Make Me Smart

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.

Website : https://www.marketplace.org/shows/make-me-smart

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Last Episode : July 17, 2025 5:28pm

Last Scanned : 1.9 hours ago

Episodes

Episodes currently hosted on IPFS.

Senate votes to cut funds for public media, foreign aid
Confirmed 1

The Senate approved the Trump administration’s rescission package today, which proposes taking back $9 billion in federal funding already allocated for programs such as public media and foreign aid. We’ll get into the implications for the bipartisan nature of the budgeting process. Plus, we explain the latest development of a lawsuit against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and company leaders, which stems back to the 2018 privacy scandal involving Cambridge Analytica. Then, we’ll smile at a piece of new technology that claims to shoot mosquitoes using lasers. And, do you believe in supernatural forces?


Here’s everything we talked about today:




We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Expires in 22 hours
Published Thursday
Are Trump's tariffs starting to impact prices?
Confirmed 2

According to the latest consumer price index, the reported prices of several items, including apparel and household furnishings, increased in June, suggesting some preliminary effects of the Trump administration’s tariff policies. We discuss President Donald Trump’s response calling for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, and why it’s so crucial to preserve an independent central bank. Then, we take a look at Missouri, where the state’s legislature and the governor overturned the outcome of a ballot initiative. What does that say about the state of public participation in the democratic process? And, we celebrate some wins from listeners about a rekindled drive to write poetry and what it means to be a good friend.


Here’s everything we talked about today:




We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Expires in 17 hours
Published Wednesday
How could Medicaid cuts affect long-term care?
Verifying 1

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is projected to cut Medicaid spending by more than $1 trillion. The law changes eligibility rules, and some predictions estimate at least 10.5 million people will be eliminated from the program.


“For some adults, Medicaid will step in and help pay for care at home, or if care at home is not available, for care in nursing homes,” said Rachel Werner, executive director of the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. “With the cuts to Medicaid funding, we are expecting that the availability of care in both of those settings will diminish, and it will be harder for people to get the care they need to live independently.”


States will have to respond to the changes by either making up the funding gap or reducing services.


On the show today, Werner explains how the funding cuts could limit the caregiving options for older Americans who need at-home care and place a larger responsibility on their families. Plus, we discuss how to start planning for long-term care amid all the legislative changes.


Then, we’ll celebrate a listener’s win about her chocolate lab puppy. And, another listener’s quest to find life on Mars.


Here’s everything we talked about today:




We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Expires in 17 hours
Published Tuesday
Another budget showdown on Capitol Hill
1

The Senate is expected to vote on President Donald Trump’s rescissions package this week, which proposes rescinding $9.4 billion in previously approved spending to several programs, including public media and foreign aid spending. We discuss how this could undermine the bipartisan process. Then, we take a look at Bitcoin trading at new record highs, as U.S. lawmakers prepare to pass new regulations on cryptocurrency. We explain the bills being proposed in what’s been dubbed “Crypto Week.” Plus, we hear listeners’ wins about a resurgence of monarch butterflies and a lifelong dream of clubbing in Berlin.


Here’s everything we talked about today:




We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Published Monday
The countdown to a government shutdown begins (again)
1

Now that the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is law, Congress is turning its attention to another matter: avoiding a government shutdown. We’ll explain what it will take to keep the government running beyond Congress’ Sept. 30 deadline. And, we’ll fill you in on another deadline: President Trump’s new due date for trade deals before a slew of higher tariff rates kick in. Plus, a listener’s story of frozen pizza and facing fears.


Here’s everything we talked about today:


Published 07/09
The first national private school voucher program just dropped
1

Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law establishes the first major federal program for shifting public money to private schools. It comes in the form of a wonky tax break. We’ll explain how it will work. And, we’ll get into how massive cuts to Medicaid will impact rural hospitals across the United States. Plus, anime is more popular than ever on Netflix.


Here’s everything we talked about today:




Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Published 07/07
A tale of two jobs reports
1

The Labor Department today reported the United States added 147,000 jobs in June. The number beat economists expectations, and it sits in stark contrast to yesterday’s ADP report which showed private sector lost 33,000 jobs last month. So what gives? We’ll explain what the two reports can tell us about the labor market right now. And, President Trump’s immigration crackdown could lead to more federal surveillance on all Americans. Plus, we want to hear about the wins in your life!


Here’s everything we talked about today:




Got a question for the hosts? Call 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Published 07/03
The end of USAID
1

On today’s show, we’ll discuss some headlines that might’ve slipped under the radar this week. First, most staff at the U.S. Agency for International Deveopment officially marked their final day with the agency. What might the dismantling of USAID mean for U.S. influence abroad? Plus, school districts are scrambling as federal education dollars are on hold. Then, we’ll smile about Andy Weir’s latest sci-fi novel being adapted for the big screen and the WNBA expanding into more cities!


Here’s everything we talked about today:




If you have a question, give us a call: 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected]

Published 07/02
Let the vote-a-rama begin!
1

We’ve been a bit obsessed with the GOP’s budget bill lately. And with a Senate vote expected any day now, we’re keeping a close eye on the debate. We’ll break down how the GOP is playing with the numbers to make the bill look less costly on paper than it actually is. Plus, Gen Z’s not just good at memes and TikTok, they’re better at saving for retirement than millllenials. So how’d they do it? And a mildly terrifying story with a happy ending!


Here’s everything we talked about:




Questions? Thoughts? Suggestions? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART and we just might feature it on the show!

Published 06/30
SCOTUS’ nationwide injunction decision and the economy
1

The Supreme Court today ruled to limit the ability of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions blocking President Trump’s executive orders. The decision will have major implications for how businesses push back against federal policy in the United States. We’ll get into it. And, American consumers aren’t feeling too hot about the economy. How much do those feelings matter? Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!


Here’s everything we talked about today:




Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Published 06/27
The new era of warfare
1

The ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding for now. But as this conflict has played out, along with other ongoing wars around the world, it got us thinking: What does war even look like in 2025? In Ukraine, it looks like drone and missile attacks side-by-side with everyday life. On the show today, longtime international correspondent Deborah Amos joins us from Kyiv, Ukraine to talk about how modern warfare has changed.


Here’s everything we talked about today:




Got a question for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Published 06/26
The fate of federal heat safety rules under Trump
1

Many Americans are enduring a brutal heatwave this week. For those who work outside, the heat can be deadly. On today’s show, we’ll check in on a proposed heat safety law that would require employers to offer more breaks when the temperature rises above a certain threshold. Under the Trump administration, the law’s future is uncertain. And, the housing market can’t seem to break out of its slump. Plus, the lengths some Americans will go to score some Indian mangoes.


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Published 06/25