Episodes

  • The Musk-Ramaswamy commission begins talking government cuts
    Nov 22 2024

    There are new details on the Department of Government Efficiency. It’s not a government agency but a kind of commission headed by tech billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, which is being set up with the support of the president-elect. Writing in the Wall Street Journal this week, the two entrepreneurs outlined their approach to cutting the federal workforce, although it’s not yet clear which programs would be recommended for cuts. Plus, work from home continues to shape the real estate market.

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    9 mins
  • Could OpenAI challenge Google?
    Nov 22 2024

    Open-AI is reportedly working on an AI-powered internet browser, according to the tech site called The Information. The reporting suggests OpenAI still hasn’t decided whether to go forward with this, which would be a major challenge to Alphabet’s Google. Also on the show, Econ Extra Credit. This month we’re watching “Union,” a new documentary film that follows the first successful campaign to unionize workers at Amazon in the U.S. We sit down with Stephen Maing, one of the film’s directors, to learn more.

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    9 mins
  • Japan’s big economy boost
    Nov 22 2024

    From the BBC World Service: Japan just unveiled a $140 billion stimulus plan to tackle inflation and boost the economy. The package includes cash handouts, small business aid and tax cuts, but critics worry it will worsen Japan’s massive debt. New satellite images suggest Russia has supplied North Korea with over one million barrels of oil since March. And Australia has proposed what it calls ‘world-first’ laws to restrict kids under the age of 16 from using social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok.

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    8 mins
  • Consumers weigh their values and budgets
    Nov 21 2024

    Seventy-seven percent of Americans prefer to buy holiday gifts that are made in America. But prices tend to speak louder than words, or labels. Foreign manufacturers and popular Chinese brands like SHEIN and Temu are expected to still play a major role in holiday shopping this year. But first, Wall Street has high expectations for Nvidia. While the chipmaker projects continued double-digit growth in the year ahead, it remains hampered by production bottlenecks. Then, we find out what business owners in Mexico think of Trump’s proposed tariffs.

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    10 mins
  • When Nvidia sneezes, the stock market catches a cold
    Nov 21 2024

    Nvidia is the most valuable company on the S&P 500 index, and Wednesday’s earnings report would be the envy of most companies. The chipmaker saw its sales double compared to a year ago, reporting $19 billion in profit. But its stock price dipped after the earnings report came out. Also on today’s show, U.S. prosecutors charge one of the world’s richest men with fraud, and Spirit Airlines joins a long list of carriers that have filed for bankruptcy over the years.

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    7 mins
  • Indian billionaire charged with fraud in the US
    Nov 21 2024

    From the BBC World Service: Gautam Adani is accused of orchestrating a $250 million bribery scheme and concealing it to raise money in the U.S. The Adani Group has denied the allegations, which relate to renewable energy contracts. A BBC investigation has found that thousands of dollars worth of British Raspberry Pi mini computers have been shipped to companies in Russia sanctioned for their links to the military. Plus, the U.S. and Mexico have a strong trading relationship, but that could all change when Donald Trump becomes president; we hear from businesses on the Mexican side of the border.

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    8 mins
  • All eyes on AI
    Nov 20 2024

    Nvidia, the company that produces chips used in AI, will report its earnings Wednesday after markets close. Susan Schmidt, portfolio manager at Exchange Capital Resources, explains why investors are paying such close attention. Also on the show today: a slightly weaker labor market for college graduates and a closer look at whether long-haul trucking is really facing a driver shortage.

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    8 mins
  • Who will lead the Commerce Department?
    Nov 20 2024

    President-elect Donald Trump has picked Howard Lutnick to head up the Commerce Department. Lutnick is the CEO of investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald, co-chair of Trump’s transition team and has been instrumental in raising funds for Trump’s campaign. Plus, we speak with author Keith Ferrazzi about his new book, “Never Lead Alone, 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship,” and how organizations can and should adjust their mindset in this new era of post-pandemic work.

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    7 mins