Best Workforce Waves Podcasts (2025)

Core inflation rose to 2.9% in July, according to the latest PCE data — the Fed's preferred inflation gauge — marking its highest level in months. But despite stubborn inflation and falling consumer confidence, consumer spending continues to climb. Courtenay Brown at Axios and Jordyn Holman at The New York Times join "Marketplace" host Amy Scott to…

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Modesto Loses Its Longtime Minor League Baseball Team 11:14

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2d ago11:14

11:14

Minor league baseball has a rich history in California, going back more than a century. But minor league baseball is changing. Like other professional sports, it has become a big-money game, attracting owners looking to cash in on rising team values. One Central Valley city is witnessing what that big-money game looks like firsthand, as its longtim…

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What's really going on in the Trump economy? 26:21

3d ago26:21

26:21

The U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter of the year, with GDP revised up to an annualized 3.3% from April through June. We take a closer look at what's driving those numbers, and check in on how corporate America is faring amid shifting trade policy. Also on the show: the AI data center boom, nuclear power's pop culture mom…

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What Newsom's Approach To Battling Trump Might Mean For Political Aspirations 10:42

3d ago10:42

10:42

California Governor Gavin Newsom is making national waves as he takes on President Donald Trump -- on social media and, soon, at the ballot box, with an initiative that would redraw congressional districts to give Democrats more seats in the House of Representatives. What does all this mean for the famously ambitious politician? Reporter: Marisa La…

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Reid Hoffman & Kickstarter’s Everette Taylor take your questions 28:44

3d ago28:44

28:44

For our latest Strategy Session, Reid Hoffman and Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor answer questions from entrepreneurs about how to build more resilient businesses. They share frameworks for taking smarter risks, finding co-founders, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#…

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The relationship between consumer mood and spending? It's complicated 26:28

4d ago26:28

26:28

On Tuesday, the Conference Board reported a slight drop in consumer confidence, driven by worries about available jobs and future incomes. But a dip in confidence doesn't always mean people spend less. Also on the show: Where have all the working moms gone? "Marketplace" host Amy Scott talks with Abha Bhattarai from the Washington Post about how wo…

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North State Voters Brace For Changes With Possible Redistricting On The Horizon 10:40

4d ago10:40

10:40

In rural Northern California, voters represented by Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa are bracing for big changes. A proposed congressional map on the November ballot would shift them into a more Democratic-leaning territory. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED Some foreign dissidents in California say they need law enforcement help when the governments t…

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Can the president remove a Fed governor? 26:16

1d ago26:16

26:16

Late Monday, President Trump announced plans to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors over unproven allegations of mortgage fraud. The move is part of his months-long effort to reshape the central bank and pressure it to lower interest rates. But meddling with the Fed's independence could backfire. On today's show, we look at…

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The Playbook to Fight Wildfires' Unseen Threat to Tap Water 10:42

5d ago10:42

10:42

The Tubbs Fire that struck the North Bay in 2017 shed light on an unseen threat that wildfires pose to clean water supplies; and a civil engineering professor out of Indiana has devised the playbook that utilities rely on to address the contamination. As the redistricting battle heats up between California and Texas, Republican legislators in the G…

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Leading the Wave: Ana Čalić’s Vision for a Sustainable Boating Industry 37:22

2d ago37:22

37:22

In Episode 239 of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine MacMillan sits down with Ana Čalić—a dynamic leader in the boating industry, and a passionate advocate for sustainability, diversity, and innovation. With a Master’s in Science, Business, and Innovation from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, specializing in Energy and Sustainability, Ana’s mission…

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Hollywood’s hottest AI partner, with Runway’s Cristóbal Valenzuela 33:11

5d ago33:11

33:11

AI tools are disrupting all types of creative content, and Runway AI is a pioneer making major waves in Hollywood. It’s partnering with the likes of Disney and Netflix to revolutionize production. Runway’s co-founder & CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela joins Rapid Response to dissect the company’s breakneck growth, the risks and responsibilities of AI tool …

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From Procrastination to Action: Jurgen Bank on Getting Out of Your Own Way 37:00

5d ago37:00

37:00

Jurgen Bank is a consultant and coach with over 20 years experience. Originally trained in Germany, for a very long time in the USA, he has consulted with dozens of the Global Fortune 1000 companies, in the US, India, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and all over Europe. He and I met over 15 years ago when we were colleagues at what became Korn Ferry. …

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For every action, something can go sideways 26:11

