Marketplace All-in-One

The high cost of business loans for women and people of color Dec 21, 2024

New research from the University of Washington found businesses owned by women and people of color are charged higher rates for loans, costing about $8 billion a year more in interest payments than their white counterparts. Also in this episode, some energy sector updates: Growing global coal demand is powered by data centers and industrialization, and a new Gulf Coast hydrogen hub aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the region’s oil refineries.

RTO? More like gotta go! Dec 20, 2024

New research shows that not only are back-to-the-office mandates unpopular with employees, they lead to more turnover and chase away the employees with the most skills. We’ll delve into the findings. Plus: when a job is quite literally a balancing act. As part of our ongoing “What’s That Like?” series exploring odd jobs, we hear from a Cirque du Soleil high wire performer.

Just in time for the holidays: Political drama on both sides of the Atlantic Dec 20, 2024

Here in the United States, a partial government shutdown looms after the House of Representatives voted down a Trump-backed temporary spending package. We’ll parse some of the practical implications. Then, we’ll hear about some of the economic headwinds Germany is facing after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence and the German government collapsed. Also on the show: A strike at a number of Amazon locations is entering day two.

U.K. cracks down on businesses employing illegal workers Dec 20, 2024

From the BBC World Service: An investigation has exposed how Vietnamese migrants in the United Kingdom are working illegally in nail bars to avoid detection. The U.K. government says it’s ramped up raids since July, with fines for employers reaching $75,000 for repeat offenses. But that’s not stopping everyone. Plus, nearly 80 million Christmas trees are sold each year in Europe. We’ll take a look at what goes in to growing them all.

Bytes: Week in Review — SCOTUS to hear TikTok case, Congress unveils AI roadmap, and the year ahead for robotaxis Dec 20, 2024

The House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence released a lengthy report this week that doesn’t recommend any specific policies or bills. We’ll also look ahead at what the new year could bring the robotaxi business. But first, the TikTok ban is heading to the Supreme Court. A federal appeals court last week upheld the law that would ban the short-form video app if its Chinese owners don’t sell it by Jan. 19. TikTok asked the court to weigh in, and this week SCOTUS agreed. Lily Jamali, tech correspondent at the BBC, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to discuss the news.

Signs of life in commercial real estate Dec 19, 2024

Amazon is reportedly postponing a return to in-person work for a portion of its staff due to insufficient office space. It’s not alone. For the first time since the pandemic began, office real estate may be heating up. Also in this episode: Exports, particularly in the electronics sector, drive GDP growth, Chinese importers of U.S. goods prep for retaliatory tariffs and insurers push back against “nuclear” verdicts in personal injury cases.

Donald Trump, Elon Musk and a scrapped government spending bill Dec 19, 2024

A deal to keep the government funded through the holidays and into the new administration has run into opposition. President-elect Donald Trump and advisor Elon Musk are urging Republicans in Congress to vote down a government funding extension. We’ll hear more. Plus, stock futures are pointing to a small rebound after stock prices dropped sharply on warnings that higher interest rates could linger. And later: What’s it like to work at the circus?

The good and bad of AI voice cloning Dec 19, 2024

Voice cloning is becoming easier, faster and more convincing. Artificial Intelligence makes it possible to change the age of an actor’s voice, translate words into any language, and replace a voice lost through illness. But it’s also increasingly being used by criminals to impersonate a loved one, extort money or compromise bank accounts. It’s changing how we communicate with each other and how we trust each other. And experts say we’re already at the point where AI voice cloning can be used for real time conversations. So how are the U.S., the U.K. and Europe handling regulation of this rapidly-evolving new technology?

These jobs may be hot in the next 10 years … or not Dec 19, 2024

Nurses, software developers and restaurant cooks are among the jobs predicted to grow the most in the next decade, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But some experts warn that predictions can be “spectacularly wrong.” Plus, homeowners cling to low mortgage rates, “exurbs” dominate this year’s most popular housing markets, and we hear from business owners who may struggle if President-elect Donald Trump’s policies push inflation back up.

