On today’s edition of Economics on Tap, we’re heading to Virginia! The state held major elections this week, and affordability was top of mind for voters. VPM News reporter Patrick Larsen joins Kimberly to debrief the election results and explain why rising energy costs were a key campaign issue—and what data centers have to do with it. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "How do data centers figure into Virginia's 2025 elections?" from VPM News
• "Virginia’s Rural Voters Shift 12 Points Toward Democrats" from The Daily Yonder
• "Soaring energy prices gave Democrats a winning message" from Semafor
• "Pumpkinscaping could be coming to a porch near you" from Marketplace
• "iRobot Is in Trouble, but Roomba Is Already Dead" from Wirecutter
• "How is this novelty team outselling over half the MLB?" from Marketplace 
• "What Travelers Need to Know About the Shutdown, Flight Reductions and Delays" from The New York Times 

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Quantum computing is still in an experimental phase, but tech companies say it could eventually have an enormous impact on the global economy. How long is that going to take? On today’s show, science journalist Dan Garisto joins Kimberly to break down the basics of quantum computing and why it could take many years for the technology to move out of the lab and into the real world.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "This Year’s Nobel Physics Prize Showed Quantum Mechanics Is a Big Deal—Literally" from Scientific American  
• "The Next Big Quantum Computer Has Arrived" from The Wall Street Journal 
• "Google Measures ‘Quantum Echoes’ on Willow Quantum Computer Chip" from Scientific American 
• "Futuristic quantum computing stocks take speculators on roller-coaster ride" from Reuters
• "Here’s How Quantum Computing Could Change the World" from The Wall Street Journal 

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 tariffs have rattled the global economy this year. That goes for both allies and adversaries of the United States. But the future of some of these tariffs hinge on the outcome of a Supreme Court case challenging their legality. On today’s show, Asma Khalid, co-host of “The Global Story” podcast from the BBC, joins Kimberly to explain what’s at stake. Plus, how international relationships are shifting in the Trump era.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "The Global Story, The Supreme Court battle over Trump’s tariffs" from the BBC World Service
• "Geopolitics of Trump Tariffs: How U.S. Trade Policy Has Shaken Allies" from Council on Foreign Relations
• "The president who cried tariffs: will the US supreme court challenge Trump’s trade war?" from The Guardian  
• "China and India pledge to be 'partners not rivals'" from BBC News 
• "The rise and fall of globalisation: the battle to be top dog" from The Conversation

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

On today’s show, we’re talking about facing your financial fears, because it’s a scary time for many in this economy! Reema Khrais, host of “This Is Uncomfortable,” joins Kimberly to unpack the financial anxieties some of our listeners shared with us, from feeling behind on retirement savings to feeling uncertain about the economy future generations will inherit. Plus, we’ll play a spooky game!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Financial Anxiety Is Rising. Here’s What You Can Do About It" from Bloomberg
• "Your Professional Decline Is Coming (Much) Sooner Than You Think" from The Atlantic
• "8 Things to Watch for the 2026 ACA Open Enrollment Period" from KFF
• "People insured through their employers likely to see higher premiums in 2026" from Marketplace
• "Government shutdown resources for federal employees" from Partnership for Public Service
• VIDEO: ”Inkwo for When the Starving Return Official Trailer” from the National Film Board of Canada
• "Halloween candy's getting lighter on the chocolate" from Marketplace

We want to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

As big companies announce waves of layoffs, lots of workers are worried about AI coming for their jobs. On today’s show, we tune in to part of Kimberly’s recent panel discussion at Aspen Ideas: Economy. President of the AARP Foundation Claire Casey, 1Huddle founder and CEO Sam Caucci, and Union College of Union County New Jersey President Margaret McMenamin share their insights on building a more diverse and resilient labor market in the years ahead. Plus, we hear a listener’s recent win: sewing a historically-accurate dress to sport at the local Renaissance Faire. Nice stitching, Hannah!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Layoffs are piling up, raising worker anxiety. Here are some companies that have cut jobs recently" from AP News
• "Tens of Thousands of White-Collar Jobs Are Disappearing as AI Starts to Bite" from The Wall Street Journal
• VIDEO: "Beyond Lip Service: Building a Resilient Labor Market" from Aspen Ideas: Economy

Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

It’s Day 28 of the government shutdown, and lawmakers still aren’t budging on the budget. But Congress faces key deadlines this week: Funds for assistance programs like SNAP could run out, and Americans may see their healthcare premiums skyrocket as open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans begins Nov. 1. On today’s show, Kimberly unpacks what’s at stake with CQ Roll Call reporter Aris Folley. Plus, we’ll answer some of your questions along the way.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• ”6 ways the shutdown is about to get worse” from Politico
• ”Largest federal workers union calls for an end to the shutdown, putting pressure on Democrats” from NBC
• ”Government shutdown continues to add to stress on air traffic controllers and disrupt flights” from AP News
• ”As Shutdown Drags and Trump Flexes, Congress Cedes Its Relevance” from the New York Times

We want to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Hey Smarties! Today we’re sharing another episode from the latest season of “How We Survive,” Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast. Host Amy Scott and the “How We Survive” crew continue their exploration into the future of climate-conscious food with a look at the cutting edge of meat alternatives. Plus, Francis Lam, host of “The Splendid Table,” joins Amy to put cell cultivated meat to the test and shares some tips for cooking climate-friendly proteins.

Chicago has been dealing with a lot these days. The city has been a battleground for the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and efforts to deploy the National Guard. On today’s show, Kimberly asks WBEZ’s Sasha-Ann Simons about what it’s like to be there now. And, we’ll get into more economic stories from the Windy City you should know about. Plus, we’ll play a game of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "ICE Is Cracking Down on Chicago. Some Chicagoans Are Fighting Back." from The New York Times
• "Local leaders react to ‘brutal escalation’ of immigration arrests in Little Village, Cicero" from WBEZ
• "Judge’s order blocking National Guard deployment will remain in effect for now, but all eyes on Supreme Court" from WBEZ
• "Coca-Cola taps mini cans and new flavors to spark a fizzling soda market" from Marketplace
• "‘It’s PR, not the ER’: Gen Z is resisting the workplace emergency" The Washington Post
• "Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ Series Finale Officially Coming to Theaters, Despite Previous Statements" from The Hollywood Reporter
• "Amazon Plans to Replace More Than Half a Million Jobs With Robots" from The New York Times 

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

The climate crisis has a lot to do with what we eat. That’s what the latest season of Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast “How We Survive” is all about. On today’s show, host Amy Scott joins Kimberly to share her big takeaways from the season. We’ll get into the business of cell cultivated meat and the tradeoffs that come with regenerative farming. Then, we’ll do some smiles. Plus, Kimberly’s PSA to use your fancy china!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "How We Survive" from Marketplace
• "State of Climate Action 2025" from Systems Change Lab
• "I paid $65 for a giant collection of vintage dishes at a thrift store. Then I found out it's worth almost $1,000." from Business Insider

Join us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Hey Smarties! Today we’re passing the mic to our friends over at “How We Survive.” This season, Marketplace’s climate solutions podcast is diving into the future of food on a hotter, drier planet. In this episode, host Amy Scott and the “How We Survive” crew go on a food tour around Northern California to find out how some companies are experimenting with new ways to make foods threatened by climate change.