Make Me Smart

By: Marketplace
  • Summary

  • 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.
    Copyright 2025 Minnesota Public Radio
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Episodes
  • Trump's immigration crackdown is coming for legal workers
    Apr 18 2025

    Undocumented workers aren’t the only immigrants being targeted by the Donald Trump administration. Green card holders are facing deportation threats as well. We’ll discuss the far-reaching implications of Trump’s immigration crackdown, from the labor market to higher education in the United States. Plus, what Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation case could mean for due process. And, we’ll weigh in on crunchy foods and living underwater during a round of Half Full/Half Empty.


    Here’s everything we talked about today:


    "Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Expands to Green Card Holders" from The New York Times


    Tweet from the White House


    "Colleges Fear Decline in International Student Enrollment" from Inside Higher Ed


    "A Young Generation Goes to Work for Mom and Dad Inc." from The Wall Street Journal


    "How crunch took over our taste buds" from Fast Company


    "The Techno-Utopian Seasteaders Who Want to Colonize the Ocean" from The New York Times


    "Fox Nation Plans Game Show About Isolated People Guessing What Trump Did In His First 90 Days" from The Hollywood Reporter


    Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

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    28 mins
  • Trump vs. Powell
    Apr 17 2025

    In over a hundred years, no president has ever fired the chair of the Federal Reserve … yet! President Donald Trump says he could show Jerome Powell the door, even though Powell says he’s not going anywhere. We’ll explain why it might all come down to the Supreme Court. Plus: the economic conditions that led to the American Revolution. And, a smile-worthy photo reminds us it's never too late to try new things!


    Here’s everything we talked about today:



    • “Trump: If I ask Powell to leave, ‘he’ll be out of there’” by The Hill


    • Humphrey's Executor v. United States from Oyez


    • “Recreating Paul Revere's ride from Boston 250 years later, 2 men prepare for landmark journey” from CBS News Boston


    • “A Hall of Fame baseball player picked up photography in retirement. He captured one of the defining shots of the Masters.” by 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.

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    10 mins
  • Let's talk about Zeno's paradox
    Apr 16 2025

    Since President Donald Trump took office, his administration has ignored court rulings on a range of issues from press access to deportations. Now, a federal judge might hold him in criminal contempt of court. We’ll unpack the Zeno’s paradox of constitutional crises. Plus, where luxury goods actually come from and why you may want to think twice before buying one. And if you’re looking to zone out, turn on the “Great Moose Migration.”


    Here’s everything we talked about today:



    • @kyledcheney.bsky.social‬ on Bluesky


    • “What happens if a president and the federal government fail to follow a judge's orders?” by NBC News


    • J.G.G., et al., v. Donald J. Trump, et al. from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia


    • “What to do in case of a constitutional crisis” by CNN


    • “How is civil society responding to the US constitutional crisis?” from the Brookings Institution


    • “Trump’s China tariffs spark viral TikTok work-arounds” from Fast Company


    • “'Chinese Warehouse' TikTok Videos Urge Americans to Buy Directly From Them” from Newsweek


    • “Ignore advice to buy direct from Chinese factories with DHGate, others” from The Washington Post


    • “The ‘Great Moose Migration’ Livestream Captivates Sweden” from The New York Times





    Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

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    14 mins
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Good podcast focusing on up to date events

A good podcast with knowledgeable people. Would be better if left-wing biases were reduced or removed.

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