Make Me Smart

Latest Episodes:

Silicon Valley’s quiet rebellion Feb 01, 2025

Show notes

This week, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta sent out a memo warning employees against leaking confidential company information … only for that memo to be leaked! Guest host Meghan McCarty Carino explains how it’s connected to the culture wars playing out between tech leaders and rank-and-file workers in Silicon Valley. And, we’ll get into how President Donald Trump is testing the legal limits of his office by firing certain federal officials. Plus, we’ll weigh in on cozy video games and Punxsutawney Phil during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Trump’s Firings Could Bring Court Cases That Expand His Power” from The New York Times

“Meta warns that it will fire leakers in leaked memo” from The Verge

“Mark Zuckerberg whined about leaks at Meta as company promised firings. It took minutes for the threat to leak out” from The Independent

“Silicon Valley Tech Workers Quietly Protest Their Bosses’ Embrace of Trump” from The New York Times

“New research backs up what gamers have thought for years: cozy video games can be an antidote to stress and anxiety.” from Reuters

“What is Groundhog Day?” from The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club

“Starbucks reverses its open-door policy, requiring people to make a purchase if they want to stay” from CBS News

“Like Any Millennial, Yahoo Wants to Be Seen As Cool Again” from Business Insider

“Try ‘Phone Free February’ to reduce screen time, improve your health” from The Washington Post

We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The Cuban dispatch II Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

On the show today, we check in with Kimberly to hear more about her adventures in Cuba, a country that’s back in the news thanks to President Donald Trump’s commitment to establish a massive migrant detention facility at Guantánamo Bay. We’ll explain how Trump’s promised crackdown on immigration could affect the Cuban economy. Plus, more on how Cubans have managed to make do under a strict U.S. trade embargo, from dealing with medicine shortages to navigating a pandemic without Zoom.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Trump Says U.S. Will Hold Migrants at Guantánamo Bay” from The New York Times

“Timeline: U.S.-Cuba Relations” from the Council on Foreign Relations

“Trump moves to end refugee resettlement and parole for Cubans, Haitians and Venezuelans” from The Miami Herald

Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

What you need to know about DeepSeek and the AI race Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Today, we’re diving into a listener’s question about the new artificial intelligence chatbot on the scene. Chinese startup DeepSeek’s AI model is said to be more cost-effective, less complex, and in some ways, just plain better than OpenAI’s ChatGPT. We’ll explain why the stock market’s freaking out and what it means for the U.S.-China AI race. Plus, we’ll share a story about a historic test flight that’ll have aviation nerds smiling. And the iconic “When Harry Met Sally” diner scene is recreated 35 years later. IYKYK.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“How DeepSeek Went From Stock Trader to A.I. Star” from The New York Times

“Chevron Wants to Tap Into A.I. Boom by Selling Electricity to Data Centers” from The New York Times

“DeepSeek’s AI Model Just Upended the White-Hot US Power Market” from Bloomberg

“DOE Releases New Report Evaluating Increase in Electricity Demand from Data Centers” from the Department of Energy

“China’s DeepSeek Ends the Party for U.S. Energy Stocks” from Heatmap News

“Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan Return as Harry and Sally in Hellmann’s Super Bowl Spot” from The Hollywood Reporter

Video: “Boom Supersonic XB-1 jet breaks sound barrier on historic test flight” from Space

Got a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

From Burning Questions: Is the future insurable? Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Today we’re handing the mic over to the team behind “Burning Questions” from Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast “How We Survive” as they survey the devastation on the ground in the Pacific Palisades, and dig into the homeowners insurance crisis. Since the Los Angeles fires broke out, thousands have lost their homes and current estimates say insured losses may exceed $30 billion. The disaster has raised existential questions about the future of the insurance industry and its potential impact on the housing market. Host Amy Scott talks with Carolyn Kousky from the Environmental Defense Fund to find answers.

The Cuban dispatch Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Kimberly takes us along her trip to Cuba, a country that remains under strict U.S. economic sanctions. She’ll explains some unique aspects of the Cuban economy, from how the currency works to the island’s complicated complicated past as a colonial outpost for sugar plantations. Plus, what makes the Cuban mojito special.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Cuba predicts 1% growth in 2025 after dismal year, economy minister says” from Reuters

“How U.S. sanctions and a Communist government caused Cuba’s power crisis” from NPR

“Biden’s move to remove Cuba from terror list continues ‘yo-yo’ policy likely to be reversed by Trump” from The Conversation

“How Cuba’s sugar industry has been ground into dust” from Al Jazeera

Got a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Finally, a resolution to the Purdue Pharma case? Jan 25, 2025

Show notes

Purdue Pharma’s owners in the Sackler family have agreed to a new $6.5 billion settlement to lawsuits over their role in the U.S. opioid crisis. This comes after a previous deal was rejected by the Supreme Court last year. We’ll break down the details of the settlement and what could come next. And, the U.S. housing market is the slowest it’s been in 30 years, but prices aren’t coming down. What gives? Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Existing-Home Sales in 2024 Were Slowest in Decades Amid High Mortgage Rates” from The New York Times

“United States Housing Market & Prices” from Redfin

“Purdue Pharma’s Sacklers Agree to New $6.5 Billion Deal for Opioid Lawsuits” from The Wall Street

“Supreme Court Jeopardizes Opioid Deal, Rejecting Protections for Sacklers” from The New York Times

“Is there a market for luxury EVs? GM thinks so.” from Marketplace

“This 24-hour diner helps New Yorkers make it through the night” from Marketplace

“The American workweek is shrinking” from Marketplace

“‘Lost’ Tina Turner track to be released 2 years after queen of rock ‘n’ roll’s death” from USA Today

“UK’s 20mph speed limits ‘are cutting car insurance costs’” from The Guardian

We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

How Trump’s executive orders are impacting migrant workers Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

During his first week back in office, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders targeting immigrant communities. We’ll hear how migrant workers are responding. Then, Kimberly explains the fiasco over Trump’s plan to “drill, baby, drill.” Plus, an economics professor shares a 1940s movie pick that’s on point for today’s debate on tariffs.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Central Valley farmworkers scared to show up to work over deportation fear” from NBC

“Farmer ties immigration to food security, strong exports” from Marketplace

“Rush for preterm babies to beat birthright citizenship deadline” from the Times of India

“ICE Watch Programs Can Protect Immigrants in Your Neighborhood — Here’s What to Know” from Teen Vogue

“Trump clarifies executive order restricting IRA-related funding” from Marketplace

“White House says order pausing IRA disbursements only applies to some programs” from Reuters

“As LA blazes rage, even firefighters turn to Watch Duty” from Marketplace from YouTube

WATCH: “Life With Father” | Elizabeth Taylor, William Powell, Irene Dunne | Classic Drama Comedy from YouTube

Join Amy and Nova tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

The mainstreaming of meme coins Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

President Donald Trump drew scrutiny after he and First Lady Melania Trump launched namesake meme coins ahead of his inauguration, triggering a speculative boom and bust. But one exchange-traded fund firm wants to take the meme coins mainstream. We’ll get into the potential risks of incorporating volatile crypto tokens like these into traditional financial markets. And, a public service announcement: It’s OK to take a break from the news. Plus, guest host Matt Levin tells us about a new potential water source for the thirsty American West.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Trump Memecoin Frenzy Spawns ETF Bid in Test of SEC Boundaries” from Bloomberg

“Sign up for The Logoff newsletter” from Vox

“Scientists just found 21 trillion gallons of water north of the Calif. border” from SF Gate

“Musk undercuts Trump on Stargate AI investment announcement” from CNBC

We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The American diet under Trump Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump said he wanted to end chronic illnesses. The promise is part of the Make America Healthy Again campaign pushed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who Trump picked to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. It’s a powerful slogan. But experts warn that some of RFK Jr.’s proposals are based on conspiracy theories and false information instead of actions that could actually improve Americans’ health, like backing targeted reforms in the food industry. On the show today, Jessica Knurick, a registered dietitian who decodes nutrition and public health misinformation, joins the show to discuss the business of food, what processed foods actually are, how our food supply became full of them, and why chronic disease disproportionately impacts low-income communities. Plus, the policy solutions she would propose to improve Americans’ health.

Later, as the LA fires continue to burn, listeners share how they’re thinking about climate risk in their neck of the woods. Plus, a sober health journalist changes her mind about Dry January.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“RFK Jr. faces battles in quest to change America’s food” from The Washington Post

“What Is MAHA?” from New York magazine

“How RFK Jr.’s Pledge To Make America Eat Healthier Clashes With Trump” from Forbes

“A Dietitian’s Guide to the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Movement” from Public Health Dad

“Junk food turns public villain as power shifts in Washington” from CBS News

We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

The tax cut zealots vs. the budget hawks Jan 18, 2025

Show notes

Republicans in Congress want to extend several provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term, that are set to expire at the end of this year. But they’re expected to be costly — very costly. We’ll unpack the spending cuts the House GOP is eyeing to offset the impact on federal deficits. And, we’ll get into why Paramount is considering settling Trump’s lawsuit over CBS’ interview with Kamala Harris. Plus, we’ll weigh in on the business trends that are in and out for 2025.

Here’s everything we talked about today: