Make Me Smart With Kai And Molly

Plastic is just about everywhere, and there’s going to be a lot more of it. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development expects global plastic use to triple by 2060. So what are we to do with all the waste? Tossing empty iced coffee cups, peanut butter jars and blueberry containers into a recycling bin might seem like the obvious solution. But while the plastics industry has been working hard to promote recycling as a fix since the ’70s, it turns out our recycling systems are not equipped to handle the various plastics we use. “Think of your own home. On top of your washing machine, you probably have a bright orange, hard plastic detergent bottle. And then in your refrigerator, you might have a squeezable clear ketchup bottle. Those two plastic containers cannot be recycled together,” said Judith Enck, founder of Beyond Plastics and former regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. On the show today: the fundamental problems with plastic recycling and the

For Americans with mortgages, homeowners insurance is a must. But for those who have paid off their homes, it’s optional. Now more and more Americans are choosing to forgo that insurance. We’ll explain what’s behind the trend and dig into the potential risks. Plus, bizarre happenings for fabled sea creatures are making us smile, including a live-action reenactment of Jonah and the Whale. And, Nessie, is that you? Here’s everything we talked about: “Americans Are Dropping Their Home Insurance, Claiming the Odds of Disaster Don’t Justify the Cost” from The Wall Street Journal “Student Loans Are Emerging From Deep Freeze, and Borrowers Are Confused” from The Wall Street Journal “Spanish Prosecutors Open Inquiry Into Luis Rubiales Over World Cup Kiss” from The New York Times “Mother of beleaguered Spanish soccer chief starts hunger strike as calls mount for his resignation” from AP News “Biggest H

The Spanish women’s national team won it’s first World Cup! But the celebration has been bittersweet after Spain’s soccer chief kissed a player on the lips and is refusing to step down. We’ll discuss the fallout and what the team is doing to oust Luis Rubiales. Plus, we’ll play a game of Half Full / Half Empty with guest host Amy Scott weighing in on how LinkedIn is actually cool? But pumpkin spice lattes in August — maybe not so much. Here’s everything we talked about: “Facebook settlement claims are due Aug. 25. How to apply for a payout” from The Washington Post “What’s the point of class-action lawsuits?” from Marketplace “Spanish Soccer Chief Rubiales Refuses to Resign Over World Cup Kiss” from The New York Times “Are American malls back from the brink?” from Marketplace “Will New York City’s Airbnb crackdown make housing more affordable?” from Marketplace

Consumer spending has been fairly resilient in the face of high inflation (see Taylor Swift, Beyoncé). But, the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes can pack a punch, and it’s showing up in Americans’ credit card bills. We’ll hear a bit of Macy’s quarterly earnings call and unpack what it tells us about consumer habits. And, AI is being used to give people their voices back. And, we’ll play a round of Name That Tune, economic anthem-style. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Credit card delinquencies jump past pre-pandemic levels” from Axios “Big retailers disappoint Wall Street as consumer spending shifts” from Marketplace “A Stroke Stole Her Ability to Speak at 30. A.I. Is Helping to Restore It Years Later.” from The New York Times “India lands a spacecraft softly on the moon’s surface” from The Washington Post “The Trash We’ve Left on the Moon” from The Atlant

The computer chipmaker Nvidia doubled its revenue from a year ago due to a surge in demand for special chips used to run AI systems like ChatGPT. We’ll get into the geopolitical backdrop of the current chip boom. And, half of today’s homebuyers are first-time purchasers despite a historically unaffordable housing market. We’ll unpack that paradox. Plus, have you played Tradle yet? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Nvidia Revenue Doubles on Demand for A.I. Chips, and Could Go Higher” from The New York Times “Can I Afford a House: Higher Mortgage Rates Have Not Deterred Some Buyers” from Bloomberg “The Housing Market Has Never Been This Unaffordable for New Buyers” from Business Insider “Home-builder ETFs jump after data show new-home sales rose in July despite high mortgage rates” from MarketWatch “Ford Confronts Strange, Ear-Piercing Static in F-150 Trucks” from The Wall St

Robotaxi companies Cruise and Waymo recently scored a big win when California regulators allowed them to expand their services and begin charging fares in San Francisco. But now the companies are hitting some speedbumps. On the show today: Axios transportation reporter Joann Muller explains where we’re at with self-driving technology, why all eyes are on San Francisco, and who make the rules as robotaxi companies grow. Plus, the human-to-human connection that driverless cars are missing. Then, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimundo is the next cabinet member in line for a trip to China. We’ll get into why the visit might be a little tense. And, some Americans are finding creative avenues to homeownership in spite of an unfavorable housing market. Later, our listeners recommend some summer reads. And, this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question comes from Mark Clouse, President and CEO of Campbell’s Soup. Here’s everything we talked about today: “How autonomous

Inflation has been the hot topic for over a year now. And the Federal Reserve has been on a mission to lower inflation down to its 2% target. But should Chair Jay Powell and his team aim for a higher target instead? We’ll also talk about China and Japan’s diminishing interest in U.S. Treasurys and how it can affect American debt. And some good news about the carnivorous Venus flytrap. Here’s everything we talked about: “Maui wildfire recovery: Hawaii governor insists fire-ravaged Lahaina community will be rebuilt as search efforts continue” from CNN “The Fed Should Carefully Aim for a Higher Inflation Target” from The Wall Street Journal “Elon Musk’s Shadow Rule” from The New Yorker “El-Erian advises Federal Reserve to rethink its 2% inflation target” from Marketplace “A barometer for the AI economy” from Marketplace “Venus fly trap removed from endangered species list” from Public Radio Eastern North Car

Americans are watching a lot of television, but it’s not broadcast or cable TV. For the first time, linear TV made up less than half of all TV viewing last month. We’ll talk about how the rise of streaming and the ongoing Hollywood strikes may accelerate cord cutting. Plus, how the U.S. is still being represented in the Women’s World Cup final. And, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty with guest host and Economics on Tap first-timer Nova Safo, who enlightens us on why all radio show hosts should drink sherry. Here’s everything we talked about: “For the first time, cable and broadcast makes up less than half of TV viewing” from CNN “What to know about SAG-AFTRA waivers and why actors are making movies during the strike” from AP News “American referee Tori Penso picked by FIFA for England-Spain final at Women’s World Cup” from AP News “Beer? Pour me a grey one” from Marketplace R

The Inflation Reduction Act is the beating heart of the president’s new “Bidenomics” slogan. The trouble is, many Americans don’t know what’s in the gargantuan piece of legislation. We’ll hear what President Joe Biden had to say on the law’s one-year anniversary and explain why he is struggling to get credit for the strong economy. And, we’ll get into how the new culture of remote work is shifting the purpose of downtowns. Plus, we’ll play a round of Name That Tune, economic anthem-style. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Biden touts Inflation Reduction Act on first anniversary” from Reuters “Biden’s approval rating on the economy stagnates, AP-NORC poll shows” from AP News “San Francisco struggles with downtown recovery” from Marketplace “New York Plans to Open Parts of Midtown Manhattan to Housing” from The New York Times “Janet Yellen explai

Detroit has one of the nation’s highest poverty rates. Yet, it doesn’t have the same level of homelessness that Los Angeles has. So what gives? We’ll get into the almost-too-obvious reason: a lot more housing. Also, we’ll check in on one of Kai’s favorite topics — bonds — and explain what yields can tell us about today’s economy. And, a silver lining in the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s World Cup loss. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Fresno, California, leads in downtown recovery” from Marketplace “Bond Yield Hits Highest Since 2008, Adding Pressure to Borrowing Costs” from The Wall Street Journal “The first female officer nominated to the Joint Chiefs is stuck in Tuberville’s military promotions blockade” from Politico “Why Detroit, America’s poorest city, doesn’t have an L.A.-sized homeless problem” from The L.A. Times “The Local-News Crisis Is W

Hey Smarties! We’ve been having a lot of conversations about what advances in AI technology mean for our personal and professional lives. So, today we’re bringing you a special episode from “Marketplace Tech” about how AI is already transforming the workplace. In their new “AI on the Job” series, our tech team investigates the effects, from streamlining routine office tasks to drastically changing workflows.

California regulators gave the green light to two robotaxi companies to expand service in the city of San Francisco. But the debate over driverless vehicles is far from over. Guest host Matt Levin joins the pod to explain. Plus, Argentina’s primary elections highlight how inflation is playing out in domestic politics across the globe. And, some environmental good news to put a smile on your face. Here’s everything we talked about: “Driverless taxis: What to know about Cruise, Waymo expansion” from The San Francisco Chronicle “San Francisco’s self-driving car wars intensify after Cruise meltdown” from The San Francisco Chronicle “How rideshare drivers feel about robot competition” from Marketplace “Outsider Milei Upends Argentina’s Election With Primary Win” from Bloomberg “Goldman Pencils In First Fed Rate Cut for Second Quarter of 2024” from Bloomberg “Amid Maui wildfire ash, Lahaina&

Hey Smarties! Make Me Smart is taking a little summer vacation this week. We’ll be back in your feeds soon. But for now, enjoy a rerun of one of our favorite episodes of the year so far. To reach the Joe Biden administration’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, the country’s energy infrastructure needs a massive overhaul, and fast. But many communities are not on board with the idea of a massive wind or solar farm in their area. Some counties are banning renewable energy developments before the planning can even begin. “All those wind turbines and solar panels, and then all the transmission lines that you need to build … it has a big footprint. And that creates lots of land-use conflicts,” said Ted Nordhaus, founder of The Breakthrough Institute. On the show today, Nordhaus breaks down climate NIMBYism, the threat it poses to our green-energy economy and what it might take to keep the green transition moving forward. In the News Fix: Work as we know it is changing. Many

