Erika Soderstrom

Associate Producer

Erika works with a group of extraordinary producers to chase business and economic stories heard on “Marketplace Morning Report.”

Latest from Erika Soderstrom

Jul 24, 2023
Skin in the Game: Fake money, real stakes
Dave Benett/Getty Images
In some video games, the built-in financial system closely mirrors real-world economics. Researchers are looking to games like Everquest II draw conclusions about spending habits and more. Plus, Boppenheimer surpasses box office expectations.
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Jul 24, 2023
The claim in Spain is that voters go again
Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: Spain’s muddled election results mean more confusion for businesses as it remains unclear whether a government can be formed; the BBC’s Guy Hedgecoe explains what it means from Madrid. Plus we hear from British tourists caught up in the devastating wildfires that have hit the Greek island of Rhodes. And finally, with Barbie making a huge impact at the box office, Elizabeth Hotson reports on businesses betting big on going pink.
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Jul 21, 2023
Boppenheimer at the box office
Mark Makela/Getty Images
With actors on strike, how will movies fare at the box office without actors doing promotion? Plus, a new money transferring service from the Fed and the case for investing more in women’s soccer.
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Jul 21, 2023
Turkey plays rate hike catch-up
Adem Altan/AFP via Getty Images
In Turkey, a changing of the economic policy guard means that the country is raising rates for the first time in this inflationary economy. Plus, a first step toward smoother air travel in the House, and a look at how AI might be implemented in the workforce.
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Jul 21, 2023
Temperatures soar across Europe
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From the BBC World Service: There are weather warnings across Italy and the heatwave in Spain is set to intensify, with temperatures predicted to reach 112 degrees near Seville, and there’s no let-up in sight. Amsterdam’s city’s council has banned cruise ships from the city center — the aim is to limit visitor numbers and curb pollution. Despite the huge popularity of the women’s soccer, as the World Cup gets underway, there’s controversy over the pay disparity between the men’s and women’s games.
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Jul 20, 2023
Why legacy admission might stick around
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images
Although some elite colleges are dropping legacy preference as a way to increase diversity without affirmative action, others might keep it around to buoy their bottom line. Plus, the fight for fairer workers compensation death benefits.
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Jul 20, 2023
Here’s what might happen if all that open office space stays empty
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
One thing seems likely, says Lisa Knee of EisnerAmper: real estate is going to need new, creative investors to stay on track.
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Jul 20, 2023
Trickle-down… commercial real estate crisis?
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
With so much commercial real estate sitting empty, banks are concerned that difficulty selling could snowball into credit losses and a rise in loan defaults. Will the broader economy feel that stress? Plus, FEMA needs more cash and Netflix’s stock dropped.
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Jul 20, 2023
Grain prices spike on Russian words and deeds
Oleksandr Gimanov/AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: Wheat prices have spiked after Russian attacks on grain stores in Ukraine, and a declaration that ships heading to Ukrainian ports will be considered military targets. Plus, current and former staff at McDonald’s in the UK continue to come forward alleging bullying or harassment following a BBC investigation. On Wednesday McDonald’s asked anyone who has experienced or witnessed inappropriate behavior to contact its new confidential and independent reporting line. And, as the women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand we hear from a top agent about the changing commercial landscape.
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Jul 19, 2023
Maternity rights for women’s pro soccer players are still evolving
Ira L. Black - Corbis / Getty Images
We are looking at the business stories around women’s soccer this week with the Women’s World Cup starting on Thursday. Today the story is what it’s like to be a pro player and a mom, and how maternity leave rules have changed.
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