Big Tech firms like Microsoft, Meta and Google are using stricter performance reviews to bring up productivity and weed out low performing workers. It’s a noticeable pivot away from the perks that defined Silicon Valley work culture a decade ago. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Alistair Barr, author of the Business Insider Tech Memo Newsletter, about their recent coverage of this latest shift.
Marketplace All-in-One - Pessimistic about the economy? You’re not alone.
When “vibecession” became a word in 2022, it referred to consumers grappling with higher prices despite a strong economy. This year, consumers are feeling similar. In this episode, what makes today’s sour economic mood, driven by trade war anxiety, different from the last one. Plus: Two big economic indicators come out later this week, we explain the inner workings of online travel agents, and “This is Uncomfortable” host Reema Khrais helps a couple solve a financial disagreement.
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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 - Who is most affected by cuts to public broadcasting?
As the Trump administration moves to cut federal funding for public broadcasting, small stations serving rural communities stand to lose the most. We visit a public radio station in southwest Colorado to see what's at stake when and if CPB funding runs dry. And later in the program, we turn to Broadway for a look at two new, Latino-centered musicals.
Marketplace All-in-One - How new ways to prevent RSV are savings lives and money
RSV, a common respiratory virus, can be especially harmful for infants. But this past winter brought promising news: two new preventive measures became widely available — a vaccine given in pregnancy and antibodies given to newborns. Together, they led to a major drop in RSV hospitalizations among infants. Which is good for both families and taxpayers. And in the next installment of our "Buy Now Pay Later" series, we look at tackling credit card debt before retirement.
Marketplace All-in-One - EU president secures vital tariffs delay
From the BBC World Service: EU president Ursula von der Leyen, has secured a delay on President Trump’s proposed 50% tariffs on the European Union until 9 July. Plus, Southeast Asian leaders are gathering in Kuala Lumpur for their first meeting since the introduction of President Trump's tariffs.
Marketplace All-in-One - Are digital banking outages on the rise?
Digital banking is often seen as a smoother, less costly way to deliver financial services. But where there’s tech, there are sometimes outages. Bank customers in the U.K. and other countries have seen an increasing number of banking interruptions, often with costly impacts.
Marketplace All-in-One - WNBA franchises are a slam dunk in this iffy economy
The WNBA’s first expansion team in 18 years, the Golden State Valkyries, played its first game last week to a crowd of 18,000 fans. Though this uncertain economy may not be ideal for most new businesses, professional women’s basketball is soaring to new heights: three brand-new teams joined the league this season. In this episode, why WNBA franchises are emphasizing community over star power to attract new fans. Plus: falling international student enrollment is bad news for the job market and locals push back against lithium mining in the Andes.
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.
Marketplace All-in-One - Who should pay for programs like Medicaid or food stamps?
Should it be the federal government or the states? The GOP tax bill, now headed to the Senate, would have states pick up more of the tab — meaning states would likely have to raise taxes or cut spending. We'll hear more. But first: Tariff drama is back. Then, after the murder of George Floyd, corporate America pledged billions of dollars to help fight racial inequality. How much has actually been spent?
Marketplace All-in-One - Housing is in a slump
Sales of existing homes fell in April to about 4 million a year. For comparison, almost 7 million existing homes were sold each year from 2020 to 2022. The reasons? Home prices are high, mortgage rates are high, and there's lots of economic uncertainty. And later in the program: A proposed law could help people who lost homes in this year's Los Angeles wildfires avoid "vulture capitalists."
Marketplace All-in-One - A problem Japan is facing after decades? Inflation
From the BBC World Service: Japan's inflation rate is heating up, hitting its fastest pace in more than two years: 3.5% in April. That could mean higher interest rates for the first time in years. It's a big shift for a country used to falling prices and a major challenge for the government and central bank. Plus: flooding in Australia, a raised retirement age in Denmark and cash use in Sweden.