Rephonic
Artwork for Make Me Smart

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes260Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsBusiness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Make Me Smart

Latest Episodes

Could dimming the sun be the key to cooling things down before the climate crisis worsens? Some scientists say yes, that we can cool the earth by launching tons of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere. It’s a type of solar geoengineering that was onc... more

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

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Dan Runcie
Founder of Trapital, a media company covering the business of music, tech, and culture
Trapital
Episode: The TikTok-ification of music marketing
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.

Host

Kimberly Adams
Host with extensive Marketplace affiliation; central figure in show, often guiding framing and hosting.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 6.5k ratings
  • Done?

    This show has lost its fastball.

    Kimberly ever the pessimist, now solo is just a downer.

    Fridays with some random public radio reporter makes for just another show.

    Miss the two-host model and the dialogue. KA just reading scripted questions doesn’t do it for me. Assume this is all budget cuts.

    I will give it 2 more weeks then I am likely gone -seeking a replacement.

    Mrs Balmer just donated 💰💰💰Is now the time to blow up MMS and reload?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    CGK in PDX
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 States2 months 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
    3 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

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate data-driven depth on economics and policy.
Shelve balance between hard analysis and personality is a common point of feedback.
Some critics miss the duo-host dynamic and the previous chemistry.

Top Business Podcasts

The Ramsey Show
The Ramsey ShowRamsey Network
Proven Podcast
Proven PodcastCharles Schwartz
Young and Profiting with Hala Taha
Young and Profiting with Hala TahaHala Taha | Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing | YAP Media Network

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 weekday show that blends economics, technology, and public policy with accessible storytelling and expert analysis. Across recent episodes, the program has explored how platforms like TikTok reshape music marketing, the dynamics of the global art market, wage and labor shifts in professional sports, state-versus-federal policy, retirement planning, and AI's impact on work. Guests range from journalists and academics to company practitioners and policy advocates, offering data-driven insights, real-world examples, and practical takeaways for listeners navigating the modern economy. The format often combines in-depth interviews with timely, issue-driven conversations and occasional light, audience-facing segments. This mix tends to attract ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Make Me Smart?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Make Me Smart. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Make Me Smart and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Make Me Smart get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Make Me Smart, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Make Me Smart?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Make Me Smart, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Make Me Smart have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Make Me Smart has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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 Tech
4. Marketplace All-in-One
5. How We Survive

How many episodes of Make Me Smart are there?

Make Me Smart launched 10 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.

How do I contact Make Me Smart?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Make Me Smart?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Make Me Smart from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Make Me Smart?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Make Me Smart. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Make Me Smart?

Recent guests on Make Me Smart include:

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

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days