Logo
    Search

    Podcast Summary

    • Innovation and Business Growth in Puerto RicoPuerto Rico offers a thriving ecosystem for startups and businesses with highly skilled bilingual talent, competitive tax incentives, and a rich cultural background. An initiative also teaches children and teens about financial literacy.

      Puerto Rico is not just a tropical paradise, but also a thriving hub for innovation and business growth. The island offers a vibrant ecosystem for startups and global players, with highly skilled and bilingual talent, competitive tax incentives, and a rich cultural background. Additionally, there's an initiative to teach children and teens about financial literacy through an interactive and immersive tour. For businesses looking to expand and individuals seeking opportunities, Puerto Rico presents an attractive option. To learn more, visit investpr.org/marketplace. Meanwhile, the hosts shared some nostalgic stories from their past, including Kimberly Adams' experience in Bye Bye Birdie, and Kai Ryssdal's reflection on his own middle school days. Despite the challenging news, they encouraged listeners to stay informed and keep learning.

    • Election officials and public servants face threats and concernsTwo-thirds of election officials worry about politicians interfering, half of workers fear colleagues' beliefs, threats against them have doubled since 2020, and those involved in Jan 6th investigation face harassment.

      Election officials and those involved in public service are facing increasing threats and concerns due to political tensions. According to a study by the Brennan Center For Justice, nearly two-thirds of election officials are worried about politicians interfering with their work, and half of election workers are concerned about their incoming colleagues believing lies about widespread voter fraud. Threats against these individuals have increased significantly since 2020, with 16% reporting that they have been threatened, either in person or over the phone. The situation is not limited to election officials, as those involved in the January 6th investigation have also faced threats, doxing, and harassment. The political climate is making it difficult for people to engage in public service, and those who do are deserving of respect and support for their commitment to their roles.

    • Culture of fear and intimidation in politicsPolitical violence normalization hinders democracy and could harm EV adoption and carbon reduction efforts

      The political climate under former President Trump has led to a culture of fear and intimidation among some politicians, causing them to hesitate in opposing him or voicing their opinions. This normalization of political violence is detrimental to democracy and serves as a precedent for future cases of professional and personal destruction. Additionally, Tesla's recent decision to shut down its supercharger development division, which was expected to help expand the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, could hinder the White House's efforts to promote EV adoption and reduce carbon emissions. The impact of these developments goes beyond Tesla and could have far-reaching consequences for both politics and the environment.

    • Challenges in Electrifying the Automobile IndustryTesla leads in EV production but challenges persist in electrifying the automobile industry, requiring quick thinking and teamwork to overcome unexpected obstacles

      The electrification of the automobile industry is facing challenges, with fewer carmakers making the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Tesla, which leads the way in EV production, has made deals with other companies to use its superchargers. However, the systemic issue of electrification goes beyond Tesla alone, making it a significant challenge for decarbonizing the planet. In a lighter note, a recent event involving a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks brought a smile to many faces. A bee swarm of over 1,000 bees delayed the game, but pest control professional Matt Hilton successfully removed them, earning a hero's welcome and allowing the game to resume. This unexpected event showcased the importance of quick thinking and teamwork in overcoming unexpected challenges.

    • Unexpected MVP: A pest control worker's heroic momentAppreciate the little things and their impact on our lives, even in challenging circumstances. Unexpected moments of connection can bring joy and positivity.

      The power of human connection and unexpected moments can bring joy and positivity, even in the most unusual circumstances. This was evident during a baseball game where a pest control worker, after removing thousands of bees from the field, was celebrated as an MVP by the crowd and even got to throw out the first pitch. The atmosphere was further enhanced by the playing of "Let It Be" and "Holding Out For A Hero" through the stadium speakers. This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the importance of appreciating the little things and the impact they can have on our lives. It's a reminder that even in the midst of challenges, there's always room for happiness and connection.

    Recent Episodes from Make Me Smart

    SCOTUS shakes up SEC

    SCOTUS shakes up SEC

    The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a huge blow to the Securities and Exchange Commission today when it ruled against its use of in-house judges to enforce securities fraud laws. We’ll get into why the decision will make the SEC’s job harder and what it could mean for other federal agencies. Plus, we’ll bust a common myth about Social Security and explain why homeownership is key factor in how Americans are faring in this economy.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 27, 2024

    Keeping up with the Supreme Court

    Keeping up with the Supreme Court

    This year’s Supreme Court decision season has been a busy one, and it’s not over yet. We’ll get into the court’s leaked opinion on emergency abortions and two other expected decisions that have the business world watching. Plus, another round of Cybertruck recalls and why it’s fine to keep referring to X as Twitter (per one Supreme Court justice).

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 26, 2024

    Are we living in a K-shaped economy?

    Are we living in a K-shaped economy?

