Make Me Smart

Latest Episodes:

Whaddya wanna know about key inflation measures? May 17, 2024

Show notes

Inflation isn’t going anywhere, and listeners wanna know what’s up with two of the government’s inflation measures. Today, we’re answering some nerdy econ questions about the consumer price index and personal consumption expenditures price index. We’ll also answer questions about how the Supreme Court gets funded and the ins and outs of joint fundraising committees.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voice mail at 508-U-B-SMART!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

1. “How does the government measure inflation?” from Brookings

“Why the PCE is the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation” from Marketplace

“What is the Core PCE price index?” from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

“Courts, Programs, and Other Items Funded by Congressional Appropriations for the Federal Judiciary” from the Congressional Research Service

“US judiciary set to receive modest spending boost from Congress” from Reuters

“Judicial Compensation” from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts

“Inside the Rent Inflation Measure That Economics Nerds Love to Hate” from The New York Times

“A guide to political money: campaigns, PACs, super PACs” from Associated Press

“Joint fundraising: A campaign strategy to increase contributions” from Marketplace

“Fundraising for Super PACs by federal candidates” from the Federal Election Commission

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 great Bumble fumble May 15, 2024

Show notes

Today, we’re diving into Bumble’s controversial anti-celibacy ad campaign, what it says about the state of dating apps and why some women are joining the anti-patriarchy movement. It’s time for a Kimberly rant. Plus, more updates on the Baltimore bridge collapse. Later, we’ll get queasy about cicadas and smiley about puppies!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Bumble’s billboard ads sneered at celibacy as an alternative to dating — and the company got stung” from The Associated Press

“The Controversy Around Bumble’s Anti-Celibacy Billboards” from The Cut

“Singles done with dating apps opt for speed-dating, matchmaking” from Marketplace

Apology from Bumble on Instagram

“What the 4B movement and boycotting men tells American women about where we are” from USA Today

Preliminary Report on Baltimore Bridge Collapse from The National Transportation Safety Board

“It’s on (for now): Biden and Trump agree to 2 debates” from Politico

“Cicadas Are Here in St. Louis, and Here’s What You Need to Know” from The Riverfront Times

“We tried to pet all 200 breeds at the Westminster dog show” from The Washington Post

We want to hear your cicada stories! Share them with us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

From “Million Bazillion”: What are labor unions? May 14, 2024

Show notes

With the big push to unionize auto workers in the South, it looks like it might be another hot labor summer. And if you and your little ones have questions, this episode is for you! Today, we’re bringing you a special episode from Marketplace’s kids podcast, “Million Bazillion,” all about the history of labor unions, collective bargaining and how unions changed the way we work. Plus, how many hours a day should a person work? Kids have thoughts!

The next $50,000 in donations to Marketplace will be matched, thanks to a generous gift from Joe Rush in Florida. Give now and double your impact: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

The value of “third places” May 13, 2024

Show notes

A “third place” is where people hang out when they’re not at home or work, and they’re becoming increasingly important for building community and connection. Guest host Reema Khrais explains why we’re hearing a lot more about them these days and shares the story behind her own third place. But first, we’ll discuss the knock-on effects of falling birth rates across the globe, why some cities are lowering speed limits, and why we don’t recommend throwing darts at stock listings.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Suddenly There Aren’t Enough Babies. The Whole World Is Alarmed.” from The Wall Street Journal

“Why New York City is lowering its speed limit” from Vox

“Why accidents aren’t accidental” from The Gray Area with Sean Illing

“The Random Path to Stock-Market Riches” from The Wall Street Journal

“If you want to belong, find a third place” from Vox

We want to hear about your third place! Tell us about it at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The next $50,000 in donations to Marketplace will be matched, thanks to a generous gift from Joe Rush in Florida. Give now and double your impact: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

What grocery aisle gossip can tell us about the economy May 11, 2024

Show notes

The latest survey data from the University of Michigan shows consumer sentiment in the U.S. is at a six-month low. We’ll unpack the numbers and get into what they can and can’t tell us about what’s really going on in the economy. And, a plan to split up U.S. Cellular between T-Mobile and Verizon is in the works. It’s part of a larger fiasco brewing at the Federal Communications Commission. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full / Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

Consumer Sentiment Index from the University of Michigan

“T-Mobile, Verizon in Talks to Carve Up U.S. Cellular” from The Wall Street Journal

“A solar storm could produce northern lights in US” from AP News

“Apple is revamping Siri with generative AI to catch up with chatbot competitors, report says” from Business Insider

“Millions more Americans travel to bird-watch. Texas businesses are cashing in.” from Marketplace

“McDonald’s Will Offer a $5 Meal Deal to Lure Customers Back Into Stores” from Yahoo Finance

“Bluey Is Back! Disney Announces Collection of New ‘Minisodes’ Are Coming Soon” from People

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.

