GLP-1 weight-loss drug injections have slimmed many waistlines and wallets. U.S. regulators have now approved a much less expensive alternative; Novo Nordisk has gotten the green light for an oral version of Wegovy. Pills are cheaper to manufacture than injectables, and that could be a game-changer. Then, consumers still feel pessimistic heading into the new year, and more Americans are staying unemployed for longer.
Marketplace All-in-One - Amazon blocks North Korean IT applicants
From the BBC World Service: Tech giant Amazon says it's blocked more than 1,800 North Koreans from trying to join the company in the past two years. Amazon's chief security officer said North Koreans often try to get hired, then send wages back to fund their government's weapons programs. Plus, "oshikatsu" is a Japanese term referring to fervent fan subcultures surrounding things like sports teams, pop stars, or anime — and it's helped pull Japanese retail sales out of a slump.
Marketplace All-in-One - Why Big Tech leaders aligned themselves with White House politics this year
In January, we saw a who's who of tech leaders front and center at President Donald Trump's inauguration.
Since, the White House has advocated for the build out of AI infrastructure and put a moratorium on state-level AI regulation. But the Trump administration also added a $100,000 fee to petitions for H-1B visas, which are widely used in the tech sector.
To review the year in tech and Trump we called up Suyash Pasi, a research analyst and editor at the nonprofit Human Rights Research Center, who’s been following this shift.
Marketplace All-in-One - U.S. dollar down, gold hits all-time high
Gold surpassed $4,400-per-ounce for the first time Monday. Prices are up 60% in 2025. In the same year, the value of the U.S. dollar slipped 9%. What gives? In both cases, economic and geopolitical uncertainty play a role. Also in this episode: Ranchers can't simply produce more beef to tamp down rising prices, corporations are on the hunt for “storytellers,” and successful product recalls involve many moving parts.
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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 - Feeding the Family
Hey Smarties! We’re dropping into your feeds today to share this special coverage from Marketplace.
For many people gathering around the table this holiday season, things feel a little different. Maybe it’s the cost of ingredients that’s on your mind, or cuts to USDA funding that have left your food bank running low. Or maybe it’s the simple reality of a packed schedule — there’s a lot to cook, and so little time.
In this special from Marketplace, we bring listeners a collection of stories on the business and economics of food. Our reporters take us across the country to farms, home kitchens, and restaurants. We visit a refugee farmer in Houston, a chocolate-making lab in California, and stop for a bite at an award-winning restaurant in Portland.
Marketplace All-in-One - Financial data clashes and what it means for Zelle, Venmo, and more
A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule designed to give consumers greater control over their financial data is now in limbo under the second Trump administration. The rule has to do with how apps like Venmo and Zelle get access to your money in the bank so that you can send it on those payment platforms. Today, we'll share what a reconsideration of the rule could mean for you. But first: why gold is hitting new records.
Marketplace All-in-One - The K-shaped cost of holiday travel
The holiday travel period is upon us. AAA expects 122 million people will drive or fly somewhere to celebrate. Now, we have some good news and some bad news: For drivers, lower gas prices mean a cheaper holiday season. But other travel-related expenses, like car rentals, hotel stays, and flights, are pricier. Then, Jim Beam is pausing production at a Kentucky facility, and more consumers are utilizing AI to help with holiday shopping.
Marketplace All-in-One - Jim Beam freezes production at its main Kentucky distillery
From the BBC World Service: One of the most famous names in American whiskey, Jim Beam, says it will halt production at its main facility in Kentucky for all of next year. Like many distillers in the U.S., it's facing pressure from retaliatory tariffs and weaker consumer demand. We'll learn more. Then, the price of gold has once again hit a record high. 2025 has been a remarkable year for precious metals. Will the momentum continue?
Marketplace All-in-One - Dr. AI will see you now
Could AI chat bots replace human doctors? Probably not, but that won’t stop people from trying.
Just as they did during the emergence of Google, doctors across the country are grappling with the changing healthcare landscape thanks to artificial intelligence. Today on the show, Dr. Hassan Bencheqroun, a pulmonary and intensive care doctor in San Diego, California, talks about his approach to the intersection of patient care and AI.
Marketplace All-in-One - The 2025 consumer sentiment rollercoaster
Consumer sentiment really ran the gamut this year. But right now, Americans are feeling almost as bad about the economy as they were when inflation was at its peak summer of 2022. In this episode, we chronicle 2025’s consumer vibes rollercoaster. Plus: Kansas City’s housing market preps for the 2026 World Cup, a college professor offers an AI-driven macroeconomic theory course, and we go over the week’s headlines.
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.