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The Winter Olympics kick off next week in Milan, Italy. On today’s show, Kimberly is joined by Jackie Wong, self-described skate nerd and host of “The Rocker Skating Podcast” to break down the basics of Olympic figure skating and who to watch at the Milan Cortina Games. Despite the sport’s popularity, figure skaters frequently struggle financially off the ice. We’ll get into it. Plus, you pick: real hockey or “Heated Rivalry”? Here’s everything we talked about today:"Winter Olympics 2026 guide: All you need to know about the Milan Cortina Games" from AP News"Milan Cortina Olympics: Figure skating could have multiple American golds" from Yahoo Sports"What Should I Watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics?" from The Cut"Around 5 billion people - 84 per cent of the potential global audience - followed the Olympic Games Paris 2024" from the International Olympic Committee "To Go for the Gold, These Olympians Went Into the Red" from The Wall Street JournalWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

In line with President Trump’s broader crackdown on immigration, the administration has moved to end the Temporary Protected Status program for certain countries including Venezuela and Haiti. TPS has allowed immigrants from countries with unsafe environments to temporarily live and work legally in the United States for decades. On today’s show, Marketplace’s Elizabeth Trovall joins Kimberly to share her recent reporting on Haitian care workers in Florida who will soon lose their legal status and the wider impact it could have on the U.S. economy.

The European Union is still reeling after President Trump’s Davos appearance, even after he walked back some of his Greenland threats. A big question remains: How should the EU deal with Trump going forward? Financial Times correspondent Paola Tamma joins Kimberly from Brussels to explain Europe’s shifting approach to Trump and why officials haven’t yet taken more drastic measures to respond to his economic threats. Could a push to seek alternative trade allies be an antidote?

Tech companies are pouring billions into developing the infrastructure necessary to meet the demand for artificial intelligence. But what does that infrastructure look like on the ground? Marketplace Tech’s Meghan McCarty Carino joins Kimberly to share her takeaways after visiting a variety of data centers and reporting on the surge in AI investment. Plus, we’ll weigh in on microdramas and AI slop during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!Here’s everything we talked about today:"Inside the relentless race for AI capacity" Financial Times"Redwood Materials built record grid storage project using old EV batteries" Canary Media"Just how big is the AI investment wave?" from Reuters"YouTube says battling ‘AI slop’ is a top priority" from The L.A. Times"TikTok-like microdramas are going to make billions this year, even though they kind of suck" from Tech Crunch"Apple to Revamp Siri as a Built-In iPhone, Mac Chatbot to Fend Off OpenAI" from Bloomberg "Ads Are Coming to ChatGPT. Here’s How They’ll Work" from WiredWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

President Trump has routinely sought to influence the business dealings of U.S. media companies, including Netflix and Paramount’s fight over the future of Warner Bros. Rodney Benson, author of the book “How Media Ownership Matters,” has argued there’s a word for this trend: media capture. On today’s show, Benson joins Kimberly to explain how the phenomenon works and why he believes it’s playing out in the U.S. Plus, we’ll smile about the wonders of the cosmos.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Trump World Is Picking Sides in the Battle for Warner Bros." from The Wall Street Journal"Is the US Media Captured?" From Columbia Journalism Review"Trump's Year of Media Capture" from Rolling Stone"Inside Bari Weiss’s Hostile Takeover of CBS News" from The New Yorker"Rodney Benson on the Value of Publicly Backed Journalism" from Columbia Journalism ReviewJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

For student loan borrowers, the past few years have felt like whiplash. From the fallout of the Biden-era SAVE plan to policies in the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal financial aid system is getting an overhaul this year. On today’s show, founder and president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors Betsy Mayotte joins Kimberly to break down what borrowers need to know about the major changes coming to federal student loans in 2026.

On today’s show, Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News, joins Kimberly to share how her community has been affected by a recent surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, including the fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Good. We’ll also discuss the impact on small businesses in the Twin Cities and the political fallout from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s decision to end his reelection campaign.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Minnesota business owners feeling the effects of ICE enforcement actions" from MPR News"As immigration raids roil Minnesota, corporate leaders stay silent" from Marketplace "Tim Walz drops out of Minnesota governor’s race, Klobuchar considers jumping in" from Politico"With limited political power, Minnesota Democrats navigate resistance to Trump" from MPR News"Walz's exit from Minnesota governor's race will pose challenges for both parties" from MPR News"What to Nosh in the North Star State: Minnesota's Most-Iconic Dishes" from Food Network "Photos: The Minneapolis music scene, from the 1980s to now" from MPR NewsWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Marketplace’s “This Is Uncomfortable” is back with new episodes about life and how money messes with it. Today, host Reema Khrais joins Kimberly to share some of what she’s learned from conversations on how to survive job hunting in today’s brutal labor market and what it really means to have “enough” money. Plus, how anxiety about money can actually hold you back financially.Check out new episodes from “This Is Uncomfortable:”"We're back: How much money is ‘enough’?" from “This Is Uncomfortable”"Surviving job hunting hell" from “This Is Uncomfortable”"The number of long-term unemployed is growing. What does that tell us about the economy?" 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.

Seemingly infinite battles over President Donald Trump’s agenda have been playing out in the courts over the past year. But when all’s said and done, are these legal challenges actually working? Politico legal affairs reporter Kyle Cheney joins Kimberly to discuss. Plus, they’ll get into the Supreme Court’s impending decision on Trump’s tariffs and why even some GOP members are breaking rank to speak up about the Justice Department’s investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Jan. 6 — five years later" from Politico "Trump's push to politicize the Fed could cause further market "volatility'" from Marketplace Post by @kyledcheney.bsky.social "‘The courts are helpless’: Inside the Trump administration’s steady erosion of judicial power" from CNN Politics "Trump’s ‘Superstar’ Appellate Judges Have Voted 133 to 12 in His Favor" from The New York Times"Supreme Court blocks Trump effort to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois" from Politico "Supreme Court appears skeptical of Trump admin's tariff arguments" from Marketplace We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

On today’s show, WNYC reporter Brigid Bergin joins Kimberly to talk about New York City’s brand new Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose campaign on affordability caught nationwide attention. We’ll get into how Mamdani is tackling affordability during his first days in office, how the business community is reacting, and how his administration is navigating an unpredictable White House. Plus, the case for daydreaming more in 2026.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Gov. Hochul, Mayor Mamdani announce push for free child care for NYC 2-year-olds" from Gothamist "NYC to provide expansion of free child care in "high-need" areas" from Marketplace"MAMDANI’S FIRST 100 DAYS: Mayor signs executive orders targeting junk fees and subscription traps" from amNY"The Mamdani vs. big business era begins as mayor pledges 'economic justice'" from Gothamist"Politics Trump administration freezes $10 billion in child, family aid to 5 states over fraud concerns" from CNBC  "The new go-to for Napa Valley wine lovers? Costco" from Marketplace "Google adds proofreading, AI summaries to Gmail with new update" from Marketplace "Why you should put down your phone and daydream instead" from The Washington Post"At grocery stores, shopping with a side of biometric surveillance" from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

In the wake of U.S. military action in Venezuela, including the capture of the country’s leader Nicolás Maduro, we’re left with questions about what this moment could mean for the future of U.S. foreign policy and the global economy. On the show today, director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Jason Marczak joins Kimberly to explain why the Trump administration is shifting its focus back toward the Western Hemisphere, harkening back to the Monroe Doctrine. Plus, what it would take to revitalize Venezuela’s economy. Here’s everything we talked about today:"Experts react: The US just captured Maduro. What’s next for Venezuela and the region?" from the Atlantic Council"Donald Trump asserts control over Venezuela—and all the Americas" from The Economist"For Big Oil, Venezuela's reserves show long-term promise" from Marketplace  "What Is the Monroe Doctrine, and How Is Trump Reasserting It?" from Time"Dispatches from Venezuela: Red roofs and the new ogling" from MarketplaceJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

It’s been a year since the Eaton and Palisades fires swept through Southern California, taking 31 lives and destroying over 16,000 structures — including the homes of “Marketplace Morning Report” host David Brancaccio and his neighbors in Altadena. On the show today, David joins Kimberly to talk about the road to rebuilding the community and the complicated, costly task of rebuilding with fire resistant materials. Here’s everything we talked about today:"How my Altadena neighbors are rebuilding, one year since the Eaton Fire" from Marketplace "L.A. wildfires broke record for costliest in the history of the planet" from the San Francisco Chronicle "These numbers tell the story of the Los Angeles wildfires, one year later" from AP News"Marketplace’s David Brancaccio on community, loss and rebuilding in Altadena" from Marketplace"To rebuild homes cheaper, faster and safer, some want new rules" from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Hey smarties! Happy New Year. We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Reema Khrais and the team are getting ready to relaunch the show on Jan. 15. Stay tuned for new episodes!Nikki Massie never had a reason to question her salary. After more than a decade with the same company, she’d earned awards, promotions and the trust of co-workers who felt like family. But then one day, she discovered she might have missed out on tens of thousands of dollars over the years. Nikki began to wonder: What do you do when you suspect you’ve been underpaid? And at what point do you consider walking away? If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Hey smarties! Happy New Year. We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Reema Khrais and the team are getting ready to relaunch the show on Jan. 15. Stay tuned for new episodes!When newlyweds Chantal and Travis Lisback started searching for their dream home in Seattle, they weren’t entirely on the same page. Chantal was eager to settle down as soon as possible, while Travis was more comfortable waiting a few years. As the search dragged on, what began as a shared dream started to feel more like a standoff. This week, a story about how a big life decision can bring to light the money and communication issues you didn’t know were there. Plus, later in the episode, Chantal and Travis sit down with financial therapist Aja Evans to unpack what’s happening beneath the surface, and how to approach money fights with more care and intention. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend!

Hey smarties! We’re on a break for the holidays and revisiting some of our top episodes from 2025. We can’t do this show without you and we still need your support. If you can, donate today to keep independent journalism going strong into 2026 and beyond. Give now to support “Make Me Smart.” Thank you so much for your generosity, happy holidays and we’ll see you in the new year.The holidays are just around the corner. And for many, it might mean being a guest at, or hosting, a friendsgiving get-together or other holiday party. Regardless of which side of the gathering you’re on, it can be stressful. But fret not! Casey Elsass, author of the book “What Can I Bring? Recipes to Help You Live Your Guest Life,” joins Kimberly from New York City to share tips on how to host and attend a great holiday party without breaking your bank account. Plus, we’ll play a round of This or That!

Hey smarties! We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, enjoy this bonus episode on one of Kimberly’s favorite topics: anime!Anime had a big year in 2025. The animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” broke Netflix’s record for most-watched movie on the streaming platform. And “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" became the top-grossing international film ever at the North American box office. When “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” debuted in theaters earlier this year, Kimberly spoke with Crunchyroll’s executive vice president of global commerce Mitchel Berger about the strategy behind the film’s release and the future of anime content.

Hey smarties! We’re taking a short break for the holidays. So today, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes from 2025. Enjoy!Today we’re diving into the business of music. Trapital founder Dan Runcie joins Kimberly to explain what Anthropic’s recent copyright settlement with authors could mean for record labels who’ve sued AI companies, the “fair use” debates dominating the music industry, and why even the biggest stars are struggling to create chart-toppers these days. Plus, we’ll celebrate a win from one of our listeners.

On today’s show, we’re digging into the mailbag to hear our listeners’ thoughts on the economy in 2025. Spoiler: tariffs came up a lot. And, we’ll hear from some of the reporters who helped us make sense of the news this year about what they’ll be keeping an eye on in 2026. Plus, we’ll celebrate a win!Here’s everything we talked about today:"Trump shook up global trade this year; some uncertainty may persist in 2026" from Reuters"Trump tests his 'affordability' message in a midterm battleground district" from NBC News "This K-shaped economy is reliant on high-income spenders" from Marketplace"Jerome Powell’s era of consensus at the Fed is over" from CNN Business"Missouri House advances proposal that could curtail ballot initiatives passing" from STLPR We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Hey Smarties! We’re dropping into your feeds today to share this special coverage from Marketplace.For many people gathering around the table this holiday season, things feel a little different. Maybe it’s the cost of ingredients that’s on your mind, or cuts to USDA funding that have left your food bank running low. Or maybe it’s the simple reality of a packed schedule — there’s a lot to cook, and so little time. In this special from Marketplace, we bring listeners a collection of stories on the business and economics of food. Our reporters take us across the country to farms, home kitchens, and restaurants. We visit a refugee farmer in Houston, a chocolate-making lab in California, and stop for a bite at an award-winning restaurant in Portland. 

Family caregivers in the United States are increasingly under mental and financial stress. Elizabeth Miller, founder of the caregiver resource platform Happy Healthy Caregiver, is here to help. On today’s show, Miller joins Kimberly to talk about prioritizing self-care and how you start caregiving conversations with family. Plus, we’ll get in the holiday spirit with a round of This or That!Here’s everything we talked about today:"New Report Reveals Crisis Point for America’s 63 million Family Caregivers" from AARP "How To Prepare To Be A Caregiver And Manage The Costs" from Today "5 Powerful Tips to kick off “the Talk” with Your Loved Ones" from Happy Healthy Caregiver"How to Make a Caregiving Plan (So It’s Ready When You Need It)" from The New York TimesIf our reporting has been valuable to you in 2025, consider becoming a Marketplace Investor. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn