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Happy Tax Day, folks. While you’re hitting “Submit” on your returns, lawmakers in Washington are negotiating over what next year’s Tax Day could look like. Congress is aiming to pack President Donald Trump’s promised tax cuts into one behemoth reconciliation bill. But Caitlin Reilly, tax and economics reporter at CQ Roll Call, said there’s a long way to go before making these promises a reality. On the show today, Reilly explains why Congress is pursuing “reconciliation,” the accounting magic lawmakers are using to make certain tax cuts look free, and how the House and Senate will square two drastically different mandates for spending cuts. Then, we’ll look into how Boeing is getting caught up in the U.S.-China trade war. And, a tax professor answers the “Make Me Smart” question.Here’s everything we talked about today:"House Republicans Passed a New Budget. Here's What's in It." from The New York Times"Senate GOP passes budget plan, setting up a critical next phase for Trump agenda" from NPR"House GOP adopts budget framework, paving the way for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’" from Politico "'Current policy' debate dogs budget reconciliation efforts" from Roll Call"Your cheat sheet to Congress’ budget fight" from PBS Newshour"China Goes After Boeing, Tells Airlines Not to Order New Aircraft From U.S. Jet Maker" from The Wall Street Journal We want to hear your answer to the “Make Me Smart” question. Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Nearly a decade after Brexit, the British economy is still feeling the fallout. Now, President Donald Trump seems to be pulling from a similar playbook — with tariffs that could reshape the U.S. economy in eerily familiar ways. (Shocker, we know!) But first: Trump threatens to send Americans to prisons in El Salvador. The constitutional crisis alarm bells are ringing. Plus, poop in space is a bigger problem than you might think.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Trump again threatens to send Americans to prisons in El Salvador" from Axios"Fox Nation Plans Game Show About Isolated People Guessing What Trump Did In His First 90 Days" from The Hollywood Reporter"Trump admin shrinks federal Medicaid funding available to states" from Axios"HHS Lays Off All Full-Time Cruise Ship Health Inspectors Amid Illness Outbreaks: Report" from The Huffington Post"NASA offers $3M in competition to recycle human poop in space" from UPI"How Brexit, a Startling Act of Economic Self-Harm, Foreshadowed Trump’s Tariffs" from The New York Times"Meet the Comedian Putting Trump Voter Regret to Music" from Rolling Stone Got a question for our hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

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 could mean for the future of the American economy. And, is the era of cheap stuff in America over? Donald Trump administration officials are arguing it’s a good thing. We’ll get into it. Plus, we’ll weigh in on penguin memes and using public phones during a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today:"Treasury Secretary Bessent says the American dream is not about 'access to cheap goods'" from CNBC"Cheap Consumer Goods Are the American Dream, Actually" from Bloomberg"The Trump administration says cheap goods aren’t part of the American dream. They’re wrong." from Vox"The bond market is acting weird. It spooked Trump" from CNN Business"After Trump’s Tariffs, Stocks Plunged but Penguin Memes Ticked Up" from The New York Times"More students opt for certificates as undergraduate degree earners decline" from Marketplace"A Frenzy at Trader Joe’s: ‘Everyone’s Here for the Tote Bags’" from The New York Times"The Masters offers public phones as alternatives to cellphones. Here's what attendees think" from Fast CompanyGot a question for our hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

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 tariff insanity. We’ll hear from YOU on how you’ve been riding the economic uncertainty. Plus, is Trump’s tariff pause, really a pause? And a listener shares what it’s been like teaching elementary students about tariffs. Here’s everything we talked about today:“US-China Trade War Tariffs: An Up-to-Date Chart” from the Peterson Institute for International Economics“The Fiscal and Economic Effects of the Revised April 9 Tariffs” from The Budget Lab at YaleMillion Bazillion by MarketplaceJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

The world woke up to a very different economy today. Then, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on some of his tariffs. The news was announced as the official in charge of U.S. trade policy was testifying on Capitol Hill. We’ll break down the trade official’s tense exchange with lawmakers and the real consequences of this week’s market madness. Plus, we’ll laugh so we don’t cry about the economy.Here’s everything we talked about today:"U.S. Trade Rep. Testifies on Pres. Trump's Trade & Tariff Agenda" from CSPAN"Live updates: Trump orders 90-day pause on new tariffs except for China" from CNN Bluesky post from Jeva Lange How are you coping with the tariff whiplash? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

You may be wondering whether the prices of your go-to products, from avocados to smartphones, will be raised by tariffs in the coming weeks. We hear you! On the show today, Martha Gimbel, executive director of the Budget Lab at Yale, gives us a broad view of the tariff landscape, how the prices of certain consumer goods could change, and how Trump’s trade agenda could impact the American economy in the long run. Plus, why a trade deficit isn’t necessarily a bad thing.Then, we’ll smile about the joy of listening to kids learn to talk. And, Carrie Lane, author of “More Than Pretty Boxes: How the Rise of Professional Organizing Shows Us the Way We Work Isn’t Working,” answers the Make Me Smart question.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Tariffs on China set to rise to at least 104% on Wednesday, White House says" from CNN Business"Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P 500 Swing Wildly; Trump Threatens More China Tariffs" from The Wall Street Journal"What is the status of the Trump administration's tariffs?" from Marketplace"Where We Stand: The Fiscal, Economic, and Distributional Effects of All U.S. Tariffs Enacted in 2025 Through April 2" from The Budget Lab at Yale"Trump Tariff Tracker" from the Atlantic CouncilGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Global markets are reeling after President Trump’s latest tariff announcement last week, prompting business executives like JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to speak out against Trump’s trade agenda. This comes just a few months after Dimon previously said to “get over” Trump’s tariff threats. Kai has thoughts. Plus, we’ll get into how long it could take for global trade to rebalance and what some conservative think tanks are saying about all the tariff upheaval.Here’s everything we talked about today:“JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Warns Tariffs Will Raise Prices, Slow Growth” from The Wall Street Journal “Jamie Dimon says Trump's tariff policy is positive for national security so people should 'get over it'“ from CNBC“New tariffs could spell major trouble for global economy” from the Competitive Enterprise Institute “Trump’s Tariffs Are an Economic Emergency for Americans” from the American Enterprise Institute “Brace for Impact, America. Trump’s Tariffs Will Soon Hit Your Bank Accounts” from the Cato Institute Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

On this edition of “Economics on Tap,” Kimberly and Sabri discuss how it’s nearly impossible to tariff-proof your shopping list (or cocktail) because of the way our global economy works. They also get into why reshoring might be easier said than done. Plus, could Congress claw back some of the authority on tariffs? And the hosts weigh in on this season of “White Lotus” in a round of Half-Full/Half-Empty!Here’s everything we talked about today:“These cocktails and wines could get pricier if Trump imposes tariffs” from The Washington Post “US Senate Republican pushes to require congressional approval for new tariffs” by Reuters “House Republican moves to rein in tariff powers” by Politico “Powell Warns Trump’s Tariffs Risk Stoking Even Higher Inflation and Slower Growth” from The New York Times“The Revolving Restaurant Is Back Again (and Again)” from The New York Times“Americans Rush to Buy TVs, Soy Sauce, Lululemon Workout Gear” from The Wall Street Journal“This Financial Firm Can Give Investment Advice in Gen Z Slang, No Cap” from The Wall Street Journal‘The White Lotus” Season 3 finale: How to watch, plus what we know about Season 4 from Yahoo Entertainment Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on American imports, with the levies coming in higher than expected. Do we need to be stockpiling our carts to get in front of rising costs? We asked economists how they’re personally preparing for higher prices. Plus, Reema and Kimberly unpack international responses as countries buckle up to negotiate — or take retaliatory measures. Also, why are we putting tariffs on uninhabited islands near Antarctica?Here’s everything we talked about today:“Tariffs Will Hit All U.S. Imports. Price Hikes for These Items May Surprise You” from The Wall Street Journal“Tariff-related layoffs hit five US auto plants that supply factories in Canada and Mexico” from CNN Business“Sweeping Trump tariffs shock global economy, draw calls for talks” by AP NewsWatch: “In Full: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responds to new US tariffs” by ABC News Australia on YouTube “‘Nowhere on Earth is safe’: Trump imposes tariffs on uninhabited islands near Antarctica” by The Guardian “The Blunt Force Trauma of the Trump Tariffs” from Wired “Support Grows for President Trump’s America First Reciprocal Trade Plan” from The White House Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Keyed to President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement today, Kimberly and Sabri unpack some of the messaging about the impact tariffs had during the president’s first term and explain why many of those claims are overblown. Plus, why we’re smiling about Sen. Cory Booker’s historic speech and how Sabri fell victim to April Fools’ Day shenanigans! (Note: This episode was recorded prior to Trump’s speech.) Here’s everything we talked about today:“Trump’s Tariffs Make the Fed’s Interest Rate Decisions Tougher” from The New York Times “Tariffs Work — and President Trump’s First Term Proves It” from The White House “Economic View: Tariffs Have Strengthened the U.S. Economy” from the Coalition for a Prosperous America “Economic Impact of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs on U.S. Industries” from the United States International Trade Commission “ITC Study Proves Effectiveness of China Tariffs on Boosting Domestic Production, Reducing Dependence on Imports” from the Coalition for a Prosperous America “Home Depot to Charge For Parking to Combat Inflation” by Pro Tool Reviews “Booker sets new record for longest Senate floor speech” from Roll Call @kimberlyadams.bsky.social‬ via Bluesky Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The idea that the government should be run more like a business isn’t new. But with two businessmen, Donald Trump and Elon Musk, now taking a proverbial chainsaw to the federal bureaucracy all in the name “efficiency,” this theory is being put to the test. While it’s an appealing idea, Philip Joyce, professor of public policy at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, said governments can’t afford to take risks the way businesses can. On the show today, Joyce explains the origins of the idea that the government should be run like a business, how we define “success” differently for the two entities, and how the way Trump and Musk do business is showing up in the White House. Then, we’ll break down the high stakes of today’s special elections in Wisconsin and Florida. Plus, reflections on serendipitous moments in walkable communities and what we gain by admitting we were wrong.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Why Running the Government Like a Business Would Be a Disaster” from The New York Times“The US Government Is Not a Startup” from Wired“The US Postal Service has been struggling for years. Now Trump’s talking about privatizing it” from AP News“DOGE wants businesses to run government services ‘as much as possible’” from The Washington Post“UPDATE: RECOVER Long COVID pathobiology grants restored” from The Sick Times“NIH restores some long COVID grants” from C&EN“What to Watch in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Election and Florida’s Special Elections” from The New York Times“What to watch for Tuesday in Wisconsin’s high-stakes Supreme Court race and special elections in Florida” from CNN Politics“Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is at stake in race that’s drawn powerful political interests” from AP News“Volume 52 | Issue 1 | February 2025” from the American Ethnological SocietyGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump has promised that a fresh wave of tariffs on April 2 will usher in an era of growth in American manufacturing. But does history bear that out? We’ll explain how steel tariffs under President George W. Bush did more harm than good. And, in response to Trump’s trade agenda, the “buy Canadian” movement is gaining steam. American exporters are already feeling it. Plus, we’ll smile about flowers, parties and the unspoken rules of texting.Here’s everything we talked about today:“As ‘Buy Canadian’ grows, more US companies say retailers shunning their products” from Reuters“Republicans scramble to shield their states from Trump’s next wave of tariffs” from Politico“Why steel tariffs failed when Bush was president” from Politico“Are You a Hostile Punctuator???” from Time“‘God’s way of smiling at us’: Iconic DC cherry blossoms create lasting joy, new beginnings” from USA TodayGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The artificial intelligence cloud computing provider CoreWeave sold shares to the public today with so-so results. Because it’s the first major IPO of the current generative AI era, some argue that CoreWeave could be a barometer of the AI boom. We’ll get into it. And, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of President Donald Trump’s firings of independent agency heads. The case will likely make its way to the Supreme Court. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s everything we talked about today:“Appeals court clears way for Trump to fire leaders of ‘independent’ federal agencies” from Politico“CoreWeave stock seesaws after IPO in first big test of AI trade” from Yahoo Finance“CoreWeave Is A Time Bomb” from Ed Zitron’s Where’s Your Ed At“OpenAI Unveils New Image Generator for ChatGPT” from The New York Times“DoorDash and Klarna partner to offer buy now, pay later for takeout” from Marketplace“Crocs hits record revenue as popularity with younger consumers soars” from Marketplace“When should we pay rent with a credit card? from Marketplace“Facebook’s New Friends Tab Brings App Back to Its Roots” from The New York TimesMarketplace’s March fundraiser ends today! Chip in now and pick up a classic public media thank-you gift: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

On today’s episode, Kai and Reema discuss the disturbing arrest of a Turkish national with a valid student visa at Tufts University and the effects these immigration detentions are having on political speech. Plus, WNBA team New York Liberty got a shiny, new training facility. (No, it’s not a spa!) And, another big oops for National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. You just can’t make this stuff up.Here’s everything we talked about today:“New York Liberty Unveil Practice Facility Amid WNBA’s Race to Attract Talent” from The New York Times “DoJ lawyers say detained Tufts student was sent to Louisiana before court order” by The GuardianVideo: Marco Rubio’s comments on Ozturk’s arrest posted by Aaron Rupar on Bluesky “Mike Waltz Left His Venmo Friends List Public” by Wired Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

In all the talk about senior White House officials discussing military attack plans over the messaging app Signal (and accidentally invited a journalist to the chat), one detail is being overlooked: the impact of the attacks on Yemen. We’ll get into it. And, we’ll unpack the chilling effect the Trump administration is having on U.S. tourism. Plus, nobody remembers that embarrassing time you misspoke in a Zoom meeting, right?Here’s everything we talked about today:“Foreign Travelers Are Rethinking Travel to the U.S.” from The New York Times“Beyond the Signal fiasco, Trump’s Yemen strategy needs more scrutiny” from The Washington Post“Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal” (gift link) from The Atlantic“Living Car-Free in Arizona, on Purpose and Happily” from The New York Times“The Ford Executive Who Kept Score of Colleagues’ Verbal Flubs” from The Wall Street Journal“As Republicans Denounce NPR and PBS, Democrats Mock Hearing” from The New York TimesHelp Marketplace and Make Me Smart plan for an uncertain future. Donate now during our March fundraiser.

The United States and Ukraine are weighing a deal that would give the U.S. a cut of revenues from Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. But Gracelin Baskaran, mining economist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said rare earths aren’t all that rare. So why is the Trump administration scrambling to get its hands on these minerals from other countries? On the show today, Baskaran explains what rare earths are, why mining them isn’t always economically attractive, and what the U.S. is doing to try to catch up with China’s rare earth production. Plus, why recycling is only part of the solution. Then, we’ll get into why Canadians are boycotting American vacations. And, how easy is it to get someone to dream about a tree or supply chain economics?Here’s everything we talked about today:“Opinion | How Trump Can Turn the Ukraine Mineral Deal Into Real Security” from The New York Times“US seeks to reopen terms of Ukraine minerals deal” from Financial Times“Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Immediate Action to Increase American Mineral Production” from the White House“Ukraine mineral deal could bolster U.S. supply of key materials” from Marketplace“Why does DRC want a Ukraine-like minerals deal with Trump, amid conflict?” from Al Jazeera“The Space Station Is Too Clean, and It’s Making Astronauts Sick” from The Wall Street Journal“Canadians Are Boycotting American Vacations” from The Wall Street JournalGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Most of us can only wonder what goes on in U.S. national security leaders’ group chats, but The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg doesn’t have to. Last week, Goldberg was accidentally included in a Signal group chat with high-ranking members of the Donald Trump administration, in which they discussed imminent war operations. Yes, this actually happened. Plus, the whopping $2.1 billion verdict you might’ve missed over Roundup weed killer. And, we smile over what’s happened since congestion pricing went into effect in Manhattan — all while dropping some Latin vocab.Here’s everything we talked about today:“The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans” by The Atlantic “Bayer Drops After $2 Billion Verdict in Latest Roundup Trial” from Bloomberg “Third Circuit Rules Failure to Warn Claims Preempted by FIFRA” from the National Agricultural Law Center “Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal break Broadway box office records with ‘Othello’” by CNN “Congestion Pricing is a Policy Miracle” by Better Cities via Substack Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

It’s almost peak bloom in Washington, D.C., which means it’s time for our annual cherry blossom celebration! But first, some federal funding news: Columbia University will give in to far-reaching demands by President Donald Trump to restore threatened federal funding. We’ll get into what kind of precedent the move sets for higher education. And, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will cancel $500 million in food deliveries. Rural food banks could be impacted most. Plus, we’ll play a blossom-themed round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s everything we talked about today:“Trump weighs in on report King Charles will offer U.S. Commonwealth membership” from The Independent“Columbia Yields to Trump in Battle Over Federal Funding” from The Wall Street Journal“USDA cancels $500M in food deliveries, leaving food banks scrambling” from The Washington Post“Ohio among best places to see cherry blossoms blooming. Here’s where” from The Columbus Dispatch“Cherry Blossom predictions are in! Will AI bloom or bust?” from George Mason University“Beyond the bud: How the nation’s pink trees became an indicator of changing climate” from WBAL“2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival set to boost DC tourism” from ABC7 NewsDonate to our March fundraiser to get classic public media thank-you gifts! https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Not totally sure how tariffs work, who pays for them and how they’re collected? Look no further. In today’s episode, Kai and Nova answer these questions and more. We’ll explain how tariffs are applied and what they’re based on, as well as what happens when a good crosses a border multiple times. Plus, what’s the point of a country retaliating with tariffs if its citizens have to pay for them? We’ll get into it.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Who Pays for Tariffs? Here’s What You Need to Know.” by The New York Times “China’s retaliatory tariffs on agricultural goods will squeeze farmers” from MarketplaceListen: Audio snippet on deals exporters and importers make to determine who will pay in the event of unexpected tariffs via OtterAi “How Tariffs Work” from The New York Times “Automakers warn that Trump tariffs will hike vehicle prices as much as 25%” from Reuters “Buying a Car? Trump’s Tariffs Could Make It More Expensive.” by The New York Times “Europe Delays Tariffs on U.S. Whiskey to Make Time to Negotiate” by The New York Times “Trump’s 200% tariff threat would be ‘a real disaster’ for Europe’s wine industry” by AP News Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

President Donald Trump’s tariff fight with the European Union just got a little more heated after the EU accused U.S. tech giants Google and Apple of breaching antitrust rules. Could this escalate the EU-U.S. trade war? We’ll also talk about the erasure of Black history and why Elon Musk is about to be back in the money. Finally, Nova makes us smile with some of the funniest and nerdiest bumper stickers seen around the streets of Los Angeles.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Jackie Robinson’s Army career wiped from military website in DEI purge” by NBC News @danlamothe.bsky.social‬ on Bluesky “Elon Musk’s X Raises Almost $1 Billion in New Equity Funding” by Bloomberg “EU accuses Google and Apple of breaking its rules, risking Trump clash” from The Guardian “The funniest, weirdest and most niche bumper stickers seen around L.A.” by The Los Angeles TimesWatch: “Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on YouTube Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Hey Smarties! Today we’re revisiting an episode from earlier this year that might help you make sense of all the tit for tat tariff fight from the past few weeks. It unpacks some tariff history and the potential economic consequences of President Trump’s ongoing trade war. If President Donald Trump goes through with his plan to levy sweeping tariffs on foreign imports, it wouldn’t be the first time the U.S. has done such a thing. Ever heard of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930? Anyone? Those tariffs are widely credited with sinking the United States deeper into the Great Depression. And although global trade looks different nowadays, they can teach us a lot about how Trump’s protectionist approach to global trade could play out. On the show today, Inu Manak, a fellow for trade policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, explains how the Smoot-Hawley tariff debacle can shed light on the current moment, why the president has the power to wield tariffs in the first place, and how punishing trading partners could leave the U.S. economy at a disadvantage. Plus, what this fight has to do with the 1980s film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and Roomba vacuum cleaners! Later, one listener’s call to visit your local butcher. And, dating coach Damona Hoffman, host of the “Dates and Mates” podcast, answers the “Make Me Smart” question just in time for Valentine’s Day. Here’s everything we talked about today:“Tariffs on Trading Partners: Can the President Actually Do That?” from Council on Foreign Relations“One Response to Trump’s Tariffs: Trade That Excludes the U.S.” from The New York Times“The United States has been disengaging from the global economy” from the Peterson Institute for International Economics“Protectionism 100 years ago helped ignite a world war. Could it happen again?” from The Washington Post“The US is one of the least trade-oriented countries in the world – despite laying the groundwork for today’s globalized system” from The ConversationDouble your impact when you donate to Marketplace today, thanks to a $30,000 match from the Investors Challenge Fund: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

On today’s episode, Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams discuss the Donald Trump administration’s disregard for the courts. The White House has ignored a judge’s order to turn around a pair of deportation flights and failed to rehire federal workers. A constitutional crisis has arrived. Plus, get ready for a three-bleep Kai rant. And how anime helps explain the GOP’s attempt to get around the real cost of its $4 trillion tax cut.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Black War Hero’s Medal of Honor Page Deleted by Pentagon” from Newsweek “Donald Trump Is Itching for a Legal Showdown Over Deportations” by Vanity Fair “What court orders? Trump’s moving full steam ahead to slash more federal workers” from Politico“Exclusive: How the White House ignored a judge’s order to turn back deportation flights” from Axios “Trump admin live updates: Border czar says ‘I don’t care what the judges think’” by ABC News “Crematory horrors spur Maryland lawmakers to push for reform” by The Washington Post “A Congresswoman with Dementia Stopped Coming to Work. The DC Press Corps Never Noticed.” by Politico “The Budget Trick the G.O.P. Might Use to Make a $4 Trillion Tax Cut Look Free” by The New York Times @bbkogan.bsky.social on Bluesky “Republicans press for change in how CBO tallies cost of legislation” from Marketplace Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

A Republican-written spending bill is being backed by some Senate Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to avoid a government shutdown. Other Democrats — and much of the voter base — aren’t happy. We’ll get into it. Then, we’ll close out the week with a round of Half Full/Half Empty, weighing in on Southwest Airlines’ new checked bag policy and $19 strawberries. Plus, in the wake of a certain duchess’ foray into television, what are your thoughts on celeb cooking shows?Here’s everything we talked about today:“The Siberian Bone Hunters Diving for Ice Age Mammoth Fossils” from The New York Times “Dr. Oz, with a TV host’s flair, promises simple solutions for America’s health care ills” by Politico“Schumer Under Fire as Pelosi and Other Democrats Criticize Shutdown Retreat” from The New York Times “Half-Past Four is the New Five O’Clock in More Efficient Workday” from Bloomberg “5 Takeaways From Meghan Markle’s Netflix Show ‘With Love, Meghan’” from The New York Times “Why does the viral Erewhon strawberry cost $19?” from Marketplace “Southwest Airlines is charging for checked bags. Will loyal flyers stick around?” from USA Today Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

In this episode, Kai and Kimberly divide into the back and forth over tariffs. The on-again, off-again levies are making it tough for industries to plan and trade. With all the uncertainty, are markets — from stocks to agriculture — on the verge of becoming untradable? Plus, we’ll wryly smile at a biting, century-old song about farmers who were ticked off about tariffs. (Thanks to our listener, Robert, for sharing his rendition!)Here’s everything we talked about today:“China’s retaliatory tariffs on agricultural goods will squeeze farmers” from Marketplace “Chinese tariffs on U.S. farm products take effect as trade tensions mount” by The Washington Post “An ‘Untradable’ Market: Trump Sows Profound Uncertainty for Stocks” from The New York Times “Nebraska folklore pamphlet: Farmers’ Alliance songs of the 1890’s” from Nebraska Memories, a digitized archival project from the Nebraska Library Commission Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

