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David Brancaccio

"Future Effects" Senior Correspondent

David Brancaccio is Marketplace’s “future effects” senior correspondent. In this role, David aims to explore how short-term thinking can impact our personal finances, innovation, government policy, and more.

David worked as the host and senior editor of “Marketplace Morning Report” from 2013 to 2026, where he focused on the regulation of financial markets, the role of technology in labor markets, the history of innovation, digital privacy, sustainability, social enterprises, and financial vulnerability in older adults. David freelanced for Marketplace in 1989 before becoming the program’s European correspondent based in London in 1990.

David hosted the evening program from 1993-2003, then anchored the award-winning public television news program “Now” on PBS after a period co-hosting with journalist Bill Moyers. David has co-produced and appeared in several documentaries, including “Fixing the Future,” about alternative approaches to the economy, and “On Thin Ice,” about climate change and water security, with mountaineer Conrad Anker. David is the author of “Squandering Aimlessly,” a book about personal values and money. He enjoys moderating public policy discussions, including at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Chicago Ideas Week, and the Camden Conference in Maine.

David is from Waterville, Maine, and has degrees from Wesleyan and Stanford universities. Honors include the Peabody, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University, Emmy, and Walter Cronkite awards. He is married to Mary Brancaccio, a poet and educator. They have three offspring, all adults. He likes making beer and building (and launching) pretty big rockets. Among his heroes are Edward R. Murrow and Wolfman Jack.

Latest from David Brancaccio

  • Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    Today’s GDP numbers likely lifted many an economist’s spirits — the economy grew at 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter last year, a solid showing despite inflation pressures and the threat of recession. KPMG Chief Economist Diane Swonk helps us dissect what’s in today’s report. Boeing is being sued for fraud over faults in its 737 MAX plane that caused two fatal crashes. And, a look at the effects of the increasing amount of private money flowing into drug rehabilitation programs. 

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  • Axon, maker of the Taser, is reportedly keeping its controversial "Taser drone" idea alive, said journalist Dina Temple-Raston.
    David McNew/Getty Images

    Dina Temple-Raston, host of the Click Here podcast, walks us through the polarizing school safety proposal.

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  • Taser drones in schools — real thing or just an idea?
    Jon Cherry/Getty Images

    The maker of the Taser, the weapon meant to be a non-lethal option for law enforcement, is toying with the idea of selling drones with Tasers attached. Among the potential clients: schools. We talked to Dina Temple-Raston, host of the “Click Here” podcast, about her reporting on the story. Southwest is facing a probe on whether the airline booked more flights than it could cancel at the time of its mass-cancellation debacle. And, there are storm clouds hanging over the housing market, but there are some signs they may be lifting a bit. 

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  • Tankonomics: How much do they cost to supply and support?
    Photo by GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images

    From the BBC World Service: A deal has finally been done to send American and German tanks to Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky says they need to be delivered quickly, but just how realistic is that – and how costly? We hear from the former commander of the British Army’s tank regiment. Millions of Pakistanis were left without power this week after a major failure of the country’s energy grid. The system is back up and running but businesses tell us they fear more cuts, and the disruption they bring. And, how the Dutch have made more space for cyclists by building an underwater bike park.

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  • Caution amid a relatively downbeat earnings season
    Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury/Getty Images

    The corporate earnings season has thus far been a downer. Yesterday, Microsoft announced its profits fell 12 percent last quarter, which comes after major banks reported similarly poor performances. We check in with Susan Schmidt, head of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, about what to expect as companies continue to report earnings. Copper prices are surging worldwide, partly due to China’s re-emergence after lifting its Covid lockdown restrictions. And, a report from the BBC’s Sally Nabil from Egypt about the country’s worsening economic situation. 

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  • Tesla CEO Elon Musk leaves the Phillip Burton Federal Building on Jan. 24, 2023, where he testified at a trial regarding tweets saying he was taking Tesla private.
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    University of Michigan’s Erik Gordon says Musk may have offered us salient advice: don’t take what he says as gospel.

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  • Elon Musk on trial over a market-moving tweet
    Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

    Tesla and Twitter CEO Elon Musk is once again defending himself against a lawsuit. This time, plaintiffs are suing Musk over a 2018 tweet saying he was considering taking Tesla private which caused investors to lose money. Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan, helps us break down the suit. And, the Department of Justice is suing Google’s parent company, Alphabet, over allegations that the company has monopolized the digital advertising business.

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  • Amazon's the acquisition of health clinics run by One Medical has been approved by antitrust regulators, but similar deals may still face future scrutiny.
    Ethan Miller/Getty Images

    From the BBC World Service: We hear from the Amazon workers in the UK who are staging their first strike in a dispute over pay and conditions. Plus, a German union says Ford is planning thousands of job cuts in Europe. What’s driving the group’s future strategy? And, Egypt is struggling with rising prices, a weak currency and a cash-strapped government. What impact is that having on day-to-day lives?

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  • A Live Nation sign is seen inside a Blockbuster store in New York City.
    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    The CEO of Live Nation, a live entertainment company bought by Ticketmaster over a decade ago, is facing a grilling on Capitol Hill over last year’s online sales debacle Taylor Swift concert tickets. This, as it reportedly faces a probe by the Department of Justice. There’s data today that orders from factories are down, which comes amid a spate of bad news for the sector. And, as part of our Econ Extra Credit series, we delve into how social media and algorithms promote a certain body image…and how that can translate into harm for some people. 

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  • Being surrounded by outrageously fit physiques can affect how we view our own bodies. A licensed psychologist walks us through how to maneuver the fitness industry online.
    Mark Evans/Getty Images

    A conversation about how extreme fitness goals can affect our mental health.

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