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

Mar 5, 2019
With uptick in measles cases, the government is inoculating against anti-vaxxers
Medical experts are blaming the most recent outbreak of measles in the Pacific Northwest on vaccine skeptics, and the government’s crusade against misinformation is in overdrive. Britain’s central bank sets up an auction for euros ahead of Brexit. Fears of an economic slowdown put a damper on China’s big government meeting this week. And for all the plaudits about the gig economy, it turns out — surprise — people like to have steady, full-time jobs. Today’s show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Kronos and the University of Florida Warrington College of Business.
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Mar 5, 2019
Washington opens up a trade spat with a strategic ally
After China, President Trump now appears to be starting a trade row with India. So what beef does Washington have with New Delhi? We’ll also hear what’s got people talking at the Geneva Motor Show. The global car industry is facing a number of challenges — falling sales, demands for lower emissions and talk of a big drop in private car ownership in the future. But automakers are doing their best to drum up excitement around their latest models. Today’s show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Kronos and the University of Florida Warrington College of Business.
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Mar 4, 2019
Splitting the mortgage check
Rumblings early Monday indicate negotiators might be closing in on a U.S.-China tariff deal. China kicks off its big government meeting this week to tackle everything from slowing growth to a new foreign investment law and, of course, the aforementioned tariff deal. And as the housing market appears to get tighter and tighter in places like Los Angeles, some homebuyers are looking to go in on properties with others, but who ends up losing? Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos and WellFrame.
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Mar 4, 2019
The big sort
We take a look at two schools of thought on U.S. tariffs. Thirty years ago today, Time, Inc. announced it was buying Warner Communications, creating the largest media company. Plus, who knew Legos were worth so much? Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos and WellFrame.
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Mar 4, 2019
Optimism around US China trade war
From the BBC World Service… The U.S. and China are reportedly close to reaching an agreement over trade. Meanwhile, China prepares to host the biggest political event of the year in Beijing. We’ll hear what’s on the agenda. Also, move over, quinoa. We find out what superfoods we’ll be eating in the future. Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos and WellFrame.
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Mar 1, 2019
Tesla’s ‘cheap,’ $35K car
Trade talks with China are going great, or there might be a long way to go; the White House can’t seem to get its narratives straight. It now looks like inflation fears might have been overblown. Plus, Tesla finally comes out with it’s $35,000 Model 3, which is considered cheap for the high-end EV maker. What’s ahead for the global energy market? And some New Yorkers plead with Amazon, “Baby, come back!” Today’s show is sponsored by Amenity Health, the University of Florida Warrington College of Business and Brothers Printers.
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Mar 1, 2019
Old Navy’s new outfit
The Gap lets go of Old Navy. SpaceX heads to the International Space Station over the weekend in the hopes of eventually getting Americans back into space in U.S.-made spacecraft. Your airline ticket to Hawaii may get cheaper thanks to Southwest. Today’s show is sponsored by Amenity Health, the University of Florida Warrington College of Business and Brothers Printers.
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Mar 1, 2019
North Korea’s US talks are high stakes for South Korea
From the BBC World Service… A day after talks of denuclearization broke down between the U.S. and North Korea, South Korea’s president gave a speech insisting meaningful progress was, in fact, made during the two-day talks. We’ll explore why the country has such a large stake in the its northern neighbor’s international relationship. Then, as people live longer, governments around the world are grappling with how to deal with higher health care costs. Wearable technology, though, could hold the key to alleviating the strain. Today’s show is sponsored by Amenity Health, the University of Florida Warrington College of Business and Brothers Printers.
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Feb 28, 2019
It’s all about the Benjamins lately
Tariffs take a toll on the GDP. President Trump “walks away” during the North Korea summit. Plus, there are a lot more $100 bills in circulation, and the reason might be less nefarious than you might think. Today’s show is sponsored by Ling Ling Asian Foods, the Alliance for Lifetime Income and Amazon Web Services.
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Feb 28, 2019
Are you ‘experienced’?
The rate of farm loan delinquencies is at a 9-year high, due, in part, to President Trump’s tariffs and low crop prices. The attention humanitarian crises get in the media is impacting the amount of aid going to troubled zones. Plus, as it competes with hospitality disrupters like Airbnb, Marriott focuses on guest “experiences.” And TikTok pays a record fine over children’s privacy. Today’s show is sponsored by Ling Ling Asian Foods, the Alliance for Lifetime Income and Amazon Web Services.
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