Marketplace All-in-One

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 Trump administration seeks deep cuts to social benefits that older Americans rely on. We’ll get into it. And, Kimberly joins the show from the National Press Club in Washington D.C., to make us smarter about how the GOP’s reconciliation bill could impact the richest and poorest Americans. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s everything we talked about today:"GOP tax bill would cost poor Americans, boost highest earners, CBO says" from AP News "Megabill would cost poorest households $1,600 a year, boost richest by $12K, CBO predicts" from Politico "Baby Boomers’ Luck Is Running Out" from The Atlantic"Why is everyone so crazy for Labubu toys?" from Marketplace"Booming sales of the latest Nintendo Switch bode well for the gaming industry" from Marketplace"You’ve Heard of Fine Wine. Now Meet Fine Water" from The New York Times"A federal judge ruled AI chatbots don't have free speech protections — for now" from Marketplace Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

When President Trump slapped sky-high tariffs on goods from China, exporters rerouted ships elsewhere. Now that those tariffs are on pause, shipping costs aren’t magically coming down — the cargo is spread all over the world. In this episode, we explain this unintended effect of Trump’s inconsistent trade policy. Plus: One woman makes it her mission to provide free student loan advice, Georgia shrimpers struggle to compete with foreign suppliers, and a florist navigates price changes.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

In the past few years, as street drug makers increasingly cut fentanyl into drugs like cocaine, there’s been a rise in overdoses among people who aren’t addicted to opioids. Nashville, in particular, has seen overdoses rise among tourists. The city has worked to get overdose reversal drugs into downtown bars and music venues. We'll learn what the uptake process was like. Also: a bond market checkup and a pullback in corporate sponsorship at Pride events.

We’re continuing to comb through the evolving big package of tax cuts and spending being worked out by Republicans in the Senate. Today, we explore what the effects could be on businesses. Plus, after Israel launched attacks on Iran's nuclear capabilities, open warfare in the region is forcing money to shift on financial markets. And, President Donald Trump is acknowledging the toll immigration raids are having on some industries that rely on immigrant workers.

From the BBC World Service: In a dramatic heightening of tensions, Israel's military said it had struck "dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran." The strike had led to a 10% rise in oil prices. And later on the program: Investigations are continuing to look into what exactly happened to Flight AI171 between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick, which crashed soon after take-off, killing nearly everyone on board.

Today on “Marketplace Tech Bytes: Week in Review,” we're looking at Apple's latest software and operating system updates. Also, there's a tentative labor deal between video game actors and studios. And we'll remember legendary Apple software engineer Bill Atkinson, who died at the age of 74. We begin with Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference which came and went this week with some mixed reactions. Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Anita Ramaswamy, columnist for The Information, to get her take on this year’s WWDC. Tech Bytes for June 13More on everything we talked about“Apple fails to clear a low bar on AI” - from The Wall Street Journal“Apple underwhelms at WWDC with incremental AI changes, new software name and ‘liquid glass’ design” - from The Associated Press”Video game performers on strike for almost a year over AI issues reach a tentative deal” - from The Associated Press“Videogame voice actors strike 'suspended' following agreement with game companies: 'All SAG-AFTRA members are instructed to return to work’” - from PC Gamer“Bill Atkinson, Macintosh Pioneer and Inventor of Hypercard, Dies at 74” - from WIRED“Bill Atkinson, who made computers easier to use, is dead at 74” - from The New York Times

You might’ve missed it amid all the Congressional budget hoopla, but Senator Ted Cruz recently floated ending Federal Reserve interest payments, claiming it would save a trillion dollars over ten years. The problem? Not only would that plan save zero taxpayer dollars, it also goes against the Fed’s mandate to keep prices stable. Also in this episode: Amazon announces AI -generated video ads, Save the Children U.S. shifts gears amid USAID cuts, and FEMA puts pressure on local relief organizations.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

More than 100 years after the Tulsa Race Massacre, the Oklahoma city’s mayor recently announced a $105 million reparations package to address the Massacre’s lasting impact. Marketplace’s Mitchell Hartman joins us on the show today to explain how we got here, and more from his reporting on economic injustice in Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood. Plus, we’ll get into what the new reparations package could mean for Black Tulsans and the push for reparations in other cities.Here’s everything we talked about today:"The Tulsa Race Massacre destroyed Black lives and wealth. What's owed to survivors' descendants?" from Marketplace"Black Tulsans still feel effects of Greenwood neighborhood's "second destruction'" from Marketplace "$105 Million Reparations Package for Tulsa Race Massacre Unveiled by Mayor" from The New York Times"$105 million trust to be built for 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre reparations, city says" from Public Radio TulsaWe want to hear from you. Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The Senate is working through the massive tax and spending bill. The House has passed its version, but the two plans still have to be reconciled. Today, we'll dig into what the legislation could mean for your own personal tax bill and the national deficit. Also on the show: Inflation remains tame despite pricier shipping rates, and booming sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 bode well for the gaming industry.

Many labor unions were once wary of immigrants, viewing them as low-cost competitors for union jobs. Now, changing demographics and common interests have resulted in unions playing a more prominent role in immigrant workforces and communities. We'll hear more. Plus, a bill before the House would claw back more than $9 billion in funding, and a United Nations report shows nearly 138 million children are working worldwide.

From the BBC World Service: U.S. President Donald Trump's economic policies have rattled markets and dented consumer confidence. Few corners of the American market have been spared, from fast food chains to high-profile horse racing events — including the Preakness Stakes, one of three races comprising the Triple Crown. We went along last month to learn what the attitude of race-goers can reveal about the current economic mood. Plus, a review of Washington's multibillion-dollar submarine deal with Britain and Australia.

Building work has started in the Finnish capital Helsinki on what’s expected to become the biggest startup campus in Europe. Finland’s government says it wants the small Nordic nation to offer the best startup ecosystem in Europe. The BBC’s Maddy Savage has this story.

Prices rose 0.1% in May, according to the latest consumer price index — that’s less than some analysts anticipated. It seems tariffs haven’t quite hit consumers’ wallets yet. We’ll explain what might be going on. Later in the episode: Retailers have cut close to 76,000 jobs so far this year, a 274% increase from the same period in 2025, and Kai and Nela visit a truss manufacturer juggling H2-B visas, automation and tariffs.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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. So what did the two countries actually agree to? We’ll get into it. And, after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired a panel of experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines, doctors and insurance companies are wondering who they should look to for guidance. Plus, a life-sized stuffed moose on Capitol Hill makes us smile.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Trump Hails Progress With China, but Details Are Sketchy"  from The New York Times"RFK Jr. just fired the government’s vaccine experts. What do you do now?" from Vox"Former CDC director reacts to RFK Jr.’s firing of entire vaccine advisory panel" from PBS News"If you move a moose through the Senate" from Roll Call"An 84-Year-Old Woman on a Pony Inspires Awe—and Concern—in the U.K." from The Wall Street JournalWe want to hear from you. Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Hurricane season starts in two and a half weeks. Last year, hurricanes caused $124 billion in damage. This year, the Trump administration is making cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Today, we head to Houston to hear how community "hub houses" offer support during disasters. Plus, the U.S and China appear back on track toward a trade truce and Trump administration policies are causing chaos for rural solar businesses.

A summertime gig can be a rite of passage for many, and summer hiring of teenagers crests right about now. Seasonal jobs may be harder to find this year though amid tariffs, travel restrictions and general economic uncertainty. And when teens don't find a summer job, there can be long-term consequences. Also on the show: the Forest Service is down firefighters ahead of wildfire season and a look at what's next for cooling U.S.-China trade relations.

From the BBC World Service: The U.S. and China say that, during talks in London, they’ve sketched out a framework to dial down their trade fight after slapping big tariffs on each other. But those trade tensions aren’t doing the global economy any favors; the World Bank has slashed its global growth forecast. And later, we hear how a tea plantation in India is fighting climate change with rock dust.

There's a trial run taking place over a type of digital wallet for data. Consumers are in control, and they can sell their data to the highest bidder. This trial run is taking place in Brazil, the first country to try something like this on a national scale. Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Sao Paolo-based journalist Gabriel Daros. He's been covering the story for the news site Rest of World.

Later this week, the U.S. Treasury will auction off billions of dollars worth of 30-year bonds. While that may seem yawn-worthy to most of us, the outcome of that sale has big ramifications for consumer borrowing costs down the road. We’ll explain. Also in this episode: Targeting of international students hurts public and private universities, “core goods” is where tariff-driven inflation might show up first, and students at a fast-growing high school in Utah run their own soda shop.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

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 reported that over half of Gen Z respondents beg to differ. As tuition prices continue to rise and the Trump administration takes aim at higher education institutions, is the way we view college changing? On the show today, Bryan Alexander, a higher education writer and senior scholar at Georgetown University, explains why college is still a worthy investment for most students, why more people are considering certificate programs and technical schools, and how President Trump’s attacks on elite universities are a risk to higher education as a whole.Then, Kimberly breaks down the difference between the reconciliation bill and government spending bills in Congress. And, Casey Johnston, author of “A Physical Education,” answers the Make Me Smart question.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Report: 51% of Gen Z Views Their College Degree as a Waste of Money" from Indeed  "Against college for all: the AFT president" from Bryan Alexander "Americans Are Losing Faith in the Value of College. Whose Fault Is That?" from The New York Times"Good Jobs Project" from Georgetown University"House considers Trump cuts as Senate Republicans work on reconciliation bill" from Roll Call"Deal or no deal? Inside reconciliation and gov’t funding" from Punchbowl News"A muted backlash to Trump’s new travel ban" from Politico "Have Americans grown numb? Trump’s new travel ban met with muted reaction" from MSNBC"Finding Strength in a Bigger Body" from The Cut Got a question about the GOP’s reconciliation bill? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.