Million Bazillion

A retro-themed romp answers how ATMs connect and move cash, plus a step-by-step walk-through of using one. Learn why the U.S. penny got its name and hear kids imagine silly ATM items. Discover the factors and algorithms airlines use to set ticket prices. Also covers how much the president earns and who decides government pay.

This week, Ryan and Bridget are answering a question about why athletes get paid what they do. In this bonus mini-episode of “Million Bazillion,” Bridget and Ryan hear from Colin Hufman, who competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics with the U.S. curling team. Curling is a sport that’s played on ice, in which players slide granite stones toward a target area. We’ll learn about Colin’s experience earning income as an Olympic athlete, including payments for medals, monthly stipends and promotional endorsements. The hosts realize that making a living as an Olympian involves a lot more than just training and competing in sports.

“Million Bazillion” listener Alistair wants to know how professional athletes get paid. Bridget and Ryan prepare for the semi-annual Public Radio Foosball Tournament, but their star player is drafted to the opposing team. The hosts have to scramble to assemble players for their dream team in time for the big tournament. In this episode, they learn about labor unions, player trades and statistical analysis strategies used in the movie “Moneyball.”If your family is interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.

Bridget convinces Ryan to launch a new side business, solving money problems. Today’s problem - a local fifth-grader is facing competition with her slime business from a rival school. Could a tariff help solve her problem? With the help of a not-so-spooky-ghost, they’ll learn what tariffs are, and why they make the price of things go up, and how tariffs can lead to…a trade war.If your family is interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.

It’s a new season of “Million Bazillion!” In this episode, Ryan and Bridget dive into the world of lotteries after listener Oskar asked how they work. With the help of a talking stat(istics) cat, they learn just how tricky it is to win big. But like many lottery hopefuls, the pair still buys a ticket with a plan they think will help them beat the odds. Will their idea work? Listen to find out! If your family is interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.

Hello, Million Bazillionaires! In the new season of Million Bazillion, Ryan and Bridget head out on even bigger adventures to answer some of the best money questions we’ve ever received:From the mystery behind the lottery, to explaining tariffs, and how athletes get paid, the ins and outs of ATMs and how to keep your money info safe online, and why organic food costs more than non-organic food. But the fun doesn’t end there. When you’re done listening to each episode, check out our newsletter for bonus content and cool questions to spark conversations between kids and grownups. New episodes drop every Tuesday starting June 3! Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. In the meantime, check out our trailer above and catch up on any episodes you might’ve missed.

Hey Million Bazillionaires! Ryan and Bridget are working hard on brand-new episodes for our next season. In the meantime, we're doing something special today. We're sharing an episode from our friends at Marketplace’s podcast for young people, “Financially Inclined.” It's all about negotiation. That means learning how to speak up for yourself, make fair deals and solve problems in smart ways. It's a skill grown-ups use all the time. But negotiation isn't just for adults. Kids do it every day at home, school and even the playground. We’ve talked before about why negotiation is such an important skill. But if you still have questions, this episode is for you!Want more “Financially Inclined”? Check out the rest of the season wherever you get your podcasts.Have a question you want Million Bazillion to answer? Send it to us!

For our final episode of the season, Bridget and Ryan team up with the hosts of “Forever Ago” to tell you about one of the biggest shopping days of the year: Black Friday. While they search for the best gifts for Podcast Host Appreciation Day, they learn how Black Friday started and how stores come up with deals, and they share tips on how to shop smart during the holiday season.If your family is interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million. 

The hosts visit Bridget’s grandma to answer questions from Josephina and Anna about how retirement works. Along with dancing and eating a lot of casserole, they learn about the many ways people save for retirement and how the government helps people pay for things when they stop working. Plus, they help Bridget’s niece understand why it’s important to start saving for retirement early.If your family is interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.

This week, Ryan and Bridget take the stage to perform some greatest hits from the “Million Bazillion” songbook. They’ll revisit some of their favorite songs about why it can be awkward to talk about money, why the United States has its own currency, how to spot a scam and more. Plus, a never-before-heard song from “Million Bazillion: The Musical.” So put on your top hats and sequined ponchos, and get ready to sing along with us!To follow along with song lyrics, check out this episode on our website and visit our YouTube playlist to sing and dance to all your favorite “Million Bazillion” hits. We’ve also have discussion questions and tips!This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.