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Make Me Smart

Make Me Smart

By: Marketplace
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Each weekday, Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams makes today make sense along with her Marketplace colleagues, breaking down happenings in tech, the economy, and culture. Because none of us is as smart as all of us.Copyright 2026 Minnesota Public Radio Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • From "This Is Uncomfortabe": Help! My coworker wants a copy of my house key!
    Feb 6 2026

    Hey Smarties! There won’t be a livestream for “Economics on Tap” today. But don’t worry! “Economics on Tap” will return soon on Feb. 20. For now, we’re sharing a new episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Enjoy!


    “Work Drama” is the “This Is Uncomfortable” advice column, answering your questions about sticky work situations. This week, Reema tackles your questions about workplace tension, co-worker cliques, bosses behaving badly, and some bizarre office policies. And she’s joined by one of our favorite culture writers and podcasters, Sarah Hagi, who hosts “Scamfluencers.”


    If you have any work drama going on, we want to hear about it! You can send it to us at uncomfortable@marketplace.org, leave a message at 347-RING-TIU, or fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

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    24 mins
  • What do American families really care about right now?
    Feb 5 2026

    As the 2026 midterm elections approach, pollsters and strategists from all over the world of politics are trying to get a pulse on American families. Kimberly recently sat down with a panel of experts at the Aspen Forum on Children and Families to discuss what their research is revealing and what it means for the future of policies that affect children and families across the United States. So, we’re sharing some of that conversation today. Spoiler: the economy comes up a lot.


    Here’s everything we talked about today:


    • VIDEO: "Reality Check: What's Really Going On With Families" from the Aspen Institute
    • "Voters See a Middle-Class Lifestyle as Drifting Out of Reach, Poll Finds" from The New York Times
    • "The good, the bad and the ugly of election polling" from “Make Me Smart”


    We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

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    17 mins
  • The political cloud hanging over the Fed
    Feb 3 2026

    Hey Smarties! We recorded today’s episode before the House passed a spending package that will end the partial government shutdown. We’re monitoring the situation as it develops.


    President Trump has shown no signs of easing his pressure campaign on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. But this could spell trouble for Trump’s pick for Powell’s successor, Kevin Warsh. Marketplace’s Nancy Marshall-Genzer joins Kimberly to explain. Plus, we’ll get into what you should know about Warsh’s history at the Fed and more of the latest news from the central bank.


    Here’s everything we talked about today:


    • "Trump’s Political Drama With Powell Overshadows Fed Rate Decision" from The New York Times
    • "What would Kevin Warsh bring to the Federal Reserve?" from Marketplace
    • "Fed keeps interest rates unchanged, despite pressure from Trump" from Marketplace
    • "Trump Needs an Off-Ramp for Powell Feud to Speed Warsh Into Fed" from Bloomberg
    • "The economic headache that's coming for Kevin Warsh" from Politico


    We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

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    16 mins
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