Make Me Smart
News & Politics
About
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.
Episodes
- Kimberly's final cheers on "Economics on Tap"
Kimberly and David Brancaccio talk about his years on "Marketplace Morning Report" and his future role. They also exchange summer reading recommendations and play a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Reading recommendations include "Liar's Pok…
- How the new WNBA CBA transforms player pay
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses how the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement transforms player pay. It also examines if women's basketball has maximized its earning potential.
- The new fight for states' rights under Trump
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses the ongoing power struggle between states and the federal government, specifically under the Trump administration. Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy explains how federal funding is being used as a tool…
- From "This Is Uncomfortable": Wait...where did my retirement money go?
This episode, from "This Is Uncomfortable," investigates what happens to retirement money after leaving a job and how to locate forgotten 401(k) accounts. Reema interviews retirement expert Geoffrey Sanzenbacher and behavioral economist Ka…
- It's tough out there for new college grads
This episode explores the difficulties new college graduates face in the job market, touching on the impact of AI and providing historical context. It features a discussion with New York Times reporter Noam Scheiber.
- How second chance employment is lowering recidivism in the U.S.
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses how second chance employment programs are lowering recidivism rates in the U.S. It features a conversation with Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday…
- The economic outlook of the great outdoors
This episode examines the outdoor recreation economy in the Western United States. It covers pressures facing the industry, such as climate change and Trump administration policies, and discusses the potential impact of a new foreign touri…
- Mass deportations don’t lead to more jobs for Americans. Why does the myth persist?
This episode of Make Me Smart explores why the myth that mass deportations lead to more jobs for Americans persists. University of Colorado Boulder economist Chloe East joins Kimberly to discuss the unexpected ways restrictive immigration…
- Vietnam's economy on the rise
Kai and Kimberly discuss Vietnam's economy, focusing on its young workforce and the country's economic transformation. They also touch on the global pressures Vietnam's economy faces.
- Seattle's tech industry blues
Monica Nickelsburg joins the show to discuss the recent layoffs in Seattle's tech industry and the role of AI. The episode also explores the increase in data centers and local reactions to this development. Additionally, listeners can enjo…
- Anthropic’s head of economics answers our questions about AI and the job market
On Make Me Smart, Anthropic's head of economics, Peter McCrory, joins Kimberly to discuss the effects of AI on the job market and global economy. They review research on how people are using Anthropic's chatbot Claude, AI adoption, and pro…
- Here’s how the ultrarich avoid paying taxes
Ray Madoff, Boston College Law School professor, discusses how the ultrarich avoid taxes and the reasons behind persistent tax loopholes. She also explains why a wealth tax may not be a simple solution.
- "Marketplace" Live
Kai Ryssdal and Kyla Scanlon discuss AI, prediction markets, Federal Reserve independence, and the war in Iran. David Brancaccio also shares his experience and new role as Marketplace senior correspondent.
- Rejecting climate doomerism with solarpunk
This episode of Make Me Smart explores solarpunk, a sci-fi subgenre focused on optimistic futures in the face of climate disaster. Writer Phoebe Wagner discusses its connection to the green energy transition and how it offers an alternativ…
- Who can stop insider trading on prediction markets?
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses insider trading on prediction markets, including concerns raised by Iran war bets on Polymarket. It explores the history of insider trading laws at the CFTC and their relevance to these platforms, as…
- ICE and the “wide, deep, and ever-growing” surveillance state
Kimberly talks with investigative journalist Joseph Cox about the growth of the American surveillance state and simple steps to protect privacy. They discuss how ICE uses surveillance tools as part of its immigration crackdown, focusing on…
- Make Me Smart: Lunar Edition
This episode of Make Me Smart explores the Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years. Kimberly discusses the evolving landscape of the spaceflight industry, particularly the increasing role of privat…
- One wild year of Trump's tariffs
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses the impact of a year of Trump's tariffs on small businesses. Kimberly talks with Justine Kahn, founder of Botnia Skincare, and Will Sissle, owner of Sissle & Daughters Cheesemongers & Grocers, about…
- Inside the "Super Bowl of energy”
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses CERAWeek, an energy conference, where topics included the war in Iran and its impact on global energy markets, as well as broader disruptions in the energy sector. Elizabeth Trovall joins Kimberly to…
- Make Me Smart about the business of sake
This episode of Make Me Smart explores the business of sake with Reiko Hirai, founder of D.C. Sake Co. The discussion covers the sake industry, the increase of sake breweries in the United States, and includes a sake tasting.
- The humanitarian risks of a fertilizer shock
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses the humanitarian risks stemming from a fertilizer shock caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war with Iran. It explores how disruptions to the fertilizer trade could lead to incre…
- The super PAC spending flooding the primaries
Kimberly and Tim Lim discuss the influence of super PAC spending on the 2026 midterm primaries. They also explore a Supreme Court case that has the potential to loosen campaign finance regulations.
- The economics behind the rise of BTS and Korean culture
This episode of Make Me Smart explores the economics behind the rise of BTS and Korean culture. Kimberly talks with researcher Michelle Cho about the history of South Korean government investment in cultural industries and its impact on en…
- Who gets to set limits on AI?
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses the legal dispute between the Pentagon and Anthropic regarding the unrestricted use of Anthropic's AI model, Claude. The conflict raises questions about who sets limits on AI and could impact militar…
- How the farm bill became the everything bill
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses how the farm bill has evolved into a comprehensive piece of legislation impacting all Americans. It explores the rising costs, difficulties in passing the bill, and the potential challenges to histor…
- Can Hollywood make a comeback?
