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

Nov 1, 2022
Tower Records stores have actually been thriving all this time — in Japan
Courtesy of Rei Teraura
In the age of streaming, we looked into why physical music remains popular in the world’s second largest music market.
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Nov 1, 2022
Judge blocks merger of book publishing titans
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A federal judge has blocked Penguin Random House from buying up rival Simon & Schuster, which counts as a win in the Biden administration’s battle against industry consolidation. Also, Tower Records might not be a huge thing in the U.S. these days, but it’s emerged as a culture beacon in Japan.
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Nov 1, 2022
Could China be ready to end its zero-COVID strategy?
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: Unverified social media posts reportedly indicate a committee of some kind is being formed to discuss how to end the world’s strictest COVID-19 mitigation measures in China. That’s sent stocks in Hang Seng and Shanghai surging. Plus, truck drivers in Brazil who support outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro have been blocking major roadways to protest his defeat, prompting concerns for food supply chains and the economy. And, what hosting the soccer world cup could mean for Qatar’s economy.
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Oct 31, 2022
The specter of inflation haunts this week’s Fed meeting
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Many economists believe the gathering of Fed policymakers is an omen of another interest rate hike to fight inflation. Over in Europe, inflation’s growth has led to some very real cost-of-living horror, as the BBC reports. Then, we check in on some school districts in Texas that have shape-shifted their schedules into a four-day work week.
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Oct 31, 2022
Russia sparks a rise in grain prices
Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images
Russia has suspended a deal allowing Ukrainian grain exports out of the Black Sea. The debate over sick days has jammed up negotiations between unions and the railroad industry. Federal aid will become accessible to homeless hurricane victims.
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Oct 31, 2022
How safe are grain ships leaving Ukraine?
Yasin Akgul/AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: While Russia pulled out of a deal allowing Ukrainian grain exports to safely leave the country, the U.N. says a dozen ships left Ukraine on Monday. So far, the grain deal has allowed almost 10 million tons to leave Ukraine since July. Plus, Brazil’s president-elect Lula da Silva pledges to tackle poverty, again. And, the English pumpkin farmer whose business is booming this Halloween.
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Oct 28, 2022
How colleges can adapt to a shape-shifting economy, with Rice University’s new president
Erika Soderstrom / Marketplace
Marketplace’s David Brancaccio checked in with Reginald DesRoches, Rice’s new President who took the reins in July.
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Oct 28, 2022
Elon Musk owns Twitter. No one really knows what’s next.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
One big question: Will it become a looser place for content? We talk with Lauren Hirsch of the New York Times about Musk’s potential next steps. Christopher Low of FHN Financial discusses consumer spending. Then, we dive into tax-related boycotts in a Texas county with reporter Andrew Schneider of Houston Public Media.
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Oct 28, 2022
It’s not exactly straight A’s for two Big Tech titans
Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
Apple and Amazon’s earnings reports show growth, but also some signs of slippage. Then, during our time in Texas, we have a chat with the new president of Rice University.
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Oct 28, 2022
A new owner and a shake-up at Twitter
Carina Johansen/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
From the BBC World Service: The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has tweeted suggesting he’s now officially Twitter’s owner. Plus, why interest rates aren’t rising in Japan, unlike in many other countries. And, how a political stalemate in Northern Ireland is putting pressure on businesses and households.
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