Make Me Smart With Kai And Molly

For viewers, streaming has ushered in an era of Peak TV with a seemingly endless amount of shows to binge. But, writers on strike say they’re not experiencing the same golden age when it comes to compensation and job stability. And, some streaming companies are struggling to hang on to subscribers in an ultra-competitive market. This has us wondering: Has streaming broken TV? On the show today, Kate Fortmueller, professor of entertainment and media studies at the University of Georgia, explains how streaming has changed the way film and TV writers make a living, why studios’ priorities have shifted in the streaming age, and what might be ahead for the industry. Plus, why screenwriters are asking for limits on the use of AI. In the News Fix: Looking back at a previous writers strike might hint at the impact of the current strike. And, Home Depot says it expects a drop in annual sales for the first time in over a decade. We’ll get into what that might say about the housing market. Later, a listener

Tax season may be over, but we aren’t done talking about taxes. Will free tax filing ever become a reality? We’ll get into the upcoming fight over free filing along with what taxes have to do with the debt ceiling debate and an unusual political fundraising operation. Plus, the daring plan to rescue a “Great Observatory” in space makes us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Tax Prep Company Intuit Ramps Up Lobbying Ahead Of Free File Fight” from Huffpost Debt limit letter from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Tweet from @davidmwessel about Treasury cash balance projections “How to Raise $89 Million in Small Donations, and Make It Disappear” from The New York Times “IRS tests free e-filing system that could compete with tax-prep giants” from The Washington Post “What to Know About TurboTax Before You File Your Taxes This Year” from ProPublica “A private company has an audacious plan to rescue NASA’

As the Title 42 immigration policy ends at the border, a new immigration law that aims to crackdown on employers who hire undocumented workers has been signed in Florida. We get into the economic implications of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new immigration policy. Then, we haven’t hit the debt-ceiling deadline … yet. But we’re already feeling the pain. Plus, a round of Half-Full/Half-Empty, full of appreciation for mothers. Here’s everything we talked about today: “South Florida workers already feeling heat of immigration bill” from CBS “Here’s how Gov. DeSantis’ new immigration policy could impact Florida economy” from ClickOrlando “Italian pasta prices are soaring. Rome is in crisis talks with producers” from CNN “Consequences of the Debt-Ceiling Standoff Are Already Here” from Bloomberg “Debt limit debate, which puts the nation’s credit and trust on the line, endangers already fragile U.S

Pacific Western Bank reported a sharp loss of over 9% of its total deposits last week, trailing the failure of First Republic Bank. We’ll discuss what’s behind the lingering banking problems. And, over 3 million viewers tuned in to watch CNN’s town hall event with former President Donald Trump, proving he’s still a ratings magnet. We’ll get into the ethical dilemma of the network’s decision to put Trump on that stage and what it means for the presidential race ahead. Plus, Saildrones and other superstorm hunting gadgets are giving us a glimpse into uncharted territory. Here’s everything we talked about today: “CNN tops 3 million viewers during Trump Town Hall” from The Hill “CNN’s Trump town hall turns into a Trump rally” from Poynter “Dianne Feinstein returns and Democrats advance Biden judicial nominees that had been stalled in committee” from CNN Politics “PacWest Stock Sinks 23% After Disclosing Fresh Deposit Outflow” fr

Weeks of violence between the Sudanese army and a powerful paramilitary group in Sudan has triggered an urgent humanitarian crisis and devastated the country’s economy. One listener called to ask how the conflict might impact the global economy. We’ll get into it and answer more of your questions about the U.S. treasurer’s job and how Netflix might dispose of its enormous DVD inventory. Plus, why the end of the helium shortage is still up in the air. Here’s everything we talked about today: “As Sudan’s conflict continues into its second week, here’s what to know” from NPR “Sudan conflict deals new blow to stagnant economy” from Reuters “Analysis: UAE, Egypt closer to different sides in Sudan conflict” from Al Jazeera “If Sudan’s Conflict Spreads to Chad, the Whole Sahel Is at Risk” from Foreign Policy “What the new U.S. Treasurer could mean for Indian Country” from Marketplace &#

Child poverty levels fell dramatically — nearly in half — in 2021 with the help of pandemic-era government programs and cash assistance. But with those programs gone, poverty in the United States looks pretty much the same as it has for the past 50 years, despite an overall increase in how much we’re spending on welfare. This has us wondering: Why is that? On the show today, sociologist Matthew Desmond, author of “Poverty, by America,” breaks down how the United States became a country with more poverty than other rich democracies, what’s wrong with our welfare system and what really works to reduce poverty. Plus, the role regular Americans play in all of it. In the News Fix: Following the tragic death of Jordan Neely in New York City, we reflect on the responsibility shared by society at large for allowing unjust systems to remain in place. And, a key player in the global wood pulp industry is considering switching to Chinese currency in its business transactions. We’ll get into what that

A new week, a new episode, a new report from the Federal Reserve. This time, the aptly named Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey shows banks are pulling back on lending. We’ll break down the survey’s results and explain why some are getting credit crunch vibes. Plus, government workers are suing over the debt limit. And in the Make Me Smile department, we’re decoding emoji and imagining flinging rockets into space. Here’s everything we talked about today: “California Panel Calls for Billions in Reparations for Black Residents” from The New York Times “California panel calls for billions in reparations for descendants of slaves” from NPR “Fed report shows banks worried about conditions ahead, with focus on slowing economy and deposit outflows” from CNBC “Government employees union sues Yellen, Biden over ‘unconstitutional’ debt limit law” from The Hill “Just 37 members of Congress are mothers wi

It’s jobs report Friday, and it’s time to do the numbers. One data point that stands out: Women’s labor force participation, which is “at a rate never seen before.” We’ll get into what the latest jobs report tells us about this economy and what it might mean for the Federal Reserve’s pledge to help traditionally marginalized groups. Then: Could obesity become a marker of poverty? Plus, a round of Half-Full/Half-Empty about big hats and big ideas. Here’s everything we talked about today: “U.S. Job Growth Retains Vigor Despite Economic Worries” from The New York Times “Surprise, not so surprising? Another strong jobs report” from “Marketplace Morning Report” “How Jenny Craig built a weight-loss empire and battled her speech loss” from The Washington Post “Why don’t you fix your teeth?” from “This Is Uncomfortable” “Jenny Craig tells employees it w

The ethics scandals are piling up on the Supreme Court bench. ProPublica has new revelations on the financial ties between Justice Clarence Thomas and his Republican megadonor friend. We’ll discuss how judicial business is done in the U.S. and whether it’s time to change it up. Also, an addendum to our deep dive on child labor, and we check in on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, 50 years after Secretariat’s glory days, a story about the horse’s daughter makes us smile. Here’s everything we talked about today: “Jury convicts Proud Boys members of seditious conspiracy in US Capitol attack” from Reuters “Clarence Thomas Raised Him. Harlan Crow Paid His Tuition.” from ProPublica “The Supreme Court’s corruption crisis goes beyond Clarence Thomas” from Vox “Covid deaths dropped in 2022, CDC data shows” from The Washington Post “McDonald’s franchisee fined for illegally using workers as youn

Like cryptocurrency mining, running an artificial intelligence system like ChatGPT requires an enormous amount of energy and natural resources. One listener asks: How do large language models and crypto compare? We’ll get into it and answer more of your questions about why we can’t just print more money to solve the debt limit dilemma and why the United Kingdom can block two U.S. companies from merging. Plus, a familiar Kai-ism explained. Here’s everything we talked about today: “AI’s carbon footprint is growing. Is it worth it?” from Marketplace “Ethereum’s “merge” could help clean crypto’s dirty energy reputation” from Marketplace “Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index” from Digiconomist “Can a platinum coin solve the debt-ceiling standoff?” from Marketplace Janet Yellen Dismisses Minting $1 Trillion Coin to Avoid Default from The Wall Street Journal “Is the Debt Limit Constitutional? Biden Aides