Week of December 22nd, 2025

Fewer than 1% of job listings in 2025 advertised an end-of-year bonus, one study showed. Plus: Play-Doh and anime.

“I think the anime business is absolutely on a roll right now,” said Doug Montgomery, CEO of Global Connects Media. “Nothing's gonna stop it in the near future.”

Tim Walsh, toy designer with The Playmakers and author of “Timeless Toys,” talks about the origins of Play-Doh.

In 2021, about 44% of workers received a holiday or annual bonus, according to payroll processor ADP. Since then, that number has been falling as bonuses become less common.

Kimberly talks with Crunchyroll’s Mitchel Berger about the global rise of anime.

The origins of the term reflect worries about accuracy and honesty at restaurants.

On today’s show: the end of tax exemption, a licensing deal with Nvidia, and a look at precious metal prices.

Since the de minimis exemption was abolished four months ago, the number of parcels coming to the U.S. worth less than $800 has fallen by 54%.

According to a National Retail Federation survey, 72% of retailers have started charging for certain returns this year, up from 66% last year.

According to the National Retail Federation, 72% of retailers have started charging for certain returns this year. Why?

From the BBC World Service: We hear how Mexico, China, and other countries have been on this year’s tariff roller coaster ride.

About 25 states passed laws that bar minors from certain online activities this year, mainly through age verification requirements on certain sites.

“What walks down stairs alone or in pairs and makes a slinkety sound? Everyone knows it’s Slinky!”

Home heating costs are expected to jump more than 9% this winter. Plus: Slinkys, widgets, “football,” and AI training.

Now that many AI algorithms have mastered simple tasks, companies are looking to train their models on data directly from engineers, lawyers, scientists, and more.

Widgets are a general stand-in for any produced good. But how do we think about widgets when goods are only a fraction of what we produce?

An expensive home cooling season over the summer has many families starting winter in the red.

And, why what tops the charts can feel random these days.

Gas prices are at the lowest level since 2021, according to AAA. Also: medical advice from AI.

Warehousing use contracted in November for the first time in the Logistics Manager’s Index 9-year history.

This morning, we hear a Portland food industry power couple make the case for takeout on Christmas. Also: a supply chain check-in.

From the BBC World Service: The city of Yiwu produces more than half of the world’s Christmas decor.

Will Gottsegen, a staff writer at The Atlantic, tests out Meta’s AI smart glasses and gives a recap of how AI continues to get embedded in everyday consumer tech.

Despite a bright spot in new unemployment claims, the labor market will likely continue on its current trajectory. Plus: agrivoltaics, recession recipes, AI investment, and Legos.

The drop in unemployment claims is good news, but other indicators show that few jobs have been created over the past few months — a trend likely to continue in 2026.

Daniel Konstanski, author of “The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks,” tells the tale of how a small Danish company developed the world’s most adored building toy.

Investment in artificial intelligence companies and data centers helped boost the U.S. economy’s growth in the third quarter, a sector that has not felt much impact from the president’s tariffs.

Many workers earlier in their careers see return-to-office policies as a way to build relationships and gain mentorship.

2025 has been the year of getting dragged back to the office for many workers, but not everyone is upset about it.

Industrial activity was down 0.1% in October and up 0.2% in November, according to the Federal Reserve.

Food pantries say uncertainty around SNAP is driving more families to seek help.

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore Homeland Security funding to 12 states and the District of Columbia.

From the BBC World Service: Chinese regulators gave narrow approval to just two companies to further test autonomous taxis.

BBC’s Anna Holligan chronicles how a university lab is using dead trees and fungus to make an Earth-friendly insulation.

The growth was driven by strong consumer spending and AI infrastructure investment. Plus: homeowners insurance, holiday spending, and ACA insurance alternatives.

According to new research, climate risks are continuing to drive homeowner’s insurance skyward.

U.S. GDP rose 4.3% from July through September, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Options that might seem like alternatives, like fixed indemnities and short-term plans, don’t offer comprehensive medical coverage and aren’t subject to ACA patient protections.

Some of the best surfing is possible during those icy, windy months before the lakes freeze over. Those willing to face the frost actually help boost beachside communities.

Tariffs, the K-shaped economy, and more.

But it’s not clear whether the increase is driven by hope or anxiety.

Disney is investing $1 billion in OpenAI and purchasing ChatGPT for employees.

Today, we unpack what a licensing deal between Disney and OpenAI’s Sora means for consumers.

A growing number of Americans are finding themselves out of work for six months or longer.

 End-of-year surveys measured a glum economic mood.

Novo Nordisk will be releasing a cheaper, oral version of Wegovy. Also on the show: unpacking consumer sentiment and long-term unemployment.

From the BBC World Service: Today, we hear how fake IT applicants in North Korea attempted to get hired by Amazon to fund their government's weapons programs.

Many wanted to advance in an innovative and competitive AI landscape, according to Suyash Pasi, research analyst and editor at the nonprofit Human Rights Research Center.

We can thank growing geopolitical uncertainty for both. Plus: beef prices, corporate “storytellers” and a vintage tech museum.

It’s not all about the whole “safe haven” thing.

According to LinkedIn, the number of job listings that include “storyteller” have doubled in 2025.

Sarai and Huxley Dunsany tell the story of turning Huxley’s vintage technology collection into the family business.

Demand for beef is high at the same time that cattle inventory is low — and ranchers are cautious about investing in growing their herds at a time of economic uncertainty.

The greenback is down a little over 9% since January. With some uncertainty in the U.S. economy headed into the new year, the dollar may continue to weaken.

The process often starts with companies and consultants. It involves federal, state, and local regulators too. 

A collection of stories on the business and economics of food.

A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule designed to give consumers greater control over their financial data is now in limbo.

A CFPB rule designed to give consumers more control over their financial data is now in limbo, as banks and fintech companies clash over who gets access — and at what cost.

More retail sites are integrating AI into the online shopping experience.

Drivers are seeing cheaper gas prices, but plenty of other travel-related expenses are costlier.

From the BBC World Service: Jim Beam is halting production at its main facility next year amid rising pressures from retaliatory tariffs and weakening consumer demand.

Just like they did with Google, people are asking AI chatbots about their symptoms. Dr. Hassan Bencheqroun wants to hear what it has to say.