The Banks Growing Money on Trees (bonus episode from “Outside Podcast”) Dec 18, 2024

This week, we’re sharing another podcast we like from our friends at Outside Magazine.

A quarter of the money at the world’s largest banks goes directly to funding fossil fuel projects. But what if it didn’t? In this episode of “Outside Podcast,” reporter Cat Jaffee calls customer service at her bank — one of the world’s largest financial institutions — to ask them if they might consider investing her money differently. It goes about as well as you’d expect.

Call them the “Sephora kids” Dec 18, 2024

Something a tad nontraditional on the wishlist of more children this year? Skin care products. This $180 billion industry has caught the attention of young people born 2010 onward (even if they already have a naturally youthful look). Now, dermatologists are warning families that some of these products can cause long-term damage if used too young. But first, a droopy stock index is getting attention this morning.

Income inequality has dipped in recent years Dec 18, 2024

Even though inflation has come down from its pandemic highs, some of it is still sticking. Yet average pay has been keeping up with — and even outpacing — rising prices. Turns out, low- and middle-income workers have been making up some ground. We dig in. Plus: a closer look at AI’s growing role in processing health insurance claims and talks of a potentially tectonic shift in the global auto industry.

The entrepreneur who wants to buy TikTok Dec 18, 2024

About 170 million U.S. users could be TikTokless as soon as Jan. 19. Early this month, a federal appeals court upheld a law that could ban the very popular short-form video app unless its Chinese owners agree to sell it. They have a willing buyer, though, in billionaire Frank McCourt, who has assembled a consortium of investors ready to put down more than $20 billion. He’s the founder of the internet reform initiative Project Liberty. You may also know him as a real estate developer who once owned the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Green bank, go! Dec 18, 2024

The Coalition for Green Capital, funded by private investors and President Joe Biden’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, began doling out cash this fall. It’s an experiment in using federal dollars to spur investment in mitigating climate change. Will it survive under the incoming Trump administration? Also in this episode: How high can bond yields climb? Will 2025 be a big year for mergers and acquisitions? And, are tuition-free medical schools curing the industry’s ills?

Want to protect our democracy? Start here! (rerun) Dec 17, 2024

Hey Smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2024. We can’t do this show without you and we still need your support. If you can, donate today to keep independent journalism going strong into 2025 and beyond. Give now to support “Make Me Smart.” Thank you so much for your generosity, happy holidays and we’ll see you in the new year.

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.

Could a private company deliver U.S. mail better than the U.S. Mail? Dec 17, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump confirmed at a news conference on Monday that he is “looking at” the idea of privatizing the U.S. Postal Service. That comes as the USPS ended its last fiscal year with a net loss of $9.5 billion. On this morning’s program, we’ll unpack the finances of the postal service. Also: the fine print of November retail sales and the resurgence of the supper club.

How Americans feel about health insurance Dec 17, 2024

Most people like their health insurance. That may come as a surprise after jokes and vitriol over the American health care system flooded social media in the wake of the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing. But those who don’t like their insurance are often the ones forced to use it most. We’ll dig into what the research says. Plus, the Senate is expected to take up the Social Security Fairness Act this week.

Syria’s transitional authority calls for lifting of sanctions Dec 17, 2024

From the BBC World Service: The rebels running Syria are assuring the country’s business community that they will embrace a free market economy and push to reconnect with global markets. A judge in Brazil has ordered Adele’s record labels to stop distributing the song “Million Years Ago” because of similarities to a Brazilian song by Martinho da Vila. And, we hear how Valencia, Spain is starting to rebuild after October’s disastrous floods.

Nuclear power needs to build up its workforce so it can power up clean energy Dec 17, 2024

The artificial intelligence boom and its hunger for electricity has brought a surge of interest in nuclear power. Microsoft, for instance, made a deal to restart the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania, while Google and Amazon have invested in companies developing small, modular reactors. The Joe Biden administration’s Department of Energy aims to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, but the sector will need a lot more workers to make that happen. By some estimates there’s a gap of more than 200,000 jobs to fill over the next decade. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Craig Piercy, CEO of the American Nuclear Society, to learn more about the hunt for talent.

Shrinking spread Dec 17, 2024

Government bond yields are typically lower than corporate ones, since corporations can’t print their own money. The difference between the two is called a spread, and that spread has narrowed in recent months. In this episode, why that shrinking spread is a sign that investors feel optimistic. Plus: Retailers struggle with excess brick-and-mortar space, nationwide household net worth hits a record high and Vermont ski areas battle climate change.

More of the pros are expecting higher inflation in the New Year Dec 16, 2024

A fresh poll of academic economists finds more think interest rates will stay higher for longer, given the resilient job market and some of the policies promised by president-elect Donald Trump. Economist Julia Coronado’s team at Macropolicy Perspectives has also been asking experts similar questions. We’re joined by Coronado to discuss what she’s been hearing. We also hear about the challenges of decarbonizing Sweden’s economy.

Let’s do the numbers on buying versus renting Dec 16, 2024

New data from the real estate firm CBRE shows that the average monthly mortgage payment for those buying a home today is about 75% higher than in 2019. Nationally, new monthly mortgage payments are now about 35% more than renting. We’ll hear more. But first: A clash is shaping up over whether California can set strict vehicle emissions and efficiency standards. Plus, who’s ahead in the AI arms race — Microsoft? Google? Meta?

Royal Mail takeover by Czech billionaire approved Dec 16, 2024

From the BBC World Service: The $4.5 billion takeover of the 500-year-old British institution by Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group has been given the go-ahead. We dig in to the latest. Plus, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces a crucial vote of confidence today; the collapse of his coalition government has left policymaking in Europe’s largest economy at a standstill. And there’s a crisis at one of Sweden’s most successful green tech start-ups.

The download on Trump 2.0 and tech Dec 16, 2024

As we approach President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next month, questions are coming up about how his second administration might deal with tech. A lot has changed in the industry and its relationship to the former president since his first go-round. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Reed Albergotti, tech editor at the news site Semafor, to help us decode some of the signals, starting with artificial intelligence and the man Trump has named as his AI czar, venture capitalist David Sacks.

“Make Me Smart’s” annual holiday episode Dec 14, 2024

For our final episode of 2024, we’re throwing a holiday party with music, festive hats, drinks and a game. But we can’t forget about the news. The incoming Donald Trump administration is looking into the feasibility of eliminating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. We’ll get into it. And, we’ll unpack the public rage over the United States healthcare system that dominated the news this week. Plus, how much do our hosts remember about the biggest business headlines of the year?

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Trump Advisers Seek to Shrink or Eliminate Bank Regulators” from The Wall Street Journal
Opinion | “UnitedHealth Group C.E.O.: Brian Thompson Was Never Content With the Status Quo” from The New York Times
“UnitedHealth Limits Access to Key Treatment for Kids With Autism” from ProPublica
“Boeing’s year of turbulence in five charts” from Reuters
“Why TikTok Faces a U.S. Ban, and What’s Next?” from The New York Times
“CrowdStrike outage: We finally know what caused it – and how much it cost” from CNN Business
“SpaceX Polaris Dawn astronauts perform historic 1st private spacewalk in orbit” from Space
“US ties China in Paris Olympics gold medal count after Americans’ women’s hoops win” from AP News

We’ll be back with new episodes in 2025! In the meantime, you can email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Maybe next year Dec 14, 2024

The coming year will be a good one for housing — at least, the National Association of Realtors says so. It’s forecasting lower mortgage rates and more stable prices for homes in 2025. But not all housing experts agree. Later in the episode: an unexpected way to tap into geothermal energy, new approaches to corporate diversity as a court blocks Nasdaq’s DEI initiative, and a federal health care referral program leaves many Native Americans in debt, apparently in violation of the rules.

The CEO of UnitedHealth Group agrees: “Our health care system is flawed.” Dec 13, 2024

Following last week’s killing of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, UnitedHealth Group’s insurance arm, the head of UnitedHealth Group has written an opinion piece acknowledging the flaws of — and need to fix — present American health care. We’ll unpack the details of the op-ed. We’ll also discuss the Federal Reserve’s thinking as its Board of Governors gathers next week and hear a history lesson that informs challenges for today’s auto industry.

The latest unionization push at Amazon Dec 13, 2024

This week, another 1,000 Amazon workers decided to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters at an air freight operation in San Bernardino, California. But Amazon does not readily come to the bargaining table and works hard to resist collective bargaining. We hear the latest. Also on this morning’s show: why there suddenly seems to be fewer shopping baskets at supermarkets and how teens are spending their time online these days.

NATO head calls for more spending Dec 13, 2024

From the BBC World Service: Mark Rutte, the head of the Western military alliance NATO, has said member countries must spend more on defense and shouldn’t underestimate the capabilities of Vladimir Putin. Then, labor unions in South Korea are ramping up strikes, demanding the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol. And we hear how a town in England fared when a major car manufacturer closed its plant, leaving thousands without jobs.

Bytes: Week in Review — Investments flow into health tech, FDA approves modifying AI medical devices, and California’s AI insurance claim law Dec 13, 2024

There’s been a lot of discussion about health insurance over the last week. And one practice could be seeing more oversight: the use of artificial intelligence in coverage decisions. Plus, the FDA issues final guidance for makers of AI-enabled medical devices so they can now update their software after approval. And it was a good year for health tech startups — after a not-so-good year in 2023 — especially for those with the letters “AI” attached to their business. Our regular contributor Christina Farr, managing director with Manatt Health, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to discuss the news.

The drug price blame game Dec 13, 2024

A group of lawmakers have introduced legislation that would break up health care conglomerates, aiming to rein in the power of pharmacy benefit managers. We’ll explain what PBMs do and why all sides of the health care industry are pointing fingers at one another over high costs. And, we’ll get into how the future of the Trump-era tax cuts could impact the federal deficit and why General Motors is ditching its robotaxi business. Plus, now’s your chance to talk with an AI Santa Claus.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Yellen Talks Russia Sanctions, Tariffs and Deficit” from Bloomberg via YouTube
“Yellen says Trump’s tariffs could derail US inflation progress, raise costs” from Reuters
“Senators Warren and Hawley introduce a bipartisan bill to break up pharmacy-benefit managers” from CNBC via YouTube
“Elizabeth Warren, Josh Hawley Co-Sponsor Bill to Break Up Giant Health Care Conglomerates” from The New York Times
“What is a pharmacy benefit manager, anyway?” from Marketplace
“GM to stop funding troubled Cruise autonomous vehicle unit, abandoning robotaxis” from CBS San Francisco
“GM to Shut Down Its Cruise Robotaxi Project” from The New York Times
“OpenAI introduces ‘Santa Mode’ to ChatGPT for ho-ho-ho voice chats” from Ars Technica

Tomorrow is our last episode of the year! Join us for our annual holiday party on “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Keeping it in the family Dec 13, 2024

Older Americans will pass on more than $120 trillion to heirs and charities over the next 25 years, according to a wealth management company’s study. But financial advisers caution against assuming you’ll get lucky — half of the “great wealth transfer” will come from just the top 2% of households. Also in this episode: Insurance grows pricier, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau limits bank overdraft fees and less than 10% of Americans moved last year — the lowest proportion since the Census Bureau began keeping track in 1948.