Plus, support our nonprofit newsroom today and pick up a fun thank-you gift like our new Shrinkflation mini tote bag or the fan favorite KaiPA pint glass!

The lowdown on joint fundraising committees May 09, 2024

Show notes

Joint fundraising committees allow aligned political campaigns to raise more money faster. We’ll break down how these operations work and how they’re affecting the cost of elections. Then, guest host Sabri Ben-Achour explains why China’s electric vehicle industry may not be at “overcapacity,” as U.S. and European officials have argued. Plus, artists’ fears summed up in one controversial iPad Pro commercial.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

1. “Joint fundraising: A campaign strategy to increase contributions” from Marketplace

“U.S., Europe vexed by China’s ‘overcapacity’ of clean-energy goods” from Marketplace

“OpenAI’s Brad Lightcap on new content tool, copyright claims and AI outlook” from CNBC

“OpenAI says it’s building a tool to let content creators ‘opt out’ of AI training” from TechCrunch

“Watch Apple Trash-Compact Human Culture” from The Atlantic

“Apple’s new iPad ad has struck a nerve online. Here’s why” from AP News

Shrinkflation tote bags, mini pencils, maybe even some KaiPA glasses — check out our May fundraiser thank-you gifts and make your donation to support our newsroom today: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

A phantom debt menace May 08, 2024

Show notes

Increasingly popular buy now, pay later services allow shoppers to split their purchases into smaller, recurring payments. We’ll get into why these loans are blurring economists’ understanding of today’s consumer debt landscape. We’ll also discuss President Joe Biden’s climate and infrastructure spending spree, and the knock-on effects of parents dying from drug overdoses. Plus, singer Tyla’s sandy Met Gala look, and forgotten 100-year-old love letters make us smile.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

1. “More than 320000 U.S. children lost a parent to drug overdose from 2011-2021” from Axios

“Playbook: Biden’s race to Trump-proof his legacy” from Politico

“Biden’s biggest challenge: How do you even spend $1.6 trillion?” from Politico

“‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Has Americans Racking Up Phantom Debt” from Bloomberg

“Video: See moment Tyla is carried up Met Gala steps” from CNN

“Tyla’s sand-covered Met Gala 2024 gown was chopped in half after the red carpet” from Page Six

“When to use buy now, pay later services” from Marketplace

“Hidden love letters spark historical mystery in Baltimore” from The Baltimore Banner

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.

The power of college endowments May 08, 2024

Show notes

College endowment funds are at the center of student protester’s calls for their schools to divest from Israel. Charlie Eaton, a sociology professor at the University of California, Merced, and author of “Bankers in the Ivory Tower,” said the size of these funds have created a moral dilemma for the wealthiest universities. On the show today, Eaton explains how college endowments work, why most universities don’t disclose how those funds are invested, and how colleges could manage their endowments to better align with their values.

Then, we’ll check-in on the youths. And, Mallory Lewis and Lamb Chop, the puppet, answer the Make Me Smart question. Plus, a tribute to Jasper.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

1. “University endowments show few signs of direct Israel, defense holdings” from The Washington Post

“If the divestment movement succeeds, will it have an economic impact?” from Marketplace

“Gaza protests: Divestment from Israel becomes focus of student demands” from The Washington Post

“Students protest Gaza war: The history of divestment protests” from Marketplace

“Top companies are on students’ divest list. But does it really work?” from NPR

“Gen Z Sinks Deeper Into Debt” from The Wall Street Journal

“Abortion bans drive away up to half of young talent, new CNBC/Generation Lab youth survey finds” from CNBC

“Businesses are speaking out against anti-LGBTQ laws” from Marketplace

Want more “Make Me Smart” in your life? Sign up for our newsletter at marketplace.org/smarter.

Private equity is coming for pet care May 06, 2024

Show notes

Private equity plays a major role in lots of sectors across the U.S. economy, and now it’s getting into the veterinary business. Today, Kimberly discusses the rise of these big outside investors in pet care and the financial and emotional decisions we make in caring for our beloved pets. Plus, we bid Jasper goodbye. But first, Amy breaks down a pair of cases involving the popular housing site Redfin and what they mean for how homes are bought and sold.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Redfin to pay $9.25M to settle commission lawsuits” from Inman

“Redfin settles commission lawsuits for $9.25 million” from HousingWire

“When Buying a Home Is Treated as a National Security Threat” from The New York Times

“Vets fret as private equity snaps up clinics, pet care companies” from Stateline

“Why Your Vet Bill Is So High” from The Atlantic

“Workday Has Become the Most-Hated Workplace, Business Software” from Business Insider

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.

Europe’s new economic engines May 04, 2024

Show notes

Southern European economies, including Greece, are growing faster than some of Europe’s longtime powerhouses, like Germany. We’ll get into how Greece pulled off an economic turnaround after the devastating 2012 financial crisis. And, Halle Berry’s shouts from the steps of the Capitol are calling attention to the need for more menopause research. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full / Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today: