Make Me Smart

The United States is on a mission to revitalize its chip manufacturing industry by giving billions in grants and loans to companies including Intel. But mistakes have cost Intel the opportunity to lead in artificial intelligence. Guest host Sabri Ben-Achour explains how the company fell behind. And, President-elect Donald Trump tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for more than you might think. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “What to know about HHS and how RFK Jr. could lead it”“The Anti-Fluoride Movement Vaults Into the Mainstream”“The Great American Microchip Mobilization”“Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones’ Infowars at auction with Sandy Hook families’ backing”“The Great Migration to Bluesky Gives Me Hope for the Future of the Internet”“Want to Network in Silicon Valley? Bring a Bathing Suit”“Good-bye to the Broker Fee”“Americans Are Hoarding Their Friends” We love to hear from you. Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Over the course of his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump made a lot of promises. What does that mean for the years ahead? Today we’re answering your questions about Trump’s second term. We’ll explain whether the Trump administration could actually eliminate the Department of Education, how income tax cuts for tips and overtime pay could impact the economy, and where the Biden administration’s student debt relief plans go from here. Plus, if not tariffs, then what? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Could Trump actually get rid of the Department of Education?”“Is It Possible for Trump to Shut the Department of Education?”“Donald Trump Tax Plan Ideas: Details and Analysis”“Both Harris and Trump want to eliminate federal taxes on tips”“As the election nears, Biden’s student debt agenda is in tatters. Will it hurt Harris?”“What a Trump presidency might mean for student loan forgiveness”“As Trump Threatens a Wider Trade War, the U.S. Confronts a Changed China”“Why Alternatives To Tariffs Can Be More Effective”“Nontariff Barrier: Definition, How It Works, Types, and Examples” Heads up: Tomorrow’s “Economics on Tap” episode won’t be livestreamed on our YouTube channel. But you can still listen wherever you get your podcasts.

President Biden’s hallmark Inflation Reduction Act set aside nearly $150 billion for various climate projects. But not all of that money has been spent, and President-elect Trump has vowed to take it back. The question, is how much money is leftover? Kimberly explains why it’s taken years to get the money out the door. Plus, we’ll unpack some gains in women’s sports and wage growth. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Carbon emissions from fossil fuels hit record highs in 2024: report”“Dreaming of snow this winter? Look up the forecast in your area.”“Fossil fuel CO2 emissions increase again in 2024”“The mystery number that’s key to whether Biden’s spending survives”“Women’s baseball players could soon have a league of their own again”Tweet Got a question for the hosts about the election, Trump’s next presidency and the U.S. economy? Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

COP29, the United Nations’ annual climate summit, is underway in Azerbaijan. This year’s conference is all about how the world will pay to deal with climate change. But Donald Trump’s election victory looms large over the talks. President-elect Trump could roll back United States climate policy like he did during his first term. On the show today, Gautam Jain, senior research scholar at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, explains why climate investment won’t come to a complete halt under the next Trump administration. Plus, he weighs in on who might fill the void in global energy transition talks. Plus, the message ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods is sending Trump about the nation’s energy policy. And, how early is too early for Christmas lights? Here’s everything we talked about today: “What Trump can do to reverse US climate policy − and what he probably can’t change”“COP29: What are the key issues at the UN climate summit in Baku?”“Trump Victory Leaves China Calling the Shots at COP29 Climate Negotiations”“Burning Questions: What are the climate wins and setbacks from the election?”“Exxon chief urges stability in US climate policy, knocks carbon border tariffs” We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

A new report estimates global damages from extreme weather events between 2014 and 2023 at about $2 trillion, roughly in line with the 2008 financial crisis. It comes as world leaders meet at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or Cop29, under the shadow of President-elect Donald Trump’s promises to roll back environmental standards. We’ll get into what it all might mean for climate policy here at home. Plus, is economic growth abroad in Trump’s hands? Then, we’ll smile at Mattel’s mea culpa for a misprint on its new “Wicked” toys. Here’s everything we talked about today: “‘Science is still science’: US still committed to climate fight despite Trump’s win, Podesta says at COP29”“A shadow ‘financial crisis’ has cost the world $2 trillion”“Rest of World’s Growth Is at Trump’s Mercy”“FDA to Finally Ban Controversial Ingredient in Popular Decongestants”“Mattel Apologizes for Porn Site Misprint on ‘Wicked’ Toy Packaging” Got a question for the hosts about the election, Trump’s next presidency and the U.S. economy? Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The richest man in the world just became even more influential after pouring millions into former President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign. Tesla shares soared after Trump’s win and CEO Elon Musk was already invited to join a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We’ll get into what the cozy relationship between Trump and Musk could mean for the U.S. economy and national security. And, we’ll talk about the many Americans who are looking to move abroad in the face of the U.S. election results. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “Scoop: Elon Musk joined Trump’s call with Zelensky”“Tesla hits $1 trillion market cap as stock rallies after Trump win”“Exhausted by the Election, Some Americans Are Catching Flights Abroad”“American interest in Canadian citizenship is spiking again after Trump’s victory”“Nvidia, Sherwin-Williams to replace Intel, Dow on Dow Jones”“Steven Madden C.E.O. Says It Is Moving Production Out of China”“Painting by A.I.-Powered Robot Sells for $1.1 Million”“Pad Thai, Spring Rolls and a Side of Peacock? Why Streamers Are Teaming Up With Delivery Apps”“Should cars still have AM radios? Congress might require them.” Got a question for the hosts about the election, Trump’s next presidency and the U.S. economy? Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today we’re handing the microphone over to our listeners to tell us how they’re reacting to the outcome of this week’s presidential election. We’ll hear their concerns about the future of transgender health care, the long-term economic impact of a second Trump presidency and why — even though it can be daunting — we can all make change if we start in our local communities. Plus, is this our Brexit moment? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Want to protect our democracy? Start here!”“For trans people reliant on federal programs, this election could change everything”“How to get your elected officials to listen to you”“5 ways Trump’s next presidency could affect the U.S. economy — and your money” Got a question for the hosts about the election, Trump’s next presidency and the U.S. economy? Email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The Democratic Party has traditionally been pro-union and relied on the support of the working class. But the results of yesterday’s election show the tide may be turning. We’ll get into how President-elect Trump enamored these voters to win another term in the White House and how we can expect a new Trump administration to shake up the economy and defy democratic norms. Plus, we’ll talk about some of the trailblazers elected to Congress and state offices. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Who is Bernie Moreno, Ohio’s new GOP senator-elect and crypto champion?”“Sarah McBride becomes the first out transgender person elected to Congress”“How markets are responding to the prospect of another Trump presidency”“Black women notch historic Senate wins in an election year defined by potential firsts”“Meet the history-makers of the 2024 elections”“How could the return of Trump-era ‘Schedule F’ job appointments reshape the federal workforce?”“Donald Trump Has Tools to Fire Powerful Financial Regulator in Term Two” Send us all your thoughts, feelings and questions about the election. You can email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today we’re talking about a breakout story of this election cycle: the rise of prediction markets and betting on elections. For the first time in a century, Americans can legally place bets on election outcomes using a platform called Kalshi. But the Commodity Futures Trading Commission warns that these markets could warp the public’s understanding of our elections if they’re treated like polls. On this Election Day episode, Cantrell Dumas of Better Markets, a financial reform advocacy group, explains how Americans are dabbling in election betting, the legal questions surrounding these prediction markets, and why he believes manipulation of these markets has the potential to sway elections. Then, we’ll dig into the history of the “I Voted” sticker and hear a perfect poem for Election Day. Plus, a listener shares what moving abroad taught them about the U.S. voting system. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Election betting is newly legal — and risks getting confused with polls”“Exclusive: Election betting site Polymarket gives Trump a 67% chance of winning but is rife with fake ‘wash’ trading, researchers say”“Cryptoverse: U.S. election speculators play the prediction markets”“Wall Street regulator moves to ban election betting, escalating fight over new market”“The Case for Legalizing Political Betting”“How ‘I Voted’ Stickers Became an Election Day Staple” We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Live near a yoga studio? What about a golf course? Americans may experience the economy differently based on the politics of the neighborhoods they live in. We’ll dig into new data on the relationship between political affiliation and the businesses around us. Then, we’ll talk about a new revelation in the lawsuit against Elon Musk over his controversial $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes. Plus, on this Election Day eve, we’re smiling about early turnout. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Musk PAC tells Philadelphia judge the $1 million sweepstakes winners are not chosen by chance” “How Red and Blue America Shop, Eat and Live”“4 charts show how early voting is going in the US” We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Campaigns for both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are trying to get ahead of the curve on election legal battles. According to The Hill, there are already over 200 voting and election cases pending across the country. We’ll get into it. Then, we’ll explain how Trump’s recent battles with CBS and ABC could signal his intention to punish broadcasters if reelected. And, how do you feel about rolling back our clocks as daylight saving time ends? That and more in a round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today: “How Trump could weaponize the FCC against the media in a second term”“Trump, Harris camps prepare to ‘go to the mattress’ in election legal battles”“You Call That An Ad Blackout? Consultants Shrug Off Alphabet’s Post-Election Restrictions” We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

This Halloween, we’re looking at some new inflation data that’s got the Federal Reserve in good spirits. Its preferred inflation measure shows inflation fell to 2.1% last month, moving ever-so-closer to the Fed’s 2% target. We’ll get into why core inflation complicates the Fed’s good news. And, we’ll unpack why some Meta investors were spooked when CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company will amp up its artificial intelligence spending. Plus, Starbucks is getting a brand makeover, and the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a World Series win. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Meta posts Q3 earnings beat, but stock falls on heavy spending plans”“What Today’s Inflation Data Will Mean for Next Week’s Fed Meeting”“Inflation Cooled Further in September, PCE Index Shows”“7 ways Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol plans to change the coffee chain”“Los Angeles Dodgers defeat New York Yankees in five games to win World Series” Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap. The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Tech companies like Google and Meta have been pouring billions into artificial intelligence. But investors have been waiting for those investments to pay off. We’ll get into what the latest earnings report from Google’s parent company signals about AI’s money-making potential. And, American companies are responding to former President Trump’s tariff promises by preparing to raise prices. Plus, guest host Matt Levin makes us smile about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series run. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Companies ready price hikes to offset Trump’s global tariff plans”“More than a quarter of new code at Google is generated by AI”“Google’s Cloud Business Powers Accelerating Revenue Growth”“World Series: Ice Cube performs ‘It Was a Good Day’ ahead of Yankees vs. Dodgers Game 2” We love to hear from you. Email your comments and questions to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today we’re sharing an excerpt from our live show at WBUR CitySpace in Boston featuring our special guest, historian Heather Cox Richardson. (Check out the first part of our live show here.) Richardson, a professor at Boston College, talked with us about the high stakes of this year’s election, how the economy is woven into political narratives, and what we can do to protect the health of our democracy. Plus, she shares what she had wrong about hummingbirds. Where should “Make Me Smart” go next? Let us know at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

News outlets aren’t mincing words about the offensive and racist remarks featured at former President Donald Trump’s rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday. We’ll talk about the media backlash to the event, which was intended to be a part of Trump’s closing argument against Vice President Kamala Harris. Then, we discuss reports of ballot drop boxes on fire and give tips on how to ride out the last few days before Election Day. Plus, a story that has us waltzing through our emotions. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Hundreds of Ballots Damaged in Drop-Box Fire in Washington State” “No More Euphemisms: Media Gets Real on Trump’s MSG Hate Rally” Post about the 2024 U.S. presidential election’s impact on Europe “Hear a Chopin Waltz Unearthed After Nearly 200 Years” We can’t do this show without you. Send us your questions, comments or wild suggestions at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART!

Kai and Kimberly host our weekly happy hour episode, “Economics on Tap,” live from the stage of WBUR CitySpace in Boston. We’ll dive into the biggest headlines making waves this week while sipping on our favorite drinks. Plus, Drew joins the stage to host a round of our favorite game, Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: “‘Washington Post’ won’t endorse in White House race for first time since 1980s”“Exclusive: Europe seeks to underpin Russia sanctions, fearing Trump overhaul”“German finance minister warns of retaliation if U.S. kicks off trade war”“American Airlines Cracks Down on ‘Gate Lice’ With New Boarding System”“Axiom Space, Prada Unveil Spacesuit Design for Moon Return”“Every Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series matchup in two charts”“Salem Mayor predicts another record-breaking year of Halloween tourism”Tweet“Last-minute Boston-themed Halloween costumes” We can’t do this show without you. Send us your questions, comments or wild suggestions at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART!

Hey Smarties! We’re on the road to Boston for a live taping of “Make Me Smart” with special guest, historian Heather Cox Richardson. So today we’re bringing you an episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. In this episode, Kai Ryssdal and the “How We Survive” team head to the very, very top of Alaska to understand how climate change and national security are converging in the Arctic. Want to join Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams for our live taping of “Make Me Smart” in Boston on Oct. 25? In-person tickets are sold out, but you can still join us virtually. Get your tickets here.

As Election Day looms closer, the emails and texts from campaigns pleading for money continue to flood voters’ inboxes. A CNN investigation found that some of these tactics have misled elderly Americans into giving away millions of dollars. We’ll get into the financial consequences of aggressive campaign fundraising strategies. Then, we’ll discuss how Republican pundits are responding to former President Donald Trump’s shocking statements about military affairs. And, we’ll talk about a payment owed from a defamation case: a luxury New York apartment. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Trump: ‘I Need the Kind of Generals That Hitler Had’”“How elderly dementia patients are unwittingly fueling political campaigns”“Brains and Losses: Aging and Financial Vulnerability to Scams”“Do presidential candidates really need your money at this point in the race?”“Giuliani ordered to surrender apartment, valuables to Georgia election workers” Join Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams for a live taping of “Make Me Smart” on Oct. 25 in Boston. In-person tickets are sold out, but you can still join us virtually. Get your tickets here.

In the weeks after Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the Southeast, the price to rebuild has become a topic of contention in the home insurance market. For years, home insurers have identified climate change as a threat, cut coverage and increased premiums for properties in disaster-prone areas. But now, home insurers are also using new technologies such as drone footage and artificial intelligence to identify other high-risk areas in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Then, we’ll get into what headline inflation measures leave out of the cost of housing. And, how do we prepare for the upcoming Election Day in the shadow of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol? Later, we’ll hear from listeners on voting from overseas and the origins of trick-or-treating. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Home Insurance is a Really Big Problem” “Rising insurance costs are making homeownership even more expensive” “How Higher Property Insurance Premiums Mirror Climate Risk” “How the Home Insurance Market Became So Distorted” “The Home Insurance Crunch: See What’s Happening in Your State” “Can lawmakers save the collapsing Florida home insurance market?” “The Very Real Scenario Where Trump Loses and Takes Power Anyway” “America’s Most Famous Inflation Gauge Is Easing — But Some of Your Biggest Expenses Are Left Out” Do you have an Election Day tradition? Maybe you like to mail your ballot or treat yourself to coffee after hitting the polls. Let us know what your voting routine looks like at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Across the country, pharmacies big and small are closing. The closures have disproportionately affected rural and low-income communities, leaving residents with limited access to prescription drugs and creating so-called “pharmacy deserts.” We’ll discuss a New York Times investigation about the middlemen driving pharmacies out of business. Plus, should the American Dream be a townhouse? And, introducing the real “househusbands” of Wall Street. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Housing costs are rising everywhere — but especially in swing states”“The new American Dream should be a townhouse”“The Powerful Companies Driving Local Drugstores Out of Business”“The real reason Walgreens and other pharmacies are failing”“Behind Many Powerful Women on Wall Street: A Doting ‘Househusband’” Join Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams for a live taping of “Make Me Smart” on Oct. 25 in Boston. In-person tickets are sold out, but you can still join us virtually. Get your tickets here.