Make Me Smart
Episodes
The music industry vs. AI
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we’re diving into the business of music. Trapital founder Dan Runcie joins Kimberly to explain what Anthropic’s recent copyright settlement ...
What happened to American soft power?
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump is not a fan of the United Nations—he made that clear in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly today. Under Trump, the U...
The aftermath of the Hyundai plant raid
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show, Kimberly is joined by Marlon Hyde, business and economics reporter for WABE in Atlanta, to unpack the fallout of the massive ICE ra...
Rep. Ayanna Pressley on the troubling rise in Black women's unemployment
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates and made it clear that its attention is turning to the labor market. It’s showing cracks, particul...
The "little treat" economy
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The latest retail sales data shows U.S. consumers are still spending it up, even in the face of higher tariff costs and a shaky labor market. Wealthie...
Who has the power of the purse these days?
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s news comes with a side of pawpaws. Kimberly is joined by Laura Blessing, senior fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown Uni...
The rise of political violence in America
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the wake of yesterday’s assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Regina Bateson, a political science professor at the University of Col...
The future of education research in limbo
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show, host of APM Reports’ “Sold a Story” podcast Emily Hanford joins Kimberly to make us smarter about the science of reading move...
From "How We Survive": ESG, Reincarnated
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Smarties! Today we’re sharing an episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. Host Amy Sco...
From "How We Survive": The Death of ESG
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Smarties! Today we’re passing the mic to our friends over at “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. Their latest seaso...
From "Million Bazillion": Why does organic food cost more than non-organic food?
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Smarties! “Make Me Smart” will be back with new episodes Sept. 9. In the meantime, we’re sharing an episode from the latest season of “Mil...
The Real Costs: Special Coverage from "Marketplace"
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
These are tumultuous times in the economy. Inflation is still happening, the job market is weakening, and there's uncertainty over tariffs and other f...
Economics on Tap: Anime Edition
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the show today, Kimberly joins us from the anime convention AnimeNYC to share more about the economic impact of the anime industry and what cosplay...
What to know about changing COVID vaccine guidelines
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
COVID-19 cases are on the rise again, and the federal guidelines for who should get vaccinated are in flux. We’ll unpack how it could impact what in...
Trump turns up the heat on the Fed
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of the central bank’s big meeting in Jackson Hole this week, President Trump is ramping up pressure on the Federal Reserve, calling for Fed go...
The global business of anime
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past few years, the anime industry has reached new heights on the global stage. Netflix reported that over half of its global viewers watch a...
USPS’s EV plans face a Republican roadblock
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Republicans in Congress are attempting to claw back federal funding to replace the U.S. Postal Service’s outdated mail trucks with a mostly electric...
Armed with cash, ICE plans for rapid growth
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has plans to nearly double the number of its immigration detention centers by the end of the year. The agency has ...
A vibe check on the job market
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not just you — we feel the bad vibes in the job market too. On the show today, we’ll unpack how what we’re hearing from those on the job ...
China has an economic data problem. Is the U.S. next?
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Since President Trump’s firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner over a weak jobs report, we’ve been thinking a lot about the trustwo...
A new era of athlete pay in the U.S.
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we’re diving into some ongoing battles over athlete pay, from college athletics to the WNBA. In the case of college sports, a recent lawsuit s...
A federal takeover of the nation's capital
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump today said he’s temporarily taking over Washington’s police department and sending in National Guard troops to crack down on crime...
SOS at the IRS
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump will replace Billy Long as the head of the Internal Revenue Service, less than two months since he was confirmed. This comes after mon...
Are we in a K-shaped job market?
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Remember the K-shaped economy? It’s the idea that the American economy recovered unevenly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week’s bombshell jobs ...
Big Tech's Trump era power play
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Apple today plans to announce a new $100 billion investment aimed at boosting the compan’s production in the United States. It’s the latest in a s...
Why state and local politics matter now more than ever
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump administration has vowed to roll back all sorts of federal regulations, from workplace safety standards to environmental protections. State...
Lessons from the rest of the world on politicizing economic data
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump’s firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner is not without international precedent. Other countries have gone down the p...
The future of economic data under Trump
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following a weaker than expected jobs report today, President Trump said he’ll fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, claiming the data wa...
Let's check in with the Fed
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged after meeting yesterday, despite repeated pressures from President Trump to cut rates. ...
The hunger crisis unfolding in Gaza
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The United Nations this week warned that “widespread starvation, malnutrition and disease” are contributing to a rise in hunger-related deaths acr...
Public libraries on the line
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Along with some other federal agencies, the Trump administration has attempted to gut the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It’s a small age...
Are Trump's tariffs legal?
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the weekend, President Trump announced a new trade deal with the EU: 15% tariffs on most goods in exchange for the EU’s promise to purchase U.S...
We have a trade deal with Japan, right?
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this week, President Trump announced a “massive” trade deal with Japan. But as Japanese officials clarify some of the terms, it’s not cl...
The realities of No Tax on Tips and Overtime laws
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law makes good on a promise President Trump made over and over on the campaign trail: No Tax on Tips and ...
The trade-offs of Japan’s trade deal
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump announced a trade deal with Japan that will impose 15% tariffs on imports. Wall Street is happy, but it could put the United States in...
What happens when a data center moves to town?
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lately, tech companies like Meta have been putting hundreds of billions toward building new data centers to power their AI ambitions. Some communities...
ICE says it's coming for companies too
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons said his agency’s crackdown on unauthorized immigration will extend to employers as we...
Trump administration gives ICE access to Medicaid records
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump administration has agreed to share the data of millions of Medicaid enrollees with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in an effor...
Senate votes to cut funds for public media, foreign aid
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Senate approved the Trump administration’s rescission package today, which proposes taking back $9 billion in federal funding already allocated ...
Are Trump's tariffs starting to impact prices?
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to the latest consumer price index, the reported prices of several items, including apparel and household furnishings, increased in June, su...
How could Medicaid cuts affect long-term care?
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is projected to cut Medicaid spending by more than $1 trillion. The law changes eligibility rules, and some predictions...
Another budget showdown on Capitol Hill
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Senate is expected to vote on President Donald Trump’s rescissions package this week, which proposes rescinding $9.4 billion in previously appro...
The changing rules of who's entitled to services in America
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump Administration today said it will restrict undocumented immigrants from accessing public programs, including Head Start. Kimberly explains h...
Trump cuts and the National Weather Service
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Even before the catastrophic flooding in Texas, weather experts were ringing alarm bells over how staffing cuts at federal weather agencies could affe...
The countdown to a government shutdown begins (again)
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Now that the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is law, Congress is turning its attention to another matter: avoiding a government shutdown. We’ll exp...
Who profits from immigration detention?
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Republicans’ freshly passed spending bill sets aside $45 billion just to expand immigration detention centers. And a number of private companies are...
The first national private school voucher program just dropped
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law establishes the first major federal program for shifting public money to private schools. It comes in...
From “Million Bazillion”: What are tariffs?
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Since President Trump began imposing on-and-off tariffs earlier this year, “tariff” has become a buzzword. And you might have a kid in your life w...
A tale of two jobs reports
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Labor Department today reported the United States added 147,000 jobs in June. The number beat economists expectations, and it sits in stark contra...
The end of USAID
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show, we’ll discuss some headlines that might’ve slipped under the radar this week. First, most staff at the U.S. Agency for Internat...
Is it possible to be a "good tourist"?
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summer is here and like many you might be planning your next vacation. But here’s the thing, a lot of popular destinations are grappling with the pr...
Let the vote-a-rama begin!
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve been a bit obsessed with the GOP’s budget bill lately. And with a Senate vote expected any day now, we’re keeping a close eye on the debat...
SCOTUS’ nationwide injunction decision and the economy
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court today ruled to limit the ability of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions blocking President Trump’s executive orders. Th...
The new era of warfare
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding for now. But as this conflict has played out, along with other ongoing wars around the wor...
The fate of federal heat safety rules under Trump
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many Americans are enduring a brutal heatwave this week. For those who work outside, the heat can be deadly. On today’s show, we’ll check in on a ...
What happened to the Iran nuclear deal?
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The United States’ entanglement in Iran and Israel’s current conflict has a long, complicated history. Today we’re looking back at how it led up...
How much leverage does Iran really have over oil trade?
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Oil markets went into a state of panic after the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, stoking fears that Ira...
The current reconciliation bill will raise the deficit. Could it pass anyway?
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’ve looked at the budget reconciliation bill and its effects on student debt, taxes, health care and social programs. The bill is cur...
Health care, social programs on the chopping block
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every day this week, we’ll take a look at the ripple effects of the budget reconciliation bill moving through Congress that would enact President Do...
The Senate unveils its version of the reconciliation bill
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we take a deep dive into the provisions affecting small businesses and taxes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which aims to enact President...
How will the reconciliation bill affect student loans?
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every day this week, we’re going to take a closer look at the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which aims to enact President Donald Trump’s agenda. I...
The disappearing safety net for Baby Boomers
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The economic position of the baby boomer generation has long been the envy of younger ones in the United States. But the tides may be turning as the T...
Can reparations shrink the Black wealth gap in Tulsa?
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More than 100 years after the Tulsa Race Massacre, the Oklahoma city’s mayor recently announced a $105 million reparations package to address the Ma...
Much ado about a China trade deal
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump announced a new trade deal with China after days of negotiations. Here’s the thing: Trump’s tariffs on China will stay the same. S...
Is college still worth it?
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For decades, going to college has been seen as a reliable path to good jobs and economic success in the United States. But a recent Indeed survey repo...
California sues Trump over National Guard deployment to LA
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
President Donald Trump deployed California National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Sunday, following demonstrations over the weekend protesting the Tr...
Introducing "What We Spend" (Sponsored by Audacy)
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From our sponsor: Imagine if you could ask someone anything you wanted about their finances. On “What We Spend,” people from across the country an...
Financially Inclined: Going green with your money
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Smarties! Make Me Smart is taking a short break while Kimberly and Reema cook up something good for you! In the meantime, we’re bringing you an ...
Higher education is a major U.S. export. And it’s under threat.
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s Kai’s last day as a regular co-host of “Make Me Smart” and he’s got a solid rant (and two bleeps). We’ll get into the Trump administr...
No tax on tips? Here's what that could mean.
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Senate unexpectedly passed the No Tax on Tips Act, one of President Trump’s many campaign promises. We’ll explain what’s actually in the bil...
Watch the dollar!
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Things aren’t looking so good for the U.S. dollar. Though it’s spent decades as the world’s reigning reserve currency, it’s been weakening lat...
Where are the GOP's free market diehards?
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Walmart had said it would raise prices in response to tariffs. Then, it got a call from the White House. Now, the retailer says it will swallow some o...
Kai shares some news
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show, Kai makes a special annoucement! But first, Moody’s knocked the United States’ government’s credit rating down a peg below Tr...
You've got questions about this economy. We've got answers!
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s show, Kimber-Kai are answering your questions about all the wild things going on in the U.S. economy. Isn’t the 30% tariff rate on Chin...
Congress' AI power grab
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show, Kimberly continues to make us smart about the GOP’s massive tax bill. This time, we’re digging into a small (but important) det...
K2-18b and the search for alien life
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we’re ditching the drama on Earth and talking about K2-18b, an exoplanet 120 light-years away. K2-18b recently made headlines after researcher...
What's inside the new GOP tax bill?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
House Republicans’ newly released tax plan includes trillions in tax breaks. But those tax cuts will come at a cost. We’ll get into it. And, Apple...
Is U.S. trade policy being run on vibes?
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the Trump administration heads into a weekend of trade talks with Chinese officials, the President is floating a new tariff rate on Chinese imports...
So, about that U.S.-UK trade "deal"
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, the United States has now struck a trade deal (sorta) with the United Kingdom. We’ll get...
The million-dollar starter home?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode: Marketplace’s Reema Khrais joins Kimberly to discuss two stories from opposite ends of the housing spectrum – cuts to rental...
Is the clean energy economy doomed?
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
So far, President Trump’s “drill, baby, drill,” agenda has proven to be a sharp turn from Biden-era climate initiatives, including the landmark ...
How are companies handling tariffs? Exactly like we predicted
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump administration is hoping tariffs will spur companies to bring manufacturing back to the United States. But a new survey from the Federal Res...
Economics on Tap: Airport Edition
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, Kimberly joins "Economics on Tap" from the Toronto airport. We’ll unpack President Trump’s elimination of a tariff loophole ...
Buy less, pay more?
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, President Trump acknowledged his tariffs were resulting in costlier items in the U.S., but maintained his position that China was taking th...
What’s driving the GDP slowdown?
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Commerce Department reported the U.S. economy contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter of this year. We’ll break down the GDP math formula and di...
The Canadian economy goes “elbows up”
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After declaring victory in yesterday’s Canadian election, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the “old relationship” with the United States is over....
The Canadian Dispatch
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the show today, Kimberly joins us from an Ontario polling station on Canada’s election day. We’ll get into how President Trump’s trade war ha...
Inflation's self-fulfilling prophecy
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Americans expect inflation to rise to 6.5% this year according to the University of Michigan’s latest consumer sentiment survey. That’s the highes...
Congress' tug-of-war for tariff authority
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we’re answering questions from our listeners about everything going on in this economy (we know, it’s a lot). Like, whatever happened to th...
Introducing ... The Ryssdal Window
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Overton Window is a concept that helps explain how the range of policies considered politically acceptable shifts over time. But have you heard o...
The religious roots of ESG investing
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey Smarties! Today we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. This season, ...
Could the Supreme Court gut preventative care under Obamacare?
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Yes — Obamacare is before the Supreme Court, again. This time, the case centers on the legality of an advisory task force. Experts worry it could sp...
Selling America: Special Coverage From Marketplace
20 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stop us if you’ve heard this before: We’re in an unprecedented economic moment. But this time really is different. America’s place in the glob...
Trump's immigration crackdown is coming for legal workers
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Undocumented workers aren’t the only immigrants being targeted by the Donald Trump administration. Green card holders are facing deportation threats...
Trump vs. Powell
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In over a hundred years, no president has ever fired the chair of the Federal Reserve … yet! President Donald Trump says he could show Jerome Powell...
Let's talk about Zeno's paradox
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Since President Donald Trump took office, his administration has ignored court rulings on a range of issues from press access to deportations. Now, a ...
Will Congress deliver Trump's tax cuts?
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Tax Day, folks. While you’re hitting “Submit” on your returns, lawmakers in Washington are negotiating over what next year’s Tax Day cou...
Brexit ... but make it American
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly a decade after Brexit, the British economy is still feeling the fallout. Now, President Donald Trump seems to be pulling from a similar playboo...
Selling America
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amid this week’s tariff turmoil, U.S. stocks tumbled, U.S. Treasurys sold off, and the U.S. dollar weakened. Kai explains what this triple sell-off...
Your hot takes on this week's tariff insanity
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, it’s all YOU! We’re diving into the mailbag to play your voicemails, read your comments, and answer your questions after a wild week of tar...