A new contender has entered the podcast landscape: wait, is that California Governor Gavin Newsom? His show features a surprisingly conservative guest list, including MAGA stars Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk. Kai and Kimberly break down the fourth wall and discuss whether there’s value in platforming guests who hold a different set of values. Plus, more federal layoffs took place this past week, this time in the U.S. Department of Education and its civil rights division. Then, the hosts get smiley about rescue dogs in a sled dog race (thanks, Abigail!) and the birds in Kai’s neighborhood.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Gavin Newsom Finds Some Surprising Common Ground With Steve Bannon” from The New York Times “Massive Layoffs at the Department of Education Erode Its Civil Rights Division” by ProPublica “U.S. Department of Education Launches “End DEI” Portal” from the U.S. Department of Education “This Iditarod musher is racing with mostly rescue dogs from Alaska shelters” from Alaska Public Media Kai’s been using Merlin Bird ID from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to identify birds in his neighborhood Meanwhile, Kimberly’s uses the Seek app to help her tell the difference between weeds and plants in her gardenGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Five years ago, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Since then, there have been lockdowns, a recession, two presidential elections and more than a million American lives lost from the disease. In many ways, life feels like it’s back to normal, but David Wallace-Wells, a writer for The New York Times, argues that the pandemic still has a grip on American life, from our faith in public health institutions to the way consumers feel about the economy. On the show today, Wallace-Wells walks us through how Americans neglected to process the seismic impact of the pandemic in the rush to recover from it, and how it’s left us more self-interested and less empathetic. Plus, how this can help explain disgruntled consumers and a growing appetite for risk-taking in the economy. Then, we’ll get into how responses to public health emergencies have shifted to the realm of the private sector. And, we’ll hear listeners’ reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic, five years on. Here’s everything we talked about today:“Opinion | How Covid Remade Our America, Five Years Later” from The New York Times“30 Charts That Show How Covid Changed Everything in March 2020” from The New York Times“Gyms, pets and takeout: How the pandemic has shifted daily life” from The Washington Post“It’s Not the Economy. It’s the Pandemic.” from The Atlantic“Opinion | Covid’s Deadliest Effect Took Five Years to Appear” from The New York Times“More Universities Are Choosing to Stay Neutral on the Biggest Issues” from The New York TimesGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

On today’s episode, Kai and Kimberly discuss the future of Biden-era clean energy tax credits under Trump 2.0. A group of GOP lawmakers want them to stay. Meanwhile, the administration is rescinding memos that pushed for climate change-resilient infrastructure. Plus, the hosts weigh in on the arrest of a Palestinian activist and Columbia University student by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Is this the first arrest of “many to come?” Finally, we’ll smile as the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., get closer to full bloom.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Trump Says Columbia Student Arrest Is First of Many to Come” from The Wall Street Journal“House Republican support grows for keeping clean energy tax breaks” from Politico “Transportation secretary rescinds Biden memos prioritizing infrastructure resilience to climate change” from The Hill “2025 Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Forecasts” from DC Cherry Blossom Watch Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump’s family business is suing Capital One for closing its bank accounts in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, arguing the bank violated consumer protection laws. Where’s the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau when ya need ’em? Then, Kimberly breaks down two moves by the White House that could have sweeping consequences for law firms who work on cases against the Trump administration. Plus, we’ll weigh in on Trump’s strategic bitcoin reserve and tariff whiplash during a game of Half Full/Half Empty! Oh, and should there be a half-time show at the 2026 World Cup final?Here’s everything we talked about today:“Trump Organization Sues Capital One for Closing Its Accounts” from The New York Times“War heroes and military firsts are among 26,000 images flagged for removal in Pentagon’s DEI purge” from AP News“Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Ensures the Enforcement of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c)” from the White House“Trump directs DOJ to seek security bonds for injunctions” from Law and Crime“Trump targets prominent Democratic-linked law firm” from Politico“Your tariff questions, answered.” from the Marketplace newsletter“Why coffee shops like Dunkin’ are dropping nondairy milk fees” from Marketplace“Fed chair signals patience amid Trump’s tariff whiplash” from The Washington Post“In a first, the 2026 World Cup final will include a halftime show” from NPR“Can an A.I. Travel Bot Plan Your Trip to NYC?” from The New York TimesGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Donald Trump administration officials disbanded two expert committees on economic data this week and suggested altering the way the U.S. calculates gross domestic product. It’s not the first time the administration has hinted at fiddling with important numbers, and a listener wrote in to ask how all this might impact businesses and the market. We’ll break it down. Plus, why is nobody talking about the debt limit? And, congrats to Bill in Ohio on scoring a hat trick!Here’s everything we talked about today:“Trump administration disbands two expert panels on economic data” from Reuters“Can the U.S. delete government spending from GDP?” from Marketplace“Key House Republican Warns May Debt-Ceiling Breach Possible” from Bloomberg“Explainer: Why would the US government shut down?” from Reuters“A campus sign said ‘Tell us something good.’ Students delivered.” from The Washington PostJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

On today’s episode, we’re discussing a pair of recent rulings about the Trump administration’s efforts to cut foreign aid and fire federal workers, leaving us with a “Through the Looking-Glass” moment, where the nonsensical is reality. Plus, we’ll explain some ways to catch a breath in the midst of uncertain economic times. And, we’ll smile at a math problem solved through the power of anime fans.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Bid to Freeze Foreign Aid” from The New York Times“How to handle the stress of tariff escalation and stock market jitters” from The Washington Post“‘He Finally Shot the Hostage’: Trump’s Trade War Is a Brutal Reality Check” from Politico“OPM retroactively edits probationary firing guidance to note it did not order probationary firings” from Government Executive“How Anime Fans Stumbled upon a Mathematical Proof” from Scientific American“Steve Carell tells students affected by wildfires that prom tickets are paid for” from The Washington Post Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The National Women’s Soccer League’s regular season kicks off next week. And thanks in part to a record-breaking media rights agreement and the growth of women’s professional sports across the board, the league is gaining more attention — and investment — than ever. Angel City Football Club became the highest-valued women’s sports team in the world last year when Willow Bay and Bob Iger acquired a controlling stake in the franchise for $250 million. Julie Uhrman, the team’s CEO and co-founder, says Angel City is just the beginning. On the show today, Uhrman explains how she and her co-founders got investors to see their vision, why a game day experience that leaves you with FOMO is key to Angel City’s growth, and how to watch the NWSL’s season. Later, how proposed funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health could leave a generational impact on the United States’ reputation as a science leader. And Adam Grant, host of the “Re:Thinking” podcast, answers the Make Me Smart question.Here’s everything we talked about today:“How Angel City became ‘the most valuable women’s sports team in the world’ with new owners” from The Athletic“Ranking new 2025 NWSL team jerseys: Which kits hit?” from ESPN“Without the Draft, NWSL Clubs Are Navigating a Changing Landscape in College Recruitment” from Sports Illustrated“NWSL announces landmark media partnerships with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports” from NWSL“National Women’s Soccer League Playoffs Docuseries Gets Premiere Date At Prime Video” from DeadlineListen: Adam Grant’s interview with Sabri Ben-Achour on Marketplace Morning ReportGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today, we’re talking about one of Kai’s favorite topics: bonds! The yield on the 10-year Treasury note (the benchmark for mortgages and car loans) is down sharply, which is great for consumers. But it’s happening for not necessarily great reasons. We’ll explain. Plus, why Kimberly is keeping a close eye on one of her go-to government websites. And, she’ll share tales from her trip to Venice’s famed carnival.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Key Interest Rate Falls as Worries About the Economy Rise” from The New York Times “RFK Jr. moves to eliminate public comment on HHS decisions” by STAT “RFK Jr. move to kill public comment roils providers” from Axios “AP PHOTOS: Venice Carnival opens with biodegradable streamers and an ode to Casanova” by AP News Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

A meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump today dissolved into a heated argument in the Oval Office, flipping the switch of the global economic order. Kai Ryssdal and guest host Nova Safo discuss what they took away from the contentious meeting and what it might mean for American-style capitalism. Plus, we’ll shift gears and play a lively round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s everything we talked about today:“Trump, Vance castigate Zelensky in tense Oval Office meeting” from CNN Politics“Microsoft Will Shut Down Skype in Favor of a Free Version of Teams” from The New York Times“‘Jeopardy!’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune’ to Leap to Streaming” from The New York Times“Why are tech companies investing in quantum computing?” from Marketplace“Why some authors and publishers are nixing book blurbs” from Marketplace“Lately, the scoop on the bond market is like ice cream roulette” from Marketplace“How much impact could a 24-hour “economic blackout” have?” from MarketplaceGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

On today’s episode, we make you smarter by answering your pressing questions about this economy: Will cuts to the federal workforce make any difference to the unemployment rate? Also, have we all been totally oblivious to a private sector recession? (Spoiler: No!) We’ll explain. Plus, listeners sound off on smile-worthy moments from their week!Here’s everything we talked about today:“How Will Shrinking the Federal Workforce Impact the Labor Market?” from Wells Fargo “How DOGE cuts might show up in the data” by Axios “Unemployment is still low, but are private sector layoffs accelerating?” from Marketplace “Many laid-off government workers aren’t eligible for unemployment” from Marketplace “US Treasury’s Bessent vows to re-privatize an economy that is ‘brittle underneath’” by Reuters “ADP® National Employment Report” from ADP Research “Employment by industry, monthly changes” from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics “Governments at all levels are hiring, and that’s boosting the job market” by Marketplace “The Federal Reserve’s favorite recession indicator is flashing a danger sign again” from CNBCJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Kai has been tracking news about a giant asteroid heading toward Earth. NASA says we’re safe, for now! But first, the hosts discuss troubling trends in the news business and a shift in who gets to exert control over media narratives. And, we’re keeping a close eye on growing fears over possible layoffs.Here’s everything we talked about today:“US Workers Cite Growing Layoff Fear in Philadelphia Fed Survey” from Bloomberg “White House takes control of press pool that covers Trump” by BBC “Washington Post opinion editor departs as Bezos pushes to promote ‘personal liberties and free markets’” by The Guardian “Costa Rica Is Saving Forest Ecosystems by Listening to Them” from Wired “NASA Gives ‘All Clear’ for Asteroid That Seemed to Threaten Earth” by The New York Times Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today, we’re sharing the first episode of “Unlocking the Gates,” a series from Marketplace and APM Studios hosted by special correspondent Lee Hawkins. He tells the story of how the Minnesota suburb he grew up in went from being a place where the housing market was inaccessible to Black families to one where many Black families found economic opportunity. And it all started with a nighttime business deal.

A week after Apple CEO Tim Cook met with President Donald Trump, the company said today that it plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. Is Apple aligning with Trump’s America First agenda? We’ll explain why Apple’s domestic investment isn’t what you may think it is. Plus, how would you respond to an email from your boss with the subject line: “What did you do last week?” And, a big thank you to Tammy from Oregon for today’s Make Me Smile moment.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Apple’s $500 Billion U.S. Investment Is Mostly Already in the Books” from The Wall Street Journal “Elon Musk Tells Federal Workers to Detail Work in an Email or Lose Their Jobs” by The New York Times “Are federal workers lazy? Let’s look at the data.” from The Washington Post “The Long Flight to Teach an Endangered Ibis Species to Migrate” from The New Yorker“The Trump administration tells agencies they could ignore Musk order on email reply” from The Washington Post (latest developments after we recorded today’s episode)Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The Supreme Court on Friday chose not to intervene in a case involving President Donald Trump’s firing of an independent agency head. As the case is passed back to the lower courts, it tees up a legal battle that will test the president’s power to dismiss officials. We’ll get into what this could all mean for the Federal Reserve. And, U.S. national parks are being hit by the administration’s purge of the federal workforce. Plus, we’ll weigh in on Birkenstocks, prebiotic sodas and the “White Lotus effect” during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s everything we talked about today:“Supreme Court Declines for Now to Let Trump Fire Agency Head” from Bloomberg Post on Bluesky about national park closures“Trump administration backtracks on eliminating thousands of national parks employees” from The L.A. Times“Firings Squeeze National Parks: ‘You Won’t Have the Full Experience’” from The New York Times“Can sandals be art? Birkenstock says yes, but a German court says no” from AP News“‘Gut Pop’ Is Injecting New Fizz Into the Beverage Aisle” from The Wall Street Journal“Politics are changing how and where consumers spend” from Marketplace“The ‘White Lotus effect’ on tourism” from Marketplace“Amazon Gains Creative Control Over the James Bond Franchise” from The New York TimesGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Things are getting tense at the Internal Revenue Service. Layoffs are looming smack in the middle of tax season as part of DOGE’s mission to cut the federal workforce. Meanwhile, the commerce secretary says President Donald Trump wants to abolish the agency altogether. Get ready for a Kai rant! Plus, Trump wants to know if there’s still gold at Ft. Knox. No, really! And, finally, we’ll smile about all the good things that have happened to you lately.Here’s everything we talked about:“Joint Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown on list to be possibly removed by Hegseth” by ABC News“Commerce Secretary Lutnick: Trump’s goal is to abolish the IRS” from Axios“I.R.S. to Begin Laying Off Roughly 6,000 Employees on Thursday” from The New York TimesWatch: “Trump wants to know if there’s gold in Fort Knox” by AP NewsWatch: “Fmr. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on U.S. gold reserves at Fort Knox” from CNBC Television“What to know about Fort Knox’s gold depository that Musk wants audited” from Axios“A campus sign said, ‘Tell us something good.’ Students delivered.” by The Washington Post Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

A growing number of young American consumers say they’re opting out of the economy entirely or pulling back from spending at certain stores over their political views. We’ll explain how this trend could collide with other economic shifts, creating the perfect recipe for a recession. Plus, by popular demand, we unpack a recent feat of nature: beavers successfully taking on civil engineering!Here’s everything we talked about:“Kremlin Message to Trump: There’s Money to Be Made in Russia” from The New York Times “A quarter of US shoppers have dumped favorite stores over political stances” by The Guardian “NAACP calls for consumers to leverage their purchasing power as some companies pull back from DEI policies” from Marketplace “Black faith leaders call for Target boycott over DEI rollback” from The Hill “Czech Dam Project Was Stalled by Bureaucracy. Beavers Built Their Own.” from The New York Times Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today we’re talking about bird flu. It’s infecting flocks of chickens, causing egg prices to rise across the country, plus herds of dairy cattle and people are getting sick too. And all of this is happening amid sweeping changes at U.S. federal health agencies. The Trump administration has ordered mass firings and limits on public communications at agencies including the Centers for Disease Control, hindering its ability to keep the public informed. On the show today, Jessica Malaty Rivera, an epidemiologist and science communicator explains the scale of the current bird flu outbreak, how the response in the United States has been disrupted by chaos in the federal government, and why state health systems may struggle to fill the gaps after years of underfunding. Plus, for one listener, doing something is better than nothing. And, another listener shares how they changed their mind about the value of government work.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Urgent CDC Data and Analyses on Influenza and Bird Flu Go Missing as Outbreaks Escalate” from KFF Health News“Mass firings at HHS: Thousands impacted across federal health agencies including CMS, FDA” from Fierce Healthcare“RFK Jr. confirmed, elevating anti-vaccine activist to nation’s top health post” from The Washington Post“How Trump’s Medical Research Cuts Would Hit Colleges and Hospitals in Every State” from The New York Times“The U.S. and the WHO: An Imperfect but Essential Relationship” from Johns HopkinsWhat’s something you thought you knew but later found out you were wrong about? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Associated Press journalists have been blocked from accessing spaces like the Oval Office after the organization opted not to use the term “Gulf of America.” We’ll unpack the conundrum this creates for other news outlets covering the White House. And, while the GOP eyes spending cuts to key social safety net programs, some Republican representatives are feeling pressure from their constituents. We’ll get into it. Plus, a penny for your thoughts on getting rid of the penny. We’ll weigh in during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s everything we talked about today:“Hagan Scotten, Adams’s Lead Prosecutor, Quits Defiantly” from The New York Times“Republicans rush to soften Trump’s cuts” from Politico“Vulnerable Republican fires warning shot on House budget” from Politico“Seeking a Mar-a-Lago Vibe, Trump Considers Paving Over Grass in Rose Garden” from The New York Times“White House Will Continue to Bar Associated Press in Gulf of Mexico Fight” from The New York Times“Opinion | ‘Gulf of America’ leads to AP removal from Trump White House events” from The Washington Post“This Is How Much the Average Couple Spends on Valentine’s Day” from U.S. News“Apple and Google Restore TikTok to App Stores in the U.S.” from The New York Times“Americans are turning to social media for financial advice” from Marketplace“So, This 2000s Denim Trend Is About to Blow Up for Spring 2025” from InStyle“What Trump’s Plan to Stop Minting Pennies Means for Consumers” from The Wall Street JournalGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Elon Musk and his DOGE team have been inside the pipes of the federal government on a mission to cut government spending and root out waste. We know government waste exists. But today, we’ll explain the problem with the way DOGE is going about it. Plus, blue state Republicans and their newfound power! And, stick around for your daily dose of positive news: We’ll hear about some of the good things that have been happening to “Make Me Smart” listeners. (Keep ‘em coming!)Here’s everything we talked about:Watch: Watch live: House DOGE subcommittee holds first hearing on federal spending on YouTube “DOGE fight: New subcommittee holds its first House hearing” by Roll Call “The Government Waste DOGE Should Be Cutting” from The Atlantic Improper Payments and Fraud: How They Are Related but Different from the Government Accountability OfficeWatch: Happening Now: Powell Testifies Before Senate Banking Committee on YouTube “What does having the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on hold mean for consumers?” from AP News “How blue state Republicans could shape Congressional legislation this year” by Marketplace Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Throughout the 2024 election campaign, voters kept saying the economy felt bad, even though it looked good on paper. A new report blames that disconnect on the way the government measures the economy — sending economic circles abuzz! We’ll explain what the tizzy is all about. Plus, is the Senate confirmation process for federal officials still useful? And, we’ll smile about the adorableness that is the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Voters Were Right About the Economy. The Data Was Wrong.” from Politico Article 2 Section 2 Clause 2 | Constitution Annotated from the Library of Congress “Tulsi Gabbard confirmed by Senate as director of national intelligence” from The Washington Post “Best of 2025 Masters Agility Championships from Westminster Kennel Club” from Fox Sports “In pictures: The 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show” from CNN “A Spa Day for Louis Before the Westminster Dog Show” from The New York Times“Westminster 2025 Preview: Why Can’t Golden Retrievers Win Best in Show?” from The New York Times Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

If President Donald Trump goes through with his plan to levy sweeping tariffs on foreign imports, it wouldn’t be the first time the U.S. has done such a thing. Ever heard of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930? Anyone? Those tariffs are widely credited with sinking the United States deeper into the Great Depression. And although global trade looks different nowadays, they can teach us a lot about how Trump’s protectionist approach to global trade could play out. On the show today, Inu Manak, a fellow for trade policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, explains how the Smoot-Hawley tariff debacle can shed light on the current moment, why the president has the power to wield tariffs in the first place, and how punishing trading partners could leave the U.S. economy at a disadvantage. Plus, what this fight has to do with the 1980s film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and Roomba vacuum cleaners! Later, one listener’s call to visit your local butcher. And, dating coach Damona Hoffman, host of the “Dates and Mates” podcast, answers the “Make Me Smart” question just in time for Valentine’s Day.Here’s everything we talked about today:“Tariffs on Trading Partners: Can the President Actually Do That?” from Council on Foreign Relations“One Response to Trump’s Tariffs: Trade That Excludes the U.S.” from The New York Times“The United States has been disengaging from the global economy” from the Peterson Institute for International Economics“Protectionism 100 years ago helped ignite a world war. Could it happen again?” from The Washington Post“The US is one of the least trade-oriented countries in the world – despite laying the groundwork for today’s globalized system” from The ConversationGot a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump’s recent steps to remove federal employees is drawing comparisons to government purges during the Red Scare of the 1950s. What’s at stake when government workers are pushed out? We’ll break it down. Plus, we’ll explain why a ruling in one of the lawsuits over Trump’s funding freeze is a biggie. Finally, tell us something good that happened to you lately!Here’s everything we talked about today:“Judge Rules That Trump Administration Defied Order to Unfreeze Billions in Federal Grants” from The New York Times “Trump Eases Enforcement of Law Banning Overseas Bribes” by Bloomberg “What Happened the Last Time a President Purged the Bureaucracy” from Politico “CBS News poll — Trump has positive approval amid ‘energetic’ opening weeks; seen as doing what he promised” by CBS News “Second pig kidney transplant successfully completed at Massachusetts General Hospital” from WCVB Channel 5 “Experimental transplants with organs from gene-edited pigs see major steps forward” from CNN “A campus sign said ‘Tell us something good.’ Students delivered.” by The Washington Post Tell us something good that happened to you recently! Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump has fired dozens of government officials since he took office. The latest is the chair of the Federal Election Commission. But is any of this legal? We’ll get into it. Plus: A “Make Me Smart” alum shares the trauma of losing his home in the Los Angeles fires. Finally, we’ll wrap with a dose of uplifting news (thanks to you!) and a round of our favorite game, Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s everything we talked about today:“Democratic FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub says Trump fired her. She says it’s not legal.” from CBS News “Trump Illegally Attempts to Fire Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub” from Campaign Legal Center “How to Watch All the 2025 Oscar Nominated Short Films” by Town & Country magazine “2025 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From!” by Erin in the Morning “The Trauma of Losing Your Home in the Eaton Fire” from The New York Times “A Los Angeles-area developer gives advice on rebuilding after the fires” from Marketplace Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Elon Musk and the rest of the DOGE gang have been inside the guts of the federal government attempting to shut down agencies and gain access to the Treasury Department’s main payment system. We’ll discuss the constitutionality of it all and why some members of Congress may be reluctant to say it like it is. Plus, the toy business is paying attention to prices as Trump threatens trade war. And, AI is making a splash at the 2025 Super Bowl.Here’s everything we talked about today:Watch: “Rep. Khanna: If Elon Musk finds fraud or wasteful spending, come to Congress and force a vote on it” by CNBC Television “Is the way Trump and Musk are running the economy even legal?” by Marketplace “Trump admin agrees to limit DOGE access to Treasury payments system” from Axios “Musk DOGE agents access sensitive personnel data, alarming officials” by The Washington Post “U.S. nonprofits still reeling from federal funding freeze” from Marketplace 2024 Q4 Earnings Call from Alphabet Investor Relations “Mattel may hike prices for Barbie, Hot Wheels and other toys after Trump tariffs” by CBS News “Fast fashion, laptops and toys are likely to cost more due to US tariffs on Chinese imports” from AP NewsWatch: Act Like You Know :60 | GoDaddy Super Bowl Commercial 2025 on YouTube “Super Bowl to feature AI product ads from Big Tech” from Marketplace Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Is Elon Musk’s control of government offices as an unelected official a coup? Lots of people seem to think so. We’ll explain why. Plus, another potential government shutdown is looming and it may work in Democrats’ favor. And, one surprisingly effective (and protein-rich) way food insecurity in Pennsylvania is being addressed.Here’s everything we talked about today:“What the Black Hawk Pilots Could See, Just Before the Crash” by The New York Times “Shutdown fears grow as Trump battles multiply” by The Hill “‘We would call it a coup’: Watchdogs and Dems attack Elon Musk Treasury Department takeover” from USA Today “The ‘Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly’ of the United States Government” by The Atlantic “Elon Musk’s Power Grab Is Lawless, Dangerous, and—Yes—a Coup” from Slate “The Guardian view on Donald Trump’s power grab: a coup veiled by chaos” by The Guardian “Processing Deer to Eliminate Food Insecurity” by the Daily Yonder Got a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

It’s hard to overstate the role immigrant workers play in the U.S. economy. Key industries rely on them — nearly half of meat-processing jobs, for instance, are held by immigrants. And many work in low-wage jobs that are vulnerable to exploitation. Ted Genoways, a reporter with the Food and Environment Reporting Network, said Trump’s promises of mass deportations is creating fear and uncertainty for immigrant workers, both authorized and unauthorized, as well as for the massive food companies that employ them. “If history is any guide, this will probably mean increased food prices, if only for companies trying to hedge against the possibility of something disastrous happening,” said Genoways. On today’s show, Genoways gives us a snapshot of the low-wage immigrant workforce’s role in our economy and unpacks how Trump’s deportation plans could disrupt America’s food supply. Plus, why aren’t food companies held accountable for exploiting their employees? And, we’ll get into what restrictions on the U.S. Agency for International Development could mean for Cuba. Plus, would you trust Kai with the aux?Here’s everything we talked about today:“This Week’s Episode of Reveal: Immigrants on the Line” from Mother JonesOpinion | “How Trump’s Deportation Plans Could Blow Up the Food System and Increase Migrant Labor” from Politico“Brooke Rollins, Trump’s Agriculture Pick, Addresses Tariff and Immigration Impact on Farmers” from The New York Times“How Trump’s plan to deport undocumented immigrants threatens the workforce for U.S. farm workforce” from CBS News“Trump’s Pause of U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America: An ‘America Last’ Policy” from WOLA“US secretly created ‘Cuban Twitter’ to stir unrest and undermine government” from The Guardian“Chappell Roan wins best new artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards” from AP NewsGot a question or comment for us? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.