Why is gas one price today and a different price tomorrow? That’s what listener Elijah in Ohio wants to know, and Ryan and Bridget are determined to find out. Their search for answers unexpectedly turns into a much bigger adventure when Ryan’s car suddenly comes to life and takes them on a wild road trip. Turns out, gas prices are not only decided by supply and demand like most things. They’re shaped by everything from local competition at gas stations to refinery costs, extreme weather, and global events that are happening thousands of miles away.

The 10th season of “Million Bazillion” is here just in time to mark Bridget and Ryan’s favorite holiday – Tax Day! There’s just one problem: Ryan hasn’t finished filing his taxes yet. With the clock ticking, Bridget steps in to help him out before midnight. Along the way, they tackle a great question from Kade: What exactly are tax returns? Will they figure everything out before time runs out?

If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!

Love the show? You can help make it happen. Donate what you can at marketplace.org/givemillion.

Hello, Million Bazillionaires, we’ve got a new season of “Million Bazillion” coming your way on April 14!

To mark the 10th season, Bridget and Ryan are going all out to answer your money questions. If you’re wondering why gas prices keep going up? We’ve got answers. Curious what the fuss is about Tax Day? We’ve got that covered too. Plus, a special episode about the gold standard, recorded in front of a real live audience.

If you’re in or near the Boston area come see us live. Check our events page for ticket information.

Don’t forget to sign up for the “Million Bazillion” newsletter so you never miss an episode and get access to episode extras, including conversation starters for grownups and kids.

New episodes drop every Tuesday starting April 14. Listen to a sneak peek above, get caught up on any episodes you may have missed and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today we're resharing an episode from our archive that might feel more relevant with gas prices up. We're going to dig more into those gas prices in the new season of “Million Bazillion: (coming soon). But this is a good time to learn about something called "inflation." After traveling back in time to stock up on snacks, Bridget and Ryan get a chance to try to control runaway inflation … but their ideas don’t quite go as planned.

It’s karaoke night for Bridget and Ryan, but something stops them from belting their favorite tunes on their podcast: the law. It’s the perfect setup to answer a question from Garrett, who wants to know about copyright, trademarks, and royalties. We all know people deserve to be paid for their creative ideas. But how does it actually work? Together, we’ll find out how creators protect their ideas and make money from them. Plus, will Ryan be able to turn what he’s learned into a lucrative musical career?

If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!

It’s Skimbleshanks’ birthday bash and Bridget and Ryan head to the two-dollar general store for party supplies. When they get back, they tackle Harper’s question about why $2 bills exist if nobody uses them. With a little help from two ghostly guests from history they discover why this rare bill still matters.

If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!

It’s Halloween, and Bridget and Ryan are trying to answer a question about the national debt while preparing for their town’s giant Halloween extravaganza. The town has taken on debt to make things extra spooky this year and things are starting to get a little out of control! Can Bridget and Ryan help the town navigate their monster debt?

(Grownups: This is episode does contain monsters but no jump scares! You know your kid listeners best, so exercise caution if Halloween is more tricky than treat for them!)

If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!

In the previous episode of “Million Bazillion,” listener Aditya wanted to know all about the stock market, and how people make money from stocks. So what happens when a kid actually decides to try it out? Well, today we’re going to hear Joshua’s investing story, in his own words, and what happened when he decided to invest money in the stock market instead of keeping it in the bank. Don’t worry! He didn’t do it alone. His dad helped every step of the way, because investing is serious stuff and should always involve a trusted grownup!

“Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal needs a bit of help doing his classic “The Numbers” stock market segment so Ryan jumps in to save the day. The only problem is, he has no idea what any of it means. Ryan and Bridget head to Wall Street to learn about the stock market and answer Aditya’s question: how do stocks make money? Things get competitive as the duo try investing in stocks for themselves and see who can make more money.

If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!

Today, we’re resharing an important episode from our archive! There’s a major storm brewing, and Ryan and Bridget are stuck inside. It’s the perfect opportunity to answer a question they got from Archer in Los Angeles: What is insurance? Archer’s dad is an insurance agent, and Archer wants to know what his dad does all day. Turns out insurance is uh, complicated. From home insurance to health insurance, we’re going to figure out what it is and why people use it. Plus, we have a catchy song to help you remember the difference between some confusing insurance jargon.

If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!