Slate Money

In a lively discussion, hosts tackle Trump's reversal on tariffs and the Fed, blending humor with insightful critique. They explore Hollywood's declining allure as productions flee California for better budgets, drawing parallels to Detroit's automotive downfall. The revival of the Ice Bucket Challenge sparks a debate on the effectiveness of awareness campaigns in making real change. Additionally, the impact of streaming services on film quality and production dynamics is examined. Join the conversation on this engaging journey through politics and entertainment!

This week features Cardiff Garcia, Editorial Director of the Economic Innovation Group and host of The New Bazaar podcast. He discusses how Fed Chair Jay Powell is resisting Trump's tariff pressures while navigating a complex economic landscape. The conversation dives into the politicization of the IRS, including potential consequences of its gutting. Additionally, they examine the escalating trade war with China and its economic implications while keeping the tone light with humor and personal anecdotes.

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.

This week: Trump’s erratic tariff policies are creating a lot of volatility in the markets. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by investments expert Barry Ritholtz to unpack the week’s wild tariff news and this uniquely unpredictable situation where one person’s decisions are having a huge effect on the markets. Then, Barry helps the hosts understand investing in this environment with lessons from his new book ‘How Not To Invest’.In the Slate Plus episode: The trouble with leaf blowers. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

This week: A leaked Signal message revealed illegal use of the commercial app by the Defense Department. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers explain how this is a common issue in finance, where employees often defy SEC regulations on secure communication in favor of more convenient ways of communicating. Then, a recent study shows that people are leaving states with anti-abortion laws and other evidence suggests political migration in the US is on the rise. Finally, Dollar Tree is selling Family Dollar to private equity for $1 billion, 10 years after buying it for $8 billion. The hosts discuss what might have led to the end of the disastrous merger. In the Slate Plus episode: Felix joins What Next host Mary Harris to talk about the godfather of crypto, Satoshi Nakamoto. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: The US Stock Market is plummeting during Trump’s second term. Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers explain why headlines very rarely affect the movements of the Stock Market–and discuss whether we're currently living one of those exceptions. Then, the Wall Street Journal has reported that the Trump family is in talks to invest in the US arm of crypto giant Binance. If true, the move would almost certainly be an attempt to buy a pardon for billionaire founder CZ, who pled guilty to violating U.S. anti-money-laundering requirements under Biden. And finally, Youtube megastar MrBeast, made popular among the Gen Alpha set for giving away fabulous prizes, is turning his fame into fortune via his candybars. Are they any good? Elizabeth will decide!In the Slate Plus episode: How many days a year should we all really spend at work?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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.