Make Me Smart

Latest Episodes:

Make Me Smart: 2024 Olympics edition Jul 27, 2024

Show notes

On today’s edition of Economics on Tap, we’ll get into some news while toasting the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics. First, Kimberly teaches us how to make an Olympic torch cocktail (complete with a real flame)! And, we’ll play a Paris Games-themed round of This or That. But first, a discussion of the history of women’s sportswear at the Olympic Games and Boeing’s Starliner crew (still) stuck in space.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“50 days after launch to ISS, Boeing Starliner astronauts still have no landing date” from Space

“Olympic athletes are approaching the limits of human performance” from The Washington Post

“From Corsets to Singlets, the Olympics Have Driven the Evolution of Women’s Sportswear” from Smithsonian magazine

“How Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky does what no one else does. Every day.” from The Washington Post

“The Double Kick” from 99% Invisible

“Today, Explained podcast” from Vox

Keep sending us your Olympic-themed cocktail ideas. Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Biden’s economic legacy Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

When President Biden leaves office in 2025, he’ll leave behind a series of industrial policies like the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act that have turned United States economic policy on its head. We’ll get into why it may take decades to see these initiatives fully play out. And, we’ll get into Vice President Kamala Harris’s budding economic agenda. Plus, why Tesla and other tech companies were a drag on the stock market this week.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“What happens to Biden’s industrial policy initiatives now?” from Marketplace

“The Momala Economy: The candidate caregivers have been waiting for” from 19th News

“Tesla earnings: Automotive revenue falls 7% in Q2, robotaxi timing unclear” from Axios

“What goes up must come back down” from Marketplace

VIDEO: “Paris” by The Brevet

Join us tomorrow for our 2024 Olympics Edition of Economics on Tap. The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. And watch the hosts square off in a round of This/That!

Campaign trail myths about immigration and the economy Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

Ahead of this year’s election, politicians are spinning out all kinds of narratives about how immigration hurts the U.S. economy. But an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office projects that a surge in immigration over the next decade will ultimately lower the federal deficit. We’ll do the numbers. Then, we’ll get into why former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers compared the Republican Party’s economic agenda to former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss’ infamous mini-budget disaster. And, Kai tells us about his cool dad moment.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Summers Says GOP Fiscal Plans Set US Up for ‘Liz Truss Moment’” from Bloomberg

“Undocumented immigrants will boost economy, lower deficit, CBO says” from The Hill

“Effects of the Immigration Surge on the Federal Budget and the Economy” from the Congressional Budget Office

“Why Hydrangeas Are Blooming Spectacularly in the Northeast This Summer” from The New York Times

“Chappell Roan Booked a Tour. Then She Blew Up.” from The New York Times

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The growing U.S. soccer economy Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

Today, we’re talking about one of Kai Ryssdal’s favorite topics: soccer! The sport’s U.S. audience is only expected grow, especially as the country gets ready to host the World Cup in 2026. Paul Tenorio, soccer writer for The Athletic, said access to the sport has changed dramatically for Americans over the last decade. On the show today, Tenorio explains why soccer is gaining a new audience, what lessons American stadiums can learn from mistakes at the recent Copa América tournament, and how legendary player Lionel Messi is bringing eyes and money to the game in the United States.

Then, we’ll get into how companies are using troves of data to target different consumers, and why this “surveillance pricing” has caught the attention of the Federal Trade Commission. And, what a travel editor got wrong about repeat travel.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“The Messi Effect – How One Single Player Will Impact Soccer In America” from Forbes

“‘It was inhuman’: Why the Copa America final was delayed and dangerously close to disaster” from The Athletic

“U.S. Soccer Fans Are Younger, More Diverse Than Fans of Other Sports” from Morning Consult

“What Messi’s MLS, Apple, Adidas deal means for everyone else” from ESPN

“You’re not going crazy — you may actually be paying higher prices than other people” from CNN Business

“FTC Issues Orders to Eight Companies Seeking Information on Surveillance Pricing” from the Federal Trade Commission

“Why Is the US Deficit So Big? Depends on Who You Ask” from Bloomberg

“What the bond market’s telling us, or not, about Biden’s withdrawal” from Marketplace

Send us your suggestions for Paris Games-themed cocktails or let us know what Olympic events you’re looking forward to watching. Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Kamala Harris and the glass cliff Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

It’s official, folks. Over the weekend, President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris stepped in. Some are pointing out similarities between VP Harris’ eleventh-hour candidacy and the “glass cliff effect,” when a woman is put in a position of leadership to fix a company in crisis. We’ll get into it and fill you in on how the Harris campaign is leaning into memes to attract the Gen Z vote. Plus, gaps in China’s newly released economic plans leave questions about the country’s ability to turn things around.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Heat pumps, EV chargers and more: U.S. unveils $4.3 billion in local climate funds” from The Washington Post

“When That Job Promotion Is Really a ‘Glass Cliff'” from The New York Times

“China’s Long Blueprint for Economy Falls Short on Details, Raising Concerns” from The Wall Street Journal

“What coconut trees and Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ have to do with Kamala Harris” from The Washington Post

“What is Kamala Harris’ ‘brat’ rebrand all about?” from BBC News

“Brat campaign: Harris team swiftly embraces Gen Z memes about VP” from Axios

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

What happens to Biden’s campaign money if he quits the race? Jul 20, 2024

Show notes

In May, President Joe Biden’s campaign said it had a hefty $91 million stashed in the bank. If Biden were to end his candidacy, what would happen to all that cash? We’ll get into it. And, we’ll explain why the federal government’s plan to phase out its purchases of single-use plastics could have a sizable impact on the country’s use of plastic overall. Plus, we’ll get nostalgic for DVDs and paper checks during a game of Half Full/Half Empty! And, would you talk politics in the office?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“It’s time to stop arguing over the population slowdown and start adapting to it” from Vox

“What happens to Joe Biden’s campaign money?” from Reuters

“The White House Has a Plan to Slash Plastic Use in the U.S.” from The New York Times

“FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Releases New Strategy to Tackle Plastic Pollution, Takes Action to Reduce Single-Use Plastics in Federal Operations” from The White House

“What is Microsoft’s “blue screen of death?” Here’s what it means and how to fix it.” from CBS News

“RIP Redbox, a Bad Idea at the Worst Time” from Wired

“Hello Kitty Is Not a Cat and We’re Not OK” from E! News

“Target will stop accepting this old-school form of payment” from CNN Business

“How can we talk about politics in the workplace?” from Marketplace

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The elephant in the room at the RNC Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

This week Sean O’Brien became the first ever president of the Teamsters union to speak at the Republican National Convention. We’ll explain why this ruffled some feathers and what it could mean for the relationship between unions and the Democratic Party. And, we’ll get into how the lock-in effect is shaping today’s housing market and why the Federal Reserve won’t wait for inflation to fall to 2% before lowering interest rates. Plus, when it comes to avoiding online misinformation while a crisis unfolds, patience is a virtue.

“Sean O’Brien: Why a union president crossed partisan lines for a starring role at Trump’s RNC” from CNN

“A Teamsters Boss Delivers Rare Speech to R.N.C.” from The New York Times

“First-time homebuyers are a growing share of the market” from Marketplace

“We fact-checked some of the rumors spreading online about the Trump assassination attempt” from Reuters

“How to Avoid Online Misinformation After Political Violence” from Marketplace Tech

“CPI inflation report June 2024” from CNBC

“Interest rates may work like a ‘Jedi mind trick’ to drive price trends” from Marketplace

Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap. The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks and play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

The populist threat to climate action Jul 17, 2024

Show notes

The transition to our clean energy economy is already underway. But progress on climate change may slow down as climate populism on the far right is taking root in developed economies. We’ll explain why cheaper, green technologies might be the antidote. Meanwhile, in Arizona, ballooning costs for a school voucher program triggered a state budget crisis. Plus, NASA blasted a Missy Elliot song all the way to Venus at the speed of light!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Populist opposition is threatening progress on climate change” from the Peterson Institute for International Economics

“School Vouchers Were Supposed to Save Taxpayer Money. Instead They Blew a Massive Hole in Arizona’s Budget.” from ProPublica

“A Missy Elliott Song Travels to Venus at the Speed of Light” from The New York Times

“Paris mayor swims in Seine ahead of Olympic Games opening” from Axios

“Pressed about jumping into Baltimore Harbor, Mayor Scott and others admit it’s still unsafe and illegal outside of organized events” from Baltimore Brew

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Want to protect our democracy? Start here! Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

If you’ve been feeling hopeless about the news, the election, the economy, the climate crisis and everything else that’s going on, today’s episode is for you. Emily Amick, lawyer and co-author of “Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives,” argues we can all become better participants in our democracy. And we don’t need to have a gazillion dollars to do it. On the show today, Amick explains why we should treat civic engagement as self-care, how to find your civic personality and ways to cultivate a news diet that doesn’t put you in a doom loop. Plus, the moment she realized our democracy was headed in the wrong direction.

Then, we’ll get into how voters in Utah fought to protect the power of citizen-led ballot initiatives and why shoppers hide purchases from their romantic partners. Plus, an anime cosplayer was wrong about what it would take to create her own costume.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Despite Recent Setbacks, There Is Still Hope For Democracy” from Forbes

“In ‘Democracy in Retrograde,’ Emily Amick Talks About Political Engagement and Her Cancer Diagnosis” from Teen Vogue

“What does Utah’s redistricting ruling do to voters’ ability to change laws?” from The Salt Lake Tribune

“Utah Supreme Court: Lawmakers must heed voter-passed gerrymandering reforms “ from Axios Salt Lake City

“Amazon’s Prime Day a ‘major’ cause of worker injuries, Senate probe finds” from CNBC

“US Retail Sales Excluding Autos Rise by Most in Three Months” from Bloomberg

“Gym Bags, Trunks, Back Doors: How Stealth Shoppers Hide Purchases” from The Wall Street Journal

“Financial Infidelity Report 2023: Why People Hide Purchases From Partners” from Circuit

“Inside a UPS warehouse that prioritizes super-fast shipping” from Marketplace

How are you getting involved in civic life? What helps you fend off feelings of hopelessness? Let us know at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The deluge of Trump news Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

We’re still processing the news of the shooting at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania over the weekend. On top of that, a federal judge dismissed the classified documents case against the former president. We’ll get into the news and why it matters how we talk about it. Then, we’ll explain why eviction rates remain above pre-pandemic levels in many parts of the country. Plus, some good news from the world of science about a malaria vaccine rollout in Ivory Coast and a $14 million investment in battery recycling.

Here’s everything we talked about today: