Author: Marketplace

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, pollsters and strategists from all over the world of politics are trying to get a pulse on American families. Kimberly recently sat down with a panel of experts at the Aspen Forum on Children and Families to discuss what their research is revealing and what it means for the future of policies that affect children and families across the United States. So, we’re sharing some of that conversation today. Spoiler: the economy comes up a lot.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• VIDEO: "Reality Check: What's Really Going On With Families" from the Aspen Institute
• "Voters See a Middle-Class Lifestyle as Drifting Out of Reach, Poll Finds" from The New York Times
• "The good, the bad and the ugly of election polling" from “Make Me Smart” 

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be on Capitol Hill again today for another grilling. He’s scheduled to appear before the Senate Banking Committee. Yesterday, Bessent appeared before the House Financial Services Committee to talk about oversight of the U.S. financial system, where he sparred with Democrats. And later in the program, wages are making up a shrinking share of overall income. Also: discussions of Fed independence, inflation, and more.

News Corp — the parent company of The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, MarketWatch, and Fox News — announces quarterly profits today. Meanwhile, The Washington Post laid off a third of its staff yesterday. Today, we'll delve into the state of the media industry and why it's such a struggle to find a business model that works. Then, Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go is closing up shop. What went wrong with Amazon’s foray into physical stores?

From the BBC World Service: Little luxuries can become routine during tougher economic times. The newest iteration of the “lipstick effect,” the phenomenon is called "little treat culture" on TikTok, where videos using the hashtag have grown by 75% globally over the past year. This morning, we'll delve into the business model of treat-onomics. But first, TSMC confirms plans to make AI semiconductors in southern Japan, and gig workers in India are planning a nationwide strike.

How much do you share with your partner about your finances? Sometimes, a little privacy starts to look a lot like a secret. And secrets (especially the money kind) have a way of becoming problems.

On this week’s episode, Reema talks to people on the streets of Portland about their real-life money secrets, and chats with divorce lawyer Randy Kessler and couples counselor Jeff Guenther, who’ve seen how financial secrecy can fracture relationships — and sometimes bring people closer.

If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And let us know what you think by emailing uncomfortable@marketplace.org or calling 347-RING-TIU. Have you ever kept a big money secret from your partner? We want to know! And follow us on Instagram and Tiktok!

A landmark lawsuit that accuses social media companies of intentionally designing their platforms to be addictive — and causing harm to children and teenagers' mental health — is in court this week in Los Angeles.

The defendants in this case are Meta and YouTube, both of which dispute the allegations. Snap and TikTok both settled in advance of the trial.

Some are calling this social media's "Big Tobacco" moment. Eric Goldman, co-director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University, discusses this as well as a series of lawsuits against the social media giants.

“Retail theft” often conjures Hollywood-esque heist scenes or sleight of hand at self-checkout. But 2025 was likely the biggest year on record for another, less glamorous kind of shrinkage: cargo theft. In this episode, how goods stolen right out of a truck raise costs for producers, logistics firms, and yes, consumers. Plus: More data centers plan to build their own natural gas plants, private sector data shows labor market growth is slow but steadying, and Kai visits an award-winning chef in South Los Angeles.

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Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

The Small Business Administration will no longer allow green card holders to apply for SBA loans. The new policy was announced on Monday and takes effect next month. This program doesn’t lend money directly to businesses; it provides loan guarantees to lenders, and the loans are usually cheaper than traditional borrowing. We learn more. Then, for older people, financial strain may be a warning sign of dementia — before doctors or families start noticing symptoms.

Is a degree in economics, long considered a path to stable employment, even worth it in the age of AI? Recent research suggests entry-level economics and business jobs may be especially exposed to automation. That could leave college students wondering if their degree will be outdated by the time they hit the job market. Today, we'll hear how students and schools are adapting. Plus, work requirement changes to SNAP benefits could impact millions of recipients.

From the BBC World Service: Shares in the Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk tumbled 17% on Wednesday after the weight-loss drug pioneer warned of a decline in sales this year amid increasing competition and pressure on prices. Then, the United States renewed an agreement that gives 32 African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market. And later, the prime minister of Spain says he intends to ban social media for children under 16.