Weight loss drugs see huge gains Dec 12, 2024

Prescriptions for Wegovy have doubled and prescriptions for Zepbound have tripled in the past year, according to a recent report from GoodRx, a company that searches for deals on medicines. Weight loss drugs are pricey though, and insurance plans often don’t cover them if they’re used for weight loss. We’ll hear about some of the wins for those in the business of losing. Also on this morning’s show: Australia’s news tax and France’s disarrayed economy.

A potential pharmacy-benefit manager breakup Dec 12, 2024

New proposed legislation would make it illegal for one company to own both a pharmacy and a pharmacy-benefit management company. A PBM helps health insurers manage their prescription drug benefits and negotiates prices and rebates; CVS has both pharmacies and a benefit management division, as does Cigna and UnitedHealth. But some federal lawmakers see a conflict of interest. Also: the eco-friendliness of small SUVs and the future of Nasdaq board diversity rules.

Australia to tax digital platforms that don’t pay for news Dec 12, 2024

From the BBC World Service: Australia is bringing in new rules to force major tech companies to pay media outlets for news that’s republished on their sites. Then, Mexico has become the latest country to ban electronic cigarettes, including disposable vapes. And, faced with rising social tensions in France, some young French people of African descent are turning to Africa in search of what they say is a better life.

Could AI and fintech help you get a bank loan? Dec 12, 2024

Some low-income consumers have trouble qualifying for loans, due to a variety of reasons — lacking the required paperwork, or the documentation banks require for loan applications. Marketplace’s Nancy Marshall-Genzer explores whether AI could be used to help consumers access traditional banking systems.

The great HQ migration Dec 12, 2024

Some states are trying to lure companies seeking to move their headquarters by offering a slew of financial perks. We’ll explain how these big relocations can impact local economies and the businesses themselves. And, the House of Representatives passed a defense bill that would restrict transgender medical care for children covered by the military’s health program. We’ll unpack how federal funding for health care can be used as a powerful political tool. Plus, do you dread winter? We’ll get into some tips for embracing the season.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Transgender Provision Injects Tension Into Defense Vote” from The Wall Street Journal
“Will Democrats Let the GOP Gut Trans Health Care?” from Rolling Stone
“Brace for a Nationwide Shuffle of Corporate Headquarters” from Bloomberg
“9 Ways to Embrace Winter — Even if You Think You Hate It” from Time
“New Jersey Politician Fakes Spotify Wrapped to Show All Springsteen Songs” from The New York Times

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

Rich foods Dec 11, 2024

Food prices aren’t going down. The good news is, they aren’t rising rapidly anymore, either. But we get it, grocery shopping still hurts. In this episode, why food isn’t likely to ever cost what it did five or 10 years ago, and how our habits are changing in response. Plus: The fight against inflation isn’t over, rising child care costs take women out of the workforce and the supply chain preps for an import wave.

Albertsons and Kroger go from allies to adversaries Dec 11, 2024

Just hours after a federal court blocked Albertsons plan to merge with rival Kroger, Albertsons has backed out of the deal and is filing a lawsuit. It would have been a $25 billion merger, which the Federal Trade Commission viewed as hurting competition. We dig in to the latest developments. Also on this morning’s show: how two wine regions in France are adapting to changing tastes and a changing climate.

2 in 5 Americans now bet on sports Dec 11, 2024

40% of Americans say they bet on sports through casinos or apps. Americans are projected to bet $150 billion on sports this year — that’s more than the entire annual budget of the state of New York. Today, we’ll consider what’s behind America’s sports betting boom. But first: The Bureau of Labor Statistics has announced new data release procedures, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants to crack down on sensitive data sales.

Coffee prices soar to a record high Dec 11, 2024

From the BBC World Service: Coffee has hit their highest prices ever, with Arabica beans jumping by 80% this year alone. So will the prices filter through to your morning cup? Then, South Korea’s president has refused to step down despite calls for him to go. We’ll discuss how this political instability could affect the economy. And, there’s talk of a crisis in the French wine industry caused by climate climate and changing tastes.

Consumer agency seeks to limit data sales, combat “digital surveillance” Dec 11, 2024

As consumers, we leave trails of personal data all over the internet. And collecting and selling it is big business. Sensitive information, like our Social Security numbers, incomes and credit scores, are often sold by so-called data brokers to the highest bidder. Sometimes that’s a bank, sometimes it’s a scammer. This month, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed a rule that would crack down on the practice. It would bar companies from selling sensitive data or hold them to the same legal standards that apply to credit reporting agencies. Rohit Chopra, director of the CFPB, explained the proposal in more detail to Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino.

‘Tis the season — wait, that’s not the real thing! Dec 11, 2024

Remember those Christmastime Coca-Cola ads from the ’90s and early aughts? A caravan of red trucks snakes through picturesque towns, delivering holiday cheer in the form of good old-fashioned Coke. The company just released a new version, meant to invoke nostalgia for the Yule of yesteryear. And in the true spirit of 2024, it’s AI-generated. Will all our ads be AI-made soon? Or is human creativity still key? Also in this episode: A dogecoin influencer weighs his options, a startup wants to put EV chargers in lampposts and unit labor costs may tell us where inflation is headed.

Trump’s contradictory economic agenda Dec 11, 2024

Before this year’s election, Heather Cox Richardson, a historian at Boston College, joined “Make Me Smart” live in Boston to unpack the high stakes for our economy and democracy. Now that the election is over and the transition to a second Donald Trump administration is underway, we’re following up.

On the show today, Richardson weighs in on the election aftermath. She explains how the current media environment in the United States played into the election, how economic narratives have influenced American politics throughout history, and what the past can tell us about how President-elect Trump might brand his economic agenda while in office.

Then, we’ll get into the bipartisan effort to add federal judges that’s suddenly falling apart. And, author Evan Schwartz was wrong about the inspiration behind L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“December 9, 2024” from “Letters from an American”
“What Donald Trump’s Win Means for the Economy” from Time
Opinion: “Voters prefer Harris’s agenda to Trump’s — they just don’t realize it. Take our quiz.” from The Washington Post
“On Issue After Issue, Trump Promises the Moon. No Word on the Rocket.” from The New York Times
“Biden special envoy for hostages is in Beirut in search of Austin Tice” from The Washington Post
“House sets up vote on bill to add dozens of new federal judgeships” from Roll Call
“Ernst, Under MAGA Pressure, Signals Backing for Hegseth’s Pentagon Bid” from The New York Times

Power the show with a donation today and don’t forget to pick up one of our thank you gifts at a discount. Head to marketplace.org/givesmart.

It’s time for holiday tipping Dec 10, 2024

Tension over tipping may be softening thanks to some holiday cheer. A new survey from Bankrate finds that more people are planning to tip regular service providers — like child care providers, housekeepers, gardeners and mail carriers — this holiday season than in recent years. Plus, a potential strike is brewing in the world of European soccer, and we’ll discuss how fresh inflation data may inform the Federal Reserve’s next moves.

A trove of housing supply hiding in plain sight Dec 10, 2024

Empty nesters own prime real estate and lots of it. There are nearly 21 million empty nester households in the U.S., and if they choose to downsize that could go a ways in addressing the housing shortage, right. Turns out, location and mortgage rates muddy the answer. Also on this morning’s show: a scheduled ruling on a potential grocery merger and a pricey but painless trend in the world of tattooing.

The $400 billion challenge to rebuild Syria’s economy Dec 10, 2024

From the BBC World Service: Estimates suggest Syria will need at least $400 billion — likely much more — to begin to address its shattered economy. So where will that money come from? We’ll discuss. Then, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the stand in his corruption trial and is facing charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery. Plus, could European soccer be heading for a strike over its relentless match schedule?

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