Tony Wagner

I work on digital and publishing strategy for Marketplace's podcasts “Make Me Smart,” “The Uncertain Hour” and “Corner Office,” along with upcoming projects and the podcast versions of our flagship radio shows.

What was your first job?

I was a "party coach," serving pizza and cutting cake at The Play Station, a birthday venue in my hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was kind of like a Chuck E. Cheese, but train-themed.

What is something that everyone should own, no matter how much it costs?

A good pair of boots is not cheap, but they'll last your whole life.

What’s something that you thought you knew but later found out you were wrong about?

I used to think I didn't like tacos, because when I was growing up in a small mostly white suburb in the Midwest, "tacos" meant ground beef, limp lettuce, pre-shredded cheese and a seasoning packet in a hard shell. It took moving to LA for me to realize how narrow my view was and start exploring the endless varieties and rich history of my absolute favorite food.

What’s the favorite item in your workspace and why?

For Christmas a few years ago, my good friend (and Marketplace colleague) Sarah Menendez gave me a framed photo of the animatronic baby Grinch from the 2000 Jim Carrey adaptation of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." It's been on my desk ever since, and when people ask, I say he's my son.