Make Me Smart

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, in this episode we’re taking a look at what it’s like to be looking for love right now — and the technology that’s meant to help us do it. Lots of dating apps are integrating AI features these days, but are they making it easier to find real-life connections? We talk to Jason Parham, senior writer at Wired magazine, to try to find out.

Cliche or not, engaging with art is certainly one of the best ways to take a step back when the news cycle gets extra heavy. On the show today, Kimberly is joined by Maggie Smith, poet and host of “The Slowdown” podcast. They talk about why reading and writing are so good for the soul, and about the importance of practicing creativity when funding for the arts is under attack. Maggie also reads a poem she selected specially for us! Plus, we’ll hear from two listeners about their self-care rituals.

Hey Smarties! There won’t be a livestream for “Economics on Tap” today. But don’t worry! “Economics on Tap” will return soon on Feb. 20. For now, we’re sharing a new episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Enjoy!

“Work Drama” is the “This Is Uncomfortable” advice column, answering your questions about sticky work situations. This week, Reema tackles your questions about workplace tension, co-worker cliques, bosses behaving badly, and some bizarre office policies. And she’s joined by one of our favorite culture writers and podcasters, Sarah Hagi, who hosts “Scamfluencers.”

If you have any work drama going on, we want to hear about it! You can send it to us at [email protected], leave a message at 347-RING-TIU, or fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, pollsters and strategists from all over the world of politics are trying to get a pulse on American families. Kimberly recently sat down with a panel of experts at the Aspen Forum on Children and Families to discuss what their research is revealing and what it means for the future of policies that affect children and families across the United States. So, we’re sharing some of that conversation today. Spoiler: the economy comes up a lot.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

VIDEO: "Reality Check: What's Really Going On With Families" from the Aspen Institute
"Voters See a Middle-Class Lifestyle as Drifting Out of Reach, Poll Finds" from The New York Times
"The good, the bad and the ugly of election polling" from “Make Me Smart” 

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Hey Smarties! We recorded today’s episode before the House passed a spending package that will end the partial government shutdown. We’re monitoring the situation as it develops.

President Trump has shown no signs of easing his pressure campaign on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. But this could spell trouble for Trump’s pick for Powell’s successor, Kevin Warsh. Marketplace’s Nancy Marshall-Genzer joins Kimberly to explain. Plus, we’ll get into what you should know about Warsh’s history at the Fed and more of the latest news from the central bank.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

"Trump’s Political Drama With Powell Overshadows Fed Rate Decision" from The New York Times 
"What would Kevin Warsh bring to the Federal Reserve?" from Marketplace
"Fed keeps interest rates unchanged, despite pressure from Trump" from Marketplace
"Trump Needs an Off-Ramp for Powell Feud to Speed Warsh Into Fed" from Bloomberg
"The economic headache that's coming for Kevin Warsh" from Politico

We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].