
It’s been a disheartening time in the Middle East lately. Today’s guest host, Reema Khrais, shares how the recent conflict has affected her family in Gaza. We’ll also discuss how the ever-increasing U.S. deficit reached new heights in the past year. Plus, what have you splurged on lately?
Here’s everything we talked about:
 















“Gaza aid stalled at Egypt border amid wrangling at Rafah” from The Washington Post



 



“US Budget Gap Widened 23% During Year on Rate Rise, Revenue Drop” from Bloomberg



 



“U.S. Deficit, Pegged at $1.7 Trillion, Effectively Doubled in 2023” from The New York Times



 



“Why Doesn’t Artificial Banana Flavor Taste Like Bananas?” from Food and Wine



 



Defend Your Splurge and sign up for the This Is Uncomfortable newsletter








 
If you’ve got a question about today’s economy, send it our way. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.


Thoughts on Gaza

Each weekday, Marketplace’s Kai Ryssdal and Kimberly Adams make today make sense. Along with our supersmart listeners, we break down happenings in tech, the economy and culture. Every Tuesday we bring on a guest to dive deeper into one important topic. Because none of us is as smart as all of us.

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

News


The latest data from the Federal Reserve’s favorite inflation measure hinted that inflation is cooling. But the Fed is still on guard, meaning higher interest rates for longer than many had expected. We’ll get into how that will likely be felt differently by Americans at opposite ends of the income spectrum. Then, we’ll get into the risky return of zero-down mortgages. Plus, we’ll weigh in on Chevy Malibus and merch during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!
 
Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Inflation Remains Steady, With Signs of Further Cooling” from The New York Times
“Zero-down mortgages are making a comeback” from CNN
“CFPB Launches Inquiry into Junk Fees in Mortgage Closing Costs” from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
“GM to discontinue the Chevy Malibu later this year” from Marketplace
“Zoom cashiers may signal a new era of digital offshoring and remote work” from Marketplace
“Venice’s new admission fee cannot curb overtourism” from The Economist
“Chobani Yogurt Founder Buys Anchor Brewing Company” from The New York Times
“The End of Merch” from GQ

 
We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.


The long game of high interest rates

A former OpenAI board member dropped a bombshell allegation about CEO Sam Altman and the company’s ethics. But this isn’t the first time employees have expressed safety concerns about the company. We’ll explain. Plus, a new rule aims to protect buy now, pay later users. And, how college sports might finally get recognized as a multibillion-dollar business.
Here’s everything we talked about today:

“The Golden Triangle: How the CHIPS Act is changing one Arizona neighborhood” from Marketplace
“What really went down at OpenAI and the future of regulation w/ Helen Toner” from The TED AI Show
“Former OpenAI board member explains why they fired Sam Altman” from The Verge
“Commissioner Sankey: ‘There’s no better time to be a student-athlete’” from SEC Sports
“What to know about House v. NCAA settlement and a historic day for college sports” from The New York Times
“Klarna CEO on CFPB declaration: Wise to put regulations around this” from CNBC
“CFPB Takes Action to Ensure Consumers Can Dispute Charges and Obtain Refunds on Buy Now, Pay Later Loans” from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
“Buy now, pay later debt grows but is hidden from credit bureaus” 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. We’ll have news, drinks and play a round of Half Full/Half Empty.

The growing troubles at OpenAI


After years of having a frosty relationship, Elon Musk and Donald Trump are warming up to each other. We’ll discuss what a potential political marriage might mean for a second Trump administration. Plus, who actually donates to political campaigns? Later, we’ll smile about two giant pandas returning to D.C.’s National Zoo!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Fewer Americans to Make Political Donations in 2024” from LendingTree 
“Fewer Americans plan to donate to political campaigns: Survey” from The Hill
“Inside Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Growing Alliance” from The Wall Street Journal
“Two New Giant Pandas Coming to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute From China by End of the Year” from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
“The Pandas Are Coming!” from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
“Latest North Korean Offensive: Dumping Trash on South Korea From the Sky” from The New York Times

We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

A Trump-Musk bromance


Today we’re talking about food. Specifically, Big Food. In his book, “Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry,” Austin Frerick, agricultural and antitrust policy fellow at Yale, argues the food system is the most consolidated sector in the United States. On the show today, Frerick explains how the American food system became so concentrated, how that’s inflated prices and eroded quality, and what we should do about it. Plus, Walmart’s role as king of grocery kings.
 
Then, we’ll get into why Boeing can’t keep up with SpaceX. And, an expert on youth mental health (and former guest on “Make Me Smart”) was wrong about how teens curate their social media feeds.
 
Here’s everything else we talked about today:





“Lax Antitrust Enforcement Imperils The Nation’s Supply Chains” from Forbes



 



“What Is “Big Ag,” and Why Should You Be Worried About Them?” from Union of Concerned Scientists



 



“The problem with growing corporate concentration and power in the global food system” from Nature Food



 



“Major retailers are offering summer deals to entice inflation-weary shoppers” from AP News



 



“US Consumer Confidence Rises for First Time in Four Months” from Bloomberg



 



“Inflation now means high prices, not just rising costs” from Axios



 



“What do Americans think about inflation?” from The Brookings Institution



 



“Boeing Prepared to Fly Crewed Space Taxi With Helium Leak” from Bloomberg





We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

How Big Food changed the way we eat

More tariffs from the Joe Biden administration on Chinese goods are on the way, and he gave his blessing to some Trump-era tariffs. We’ll break it down. Plus, why a story about a local public library becoming an adults-only space may be a warning of things to come. Later, we’ll weigh in on Chuck E. Cheese’s animatronic band, whales sinking yachts and “quiet vacationing” during a round of Half Full / Half Empty!
Here’s everything we talked about today:

“Biden Extends Tariff Exemptions on Some Imports From China” from Bloomberg
“Donnelly Public Library announces it will become adults-only library, cites Idaho Legislature’s library bill” from KTVB
“Employers can offer a new benefit: Matching student loan payments with 401(k) contributions” from Marketplace
“After Outcry, Chuck E. Cheese Says It Will Keep More Animatronic Bands” from The New York Times
“The Mad Scientist and the Killer Whales” from Rolling Stone
“The restaurant reservation resale game is on the rise in New York City” from Marketplace
“Some younger workers are ‘quiet vacationing’ rather than using PTO” from Marketplace

Time is running out! Donate today to help us reach our fundraising goal and support public service journalism for all: support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Thoughts on Gaza

Download our free app to listen on your phone