Amy Scott and Ben Fritz discuss the state of the film industry, including slumping ticket sales and the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. They also explore what it would take for Hollywood to make a comeback.
- The economic ripple effects of ICE in Minnesota
This episode discusses the economic aftermath of ICE's Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, focusing on potential eviction crises and legislative efforts to provide renter relief. The conversation also covers the current situation since a p…
- The ski industry squeeze
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses the rising costs in the ski industry and the impacts of climate change on its future. It examines how these factors affect affordability for Americans and the businesses and workers dependent on ski…
- The big money in the Texas primaries
This episode of Make Me Smart features Blaise Gainey, state politics reporter for The Texas Newsroom, discussing the Texas primary elections. He shares insights on campaign spending and the economic issues that influenced voters.
- The Trump administration scrapped the endangerment finding. Now what?
The Trump administration repealed the endangerment finding, which had enabled federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. This episode explores what this repeal means for U.S. climate policy, the auto industry, American consumers, and…
- The U.S., Iran, and the rise of drone warfare
This episode of Make Me Smart explores the fundamental role of drones in global conflict. Kimberly talks with Sarah Kreps about how drone technology has evolved, how drone warfare has changed conflicts, and what this means for civilians.
- Make Me Smart: Vermont Edition
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses Vermont's housing crisis. Kimberly and Carly Berlin examine the factors contributing to the issue and potential solutions, including a catalog of pre-approved home designs.
- Kai returns to unpack Trump's new tariff
On this episode of Make Me Smart, Kai Ryssdal joins Kimberly to discuss the Supreme Court's decision on former President Trump's tariffs. They explore the legal questions surrounding a new global tariff and the process of tariff refunds.
- Sled hockey's Declan Farmer makes us smart about the Winter Paralympics
Declan Farmer joins Kimberly to discuss the upcoming Winter Paralympics, focusing on para ice hockey and the opportunities for adaptive athletes. They also explore the financial struggles many Paralympians encounter.
- The view from cattle country
On this episode of Make Me Smart, Anna Pope, an agriculture and rural affairs reporter, discusses the challenges faced by Oklahoma’s agricultural workers including wildfires, federal workforce reductions, and global trade tensions. She als…
- Congress set aside $50 billion to transform rural health care. Will it work?
This episode discusses the $50 billion allocated for rural health care in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, alongside Medicaid cuts. KFF Health News correspondent Arielle Zionts explores the potential benefits and shortfalls of the Rural Hea…
- Medical providers grapple with Trump's attempts to end gender-affirming care for minors
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses the proposed HHS rule to ban Medicare/Medicaid funding for hospitals providing gender-affirming care for minors. It explores the impact on healthcare providers and examines the broader context of res…
- From "This Is Uncomfortable": In America, cultural education doesn't come cheap
This episode, shared from "This Is Uncomfortable," features journalist Aymann Ismail discussing his family's financial decisions to send his children to a private Islamic school. The conversation covers the costs and trade-offs involved in…
- Can AI bots help us find love?
This episode of Make Me Smart investigates the role of AI in dating applications, examining if these technologies facilitate genuine connections. The discussion includes perspectives from Wired magazine senior writer Jason Parham.
- The power of reading and writing as self-care
On "Make Me Smart," Kimberly and Maggie Smith discuss reading and writing as self-care and the importance of creativity amidst challenges to arts funding. Maggie also reads a poem and listeners share their self-care rituals.
- From "This Is Uncomfortabe": Help! My coworker wants a copy of my house key!
This episode from "This Is Uncomfortable" covers various workplace issues, including coworker relationships, management behavior, and company policies. Reema and Sarah Hagi discuss listener questions about sticky work situations.
- What do American families really care about right now?
Kimberly and a panel of experts from the Aspen Forum on Children and Families discuss what American families care about. They explore what research reveals about family concerns and its implications for future policies affecting children a…
- The political cloud hanging over the Fed
Kimberly and Nancy Marshall-Genzer discuss President Trump's pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The episode also covers potential implications for Kevin Warsh and his history at the Fed.
- Make Me Smart about Olympic figure skating
Kimberly and Jackie Wong discuss Olympic figure skating, the Milan Cortina Games, and the financial challenges figure skaters experience. They also cover who to watch at the upcoming games.
- What does the end of TPS mean for Haitian workers in the U.S.?
This episode of Make Me Smart features Marketplace's Elizabeth Trovall. She discusses the end of the Temporary Protected Status program for Haitian workers in the U.S. and the potential impact on the U.S. economy.
- Trump’s rift with Europe
Paola Tamma joins Kimberly from Brussels to discuss Europe’s shifting approach to President Trump and the EU's response to his economic threats. They also consider if seeking alternative trade allies could be an antidote.
- The infrastructure side of the AI boom
Meghan McCarty Carino joins Kimberly to discuss the infrastructure supporting the AI boom, focusing on data centers and the surge in AI investment. They also touch on microdramas and "AI slop."
- What is media capture?
Rodney Benson discusses the concept of media capture and its potential influence on U.S. media companies, citing examples related to President Trump. The episode explores how this phenomenon works and its implications.
- The changes coming to federal student loans in 2026
This episode of Make Me Smart discusses upcoming changes to federal student loans in 2026. Betsy Mayotte from The Institute of Student Loan Advisors joins to break down what borrowers need to know about these changes, including the impact…
- On the ground in Minnesota
Dana Ferguson joins Kimberly to discuss the effects of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Minnesota and the political implications of Governor Tim Walz’s decision to end his reelection campaign. The episode covers th…