3d ago26:11

26:11

President Trump's recent deal with Intel gives the U.S. government a 10% ownership stake in the company. But today, Intel responded with a regulatory filing, outlining all of the ways this deal could go sideways. We take a look at the unintended consequences of governments owning companies. Also on the show: why prices have been slow to rise in res…

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California Heads Into Uncharted Territory With Redistrict Vote 10:42

6d ago10:42

10:42

State Lawmakers have paved the way for Governor Newsom's redistricting plan to go before voters on a November ballot, but not all voters are sold on the idea of taking a partisan approach to draw up California's district map--even if Texas plans to do the same in an attempt to tip the mid-term elections in the GOP's favor. Some worry the move would…

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Special Coverage from "Marketplace": The Real Costs 51:28

3d ago51:28

51:28

These are tumultuous times in the economy. There is inflation, a weakening job market, and uncertainty over tariffs and other federal policies. But the headlines don’t capture the real costs of everything happening right now. In a one-hour, special “Marketplace” broadcast, host Kai Ryssdal explores the way we measure this economy and what’s at stak…

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Chili's is back (baby back, baby back) 26:21

6d ago26:21

26:21

Brinker International, which owns casual dining chain Chili’s, just beat 50-year sales and revenue records. In this fickle economic moment, how’d they do it? The answer involves viral fried mozzarella and the power of young consumers. Also in this episode: Jay Powell hints at rate cuts, AI data centers increase electricity costs for everyone, and a…

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Hikers Can Walk Among Grazing Cattle At New Coastal National Monument 10:39

9d ago10:39

10:39

A stunning national monument just opened to the public in Santa Cruz County. It’s called Cotoni-Coast Dairies. It's opening was delayed due to the pandemic, neighbors’ fears over traffic, and figuring out how to keep a herd of nearly 100 cows that graze there away from hikers and bikers. Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting California voters will decide this…

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WWJPD? 26:08

7d ago26:08

26:08

Rising unemployment claims will be on Fed Chair Jay Powell's mind when he addresses the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on Friday, and as he contemplates an interest rate decision in September. But he’s also got stable prices amid tariff uncertainty to worry about. So, we wonder: What Will Jay Powell Do? Later in this episode: Visual AI tools trail…

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Two Recent In Custody Deaths Increase Scrutiny Over San Diego Jails 10:50

10d ago10:50

10:50

San Diego County’s jail system is facing new scrutiny in a class action lawsuit that challenges nearly every aspect of daily operations. The case centers on years of reported neglect inside the jails, where at least 250 people have died since 2006. A hearing had been set for Thursday, on whether evidence from two recent jailhouse deaths can be used…

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How design drives successful companies, with Sarah Stein Greenberg 34:19

10d ago34:19

34:19

Whether you’re building a new product from scratch, growing your team, or trying to find product market fit, every part of scaling a business has one thing in common. It needs to be well designed. That’s why we’re headed back to school this week – and learning from Stanford d.school executive director Sarah Stein Greenberg. She reveals strategies f…

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Consumers embrace their inner Maxxinista 26:17

8d ago26:17

26:17

A consumer vibes indicator, in the form of two Q2 earnings reports: TJX (which owns TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls) raised its outlook for the remainder of the year after beating expectations. Over the same period, Target reported declining same-store sales. In this episode, today’s consumers are choosing off-price bargain hunting over a big-box…

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Heat Wave Brings Dangerously Hot Conditions, Increased Fire Risk 10:33

11d ago10:33

10:33

It's heating up here in California! From the deserts of Southern California to the foothills of the Sierra and parts of the Bay Area, we’re looking at triple-digit temperatures and dangerous fire weather through the weekend. Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report It's the first few weeks of school and for some families, the usual back-to-schoo…

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Building the Internet’s Fast Lane: Ivo Ivanov on DE-CIX, Global Interconnection, and the Leap into Space” 37:17

11d ago37:17

37:17

In this episode, Ivo Ivanov, CEO and Chairman of DE-CIX, shares how his company is building the next generation of Internet infrastructure — from peering evolution to space-based exchanges. Ivo unpacks how DE-CIX has grown from a three-ISP project in Frankfurt into a global interconnection leader spanning over 60 markets. He breaks down the case fo…

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Flat pay raises are a sign o' the times 25:41

12d ago25:41

25:41

In this uncertain economy, employers want to save where they can. That’s likely why Starbucks just joined a growing list of companies to shift from merit-based raises to a flat percentage raise. In this episode, why a flat raise structure tends to be cheaper and less time consuming than merit increases — even though everyone gets ‘em. Plus: China l…

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Sonoma County Wineries Have Mixed Feelings On Wine Improvement District Plan 10:38

12d ago10:38

10:38

In Sonoma County, leaders in the wine industry are floating the idea of a Wine Improvement District. Under the proposed plan, consumers would pay 1 to 2 percent more for tasting room visits, wine club memberships within California, and every bottle purchased at a local winery. Supporters say the plan would provide much-needed collective marketing d…

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Dating is down. So why is Hinge thriving? with CEO Justin McLeod 26:07

12d ago26:07

26:07

As young people report feeling lonelier and less connected than ever, the dating app Hinge is driving its users into real life, human experiences. CEO Justin McLeod returns to Rapid Response to share how the platform is combating digital fatigue amongst users, as well as navigating the risks and opportunities of AI in online dating. McLeod also exp…

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Words Matter: Real Talk with Kyle Courtaway 50:18

12d ago50:18

50:18

Kyle Courtaway has over 25 years of experience working in all areas of strategic talent management including succession planning, high potential identification, competency alignment, performance management systems, executive coaching, 360° instrumentation, intact leadership team development, and key talent development. Kyle’s previous roles have in…

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As many shoppers scrimp and stress, the wealthiest splurge 25:55

10d ago25:55

25:55

New context for the strong-consumer-spending-and-falling-consumer-sentiment combo: According to a Boston Fed report, the proportion of spending done by top-earning U.S. households is growing, and the share spent by lower-income Americans is shrinking. What might that widening gap tells us about the trajectory of this economy? Plus: Strong Q2 corpor…

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Imperial County Tries To Save Sugar Beet Industry 10:35

13d ago10:35

10:35

The Imperial Valley has been growing sugar beets for more than a century. But this summer's harvest could be the region's last. The valley's only sugar beet factory is shutting down, threatening hundreds of jobs and one of its staple crops. Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS San Diego Unified School District officials are condemning the recent arrest of a…

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The bromance that rebuilt Detroit: Dan Gilbert and Mayor Mike Duggan 24:24

15d ago24:24

24:24

As we gear up for our 2025 Masters of Scale Summit, we’re revisiting one of the stellar on-stage conversations that happened at the 2024 event. Hear Rocket Companies’ Dan Gilbert and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan reveal how their unique public-private partnerships have transformed the struggling city into a growing hub for everything from tech companie…

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Concerned consumers keep on spending 26:36

15d ago26:36

26:36

Recent data show moderate retail sales growth in July — a positive sign for our economy? On the flip side, consumer sentiment fell in an early-August survey. In this episode, why gloomy shoppers are still gonna shop. Plus: How NEA grant cuts are affecting nonprofit arts organizations, why a wealth tax might be unconstitutional, and when did Putin v…

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Radio Stations Serving Indigenous Communities Face Challenges From Federal Cuts 10:28

16d ago10:28

10:28

When Congress passed a budget bill that clawed back more than a billion dollars in federal funding for public media, radio stations across the country were put on notice. With the lack of funding, many have already laid off staff, and many smaller stations in rural areas are at risk of closing for good. That includes stations in the western United …

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Producers feel the pinch 25:52

15d ago25:52

25:52

Earlier this week, the July CPI report showed consumer prices remained steady, despite tariff noise. Today’s producer price index tells a different story: Wholesale prices grew a whopping 3.3% year-over-year. When might retailers pass those higher costs on to consumers? We break it down. Plus: Automated applications sow pessimism among job hunters,…

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Heat-Related Deaths For Farmworkers Persist And Employers Often Avoid Consequences 10:36

17d ago10:36

10:36

This month marks 20 years since California implemented rules meant to protect workers from the heat amid a series of farm worker deaths. But two decades later, many employers still don't provide workers with the protections they're owed, enforcement is generally lax, climate change has brought more severe heat waves, and workers continue to die. Gu…

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The insights that fuel SharkNinja’s biggest innovations 35:57

17d ago35:57

35:57

From humble beginnings selling vacuums on late night informercials, SharkNinja has grown to a 6 billion dollar a year business. CEO Mark Barrocas joins host Jeff Berman to reveal how the company keeps coming up with hits like the Ninja Creami, why “educated consumers” are the backbone of their business, and how they’re navigating the shifting winds…

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"Hacks" creators on collaboration, S5, and the state of comedy 26:36

18d ago26:36

26:36

HBO Max’s “Hacks” often tackles the push and pull between art and profit in the entertainment industry. It’s a topic the show’s creators are deeply familiar with. In this episode, “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal discusses that tension — as it appears in the show and in real life — with “Hacks” showrunners Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky. Plus: Job-fin…