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Make Me Smart

Marketplace
Tariffs
Trump Administration
Climate Change
Medicaid
Donald Trump
Federal Reserve
ICE
United States
Inflation
Economy
China
Congress
Long-Term Care
Artificial Intelligence
Labor Market
Supreme Court
Immigration
Interest Rates
Food Security
Texas

Each weekday, Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams makes today make sense along with her Marketplace colleagues, breaking down happenings in tech, the economy, and culture. Because none of us is as smart as all of us.

PublishesDailyEpisodes260Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessNews

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Artwork for Make Me Smart

Latest Episodes

Recent controversy surrounding the rock band Geese and a digital marketing firm Chaotic Good Projects has sparked debate over the tactics firms use to drum up hype for artists online. How can we tell if online hype is real or fake? And does it really... more

After a pandemic-era boom, the fine art market is going through something of a bust. Many galleries have closed due to climbing overhead costs and sales just aren’t what they used to be. Author and freelance journalist Julie Belcove joins Kimberly to... more

As Kimberly gets ready to step into her new role as the host of “Marketplace Morning Report,” her predecessor David Brancaccio joins her to talk about his years on the morning shift and what he’s looking forward to on his new beat covering future eff... more

The WNBA’s 30th season tips off tomorrow. This year, things look a lot different for players after the league and players union recently signed a landmark collective bargaining agreement (CBA). On today’s show, The Athletic’s Annie Costabile joins Ki... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Julie Belcove
Award-winning author and freelance journalist covering the art market
Freelance journalist / author
Episode: The highs and lows of the global art market
Annie Costabile
Senior writer for The Athletic covering the WNBA and Women's Basketball
The Athletic
Episode: How the new WNBA CBA transforms player pay
Kevin Hardy
Stateline reporter covering business, labor and rural issues
State Line / Stateline
Episode: The new fight for states' rights under Trump
Geoffrey Sanzenbacher
Research fellow at Boston College's Center for Retirement Research
Boston College
Episode: From "This Is Uncomfortable": Wait...where did my retirement money go?
Katy Milkman
Professor at the Wharton School studying decision-making and behavior
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: From "This Is Uncomfortable": Wait...where did my retirement money go?
Noam Scheiber
Labor reporter at The New York Times
The New York Times
Episode: It's tough out there for new college grads
Kathy Jennings
Delaware Attorney General
Delaware Attorney General's Office
Episode: How second chance employment is lowering recidivism in the U.S.
Dave Sunday
Pennsylvania Attorney General
Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office
Episode: How second chance employment is lowering recidivism in the U.S.
Rachel Cohen
Correspondent with Mountain West News Bureau for KUNC in Colorado
KUNC
Episode: The economic outlook of the great outdoors

Host

Kimberly Adams
Host with Marketplace; frequent on-air contributor across episodes; focuses on economics, policy, and culture.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 6.5k ratings
  • Declining

    Agree with other reviewers that this show is not what it used to be. I used to listen and pay attention but now use it as background noise when I run.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sa2392
    United Statesa month ago
  • No longer worth listening to

    Molly & Kai were phenomenal. I started tuning in at the start of the pandemic & it’s been so disappointing to see how the quality of the show has fallen. Kimberly doesn’t add much to the show. When it was Kai + Kimberly, we at least had Kai to speak truth to power and call out the ridiculousness that is this administration. Their chemistry just wasn’t there, and she would often come off as condescending. Since Kai left, I’ve found myself tuning in less and less. I decided to give it another go r... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Marthamaywhooo
    United States2 months ago
  • Use so much content from this pod in my work.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    jdrinkwine
    2 months ago
  • Thanks!

    Oh Kai. Come home! Kimberly is so wonderful. The magic of the two of you just isn’t matched by anyone else.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Palmarosa33
    United States3 months ago
  • Not what it used to be

    This show has far exceeded its shelf life. Molly and Kai really made the show what it was, with detailed analysis and perspective on tech, economy, and culture. The show just doesn’t have the same energy it used to. The current hosts are great reporters, but this show just doesn’t make sense anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Cdschultz
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Consistently useful for understanding economic and policy issues, though some episodes feel heavy.
Guest variety is strong; deep dives are balanced with accessible explanations.
Some listeners miss prior co-host dynamics and spontaneity.
This show is informative with strong reporting; energy and banter have shifted with host changes.
Overall praised for credible journalism and timely topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#151
Saudi Arabia/Business
Apple Podcasts
#160
Spain/Business
Apple Podcasts
#227
Chile/Business

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The highs and lows of the global art market
Q: But what tips do you have for people who want more art in their life, but maybe don't have the biggest budget for it, especially right now when folks are dealing with a lot of higher prices?
The guest suggests starting with clear preferences, visiting museums, fairs, and galleries (which can be free), and considering affordable entry points like prints or works from graduating students at nearby art schools; these paths let people collect meaningful art without paying top-tier prices while supporting artists early in their careers.
From "This Is Uncomfortable": Wait...where did my retirement money go?
Q: What behavioral strategies can help people actually complete these tasks?
Use commitment devices, calendar reminders, involve accountability partners, and incentivize momentum with social or financial commitments to reduce procrastination.
From "This Is Uncomfortable": Wait...where did my retirement money go?
Q: What practical steps can someone take to locate and consolidate old retirement accounts?
Check old employer records, contact former plan administrators (e.g., TIAA, Vanguard), request balances, and consider rolling over to the new employer plan or an IRA for better management and lower fees.
From "This Is Uncomfortable": Wait...where did my retirement money go?
Q: What makes retirement account recovery so challenging for individuals who switch jobs frequently?
Fragmented ownership and multiple providers create a maze where moving funds between accounts is cumbersome and not incentivized, leading many to forget or abandon old accounts.
The new fight for states' rights under Trump
Q: Kevin, how would you describe the relationship between the states and the executive branch right now?
The relationship is tense but historically rooted; states are actively pushing back through lawsuits and policy experimentation, while the federal government uses funding and regulatory moves to influence state actions, creating a dynamic and ongoing contest over who sets policy.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Make Me Smart

What is Make Me Smart about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A analytically driven weekday show that breaks down tech, economy, and culture with accessible, conversation-forward style. Episodes cover housing crises, tariffs, rural health, AI in dating, Paralympic sports, education costs, and policy debates, often pairing sharp reporting with thoughtful context and occasional light banter. Notable strengths include high-caliber guests across policy, economics, and technology, plus a track record of translating complex issues into practical takeaways for listeners and sponsors seeking informed, engaged audiences. The format often features live or on-location reporting and a balance of data-driven analysis with human stories, making it useful for listeners who want clear explanations of how big issues a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Make Me Smart?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Make Me Smart:

1. Marketplace
2. Marketplace Morning Report
3. Marketplace All-in-One
4. Marketplace Tech
5. How We Survive

How many episodes of Make Me Smart are there?

Make Me Smart launched 9 years ago and published 260 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Make Me Smart?

Recent guests on Make Me Smart include:

1. Julie Belcove
2. Annie Costabile
3. Kevin Hardy
4. Geoffrey Sanzenbacher
5. Katy Milkman
6. Noam Scheiber
7. Kathy Jennings
8. Dave Sunday

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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