Make Me Smart

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: "Bank hacks, internet shutdowns and crypto heists: Here’s how the war between Israel and Iran is playing out in cyberspace""Combat drones: We are in a new era of warfare - here's why""FPV drones in Ukraine are changing modern warfare""Cyber Operations during the Russo-Ukrainian War"“‘Will Trump give up the store?’ Edward Fishman on how US economic warfare works – and doesn’t" Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

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. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings Rulemaking""As U.S. Sizzles, Business Groups Push Back on OSHA's Heat Safety Law""Heat Safety Experts behind OSHA Rules Were Laid Off, which Could Make It Easier to Scrap Regulations""Trump’s OSHA Nominee Has a History With Heat and UPS Drivers""U.S. New Home Sales Slump as High Mortgage Rates Persist"'"You'll never be ready to buy a home"'"New York City is using ranked choice voting in its Democratic mayoral primary. Here's how it works""What you need to know about ranked choice voting""The Perilous Business of Importing Indian Mangoes to the U.S." from The New York Times Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The United States’ entanglement in Iran and Israel’s current conflict has a long, complicated history. Today we’re looking back at how it led up to the U.S. strikes on Iran over the weekend. Two major factors: Iran’s nuclear capabilities and economic sanctions, which the U.S. used to deter Iran’s nuclear program and to incentivize Iran to sign on to the 2015 nuclear deal. Rose Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities, explains some of the history behind tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the role sanctions played in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and how the deal broke down. Later, one listener’s take on the Trump administration’s threats to the Pell Grant program. And, a gardening blogger was wrong about DIY plant food hacks. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Strike Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months, U.S. Report Says""Trump tries to maintain fragile ceasefire hours after he announced it""Iran’s Nuclear Dreams May Survive Even a Devastating American Blow""History of US-Iran relations: From the 1953 regime change to Trump strikes""Why Israel will resist any US-Iran nuclear deal""Satellites show damage to Iran's nuclear program, but experts say it's not destroyed" from NPR Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Oil markets went into a state of panic after the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, stoking fears that Iran could retaliate by closing the Strait of Hormuz. But Iran’s control over the key oil trade route may not be the economic weapon many think it is. We’ll explain. And, several provisions in the Republicans’ reconciliation bill haven’t made it through the so-called “Byrd Bath” and risk being axed from the legislation. Plus, did you know killer whales aren’t really whales? Here’s everything we talked about today: "Capitol agenda: How Johnson may block an Iran rebuke""11 days until July 4: Byrd Bath and policy fights on deck""Senate parliamentarian rejects GOP attempt to authorize states to conduct immigration enforcement""G.O.P. Can’t Include Limits on Trump Lawsuits in Megabill, Senate Parliamentarian Rules""Iran Has an Oil Card to Play. So Does the U.S.""The largest digital camera ever built has released its first shots of the universe""Vera C Rubin Observatory first images""Killer whales seen grooming each other with kelp in first for marine tool use" Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

This week, we’ve looked at the budget reconciliation bill and its effects on student debt, taxes, health care and social programs. The bill is currently moving through the Senate. Today, we discuss the reconciliation bill and the national deficit. And we dig into other proposals such as AI regulation ban and private foundation taxes. Plus, we play a special budget round of Half Full/Half Empty. Here’s everything we talked about today: “AI moratorium sparks GOP battle over states’ rights”“Introduction to Budget “Reconciliation”“One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Impact on Philanthropy”“Senate Judiciary Unveils Its Own Plan To Curtail Court Orders”“Parliamentarian rulings would kill key climate provisions in GOP megabill” Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Every day this week, we’ll take a look at the ripple effects of the budget reconciliation bill moving through Congress that would enact President Donald Trump’s agenda. Today, we focus on the bill’s impact on health care and social programs. We explain how the Senate’s version of the reconciliation bill cuts Medicaid more aggressively than the House of Representatives’ previous version. Then, we hear from a listener about how the bill’s Medicaid cuts could affect the hospitals they work with, particularly in underserved rural areas. Plus, we answer a listener question about how states would absorb the costs of the bill’s federal funding cuts. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Senate Bill Would Make Deep Cuts to Medicaid, Setting Up Fight With House”“Hundreds of rural hospitals at risk if Medicaid cuts pass, Democrats say”“2025 Budget Impacts: House Bill Would Cut Assistance and Raise Costs for Seniors”“GOP bill would have states picking up more of the tab for programs like Medicaid and SNAP”“How Would Potential Federal Budget Cuts Impact State Budgets?”“What are the Implications of the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill for Hospitals?” Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Today, we take a deep dive into the provisions affecting small businesses and taxes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which aims to enact President Donald Trump’s agenda. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives in May, and the U.S. Senate released its proposed version of the bill on Monday. The Senate’s draft upheld many policies from the House of Representative’s version, including cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. We explain how the ripple effects of those cuts could affect small businesses such as grocery stores and farmers. Also, we dig into the implications of the Senate’s proposal to make permanent several business tax breaks. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Here’s what’s in the Senate GOP’s version of Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’"“Senate Republicans seek tougher Medicaid cuts and lower SALT deduction in Trump’s big bill”“Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: A comparison for businesses”“The Farm Safety Net: A Closer Look at ARC and PLC” Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Every day this week, we’re going to take a closer look at the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which aims to enact President Donald Trump’s agenda. It proposes a tax cut and increased spending for border security and the military. It also includes cuts to health, nutrition, education and clean energy programs. Today, we explain the rules around what provisions can go into reconciliation bills, and where the bill currently stands in the legislation process now. Plus, we answer questions from listeners on how the bill could affect their student loans and access to higher education. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Senate sidesteps parliamentarian, widens reach of CRA”“Republicans face critical week on Trump megabill”“The Senate is assessing the "Big Beautiful Bill" line by line to eliminate non-budgetary measures”“Senate Republican education plan may trigger ‘avalanche of student loan defaults,’ expert says” Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The economic position of the baby boomer generation has long been the envy of younger ones in the United States. But the tides may be turning as the Trump administration seeks deep cuts to social benefits that older Americans rely on. We’ll get into it. And, Kimberly joins the show from the National Press Club in Washington D.C., to make us smarter about how the GOP’s reconciliation bill could impact the richest and poorest Americans. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty! Here’s everything we talked about today: "GOP tax bill would cost poor Americans, boost highest earners, CBO says""Megabill would cost poorest households $1,600 a year, boost richest by $12K, CBO predicts""Baby Boomers’ Luck Is Running Out""Why is everyone so crazy for Labubu toys?""Booming sales of the latest Nintendo Switch bode well for the gaming industry""You’ve Heard of Fine Wine. Now Meet Fine Water""A federal judge ruled AI chatbots don't have free speech protections — for now" from Marketplace Got a question for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

More than 100 years after the Tulsa Race Massacre, the Oklahoma city’s mayor recently announced a $105 million reparations package to address the Massacre’s lasting impact. Marketplace’s Mitchell Hartman joins us on the show today to explain how we got here, and more from his reporting on economic injustice in Tulsa’s Greenwood neighborhood. Plus, we’ll get into what the new reparations package could mean for Black Tulsans and the push for reparations in other cities. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The Tulsa Race Massacre destroyed Black lives and wealth. What's owed to survivors' descendants?""Black Tulsans still feel effects of Greenwood neighborhood's "second destruction'""$105 Million Reparations Package for Tulsa Race Massacre Unveiled by Mayor""$105 million trust to be built for 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre reparations, city says" We want to hear from you. Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Trump announced a new trade deal with China after days of negotiations. Here’s the thing: Trump’s tariffs on China will stay the same. So what did the two countries actually agree to? We’ll get into it. And, after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired a panel of experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines, doctors and insurance companies are wondering who they should look to for guidance. Plus, a life-sized stuffed moose on Capitol Hill makes us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Trump Hails Progress With China, but Details Are Sketchy""RFK Jr. just fired the government’s vaccine experts. What do you do now?""Former CDC director reacts to RFK Jr.’s firing of entire vaccine advisory panel""If you move a moose through the Senate""An 84-Year-Old Woman on a Pony Inspires Awe—and Concern—in the U.K." from The Wall Street Journal We want to hear from you. Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

For decades, going to college has been seen as a reliable path to good jobs and economic success in the United States. But a recent Indeed survey reported that over half of Gen Z respondents beg to differ. As tuition prices continue to rise and the Trump administration takes aim at higher education institutions, is the way we view college changing? On the show today, Bryan Alexander, a higher education writer and senior scholar at Georgetown University, explains why college is still a worthy investment for most students, why more people are considering certificate programs and technical schools, and how President Trump’s attacks on elite universities are a risk to higher education as a whole. Then, Kimberly breaks down the difference between the reconciliation bill and government spending bills in Congress. And, Casey Johnston, author of “A Physical Education,” answers the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: "Report: 51% of Gen Z Views Their College Degree as a Waste of Money""Against college for all: the AFT president""Americans Are Losing Faith in the Value of College. Whose Fault Is That?""Good Jobs Project""House considers Trump cuts as Senate Republicans work on reconciliation bill""Deal or no deal? Inside reconciliation and gov’t funding""A muted backlash to Trump’s new travel ban""Have Americans grown numb? Trump’s new travel ban met with muted reaction""Finding Strength in a Bigger Body" from The Cut Got a question about the GOP’s reconciliation bill? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump deployed California National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Sunday, following demonstrations over the weekend protesting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The decision was made without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval, and the state is now suing the “illegal and immoral” move. We get into all the potential ramifications of the uptick in immigration raids. Then, we discuss how people in other countries have coped with anti-democratic forces in their own communities. Finally, we smile at the original cast of “Hamilton” reuniting for the musical’s 10-year anniversary. Here’s everything we talked about today: “The Beautiful Danger of Normal Life During an Autocratic Rise”“The 78th Annual Tony Awards® | Hamilton 10 Year Anniversary Performance”“The original cast of ‘Hamilton’ reunites on the Tonys stage with rousing performance”“When to see June’s full strawberry moon on Tuesday night” Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

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Hey Smarties! Make Me Smart is taking a short break while Kimberly and Reema cook up something good for you! In the meantime, we’re bringing you an episode from “Financially Inclined” a podcast from Marketplace that helps families learn more about money. It turns out where you park your money can actually make a difference in the fight agains climate change. Today, host Yanely Espinal speaks with author and financial educator Kara Perez about how you can spend, save and invest your money in a way that aligns with your values, without sacrificing your financial goals. Plus, they share practical tips for how to use your money to make a real impact.

It’s Kai’s last day as a regular co-host of “Make Me Smart” and he’s got a solid rant (and two bleeps). We’ll get into the Trump administration’s push to block international students at Harvard, thretening one of American’s biggest exports: higher education. Plus, we’ll unpack the Supreme Court’s 4-4 split over a separation of church and state case. And, could penguin poop be a tool against global warming? Here’s everything we talked about today: “Supreme Court deadlocks, blocking creation of first religious public school”“Trump Administration Halts Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students”“Harvard University Loses Student and Exchange Visitor Program Certification for Pro-Terrorist Conduct”“Stop making cents: US Mint moves forward with plans to kill the penny”“Penguin Poop Could Limit Global Warming’s Impact on Antarctica” “Make Me Smart” is going on a break! Kimberly and Reema will be back with new episodes June 9. We’d love to hear from you while we’re away. Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

