listen to almost every day. Love the Friday happy hour!
Used to enjoy but Kai is such a downer
I used to like this podcast but Kai has gotten to be such a downer and won’t stop interrupting discussions to point out dysfunctional congress. Okay, we get it you hate anything new or unfamiliar to you, and congress isn’t working right now.