Trump's Pick for Fed Chair Heads to Capitol Hill
The episode covers President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve, highlighting Warsh's testimony that balances a claim of Fed independence with the President's desire for lower interest rates. It then shifts to energy companies seeking new oil sources outside the Middle East, noting ExxonMobil's $1.5 billion investment in Nigeria and Chevron's expansion in Venezuela, while discussing the long timelines and risks of such projects. The segment also examines President Trump's plan to invoke the 1950s Defense Production Act to boost domestic energy production. Finally, the show explores the concept of social capital in Minnesota, illustrating how community solidarity during immigration enforcement can foster economic resilience.
What a Time to Be a Central Bank
In this brief Marketplace segment, chief economist Diane Swank of KPMG breaks down the Federal Reserve’s looming decision on interest rates, highlighting how the war in Iran and lingering supply‑chain disruptions are pushing policymakers toward higher rates despite a surprisingly...
What Keeps Big Bank CEOs up at Night
In this episode, David Brancaccio breaks down Jamie Dimon's latest shareholder letter, highlighting the CEO’s concerns about persistent inflation, rising government debt, tariffs, and geopolitical tensions that could tighten credit conditions. Experts Ari Schwader and Pavlina Czerneva explain how these...
Can Jewelry Ever Be Truly Conflict-Free?
The episode explores whether jewelry can ever be truly conflict‑free, focusing on the opaque supply chains of gold and gemstones and the human rights abuses they can entail. It highlights the work of London‑based jeweller Pippa Small, who partners with...
Who Is Trump's Fed Chair Pick?
In this six‑minute episode, host David Brancaccio examines President Donald Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair. The discussion outlines Warsh’s background as a former Fed governor and his reputation for advocating low‑interest rates and a...
The Messy, Tricky, Hairy Task of Economic Forecasting
In this 7‑minute episode, host David Brancaccio explores the reliability and usefulness of economic forecasting, debating whether such predictions are valuable or merely speculative. He discusses how fast‑moving news cycles can quickly render forecasts obsolete, yet argues that they still...
Farmers Feel the Big Freeze
In this brief episode, Marketplace examines the severe winter storm that hit the Southern United States, detailing its impact on agriculture—from timber and sugar cane to crawfish and cattle. The segment highlights how freezing temperatures and ice have disrupted supply...
Fed Independence Goes Before the Supreme Court
The episode examines the Supreme Court case questioning whether a president can fire a sitting Federal Reserve governor, focusing on President Donald Trump's attempt to remove Governor Lisa Cook. Experts discuss the legal precedent of presidential authority over other federal...