The Senate unexpectedly passed the No Tax on Tips Act, one of President Trump’s many campaign promises. We’ll explain what’s actually in the bill and where it goes from here. Plus, the Trump administration has officially accepted a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One. We’ll get into the grift of it all. Plus, one man’s search for younger looking skin and a manga story to smile about. Here’s everything we talked about today: "The Senate passed Trump’s No Tax on Tips Act. Here’s what it could mean.""No Tax on Tips Act: What to know about the bill and what comes next""Republicans Think They Have a Way to Blow Up the Filibuster Without Anyone Noticing""A Terrible Idea""A 70-Year-Old Man’s Search for Younger-Looking Skin""Defense Department accepts Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One use""Trump Lectures South African President in Televised Oval Office Ambush""How Manga Megastar Junji Ito Makes Terrifying Series Like ‘Uzumaki’""Shark fisherman uses drone to save teenage girl from rip current at Pensacola Beach" We need your help to reach our fundraiser goal in a moment when public media is threatened like never before. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

Things aren’t looking so good for the U.S. dollar. Though it’s spent decades as the world’s reigning reserve currency, it’s been weakening lately thanks to tariffs and uncertainty in the U.S. economy. But its declining value, has been in the making for a while, according to Harvard economist and author of the new book, “Our Dollar, Your Problem,” Kenneth Rogoff. “The problem we’re facing is that, independent of this dollar phenomenon, interest rates are going up,” said Rogoff. “And if you’re the world’s biggest debtor, that’s tough.” Rogoff joins Kai and Kimberly to unpack how the greenback became the world’s go-to currency, what a reserve currency actually is, why it’s been losing some of its value lately and what might take its place. Plus, how does military power tie into all this? We’ll also get into some potential cryptocurrency regulation coming down the pipeline and discuss the troubling parallel between Trumpism and Brexit. Then, you tell us what books help you reset – from classic literary romances to an apocalyptic sci-fi tale. And, our intern, Zoha Malik (hi!) shares her answer to the Make Me Smart question. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Our Dollar, Your Problem,”“How Trump Could Dethrone the Dollar”“Why Is The US Dollar Weakening? Trump’s Tariffs Push Dollar Index To 3-Year Low.”“Senate advances landmark crypto bill with Democrats divided”“Senate Advances Crypto Regulation Bill With Bipartisan Support”“Senate advances a major crypto regulation bill on a bipartisan vote”“Brexit’s Failures Could Foreshadow Trump’s. Just Not in the Way You Might Think.” Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

Walmart had said it would raise prices in response to tariffs. Then, it got a call from the White House. Now, the retailer says it will swallow some of the costs. This has us wondering: where have all the free market diehards gone? Plus, Kimberly reflects on the tornadoes that hit her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri and explains FEMA’s plan to shift disaster costs to the states. Also? Did the GOP really name their reconciliation bill the “One Big Beautiful Bill?” Here’s everything we talked about today: "Bessent says Walmart will absorb 'some tariffs' after speaking with retailer's CEO""FEMA will shift more disaster recovery responsibilities to the states, acting chief says""Here’s the latest information on Friday’s tornado in St. Louis""Trump's bill advances in rare weekend vote as House conservatives negotiate changes" It’s the final matching opportunity of our May Fundraiser! Double your impact when you give right now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn

On today’s show, Kai makes a special annoucement! But first, Moody’s knocked the United States’ government’s credit rating down a peg below Triple-A. We’ll break down what that actually means and why it may not be as dire as it sounds but still matters a lot for the vibes. Plus, we’ll explain why, even with a majority, the House GOP hasn’t been able to pass its budget bill. And, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty and nerd out on “Star Wars” spin-off shows. Here’s everything we talked about today: "House budget panel rejects GOP megabill amid conservative opposition""Army to place large metal plates on DC streets to protect them from tanks during June parade""U.S. Loses Last Triple-A Credit Rating""Airbnb Is in Midlife Crisis Mode""Why banks still have branches — and why some are motivated to add more""Gen Z's 'conscious unbossing' should be a wake-up call for businesses""Is the Next Great American Novel Being Published on Substack?""Warner’s Streaming Service Has New Name: Its Old One. Meet ‘HBO Max.’" Got a message for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.