Make Me Smart
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Make Me Smart
Each weekday, Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams makes today make sense along with her Marketplace colleagues, breaking down happenings in tech, the economy, and culture. Because none of us is as smart as all of us.
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Can Hollywood make a comeback?
On today’s show, we’re preparing for the Oscars by checking in on the state of the film industry. Marketplace’s Amy Scott sits down with Wall Street J...
The economic ripple effects of ICE in Minnesota
ICE may have wound down its operations in Minnesota, but the state is still facing the economic consequences of Operation Metro Surge. This has fueled...
The ski industry squeeze
As prices have risen over the past decade, snow sports have gotten farther and farther out of reach for many Americans. And this has big implications...
The big money in the Texas primaries
This week’s Texas primary elections were heated — and historic in terms of campaign spending. On today’s show, Blaise Gainey, state politics reporter...
The Trump administration scrapped the endangerment finding. Now what?
The endangerment finding paved the way for federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from cars, trucks, and power plants. Now that the Environmen...
The U.S., Iran and the rise of drone warfare
As war in the Middle East widens, it’s become clear that drones now play a fundamental role in global conflict. They’ve changed the way wars are fough...
Make Me Smart: Vermont Edition
On today’s show, we’re taking a trip to the Green Mountain State for an up close look at one of Vermont’s most pressing economic issues: housing. Kimb...
Kai returns to unpack Trump's new tariff
Things have felt pretty chaotic in this economy since the Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s signature tariffs last week. On today’s show, Ka...
Sled hockey's Declan Farmer makes us smart about the Winter Paralympics
Want more of the Winter Games? We have good news for you: The Winter Paralympics kick off in Milan next week. On today’s show, three-time Paralympic g...
The view from cattle country
On today’s edition of “Economics on Tap,” Kimberly is joined by Anna Pope, agriculture and rural affairs reporter for KOSU and Harvest Public Media, t...
Congress set aside $50 billion to transform rural health care. Will it work?
A $50 billion pot of money for rural health care made it into last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, President Trump’s hallmark tax and spending law....
Medical providers grapple with Trump's attempts to end gender-affirming care for minors
In December, the Department of Health and Human Services proposed a new rule that would ban hospitals from receiving any Medicare and Medicaid funding...
From "This Is Uncomfortable": In America, cultural education doesn't come cheap
Hey Smarties! There won’t be a livestream for “Economics on Tap” today. But don’t worry! “Economics on Tap” will return soon on Feb. 20. For now, we’r...
Can AI bots help us find love?
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, in this episode we’re taking a look at what it’s like to be looking for love right now — and the technology th...
The power of reading and writing as self-care
Cliche or not, engaging with art is certainly one of the best ways to take a step back when the news cycle gets extra heavy. On the show today, Kimber...
From "This Is Uncomfortabe": Help! My coworker wants a copy of my house key!
Hey Smarties! There won’t be a livestream for “Economics on Tap” today. But don’t worry! “Economics on Tap” will return soon on Feb. 20. For now, we’r...
What do American families really care about right now?
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, pollsters and strategists from all over the world of politics are trying to get a pulse on American families....
The political cloud hanging over the Fed
Hey Smarties! We recorded today’s episode before the House passed a spending package that will end the partial government shutdown. We’re monitoring t...
Make Me Smart about Olympic figure skating
The Winter Olympics kick off next week in Milan, Italy. On today’s show, Kimberly is joined by Jackie Wong, self-described skate nerd and host of “The...
What does the end of TPS mean for Haitian workers in the U.S.?
In line with President Trump’s broader crackdown on immigration, the administration has moved to end the Temporary Protected Status program for certai...
Trump’s rift with Europe
The European Union is still reeling after President Trump’s Davos appearance, even after he walked back some of his Greenland threats. A big question...
The infrastructure side of the AI boom
Tech companies are pouring billions into developing the infrastructure necessary to meet the demand for artificial intelligence. But what does that in...
What is media capture?
President Trump has routinely sought to influence the business dealings of U.S. media companies, including Netflix and Paramount’s fight over the futu...
The changes coming to federal student loans in 2026
For student loan borrowers, the past few years have felt like whiplash. From the fallout of the Biden-era SAVE plan to policies in the Trump administ...
On the ground in Minnesota
On today’s show, Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News, joins Kimberly to share how her community has been affected by a recent surge in...
It's brutal out here (in the job market)
Marketplace’s “This Is Uncomfortable” is back with new episodes about life and how money messes with it. Today, host Reema Khrais joins Kimberly to sh...
Trump vs. the courts
Seemingly infinite battles over President Donald Trump’s agenda have been playing out in the courts over the past year. But when all’s said and done,...
New year, new mayor, New York
On today’s show, WNYC reporter Brigid Bergin joins Kimberly to talk about New York City’s brand new Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose campaign on affordabil...
Venezuela and Trump's new Monroe Doctrine
In the wake of U.S. military action in Venezuela, including the capture of the country’s leader Nicolás Maduro, we’re left with questions about what t...
The road to rebuilding, one year after the LA wildfires
It’s been a year since the Eaton and Palisades fires swept through Southern California, taking 31 lives and destroying over 16,000 structures — includ...
From "This Is Uncomfortable": Wait, I think I’m being underpaid
Hey smarties! Happy New Year. We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “This Is...
From "This Is Uncomfortable": "You'll never be ready to buy a home"
Hey smarties! Happy New Year. We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “This Is...
Cheers to hosting better parties this holiday season (rerun)
Hey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2025. We can’t do this show without you and we still need...
"Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" and anime's biggest year yet
Hey smarties! We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, enjoy this bonus episode on one of Kimberly’s favorite topics: anime!
The music industry vs. AI (rerun)
Hey smarties! We’re taking a short break for the holidays. So today, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes from 2025. Enjoy!
Today we’re...
Your thoughts on the economy in 2025
On today’s show, we’re digging into the mailbag to hear our listeners’ thoughts on the economy in 2025. Spoiler: tariffs came up a lot. And, we’ll hea...
Feeding the Family
Hey Smarties! We’re dropping into your feeds today to share this special coverage from Marketplace.
For many people gathering around the table t...
How to start the caregiving conversation
Family caregivers in the United States are increasingly under mental and financial stress. Elizabeth Miller, founder of the caregiver resource platfor...
Can we fix America’s long-term care system?
Long-term care is expensive in the United States. With Medicaid spending cuts looming and the Trump administration’s deportation plans threatening the...
The "invisible workforce" of family caregivers
Roughly 1 in 4 Americans now identifies as a family caregiver. That share has risen dramatically over the past decade. With more people needing care a...