Slate Money

Jillian Berman, assistant managing editor at MarketWatch and author of 'Sunk Cost,' dives deep into the complexities of the U.S. student loan system. She discusses how well-intentioned policies have led to crippling debt for many students. Berman highlights the challenges faced as loan repayments resume post-pandemic and critiques the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. She also explores the historical shift in educational funding and the impact of socio-political changes on tuition, posing tough questions about the true value of higher education today.

Barry Ritholtz, an investments expert and author of 'How Not To Invest', discusses the chaotic influence of Trump's tariff policies on market volatility. He highlights the 'One Guy Problem', revealing how individual decisions can significantly sway economic trends. Ritholtz shares strategies for navigating investment during crises, emphasizing emotional control and rational decision-making. The conversation also touches on shifting investor behaviors and the impact of global trade dynamics, making for a thought-provoking exploration of today’s unpredictable financial landscape.

Mark Joseph Stern, a Slate writer specializing in legal issues, joins to dissect Trump's controversial tariffs and their dubious calculations. The discussion highlights the troubling implications of these tariffs on the legal system and the economy. They analyze the surprising decline of the U.S. dollar following the tariff announcement and the complexities it introduces to global trade dynamics. The conversation also humorously touches on inflation and whimsical scenarios involving penguins, blending serious analysis with light-hearted commentary.

David Enrich, the New York Times Business Investigations editor and author of "Murder the Truth," joins to discuss the alarming erosion of press freedoms. He reveals how powerful entities exploit legal systems to intimidate journalists, threatening the very foundation of accountability in democracy. The conversation dives into landmark cases like Times vs. Sullivan and the current landscape of misinformation, underscoring the necessity of truth in journalism amidst rising hostile forces.

A leaked Signal message reveals how common illegal communications are, even among government officials. The hosts dive into the rising trend of people relocating due to political polarization, especially after major rulings on sensitive issues. They also analyze Dollar Tree's surprising sale of Family Dollar, reflecting on the disastrous merger and shifting retail landscapes. Plus, a light-hearted take on egg price dynamics and humorous tales from the world of discount retailers rounds out the discussion!

Dan Primack, an Axios reporter and expert on business deals, joins the discussion to shed light on the groundbreaking $7.3 billion valuation of the Boston Celtics. The group dives into the implications of private equity's growing influence in sports ownership and its effects on team dynamics. They also tackle Elon Musk's controversial maneuvers against the Social Security Administration, questioning political motivations behind recent policy changes. With insights into legislative power plays and a humorous take on local governance, this chat is packed with thought-provoking commentary!

In this Money Talks: How does America assert its power globally? The short answer is money. For the long answer, Felix Salmon calls in authors Edward Fishman (Chokepoints) and Saleha Mohsin (Paper Soldiers) who both recently published books on the subject. They’ll discuss how the US dollar managed to become the world’s reserve asset, the ways it’s been weaponized in the past, and what that global status means under an “America First” president. This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock weekly bonus episodes of Slate Money—you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hosts dive into the plummeting US Stock Market and how headlines rarely sway it. They discuss the Trump family's possible investment in Binance and the controversial links to political pardons. MrBeast's candy bars are on the tasting table, blending celebrity with entrepreneurship. The economics of his extravagant giveaways are scrutinized, revealing the delicate balance between fame and financial sustainability. Plus, there's a fascinating look at fluctuating egg prices and the quirky impacts of AI on programming jobs.

This week: Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China went into effect – only for him to turn around and suspend many of them. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers discuss Trump’s love of tariffs and the political effects of his trade war. Then, Egg Watch gets a whole segment this week as Chenya Roth joins to discuss the economics of egg demand and the question of if eggs even should be super cheap. And finally, an elaborate scheme to buy every lottery ticket and guarantee a jackpot went down in Texas. The hosts debate whether there is actually anything wrong with that. In the Slate Plus episode: The Trump bump has become quite a slumpWant to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Money Talks: Emily Peck is joined by journalist and author Adam Chandler to discuss what he discovered about how Americans think about work while writing his book 99% Perspiration. They’ll get into America's often misguided and misinformed obsession with rugged individualism, the long-term effects of de-emphasizing community, and of course, Emily in Paris. Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen.Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices