Best Byte Federal Podcasts (2025)

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Let's check in with the Fed 14:38

Play Pause

2h ago14:38

14:38

The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged after meeting yesterday, despite repeated pressures from President Trump to cut rates. But not everyone at the Fed was happy about it. On the show today, Marketplace’s Nancy Marshall-Genzer joins Kimberly to fill us in on the recent debate over lowering interest rates and the political …

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Investors say "aye aye, sir" to AI 7:49

1h ago7:49

7:49

Meta and Microsoft shares jumped Thursday morning following strong quarterly earnings, with both companies attributing the gains to AI-driven productivity and revenue growth. Susan Schmidt at Exchange Capital Resources weights in. Also on the show: inflation picked up in June, challenging hopes of a cooldown. Diane Swonk at KPMG explains the implic…

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The Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged 6:51

1h ago6:51

6:51

The guardians of interest rates at America's central bank chose not to cut interest rates, given the uncertain effects of tariffs and a resilient overall economy. But the committee's decision was not unanimous. Also on the show: the July Jobs report. The U.S. labor force shrank by 755,000 in May and June, and that's partly what accounts for June's …

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President Trump imposes new tariffs on trading partners 6:30

2h ago6:30

6:30

From the BBC World Service: Goods from South Korea will face a 15% tariff under a new trade deal. Meanwhile Brazil will be harder hit, with a 50% tax on imports. Plus, we hear how Chinese electric vehicle makers are targeting foreign consumers with affordable luxury.By Marketplace

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AI's role in human productivity and prosperity 5:43

3h ago5:43

5:43

Simon Johnson, Nobel-winning economist, joined Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to explain his current thinking about AI and inequality. He says the tech could bring productivity gains, but they might not benefit everyone.By Marketplace

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Let's take a hard look at that GDP growth 26:33

15h ago26:33

26:33

U.S. GDP grew at a healthy clip in the second quarter of 2025. But a mathematical equation can’t convey nuance — like, say, six months of tariff chaos. Clear away the trade drama, and the country’s economic growth was more subdued. Also in this episode: The Fed keeps rates as-is despite historic “no” votes from committee members, crypto firms campa…

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The hunger crisis unfolding in Gaza 16:25

20h ago16:25

16:25

The United Nations this week warned that “widespread starvation, malnutrition and disease” are contributing to a rise in hunger-related deaths across the Gaza Strip. This comes as the flow of aid into Gaza has slowed in recent months and the price of food has increased drastically. On the show today, Reema shares what life looks like for her family…

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An economic mirage of sorts? 8:03

22h ago8:03

8:03

This morning's GDP figure showed that the U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 3% in Q2 — a higher-than-expected rebound. But there's more than meets the eye. "The headline number is showing the volatility in trade and imports and exports, but the numbers underneath are showing very much a slow slowing of the U.S. economy," says economist Kathryn…

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So few deals, so little time left 7:05

1d ago7:05

7:05

Friday is the latest deadline for the U.S. to sign trade deals with other countries, or else they'll face higher tariffs. The administration had promised 90 deals in 90 days when setting the later Aug. 1 deadline. But as of today, it's not 90 — it's more like six. Plus, under-16s won't be allowed to have YouTube accounts in Australia, and small bus…

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YouTube added to Australia's youth social media ban 6:39

1d ago6:39

6:39

From the BBC World Service: The Australian government announced it will ban children under 16 from having YouTube accounts starting in December. The ban also limits young people's use of TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Snapchat. We'll learn more. Then, South Africa has long struggled with power cuts. Now, some companies are introducing pay-as-y…

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Small tweaks to AI prompts can have significant impacts on output 7:30

1d ago7:30

7:30

Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino speaks to Sayash Kapoor, a PhD candidate at Princeton and co-author of “AI Snake Oil." He says small tweaks to AI chatbots can often have big, unpredictable effects.By Marketplace

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Consumers are still stressed about the job market 25:44

1d ago25:44

25:44

Consumer confidence ticked up in June, according to The Conference Board. At the same time, confidence in the labor market weakened for a seventh consecutive month. In this episode, what good are a bunch of confident consumers if they're stressed about finding work? Plus: SNAP cuts will hurt grocery stores, Americans have to buy foreign goods if we…

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Public libraries on the line 24:45

2d ago24:45

24:45

Along with some other federal agencies, the Trump administration has attempted to gut the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It’s a small agency, but public libraries across the country rely on its funding. The loss of federal grants isn’t the only thing these community hubs are up against. On the show today, Sam Helmick, president of the Am…

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How wind energy may fare under Trump 6:52

2d ago6:52

6:52

President Donald Trump remarked offhandedly over the weekend that “we will not allow a windmill to be built in the United States.” Recent policy changes in Washington could indeed make it harder to build new wind power projects in the U.S., but it’ll still likely continue to be an attractive source of power. And later in the program, a dispute betw…

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On the midnight train to merger 6:52

2d ago6:52

6:52

Two behemoths of freight rail are joining forces: Union Pacific is acquiring Norfolk Southern for $85 billion. The deal creates the largest freight rail network in the country and will attract the attention of antitrust regulators. Also on the show: U.S.-China trade negotiators meet in Sweden for trade talks, and the U.S. sets a new deadline for Ru…

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China offers parents $500 per child to help boost birth rate 6:59

2d ago6:59

6:59

From the BBC World Service: Parents in China are being offered a little extra help, about $500 a year for every child under three. It's the government's first nationwide subsidy in a bid to increase birth rates. State media says around 20 million families are eligible for the payments. But will it work? Plus, with northern Mexico in the middle of a…

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Apps that match truckers and loads are changing freight transport 4:07

2d ago4:07

4:07

In Canada, road freight is part of the backbone of the economy — historically moving about four-fifths of all goods across the country, with demand growing. But trucking is changing, with digital freight-matching platforms reshaping how drivers find work and how goods get delivered. The BBC’s Sam Gruet reports.…

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How does online scamming work? 30:51

2d ago30:51

30:51

Bridget and Ryan get swept up in a cyberpunk adventure as they try to answer Cooper’s question about how online data thefts can lead to real world consequences for your bank account. With the help of longtime friend of the program, Scam Slammer Host Brenda Hammer, the duo travel inside the internet to follow the trail of our digital bread crumbs, a…

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How are lenders and borrowers feeling? 26:10

3d ago26:10

26:10

Since it’s unlikely the Fed will make any interest rate moves at this week’s meeting, it’s safe to assume rates will stay up for at least a while longer. That means potential borrowers are weighing whether to wait out the Fed or get access to capital now, despite the cost. In this episode, local bankers tell us about the current lending climate. Pl…

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Are Trump's tariffs legal? 13:46

3d ago13:46

13:46

Over the weekend, President Trump announced a new trade deal with the EU: 15% tariffs on most goods in exchange for the EU’s promise to purchase U.S. energy. But a court case brought by a group of small businesses could derail Trump’s tariff agenda. We’ll explain what’s at stake. Plus, a reminder to get outside and enjoy what nature has to offer. (…

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Anxiety is shaping the housing market 6:52

3d ago6:52

6:52

High home prices and high mortgage rates have been holding buyers — and the market — back for a long time now. Now, economic uncertainty is shaping people's house hunt. More would-be buyers have paused their home searches recently, and there’s been a nearly 50% increase in people listing then de-listing their homes. Also: how markets are responding…

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What government data looks like in a Trump presidency 6:43

3d ago6:43

6:43

Government data is at risk. Federal funding for the main statistical agencies, like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Commerce Department, has been tight for years. But since the Trump administration took office, threats to the availability and comprehensiveness of federal data have reached a whole new level — impacting everything from nationa…

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US and EU reach tariff agreement 8:42

3d ago8:42

8:42

From the BBC World Service: EU leaders are being briefed today on a new deal with the United States that halves the tariff President Donald Trump threatened to put on European goods, but the compromise still means a 15% import tax on most products. And not everyone is happy with the deal. We'll hear more. Plus, lithium extraction uses huge amounts …

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The growing market for cool wearables to help beat the heat 6:07

3d ago6:07

6:07

Temperatures this summer have been hotter than usual, a trend we have come to expect with climate change as records are continually surpassed. While many of us can ride out extreme heat in the comfort of air conditioned interior spaces, outdoor workers don’t have that option and must contend with the risks of serious injury which can be acute and l…

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AI and 'surveillance' pricing 25:52

6d ago25:52

25:52

Dynamic or 'surveillance' pricing is a relatively common practice. But what's changed is the sheer volume of our personal data available online, and how good AI has become at connecting the dots. With news that Delta Airlines plans to use AI to set up dynamic pricing for a large share of its flights, Marketplace's Kimberly Adams explores how widesp…

Byte Federal Podcasts

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1
Let's check in with the Fed 14:38

1
Investors say "aye aye, sir" to AI 7:49

1
The Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged 6:51

1
President Trump imposes new tariffs on trading partners 6:30

1
AI's role in human productivity and prosperity 5:43

1
Let's take a hard look at that GDP growth 26:33

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The hunger crisis unfolding in Gaza 16:25

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An economic mirage of sorts? 8:03

1
So few deals, so little time left 7:05

1
YouTube added to Australia's youth social media ban 6:39

1
Small tweaks to AI prompts can have significant impacts on output 7:30

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Consumers are still stressed about the job market 25:44

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Public libraries on the line 24:45

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How wind energy may fare under Trump 6:52

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On the midnight train to merger 6:52

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China offers parents $500 per child to help boost birth rate 6:59

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Apps that match truckers and loads are changing freight transport 4:07

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How does online scamming work? 30:51

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How are lenders and borrowers feeling? 26:10

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Are Trump's tariffs legal? 13:46

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Anxiety is shaping the housing market 6:52

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What government data looks like in a Trump presidency 6:43

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US and EU reach tariff agreement 8:42

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The growing market for cool wearables to help beat the heat 6:07

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AI and 'surveillance' pricing 25:52