    In the wake of the COVID-19 recession, many economists were describing the United States’ economic recovery as K-shaped. Basically, high-income Americans bounced back quicker than those at the lower end of the income scale. So, did we ever ditch that K shape? The person who coined the phrase “K-shaped recovery” back then, says no. On the show today, Peter Atwater, president of Financial Insyghts and adjunct professor at the College of William & Mary, explains why he believes economic inequality has grown since the pandemic recovery, why considerable wage gains for low-wage workers tell only part of the story and the risks of letting a K-shaped economy run wild.

    Then, we’ll get into how the fragility of global shipping supply chains could be playing into Federal Reserve decisions on interest rates. And, happy wedding anniversary, Susanna!

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 26, 2024

    The conservative push to weed out anti-Trump federal workers

    The conservative push to weed out anti-Trump federal workers

    Groups aligned with former President Trump are hunting through information to come up with a list of federal employees who might be resistant to a second Trump administration. We’ll discuss the push to reshape government. Plus, is the urban/rural divide a myth? And, a viral voicemail pep talk from a testing center worker makes us smile.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 24, 2024

    The IRS battles a fraud-plagued tax credit

    The IRS battles a fraud-plagued tax credit

    Four years after the Internal Revenue Service created a tax credit to help struggling businesses get through the pandemic, the agency ultimately plans to reject the majority of claims filed under the program. We’ll explain how it became swamped with fraud. And, Major League Baseball legend Reggie Jackson opened up about the racism he and other Black players faced in the ’60s. We’ll get into it. And, we’ll play a round of Half Full / Half Empty!

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 22, 2024

    Turbulent times at Boeing

    Turbulent times at Boeing

    This week, senators grilled Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun about the aviation company’s safety culture and its retaliation against whistleblowers. But these problems are just the tip of the iceberg for Boeing. We’ll explain. Plus, why President Joe Biden’s new immigration plan is a big deal. And, who knew there were this many cricket fans in the U.S.?

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    Join us tomorrow for Economics on Tap! The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern. We’ll have news, drinks and play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 21, 2024

    From “What Happened in Alabama?”: The history of Black land loss

    From “What Happened in Alabama?”: The history of Black land loss

    In honor of Juneteenth, we’re bringing you an episode of a new podcast from APM Studios that’s especially relevant on this holiday. In the podcast, “What Happened in Alabama?” host Lee Hawkins unpacks his family history, confronts cycles of trauma and grapples with an issue many Black families face: how to keep land in the family.

    This episode is about Black land loss. In 1910, Black farmers collectively owned over 16 million acres of farmland. A century later, over 90% of that land is no longer owned by Black farmers. Lee explores that tumultuous history and what Black families can do to hold on to their property.

    If you’d like to hear more episodes from the series, you can find “What Happened in Alabama?” wherever you get podcasts.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 19, 2024

    The economics of building a life around friends

    The economics of building a life around friends

    A recent survey found that almost 15% of Americans have co-bought a home with someone other than a romantic partner, and almost half said they’d consider it. This is part of a larger trend — many Americans are choosing to structure their lives around friends as opposed to a spouse or romantic partner. On the show today, Rhaina Cohen, author of “The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center,” explains what it really means to build your life around friends and the financial costs and benefits that come with it. Plus, how the LGBTQ+ community has shaped the conversation around the  issue.

    Then, we’ll unpack what baby boomers’ retirement readiness says about the wealth gap in the United States. And, the endless possibilities for crab emojis and why our intern, Thalia, was wrong about her curly hair.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 19, 2024

    The false economic narratives continue

    The false economic narratives continue

    With the elections for president, the Senate and the House just 4½ months away, misinformation is on the rise. We’ll get into the kind of false narratives to look for on the campaign trail. Plus, how loopholes in medical billing underscore the importance of change at the state and local levels. And, the story of a remote-controlled robot that rescues swimmers in distress.

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 18, 2024

    The problem with Trump’s idea to replace income taxes with tariffs

    The problem with Trump’s idea to replace income taxes with tariffs

    A new pitch from former President Donald Trump calls for replacing income tax with tariffs. We’ll get into why the math doesn’t add up. Plus, chemical hair relaxers are making Black women sick, so why are they still being sold? And, we’ll weigh in on Apple entering the AI race, Hollywood studios buying movie theaters, and using speakerphone in public during a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

    Here’s everything we talked about today:

    We love to hear from you. Send your questions and comments to makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

    Make Me Smart
    enJune 15, 2024

    Related Episodes

    The Legal Strategy Behind the Latest Trump Indictment

    The Legal Strategy Behind the Latest Trump Indictment

    To win a conviction against former President Donald J. Trump for trying to subvert the results of the 2020 election, Jack Smith, the special counsel, is applying laws in ways that have never been used before.

    Charlie Savage, a Washington correspondent for The Times, explains Mr. Smith’s approach and previews Mr. Trump’s likely response.

    Guest: Charlie Savage, a Washington correspondent for The New York Times.

    Background reading: 

    For more information on today’s episode, visit 

    nytimes.com/thedaily

    . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

    Trump’s Legal and Political Jeopardy | Saturday Extra

    Trump’s Legal and Political Jeopardy | Saturday Extra

    The historic arraignment of a former President of the United States and the current leading Republican presidential candidate took place this week – raising unprecedented political and legal questions. We sit down with former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy to address the legal and political implications Get the facts first on Morning Wire.

     

    Omaha Steak: Type code  "WIRE" into the search bar to get ‘Dad’s Favorite Gift Package’ for JUST $99.99. Plus get 8 free steak burgers. http://www.OmahaSteaks.com

     

    Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorningWire

    Trump Co-Defendant DESTROYS HIMSELF on Live Fox Interview

    Trump Co-Defendant DESTROYS HIMSELF on Live Fox Interview
    MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on how Donald Trump co-defendant John Eastman made a total fool of himself during an interview on Fox with Laura Ingraham.  MASTERWORKS: Skip the waitlist and invest in blue-chip art for the very first time by signing up for Masterworks: https://www.masterworks.art/meidas Purchase shares in great masterpieces from artists like Pablo Picasso, Banksy, Andy Warhol, and more. How Masterworks works: -Create your account with your traditional bank account -Pick major works of art to invest in or our new blue-chip diversified art portfolio -Identify investment amount -Hold shares in works by Picasso or trade them in our secondary marketplace See important Masterworks disclosures: https://www.masterworks.com/about/disclaimer?utm_source=meidastouch&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=2-17-23&utm_term=Meidas+Touch+Subscriber&utm_content=disclaimer Visit https://meidastouch.com for more! Support the MeidasTouch Network: https://patreon.com/meidastouch Add the MeidasTouch Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-meidastouch-podcast/id1510240831 Buy MeidasTouch Merch: https://store.meidastouch.com Follow MeidasTouch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/meidastouch Follow MeidasTouch on Facebook: https://facebook.com/meidastouch Follow MeidasTouch on Instagram: https://instagram.com/meidastouch Follow MeidasTouch on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@meidastouch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Rise of Political Violence (with Aaron Fritschner)

    The Rise of Political Violence (with Aaron Fritschner)

    **This episode contains brief descriptions of violence that occurred on January 6, 2021.

      On January 6, 2021, insurrectionists, many of them armed, stormed the US Capitol to interrupt the peaceful transfer of power as the 2020 presidential election results were in the process of being certified by Congress. Aaron Fritschner, deputy chief of staff for a Virgnian member of Congress, joins the pod to discuss the rising tide of political violence in the US. What happened in American politics to make the events of January 6th possible, and what has the fallout been for the US political landscape? Where are the 3-ish things you might ask? Well, they're found in the turducken of political violence, of course.

      Follow Aaron on Twitter and be sure to visit our website for links to both the Atlantic and New York Times articles that he references in the pod.

      Also, while you're on Twitter, follow us too!

      Over These Walls by Hope and Social is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

    Want to give us some dollars? We'll allow it. Link goes to a donation platform on our website.

    Come say hello on our socials (but be nice): Twitter | Instagram

    Check out additional resources on our website.

    Over These Walls by Hope and Social is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

    Jack Smith gets KEY Grand Jury Testimony and Pete Buttigieg TELLS ALL in Exclusive Interview

    Jack Smith gets KEY Grand Jury Testimony and Pete Buttigieg TELLS ALL in Exclusive Interview
    On today’s episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, we sit down with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg! During this interview, we cover a variety of topics including the the tangible impacts of the Infrastructure Act, how the Department of Transportation is addressing the challenges of rural transportation and the needs of rural communities, what Secretary Buttigieg makes of Republicans who voted against the Infrastructure Act that try to go back to their constituents and take credit for the improvements in their home states & much more! The rest of the episode we break down the latest breaking news of the week to keep you up to date! We discuss the latest developments with Jack Smith’s criminal investigation into Donald Trump as he secures grand jury testimony from a top Trump official, new George Santos updates that put the MAGA fraud in massive legal jeopardy, Kevin McCarthy weaponizing congress and instituting a committee to “investigate the origins of COVID,” the mental gymnastics Republicans are doing in order to rationalize the classified documents found at Mike Pence’s Indiana home and much more. New full-length episodes of the MeidasTouch Podcast featuring the brothers are released every Tuesday & Friday morning. The rest of the week, enjoy our short-form content we call ‘The Mighty.’ If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to rate, review and subscribe! DEALS FROM OUR SPONSORS: AG1 by Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/meidas ZBiotics: https://zbiotics.com/meidas Shop Meidas Merch at: https://store.meidastouch.com Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/meidastouch Remember to subscribe to ALL the Meidas Media Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://pod.link/1510240831 Legal AF: https://pod.link/1580828595 The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://pod.link/1595408601 The Influence Continuum: https://pod.link/1603773245 Kremlin File: https://pod.link/1575837599 Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://pod.link/1530639447 The Weekend Show: https://pod.link/1612691018 The Tony Michaels Podcast: https://pod.link/1561049560 American Psyop: https://pod.link/1652143101 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices