Explore every episode of the podcast Marketplace All-in-One

A 2020 law aimed at eliminating surprise medical expenses has shifted some unpredictable costs away from patients. The law was supposed to incentivize jointly set reasonable prices between hospitals and insurers, but instead, there’s been a whole lot of finger pointing — and employers are left holding the bag. Also in this episode: The agriculture economy goes K-shaped, a sailor finds a support network in her solo circumnavigation, and we talk through the week’s economic headlines.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• The stock market isn’t the economy — except when maybe it is?
• In the agricultural heart of the country, it's a tale of two farm economies
• How a law to protect patients from surprise billing shifted the cost to employers
• Cole Brauer sailed solo around the world. She plans to do it again

Two years ago, Congress approved millions of dollars in funding to clean some of the nation’s dirtiest beaches. Many of those beaches are also some of the hardest to access. But then, cuts by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency effectively killed the project. Now, there’s no clear future for all that trash. In this morning's podcast, we head to a remote Alaskan beach to hear where cleanup efforts stand now. Plus, economist Judy Shelton is joining the Treasury Department as a counselor to Secretary Scott Bessent.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this episode:

• America’s dirtiest beaches are also the toughest to reach. Trump’s DOGE made them even harder to clean.

The Trump administration announced yesterday that it will no longer allow Microsoft, Adobe, and a handful of other companies to sponsor foreign workers for green cards and accused nine universities of abusing the J-1 temporary student visa program. Earlier this week, it also proposed a rule raising the fee for international students who want to stay in the U.S. and work temporarily through the Optional Practical Training program from about $500 to $70,000. We have more. Then, will Minnesotan restaurants be willing to dish up invasive crayfish?

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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 Donald Trump named a new superhero-sounding AI task force this week dubbed the “Super Intelligence Force.” It's led by Jay Clayton, the new AI Czar and also director of national intelligence.

Plus, Democrats in the Senate blocked a bill to address data center energy costs ahead of the midterm elections, and a new poll shows Americans are not feeling too great about how our leaders in government are dealing with the risks from AI. Cristiano Lima-Strong, senior AI and government reporter at Bloomberg Government, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to break down these stories on this week’s “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

First-time unemployment claims (layoffs, basically) have come in below 200,000 for four weeks running — the longest stretch since 1969. At the same time, the economy only barely added jobs in September. Few layoffs, barely any new jobs, and it makes ya start to wonder, just how petrified can this labor market get? Also in this episode: AI doomers touch grass at a monthly Bay Area picnic, the personal savings rate ebbs to a 4-year low, and Kai explains central bankers’ balance sheet agita.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• A frozen job market means nobody's getting laid off, but nobody's getting hired
• Only in San Francisco: A picnic to discuss AI risk
• Not too big, not too small: The just-right Fed balance sheet
• Here's where home heating will cost more this winter
• Americans are saving less money — some can't afford to, others are focused on investing
• Using retirement to finally dig into family history

There's been a lot of mixed data coming out about how AI is affecting the labor market. An analysis by writer and economist Joey Politano found that the U.S. has lost more than 200,000 creative sector jobs over the last four years. But just how much can we blame AI? Plus, we continue our conversation with WUSF reporter Jessica Meszaros about the high cost of energy bills in Florida.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this episode:

• The cost of power in Florida

Energy bills in Florida have jumped by as much as 70% over the past 10 years, according to reporting by WUSF reporter Jessica Meszaros. This morning, we'll help explain why that is and discuss rate hikes by investor-owned utility companies, the role of government-appointed approval commissions, and whether there are any alternatives. But first, a snapshot of consumers' expectations for the future of the economy shows that it's a mixed bag.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories in this episode:

• Consumers are expecting more inflation alongside a stronger job market
• The cost of power in Florida

Are you more likely to buy some spicy mayo because it’s made by a blockbuster star? What about pet food or a mobile network? It used to be that you’d just buy a ticket to your favorite actor’s movie or your favorite singer’s concert, but as more celebrities cash in on their fame with product endorsements and brand extensions, what does that do to us and our relationship with celebrity culture? And how does that impact the way that we spend money on our favorite stars? Guest host Alice Wilder talks to Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger, hosts of the pop culture podcast “Who? Weekly,” about the changing relationship between celebrities and consumers. Plus, which nepo babies are worth the hype?

