January 26, 2024

If the economy's so good, what's with all the layoffs?

January 26, 2024 • The U.S. economy has had a sunny start to 2024 — so why is corporate America laying on the layoffs? Plus, the effects of "digital redlining" in the rural South; the Biden administration takes a closer look at liquefied natural gas exports; and apparel brands recruit the help of "mid-size" influencers to more effectively court consumers.

January 25, 2024

Cha-ching! Can you hear the economy growing?

January 25, 2024 •

The latest reading on the U.S. economy shows unexpected growth, led by spending on hotels, dining out and video games. We check in with some businesses that are feeling the consumer love. So that’s how the economy is doing. But how are people feeling about it? Split, according to a new poll that shows a growing divide between what high- and low-income earners think. Also: Profits from home sales fell but are still more than double what they were five years ago. And a doctor talks about her book on racism in medicine.

January 25, 2024

Cha-ching! Can you hear the economy growing?

January 25, 2024 • The latest reading on the U.S. economy shows unexpected growth, led by spending on hotels, dining out and video games. We check in with some businesses that are feeling the consumer love. So that's how the economy is doing. But how are people feeling about it? Split, according to a new poll that shows a growing divide between what high- and low-income earners think. Also: Profits from home sales fell but are still more than double what they were five years ago. And a doctor talks about her book on racism in medicine.

January 24, 2024

The New Deal's legacy

January 24, 2024 • When FDR's administration created the New Deal, the relationship between the government and the economy changed forever. In some ways, Biden is trying to make a similar impact with more than $1 trillion authorized by legislation like the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. In our new series, "Breaking Ground," we'll be visiting communities across the country to see how the infusion of cash might change the economy. Today, we dive into what was accomplished with the New Deal and how it changed American society.

January 23, 2024

How much do you spend on sports?

January 23, 2024 •

The next big thing in streaming is undoubtedly live sports. The NFL’s first streaming-only game smashed records recently. The next big thing in sports, though? Gambling, which is becoming more accessible and more addictive. In this episode, fans spend on streaming and spend bigger on gambling platforms. Plus, New York City retail rents stay soft, organic certification comes at a price and middle managers have the worst time at work.

January 23, 2024

How much do you spend on sports?

January 23, 2024 • The next big thing in streaming is undoubtedly live sports. The NFL's first streaming-only game smashed records recently. The next big thing in sports, though? Gambling, which is becoming more accessible and more addictive. In this episode, fans spend on streaming and spend bigger on gambling platforms. Plus, New York City retail rents stay soft, organic certification comes at a price and middle managers have the worst time at work.

January 22, 2024

The honk-shoo-mimimi economy

January 22, 2024 • Sleep aids and supplements, sleep tech and regular old mattresses make up a $100 billion global market combined. Which makes sense, since two-thirds of Americans don't regularly get deep z's. In this episode: How much would you pay for a good night's sleep? Plus, Nordstrom's challenge to straddle two retail worlds, AI might not take your job after all, and activist shareholders cause a stir at Exxon.

January 19, 2024

What does an "almost" government shutdown cost?

January 19, 2024 • Congress narrowly avoided yet another government shutdown today, keeping thousands of federal employees in their jobs by basically extending last year's budget for the short term. But being buzzer beaters comes at a price: Pushing back the budget deadline can cost federal departments precious time and representatives the trust of their constituents. Also in this episode, the New Deal history of Los Angeles freeways and the North American fruit you won't find at most grocery stores.

January 18, 2024

"Treasury is used to doing what Treasury wants to do"

January 18, 2024 • Though the IRS doesn't collect racial data, it is significantly more likely to audit Black earned income tax credit filers than those of any other race. Dorothy Brown, a scholar of tax law and race, is part of a Treasury advisory committee on racial equity, and so far, she said, Secretary Janet Yellen hasn't embraced the group's recommendations as a priority. In this episode, the slow-going fight to fix racial disparities caused by the tax system. Plus, what hiring managers mean when they label candidates "overqualified."

January 17, 2024

In this economy, we’re focusing on the little things

January 17, 2024 •

Discretionary spending has had a good run recently, and the purchases aren’t skewing practical. Furniture retailers, for example, had a lousy 2023 — splurgy shoppers were more focused on Swift tickets than sofas. And looking to 2024, consumers plan to steer clear of big-ticket items and instead buy affordable luxuries like cosmetics. In this episode: Americans are in their “joy spending” era. Plus, financial planners are wary of the new spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds and everything seems to always be on sale.