First the U.S. Marines and now the Army. For the first time in American history, two members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff lack the blessing of the Senate, as Sen. Tommy Tuberville, an Alabama Republican, holds up hundreds of military promotions to protest the Pentagon’s new abortion policy. We’ll explain the implications of having interims filling these top military posts. And good news for the lungs of the planet: Deforestation is on a downward trend in the Amazon rainforest. Plus, we’ll play a game of Half Full / Half Empty with predictions about the “vibecession.” Here’s everything we talked about: “Amazon deforestation at six-year-low in Brazil after plunging 66% in July” from CNN “Army chief retires as Tuberville hold snarls the Pentagon’s top ranks” from Politico Joint Chiefs of Staff vacancies from Twitter “Why ‘grandternity’ leave might become the newest form of parental leave” from Mark

The credit rating agency Fitch bumped the United States’ credit rating down a notch this week despite the country’s strong economic performance. We’ll hear what Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had to say about it and get into why political dysfunction is at the root of the downgrade. Plus, why a carbon-free future likely depends on nuclear energy. And what musical beat is the U.S. economy grooving to? Here’s everything we talked about: “New Georgia reactor shows benefits and costs of nuclear power” from Marketplace “Yellen: Fitch downgrade ‘entirely unwarranted’ amid US economy’s strength” from Reuters “New York Dems beg Biden to fast-track migrant work permits” from Politico “Inhumane conditions reported at large migrant shelter in New York City” from NPR “The economic anthem of the moment depends on how you read the data” from Marketplace We want to know

Climate change is real and so is climate anxiety. We’ll get into the ways the climate crisis is changing the mental health profession as people turn to therapy for help with handling all the climate doom. And, is there a way to turn climate anxiety into action? Also, former President Donald Trump’s latest indictment is now available to the public. (Seriously, read it.) And, asteroids may be the next frontier for human space exploration. Plus, meows of agreement from Yuki the cat. Here’s everything we talked about today: “United States of America vs. Donald J. Trump” (PDF) from the U.S. Justice Department “CNN annotated text copy of Trump’s third indictment” from CNN “For hard-core Trump supporters latest indictment doesn’t raise doubts” from NPR “What To Do With Climate Emotions” from The New Yorker “AI improves breast cancer detection rate by 20 percent” from Politico

Today we’re talking about the economics of higher education in the United States. Though the average cost of going to college nearly tripled from 1980 to 2021, the net cost of attending both public and private institutions has started to come down. Martin Kurzweil, vice president of educational transformation at the nonprofit Ithaka S+R, traces that back to a decline in enrollment. “Demographers will tell us that the generations of young people coming through after the baby boom, the cohort sizes, have decreased over time, and higher education is looking at what’s come to be known as a demographic cliff,” Kurzweil said. On the show today: Kurzweil explains how college became unaffordable for many Americans, why costs have started to come down, and how a shrinking population of typical college-age students will transform higher education in the U.S. Then, we’ll get into the repercussions of the Great Recession on the retirement wealth of younger baby boomers. And, are credit r

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis struggles to forge ahead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, he’s hoping to win supporters through his newly unveiled economic plan. We’ll also talk about the spikey takedown of human devices by crows. Plus, a golden record aimed at aliens that captures the sounds of love and life on Earth. Here’s everything we talked about: “How to Prepare Your House for a Hotter Future” from Heatmap News “DeSantis Says He Would Eye U.S. Ban of TikTok If Elected President” from The Wall Street Journal “Birds have co-opted our anti-bird weapons in a genius counterattack” from Vox “After ‘terrorizing’ Congress, interns get selfies with all 100 senators” from The Washington Post “Carl Sagan And Ann Druyan’s Ultimate Mix Tape” from NPR “Voyager Golden Record” from Sotheby’s We’re waiting for your answer to the Mak

India has banned nearly half of its rice exports. The news has sent many Americans scrambling to stock up. We’ll explain what the ban means for global food prices. Plus, what should come first, new electric vehicle charging stations or new power lines? And, the hosts weigh in on UFOs during a round of Half Full / Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Sen. Duckworth’s Barbie moment” from Politico “India’s ban on certain rice exports sends some U.S. consumers scrambling to find it on store shelves” from Marketplace “From Rice Ban to War and Heat, Food Inflation Risks Are Back” from Bloomberg “Biden Administration Poses Strict Targets for Vehicle Fuel Economy” from The Wall Street Journal “The advantages —and drawbacks — of decentralized social networks” from Marketplace “NASA Plus is the latest streaming competitor” from The Verge “U.S. recovered non-h

Federal student loan payments have been paused for over three years. Since then, borrowers have got used to the extra room in their budgets for dining, vacations, Beyoncé tickets and more. One listener called in to ask: What happens to the economy when payments start again this fall? We’ll get into it and answer more of your questions on President Joe Biden’s new student debt forgiveness plan and why it’s so hard to have student loans wiped out through bankruptcy. Here’s everything we talked about today: “As Student Loan Borrowers Prepare to Resume Payments, Some Borrowers’ Abilities to Pay May Be Limited” from TransUnion “Holiday shopping already has retailers on edge” from Marketplace “Student-Loan Repayments Are Coming Back. Retailers Are in for a Big Shock.” from The Wall Street Journal “The pause on student loans is ending. That could be a storm cloud for the economy” from CNN Business “The Biden administr