This Is Uncomfortable is nominated for a Signal Award! We’re up for Best Show in the Money & Finance category, and now we need your help to win. Vote by October 15: vote.signalaward.com

Support public media with a donation today: https://mktplc.org/support-thisisuncomfortable

If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

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It started when Kalie Robins posted an Instagram video with her kid. Meta's built in AI chatbot, Muse, started prompting her to ask questions about her daughters and personal life, which sent her down a social-media-privacy rabbit hole.

Robins took to her feed — at the time, with only a few hundred followers — to share her experience. “It starts pulling completely separate information for each of my kids: their names, birth information, pictures and videos of them. And then it says, ‘pinpointing Kalie Robbins' location,’” she said in her now viral video.

Meta responded to the incident saying it “missed the mark” and has fixed the issue that prompted those questions.

But Robins says she's now been catapulted into the AI privacy discourse. And it's pretty uncomfortable.

More on this:

Mother Horrified When Meta’s AI Scours Instagram and Facebook for Invasive Information About Her Young Daughters — from Futurism

Meta’s Muse AI Agent Is Building a Dossier On You — from Time

The S&P 500 has hit more than two dozen record highs this year, and it’s got AI firms to thank. In fact, it’s easy to forget that a lot of other public companies are in a tough spot. In this episode, why there’s a widening bifurcation of the stock market. Plus: Rising auto loan delinquencies could be a warning sign for broader consumer strife, financial institutions kick off Q3 earnings season, and Kai explains what the yield curve tells us about the bond market.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• The stock market gap between AI and everything else is growing
• What to watch for in next week's Q3 earnings
• "Circular spaghetti": What the tangled AI supply chain means for regulation
• Want to know what the bond market is thinking? Check out the yield curve
• Rising auto loan delinquencies reflect the K-shaped economy

Like so much else in the economy, the cost of hobbies — recreational activities, the ways we fill our free time — is on the rise. But according to recent analysis from the Bank of America Institute, consumers aren’t shying away from those higher prices. We hear more. Also in this episode, we have a preview of meeting minutes from the Federal Reserve, then examine mortgage rates and Treasury notes.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this podcast:

• Hobby spending is on the rise

An initiative on the California ballot would levy the nation’s first wealth tax on billionaires. Supporters say the proceeds would help offset President Donald Trump’s sweeping healthcare cuts and that it could be a blueprint for other states, but critics argue that the temporary infusion of cash is a giveaway to politicians. We dig into the arguments. But first, it’s been a bit of a rough year for toy maker giants Hasbro and Mattel. What gives?

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories featured in this podcast:

• Why it's been a rough time for toy makers Mattel and Hasbro
• California’s billionaire tax promises healthcare relief. The fine print is murkier.

OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife recently backed out of a planned $25 million donation to Leading the Future, an artificial intelligence-focused political action committee.

Brockman said the PAC had become a “distraction” at OpenAI. But only after the executive had already given an initial $25 million.

AI-focused PACs are spending big to shape competing visions for AI policy in the midterm elections.

Brendan Glavin, Director of Insights at OpenSecrets, explains how these PACS are looking to influence elections this year.

We got fresh data showing imports and inventory levels are up. Is it a sign of a strong economy, or a sign businesses are bracing for impact? In this episode, AI remains a major driver of this strange economy. Plus: The U.S. is simultaneously importing and exporting a ton of semiconductors, the euro drops to a 17-month low, and monetary policy disproportionately impacts Black employment rates.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• Imports and inventories are rising. Does that mean the economy is strong?
• Semiconductor imports and exports have been rising all year
• The Black-white employment gap is growing. What's that say about the economy?
• Sometimes quitting a job is a "real sign of strength"
• France's debt pushes the euro to 17-month low
• World Cup business keeps kicking after the final whistle

Diesel is still hovering at around $6 a gallon. President Donald Trump says Ukrainian air strikes on Russian oil refineries are exacerbating a global shortage of diesel and pushing up prices, but Ukraine isn’t letting up. We have the latest this morning. Then, a recent proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency could make it harder for communities to find out about AI data centers — and their potential effects on air quality — before they're constructed.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this episode:

• Proposed EPA rollbacks could nix public comment requirements for data centers

More Americans than ever are questioning the value of higher education. A new survey from Gallup finds that just 31% of adults in the U.S. think a college education is “very important.” That’s the lowest since Gallup first asked that question nearly 50 years ago. Some of the big reasons? The cost of a college education and employment concerns in the AI age. And later, more than 2 million young people between 19 and 24 could lose Medicaid in the next few years. We hear why.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this episode:

• Americans' opinions about the value of a college education are souring
• More than 2 million young adults could lose Medicaid soon

The AI industry appears to be getting more serious about safety.

Leaders of top companies signed a non-binding agreement at the White House Sept. 30, laying out standards and best practices for responsible development of advanced AI. OpenAI delayed the release of its latest model due to safety concerns. And Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called on the sector to slow things down and "pace the frontier."

Wall Street initially wasn't too happy about that push and stocks related to the AI buildout took a momentary tumble.

But Jordan Nanos, at the chip research and consulting firm SemiAnalysis, argues that greater investment in AI security could actually drive more demand for computing power.

Tula wants to know, "what is a credit score," which is perfect timing for Bridget, her board game crew, and Ryan to play Credit Score Quest: Path to 850. As the players roll the dice and pull cards, they navigate credit score myths, surprising score twists, and learn some valuable lessons about how to build an "exceptional" credit score.

Despite Trump’s best efforts (a flurry of loosely targeted tariffs), the U.S. trade deficit is widening. But why is it widening? And what does it all have to do with foreign investment in government debt and the strength of the U.S. dollar? We’ll explain. Plus: Electric truck sales rev up amid record-high diesel prices, a 19th-century novelist popularized economic theory for her broad audience, and investors prep for upcoming Treasury auctions.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• What exactly are investors looking for in this week's government bond auctions?
• The U.S. dollar is at its strongest in 18 months
• The Regency-era novelist who popularized economics through her books
• Here's why the trade deficit is growing
• As diesel prices soar, so do electric truck sales
• The algorithm knows you have a baby, and it will exploit that

More Americans are familiar with autonomous vehicles than they were a decade ago. But if a self-driving car is in their future, most still want the option of taking the wheel, a new survey finds. This morning, we explore consumers' thoughts on driverless cars. Also on this morning's program: we keep an eye on the bond market and the oil market. Plus, how one Brooklyn-based makerspace is helping people unplug and work with their hands.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this episode:

• Americans are warming up to the idea of autonomous vehicles, survey finds
• Building something with your hands — and a career — at makerspaces

This year has been dominated by headlines about artificial intelligence. But as the AI buildout accelerates, some are looking for ways to slow down. This morning, "Marketplace Morning Report" host Kimberly Adams takes a trip to MakerSpace NYC, a community workshop where people were busy sewing, welding, drilling, and more. For some, it's just for fun; for others, it’s helping launch small businesses. Plus, promises from OPEC might not mean much.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories highlighted in this episode:

• Building something with your hands — and a career — at makerspaces

We've been hearing a lot about the threat of out-of-control of AI in recent weeks; mostly, from the people making the technology. There was the Anthropic employee Jacob Coxon, who publicly quit and kicked off the whole discussion. Others, including that company’s CEO Dario Amodei, chimed in with alarming appraisals of AI's existential risk.

Making sense of all this as an outsider can sometimes feel like decoding an unfamiliar civilization. So, we called Spencer Kaplan, a Ph.D. candidate at Yale, who studies anthropology and researches AI workers.

In Nike’s earnings report this week, the brand said it may begin shrinking its operations and laying off workers. It’s been losing market share for a while now. We look at what went wrong in the last decade. Also in this episode: the government-funded EV discounts that still remain, the business of affiliate links, and a former business owner’s mini retirement during fatherhood.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• An unsettling economic picture
• Can Nike get its mojo back?
• A year after federal EV tax credits ended, a patchwork of state EV incentives remains
• Here, take my link! The rise of affiliate links
• How becoming a dad brought this outdoorsman full-circle

This week, the Treasury Department released rules for a new nationwide school choice program that could end up providing billions of dollars to students attending private schools. Taxpayers will be able to opt in to the program by giving up to $1,700 to third-party groups that provide scholarships to students, and can later deduct that donation from their taxes. Many public school advocates, however, oppose the program. Also in this episode: weaker-than-expected jobs data and reimagined research parks.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this episode:

• Private schools are likely to be the beneficiaries of new federal school voucher program
• Research parks were designed for working. That's starting to change.

After being laid off this summer, Montrose Fell felt the pressure to scramble and find a new position. But after a year of funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health, the biomedical industry was flooded with overqualified candidates. So, Fell decided to pursue permanent residency in Canada. “The current scientific climate in the United States was not one where I thought I would thrive in,” they said. We hear more as part of our "Clocked Out" series. But first, we have a preview of the September jobs report.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories in this episode:

• When one door closes, maybe it's time to move countries

While the White House hosted tech luminaries this week to sign a voluntary agreement on AI safety standards, the Federal Trade Commission opened a broad investigation into AI labs over potential safety risks their products may pose to consumers.

Plus, a nearly four-hour documentary on Elon Musk is stirring up controversy over whether social media platforms will run ads for it.

We’ll get into it on today’s “Bytes: Week in Review.”

Check out our YouTube page to watch more episodes of Tech Bytes.

The PCE price index (that's the Fed's preferred measure of inflation) held steady year-over-year in the latest report. Economists expected it to move up. So, why didn't it budge -- and why aren't we all celebrating? Also in this episode: Seasonal work is hard to find so far this fall, Trump's immigration crackdown weakens construction productivity in South Texas, and Kai explains the long-term implications of rising borrowing costs.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• The Fed's preferred inflation measure was lower than expected in August. Is that a good thing?
• Can the U.S. just grow its way out of debt?
• Immigration crackdown adds delays, costs to South Texas construction
• More people are looking for seasonal work this year. So far, it's hard to find
• There are more private security guards than police. How much are they paid?

On Mortgage News Daily, the average rate for a 30-year fixed is now up to 7.6%. And as the cost of a mortgage has gone up, the demand for home loans has dipped to a two-year low, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Then, some lenders surveyed by the Federal Reserve reported that they’ve been noticing a pickup in delinquencies, as higher costs burden both families and businesses.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this episode:

• Higher interest rates have cratered demand for mortgages
• As inflation stretches paychecks, some lenders report "late payment creep"

Starting today, states are now responsible for a bigger share of the administrative costs that come with running the SNAP food assistance program. It used to be a 50-50 split with the federal government, but now states will take on 75% of the costs. We explore the impacts. We also discuss fresh inflation data and consumer spending figures. Plus, should Big Oil pay for some of the damage caused by burning fossil fuels?

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories discussed in this episode:

• A major big oil accountability case is on the Supreme Court's docket

Over the last 25 years, the U.S. government has spent billions of dollars to build a "virtual wall" of video surveillance at the southern border. The network can signal Border Patrol to respond when it detects suspicious activity. And officials have touted the benefit of providing aid to migrants in distress.

But a recent investigation by MIT Technology Review and the Times of San Diego found more than 1,000 migrants have died over the last decade within range of one of these cameras. Eileen Guo co-reported the series, “Dying on Camera.”

More on this:

“The US spent billions on border surveillance. Why can’t it catch people before they die?” from MIT Technology Review

“A congressional representative just proposed killing America’s border tower program” from MIT Technology Review

Does higher education still guarantee financial stability? How can parents set their kids up for success, without subjecting them to overbearing pressure? Reema talks to writer Min Jin Lee to talk about her new novel, “American Hagwon.” They discuss the precariousness of the middle class, and how love, fear, and money get tangled up in what parents want for their children … and what those kids can feel like they owe in return.

This Is Uncomfortable is nominated for a Signal Award! We’re up for Best Show in the Money & Finance category, and now we need your help to win. Vote by October 15: vote.signalaward.com

Support public media with a donation today: https://mktplc.org/support-thisisuncomfortable

If you like this episode, share it with a friend! And let us know what you think by calling 347-RING-TIU or emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org

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OpenAI just announced it will delay its IPO due to ongoing AI safety concerns. But when you’re a company as big as OpenAI, where does your funding come from? In this episode, venture capital doesn’t cut it. Plus: Second quarter GDP was revised up thanks to all that corporate AI investment, Kai breaks down why the labor market is kinda like a bathtub, and farmers turn to agritainment as crop revenue shrinks.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• Second quarter GDP growth is brought to you by the letters A and I
• Why full employment is like filling a bathtub with water
• OpenAI delayed its IPO. That makes private investors happy
• Corn mazes, apple picking, and hayrides: More farms are leaning into "agritourism"
• Is your Dijon spicy? Heat and drought might be the cause
• How "Neon Tom" made a 40-year career out of neon signs

We’re almost at the start of a new month. For many, that means it’s time to pay rent. But meeting those monthly payments is becoming increasingly difficult. A new report from the Urban Institute found that one in five working-age renters struggled to pay rent last year, and the share of middle-income renters who are facing these challenges grew by the largest margin. We unpack, but first we discuss what's in the latest inflation reading.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories in this morning’s episode:

• People are increasingly struggling to pay rent

Corded headphones are so back. Bose announced new wired earbuds this week and is calling the renewed interest a “cultural renaissance.” It’s all part of a revival for older tech — things like analog alarm clocks and point-and-shoot cameras — especially among Gen Z consumers. We'll explore the trend this morning. Plus, we’ll head to South Texas, where skilled trades programs are preparing workers for major industrial projects.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this episode:

• Wired headphones and other retro gear are having a comeback
• Industrial growth boosts demand for skilled trades in South Texas

Further proof — in case you need it — that AI data centers aren't very popular: A new survey from the Pew Research Center shows 60% of Americans aren't comfortable welcoming one to the neighborhood.

And concerns have grown since the beginning of the year across every demographic group, making the backlash a key issue in the midterm elections. Scott Brennen, director of NYU's Center on Technology Policy, recently published a report on how data centers could better work with communities.

More on this:

“Americans’ views of data centers have turned more negative” from Pew Research Center

“Collective Goods but Local Harms: How Data Centers Can Earn Community Support” from Center on Technology Policy

“Residents voice concerns as Hobart City Council approves Amazon data center” from WGN9

“More Americans concerned about AI, even as it drives economy” from Marketplace

Consumer confidence fell to a 12-year low in September, according to The Conference Board. The index has been trending down for a couple years, but this latest decline was steep. One reason? Upper-middle class respondents are starting to feel the pressure, too. Also in this episode: The economic forces behind GDP growth might run out of steam soon, the low-hire low-fire labor market marches on, and high diesel prices keep some Gulf shrimpers on dry land.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• How long can the economy keep growing?
• The latest JOLTS survey shows more of the same low-hire, low-fire economy
• Consumer confidence falls to its lowest level in 12 years, survey shows
• The price tag might be an endangered species
• High diesel prices force some Gulf shrimpers to stay docked
• New career path, new baby, no problem

The Trump administration is ramping up its trade war against Canada. As of this morning, the U.S. has officially banned imports of Canadian wine, beer, and spirits, along with motorcycles, molasses, and whey protein. Is this escalation getting the two sides back to the negotiating table? Also: a preview of the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation and why one childcare worker left his job to get an advanced degree.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

One new course debuting this school year is AP Business with Personal Finance. It comes from the College Board, which is also behind the SAT, and is being taught in thousands of classrooms across the country. This morning, we head to one Baltimore school to learn about the impact of finance-oriented courses. But first, the pool of money for low-income energy assistance programs may be stretched thin this winter.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this episode:

• Energy assistance programs stretched thin by higher demand
• "Rise and grind": High schoolers take new AP business with personal finance class

It’s a new season of “Million Bazillion” and listener Noah wants to know, what is shrinkflation? When Ryan notices his favorite pita chip snack is shrinking, he, Bridget and a talking pita chip put on their detective hats and head to a food factory to get to the bottom of the shrinking snack mystery. That’s where they learn about the ways some businesses deal with rising prices and discover shrinking isn’t just for snacks!

Content creator Manny Marotta has gone viral in recent weeks for his X feed recounting the news of 25 years ago as if it's happening now.

His minute-by-minute account of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, attracted hundreds of thousands of new followers. And the 27-year old is posting day-by-day accounts from 50 and 100 years ago, as well.

Marotta says it's become a time-consuming hobby alongside his job as a law clerk for a non-profit.

Apple used to be the leader in buying back shares. Now, Nvidia has broken the tech company’s record, announcing Monday that it would add $150 billion to its stock buyback program, on top of $80 billion pledged a few months ago. The chipmaker’s profits have continued to surge, as tech companies pour money into data centers and AI infrastructure. Is this a smart way for Nvidia to spend its money? More on Nvidia today, plus how a volunteer firefighter shortage is affecting a rural Wyoming county, why spending is predicted to soar this holiday season despite the energy crisis, and what economists are watching for in the jobs numbers coming out this week.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• It's a big week for economic data. Here's what labor economists will be looking for.
• Nvidia's record stock buyback funded by cash from the data center boom
• There’s a national volunteer firefighter shortage. It’s on display in Wyoming
• Early retirement isn't always a choice
• Adobe forecasts record U.S. spending online this holiday season
• The mall isn't dead, yet

Only 27% of the public trusts the federal government, according to a new survey from the Partnership for Public Service. This morning, we continue our conversation with Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, about our perception of government institutions and the current crossroads we're at in terms of building a better — and more trustworthy — future. But first: hawkish Fed officials, this Friday's jobs report, and a trade deal with China.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories featured in this episode:

• Why only 27% of the public trusts the federal government

On Tuesday, the Labor Department will report how many job openings were posted in August. On Wednesday, the Bureau of Economic Analysis will report how much personal income grew in August. And on Friday, the Labor Department will report how much hiring occurred this month. So what types of jobs are employers trying to fill? Also on this morning's episode: lowered tariffs with China and a look at public distrust in the federal government.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories featured in this episode:

• Job openings are up, especially in manufacturing and construction
• Why trust in the federal government is down in the dumps

The AI smart speaker market is getting crowded. This year, Amazon, which is a Marketplace underwriter, rolled out a large language model-powered version of its classic voice assistant.

You can still talk to Alexa+ using Amazon echo devices, but it also operates as a text chatbot, replacing the old Rufus AI. It's capable of conversational searches, managing to-do lists and even generating podcasts.

