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WEEKEND EDITION- Fewer Jobs Require College Degrees, Restaurants Offer Chicken Deals as Poultry Prices Drop, How Elon Musk’s Boring Company Ghosts Cities Across U.S. Dec 03, 2022

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This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merriam-Webster’s Word of 2022 Dec 02, 2022

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The word of the year for 2022 is gaslighting. Merriam-Webster chooses the word of the year based only on data from lookups and in 2022, lookups for gaslighting increased 1,740%. Most interestingly, there was not a particular news event that drove the lookups, it was a word that had interest every single day of the year. Peter Sokolowski, editor at large for Merriam-Webster joins us for a definition of this year’s top word and a look at some more including oligarch, codify, sentient, and loamy.

Next, Elon Musk has been under a lot of scrutiny since he took over Twitter, but another one of his companies is being looked at for ghosting cities across America. Musk’s Boring company, which has teased cities with plans to dig out underground tunnels to help relieve what he called “soul-destroying” traffic, has had a lot of big ideas but rarely followed through after being confronted with the realities of building public infrastructure. The only place where Musk has been able to showcase a finished project has been a 1.6 mile “loop experience” under the Las Vegas Convention Center. Ted Mann, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how many cities still want to work with the Boring Co. despite its uneven record.

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As the labor market remains tight, employers have begun to rethink whether a college degree is needed to work for them. Google, Delta Air Lines, and IBM have all relaxed requirements so they can open up the pool of possible candidates. The shift helps employers focus more on skills and experience and is a pathway for some to higher-paying jobs. Austen Hufford, economics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how a higher ed degree is no longer needed in some cases. Next, in a hopeful sign for the Dec 01, 2022

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Next, in a hopeful sign for the Fed, job openings have fallen to 10.3 million. While there continues to be a higher demand for workers, it shows that it is starting too cool which helps the Fed in fighting inflation. The ratio of openings to unemployed workers has now dropped to 1.7. Molly Smith, U.S. economy editor at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know.

Finally, as inflation is making people keep an eye on their pocketbooks, daters out there on the scene are beginning to embrace frugality. Currently, the average date night costs $98 as we see restaurant prices up 17% and alcoholic beverages away from home up 12%. Many are also opting for lower cost dates until they decide they want to make a bigger investment in a partner. Rachel Wolfe, consumer trends reporter at the WSJ. Joins us for why being a cheap date can be a plus.

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NASA’s Artemis 1 Mission Is Spurring a Coming Moon Economy Nov 30, 2022

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NASA’s successful launch of the Artemis 1 mission looks like it will be a boon for private space companies. More than halfway over, the Orion spacecraft has already reached its max distance from the Earth of 270,000 miles. At least 22 companies specifically focused on the Moon have raised money to travel there, develop tech to mine for resources and even build habitats there. Miriam Kramer, space reporter at Axios, joins us for the coming Moon economy.

Next, middle-aged men have a problem with suicide. Overall, men have a suicide rate between three and four times higher than women. To fight this mental health problem, researchers are studying new approaches to get them help which include participation in “meaning-centered” groups, “hope kits,” and videos on how men can speak with their doctors about suicidal thoughts. Andrea Peterson, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.

Finally, insiders say that President Biden is gearing up to run for office again and this week we have a seen a preview of a possible campaign strategy, one that will try to leverage the power of the White House. Advisers will want to keep the President out of every item in the news cycle, but keep up diplomatic engagements, quick trips to swing states, and ramp up the fundraising efforts. Hans Nichols, reporter at Axios, joins us for how Biden will run.

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Frustrations With China’s Covid Policy Is Boiling Over Leading to Protests Nov 29, 2022

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China’s zero-Covid policies is causing a wave of protests that are getting hard to ignore. Recent protests all have their own reasons for sparking, but the underlying issue seems to revolve around the policy which has seen residents unable to access food, medicine, and medical care in some cases. Some changes have been made to the zero-Covid policy, but frustrations have boiled over. Ellen Ioanes, foreign affairs reporter at Vox, joins us for what to know.

Next, the money transfer service Zelle, saw some 1.8 billion transactions in 2021that totaled $490 billion dollars. Now, the banks behind Zelle are standardizing the methods with which to reimburse scammed customers. Popular scams include messages that seem to come from customer support and tricks users into sending money into what appears to be your own account, but it’s linked to a fraudulent one. David Benoit, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more.

Finally, restaurants are getting a small reprieve from chicken. As they have been battered by high inflation, and rising labor and operational costs, chicken has begun to drop in price. Prices for chicken breast has dropped about 70% since the first week of June. During this time restaurants have kept up their promotions to keep people coming back. Patrick Thomas, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how dropping poultry prices will hopefully be giving you a break soon.

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Small Businesses Having a Hard Time Competing With Larger Companies for Top Talent Nov 28, 2022

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With the economy slowing and many companies beginning to layoff workers, small businesses are in a tight spot as they continue to face staff shortages but are having a hard time competing with larger companies when it comes to offering higher wages. Small businesses are also reporting that about 90% of open positions are seeing few to no qualified applicants. Cheryl Winokur Munk, contributor to CNBC, joins us for how they can attract top talent by highlighting more than just wages.

Next, a look at what the latest news surrounding Taylor Swift fans and the huge demand for her concert tickets says about the economy. Despite uneven economic times, these turbocharged consumers are willing to pay almost anything to see their favorite artist, for them, there is no substitute. The pent-up demand over the pandemic and limited supply sent die-hard fans to crash the Ticketmaster website. Augusta Saraiva, economics reporter at Bloomberg News, joins us for what to know about “Swiftonomics.”

Finally, it was once a given at many live concerts, the band would end their show and spend a couple of minutes off-stage before coming back for a roaring encore. Now, some artists are doing away with them saying they just feel forced. They’d rather just play out a whole set, and not waste anyone’s time leaving a potential encore only for something memorable and not expected. Travis Andrews, features writer at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.

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WEEKEND EDITION- How to Find the Best Deals This Weekend, Beyond Meat Is Struggling Nov 27, 2022

Show notes

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WEEKEND EDITION- Respiratory Viruses Push Hospitals to Brink, EVs Entering in Car-Buying Mainstream, How Sports Betting Spread Across the Country Nov 26, 2022

Show notes

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Friday Tech Deals and Underground Butter Bargain Hunters Nov 25, 2022

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If you are looking for deals this holiday season, this is where it all starts. Black Friday leading into Cyber Monday. With inflation still battering Americans, many price-conscious consumers are buying less gifts and donating to charity less. Retailers on the other hand are looking to move products with sales and promotions. Marc Saltzman, tech columnist at USA Today and host of the Tech It Out Podcast, joins us with some apps and browser extensions for deal hunters, products to look out for, and scams to be wary of.

Next, the holiday season also means tons of cookies and baked goods. In order to make all those delicious favorites, you need a lot of butter. Butter in particular has been seeing some very high prices due to labor shortages and a growing appetite for cheese. In response an underground network of butter bargain hunters is sharing the news when prices drop and tips on how to get around per-person limits. Some have even turned to churning out their own butter. Clare Ansberry, Turning Points columnist at the WSJ, joins us for what to know.

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Beyond Meat Is Struggling With Sagging Sales and Thanksgiving Food Rankings Nov 24, 2022

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Beyond Meat, the plant-based meat company, is struggling and it’s causing some worries throughout the meat alternative industry. The company has struggled to manage growth amid slumping sales. Among some of the setbacks, the company tried to rush out new products only to miss deadlines and disappoint customers. Beyond’s jerky product, chicken tenders, and dinner sausages all hit roadblocks as their CEO tried to push out new offerings. Jesse Newman, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the tough times at Beyond Meat.

Next, Thanksgiving is here and it’s time to talk about our favorite foods! To end the show today we will give you the official Thanksgiving food power rankings. We will speak to Lucas Kwan Peterson, food columnist at the LA Times, for his take on where all your favorite Thanksgiving foods rank. A little preview of what you are in for… Turkey ranks dead last in his list, pumpkin pie doesn’t fare much better either, and cranberries of all things might just be the most controversial food item.

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