With the economy slowing and many companies beginning to layoff workers, small businesses are in a tight spot as they continue to face staff shortages but are having a hard time competing with larger companies when it comes to offering higher wages.  Small businesses are also reporting that about 90% of open positions are seeing few to no qualified applicants.  Cheryl Winokur Munk, contributor to CNBC, joins us for how they can attract top talent by highlighting more than just...

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are looking for deals this holiday season, this is where it all starts.  Black Friday leading into Cyber Monday.  With inflation still battering Americans, many price-conscious consumers are buying less gifts and donating to charity less.  Retailers on the other hand are looking to move products with sales and promotions.  Marc Saltzman, tech columnist at USA Today and host of the Tech It Out Podcast, joins us with some apps and browser extensions for deal hunters, products to look out...

Beyond Meat, the plant-based meat company, is struggling and it’s causing some worries throughout the meat alternative industry.  The company has struggled to manage growth amid slumping sales.  Among some of the setbacks, the company tried to rush out new products only to miss deadlines and disappoint customers.  Beyond’s jerky product, chicken tenders, and dinner sausages all hit roadblocks as their CEO tried to push out new offerings.  Jesse Newman, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for the...

According to recent surveys, Americans are stressed out by inflation and are planning to buy fewer Christmas gifts and donate less to charity.  Last year on average, people bought about 16 gifts for family and friends, this year that number has dropped to nine.  Another survey found that many are planning to donate less with 44% blaming a lack of funds.  Jon Hilsenrath, senior writer at the WSJ, joins us for how inflation is souring the holiday season.   Next, hospitals are being pushed to...

On his adventures into MAGA country, Jordan Klepper encounters some of the more imaginative, conspiratorial minds America has to offer. In “Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy,” a new, six-episode limited podcast series, Jordan steps off the trail to dig deep into some of the wildest theories he’s heard, and trace their origins with journalists, experts, and anyone who might have a lead on when JFK Jr. is coming back. The podcast offers an opportunity to better understand some of the most...

Just a few years ago, betting on sports was regulated to Nevada and a handful of other locations in the U.S., but after a flurry of action from lobbyists and the gambling industry, 31 states now allow sports gambling either online or in-person.  Sold by possible tax revenue, many states have come on board, sometimes with very favorable tax breaks for gambling companies.  An investigation by the Times finds that in many cases that revenue hasn’t lived up to projections.  Other convincing was...

President Biden turned 80 over the weekend, the oldest serving president in U.S. history.  He has said he intends to run again, planning a decision for early next year.  However, recent gaffes have added to concerns from those in his own party and polls also show that the public has doubts about leaders his age.  Julia Manchester, national political reporter at The Hill, joins us for this, GOP hopefuls beginning to make their case, and Nancy Pelosi’s legacy as Speaker of the House.   Next,...

Heading into the holiday shopping season big retailers are hoping to offload all the excess inventory from recent months and also balance how much to discount items to move product.  The good thing is that it means more promotions and sales for consumers, but will it be the products that people want?  The main items that will see the deepest discounts are computers, electronics, and toys, many of which are left over from pandemic delays.  Beauty products on the other hand will not be seeing...

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA’s Artemis 1 Moon mission is currently underway after the SLS rocket and Orion capsule launched early Wednesday morning.  The mission is expected to last until mid-December when the capsule will splash back down in the Pacific Ocean.  This mission paves the way for the return of astronauts to the Moon and a new space station to be assembled in orbit there.  Ramin Skibba, space writer at Wired, joins us for what to know.   Next, it’s been described as a “game changer” when it comes to...

The human race has reached a milestone.  There are now an estimated eight billion people on the planet.  Overall, less people are living in extreme poverty, and we have generally better access to health care, food, and clean water.  Half of the population still just lives in 7 countries, and it could take us about 15 years to hit the next milestone of nine billion.  Stef Kight, politics reporter at Axios, joins is for what to know as we still face several challenges as the population...

The makeup of Congress continues to take shape as the House continues to skew toward Republicans and Democrats retain control of the Senate.  Democrats overperformed in the midterms and they can attribute that to independent voters that broke their way.  Despite the GOP holding the edge on top issues, independent voters were turned off by candidates that were too closely aligned with Trump.  Aaron Zitner, politics reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how independents decided the...

The Democrats have retained control of the Senate, and the House is still up in the air, although the numbers look to favor Republicans.  Throughout the midterm elections there have been many tight races and margins are just razor thin.  So why is America always divided 50-50?  As the two parties constantly jockey for the majority, neither party really builds any momentum.  Annie Lowrey, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins us for how polarization and a changing electorate is impacting...

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Positive sign as inflation cooled slightly to 7.7% in October.  Experts warn not to get too excited as they would like to see more of trend but hope this could be the peak.  Used car prices have dropped, along with airfare and apparel, but rents continue to stay elevated.  The Fed has signaled it will continue to raise rates until inflation drops more, but in smaller increments.  Rachel Siegel, economics reporter at the Washington Post, joins us for the signs that inflation may be...

Control of Congress still hangs in the balance as Republicans are poised to take over the House, but we will have to wait until December for a runoff election to see who will take Georgia’s Senate seat.  In the meantime, the red wave never really happened, and Democrats fared far better than most thought.  Former President Trump is in a weaker position coming into his big announcement and President Biden is taking any good news he can get.  David Siders, national political correspondent at...

The top issue for this election season has been the economy and it has put Democrats in a bad position as Republicans have seized on the issue.  Despite high inflation and fears of a recession, there are still other positive economic markers such as low unemployment.  Still, the uncertainty of what’s to come has voters concerned for their futures and polls show they are backing Republicans.  Howard Schneider, economics correspondent at Reuters, joins us for what to know.   Next, despite...

Election Day is here, and the economy and inflation continue to be the top issues for voters.  To that end, according to recent surveys, more full-time workers are feeling the pain and having to get second jobs to supplement their income.  Nearly three-quarters of workers said they need more work to keep up with inflation and it’s not just blue-collar workers, even people in professional jobs are looking for more.  Ray Smith, careers reporter at the WSJ, joins us for how more workers are...

Title: Navigating Interracial Friendships with Some Of My Best Friends Are   Description: Here's a preview of another podcast we're enjoying, Some of My Best Friends Are, from Pushkin Industries. Harvard professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad and journalist Ben Austen are friends, one Black and one white, who grew up together on the South Side of Chicago. On Some of My Best Friends Are, Khalil and Ben, along with their guests, have critical conversations that are at once personal, political, and...

The midterms are finally here, and which party will take control of Congress hangs in the balance.  Republicans, poised to take over the House, have the lead on the economy, crime, and inflation.  Democrats, lead on the issues of climate change and abortion.  Control of the Senate will be up to a few key races including Pennsylvania and Georgia.  President Biden and former President Obama are making the case that democracy is at stake in this election and former President Trump, painting...

This is a compilation of some of the most compelling stories of the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.