Daniel Rausch, Amazon’s vice president of Alexa and Echo, broke down what's new with Alexa+.

More on this:

“I’ve Been Testing Alexa for a Decade. Here’s My Take on How Alexa+ Compares.” from Wirecutter

“Amazon's Alexa+” from Amazon

What happens to government debt, the budget deficit, and the overall economy if interest rates stay elevated? For a new report, the Congressional Budget Office crunched the numbers. By 2056, public debt would grow to an eye-popping 222% of GDP. Plus: Trump administration cuts decimated soil conservation programs, a new report highlights the impact of private equity investments on climate risk, and an uneventful Trump-Xi summit ends with a promise of more talks to come.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• TTYL? Trump-Xi talks end without much to show
• What happens to the deficit and the national debt if interest rates stay high?
• U.S. farmers lost conservation experts in Trump’s federal cuts. Now they’re hurting for help
• Private equity gets a grade on climate risks

Chinese President Xi Jinping is continuing his meetings with President Donald Trump today, and trade representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC this morning that the two sides have already come to agreements on a number of issues. Earlier this week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also announced that the U.S. and China would be extending a trade truce initially struck in October 2025. This morning, we dig into the background and the big picture of U.S.-China trade. Then, we hear what hosting Formula 1 means for Madrid's economy.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories featured in this episode:

• Madrid welcomed back Formula 1. Here’s what it meant for the city.

Today, people across the country are celebrating Dolly Parton Day. They’re encouraged to wear rhinestones, listen to her music, and be generous. Sept. 25 was chosen because the date harkens back to the hit song “9 to 5.” It is perhaps the singular ode to the eight-hour American workday. So in Parton’s honor, we look into the origin of that schedule. But first, with world leaders gathering in New York, we check in on how the U.S. war with Iran is affecting African economies.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories covered in this episode:

• How the U.S. war with Iran is impacting African economies
• Celebrating Dolly Parton Day with some history of the 8-hour workday

Meta's new Muse AI assistant is having a moment — and it's kind of adorable. Meta announced a slew of new integrations for its AI assistant at a company event this week, including a customizable furry lil’ avatar and a Tamogatchi-like wearable device for interacting with it.

Plus, Wall Street is betting billions on growing demand for cybersecurity in the age of AI and social media platform Discord enters its age-gating era.

Anita Ramaswamy at The Information is here to help us unpack the week in tech.

More on this:

I Gave My Life Over to Meta’s A.I. Agent and Was Blown Away — New York Times

Meta Tests Muse AI Agent Calls That Are Actually Made By Humans in a Call Center — 404 Media

CrowdStrike and Okta Trade at Big Premiums Despite Unproven AI Payoff — The Information

Discord’s age-verification era is upon us, despite community backlash — Tech Crunch

As Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh attempts to limit forward guidance, analysts are zeroed in on other Fed officials’ public comments. Turns out, they’ve got plenty to say. In this episode, central bankers make their voices heard. Plus: Layoffs push workers to pivot careers entirely, catastrophe modelers warn a strong El Niño is brewing, and potato farmers struggle in the wake of an excellent growing season.

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.

Read the stories in today’s episode:

• Kevin Warsh is against forward guidance. But that hasn't stopped other Fed officials
• Laid off? Odds are a change of job title's in your future
• A "historic" El Niño is brewing and catastrophe modelers are mapping out the risks
• A spectacular 2025 growing season was not so great for potato farmers this year

This morning, we continue our conversation with Yvette Fernandez, a reporter for the Mountain West News Bureau and Nevada Public Radio, about some of the biggest economic news stories coming out of the state. In this episode, we hear how tariffs and immigration enforcement are hampering Las Vegas' tourism rebound and how Nevada is trying to establish guardrails for AI data centers. But first, what's behind this latest surge in bond yields?

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace Morning Report 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.

Stories from this episode:

• From immigration crackdowns to data centers, Nevada's big economic stories