The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments this morning in Trump v. Slaughter, a case that has broad implications for consumers and workers. The justices are considering whether the president has the power to fire the leaders of independent federal agencies — in this case, the Federal Trade Commission. Plus, we hear about data on consumers' AI use during holiday shopping and visit a Michigan wood factory that hires and houses employees in addiction recovery.
Marketplace All-in-One - U.S. tariffs fail to dent China’s trade surplus
From the BBC World Service: The latest economic data from China shows that while exports to the U.S. crashed over the past year, China's towering annual trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time last month. The data reveals what economists and Chinese officials have said for a while now: Chinese manufacturers can find other buyers. Then, lawmakers in France's divided parliament have been at odds for weeks over the country's budget.
Marketplace All-in-One - Using AI chatbots for mental health support poses serious risks for teens, report finds
A new report from Stanford and Common Sense Media finds that more than half of U.S. teens use AI chatbots for companionship. But, according to Dr. Darja Djordjevic, an adolescent and adult psychiatrist who co-authored the research, the bots aren't equipped to provide the kind of emotional support young people need when dealing with a mental health issue.
Dr. Djordjevic and her team simulated conversations involving various mental health concerns with four of the most popular consumer chatbots and identified several risks; chiefly, their tendency to be sycophantic. A note, this conversation mentions suicide and self-harm.
Marketplace All-in-One - Small businesses walk an affordability tightrope
Small business owners know affordability is top-of-mind for their customers. But as margins grow narrower, keeping prices as-is isn’t always possible. In this episode, we hear from a few small business owners about how they’re balancing cash-strapped shoppers and rising costs. Plus: The potential Netflix-Warner Bros deal could mean less variety for viewers, Midwestern farmers hope to carve out a market for local oats, and a discussion of the week’s economic headlines.
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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.
Marketplace All-in-One - Shopping through a K-shaped holiday season
As another holiday season kicked off on Black Friday, finding the perfect gift is top of mind for many. But how much will weary American consumers be willing to spend this year? Based on early data … it’s a lot! Marketplace’s Kristin Schwab joins Kimberly to explain why the K-shaped economy may explain the contradiction and why AI is making its way into Americans’ shopping habits. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!
Here’s what we talked about on the show today:
- ”September retail sales fail to impress” from Marketplace
- ”Black Friday, Cyber Monday spending expected to top records” from Marketplace
- ”Black Friday Sales Spike Despite Economic Uncertainty, Study Shows—Here’s Why” from Forbes
- “‘Tis the season for credit card debt” from Marketplace
- ”How are retailers benefiting from the "buy now, pay later" boom?” from Marketplace
- ”What is your Spotify listening age?” from Marketplace
- ”More than 8 in 10 Americans are more likely to purchase secondhand gifts this year” from Retail Brew
- ”Target Launches New AI-Powered Features to Make Holiday Shopping Easier, Smarter and More Fun” from PR Newswire
Missed Giving Tuesday? It's always a great time to become a Marketplace investor. Give now: https://support.marketplace.org/smart-sn
Marketplace All-in-One - Spotify Wrapped, user data, and FOMO
How wired into your brain are tech companies? Spotify offers us a clue. The streaming company runs its Spotify Wrapped marketing campaign every December, taking user data and AI to create a personalized year-in-review for every listener — and it's an incredibly effective marketing move that consumers want to be a part of. Also: a preview of the last Fed meeting of the year and a manufacturing CEO's thoughts on tariffs and factory activity.
Marketplace All-in-One - Netflix is buying Warner Bros. Discovery
Following a fierce bidding war, Netflix announced this morning that it’s buying Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal worth more than $82 billion. The deal still has to be approved by regulators, and some lawmakers are already raising antitrust concerns. We learn more. Then, as part of our lunar economy mini-series, we hear what a lack of private interest oversight could mean for an economy beyond the clouds.
Note: This morning’s podcast has been updated following the official announcement of a Netflix-Warner Bros. deal.
Marketplace All-in-One - India’s biggest airline faces another day of delays and cancellations
From the BBC World Service: Major airports in India have descended into chaos after the airline IndiGo either canceled or delayed hundreds of flights for the fourth consecutive day. IndiGo says there have been technical issues with aircraft or winter schedules that have delayed some flights, but the biggest reason is a pilot shortage. Also, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a peace deal, and some countries are boycotting Eurovision over Israel's involvement.
Marketplace All-in-One - Bytes: Week in Review – Amazon scales back AI anime dubs
The Trump administration has been trying for months to ban AI regulations at the state level. And its latest gambit to roll such a measure into the congressional National Defense Authorization Act appears to have failed. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday that GOP leadership is now “looking at other places” to include that measure after reportedly facing pushback from both parties.
Plus, New York recently became the first state to enforce an AI law designed to protect consumers from "algorithmic pricing." And Amazon pulled back on AI dubbing for some international content after anime fans complained.
Marketplace All-in-One - What’s next for the Fed?
Changes are afoot at the Federal Reserve: President Donald Trump will name a new Fed chair in the coming year, and the central bank’s job could get complicated as the economy absorbs the full impact of new tariffs. In this episode, why Fed independence is crucial and where the federal funds rate is headed in 2026. Plus: Families weigh the cost of child care, the BLS remains behind on data releases, and state farm bureaus offer cheaper health insurance to farmers — with a catch.
Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.
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.