Productivity climbs — without hiring to match

Segments From This Episode

• Why productivity keeps climbing while the labor market stays flat

  by Nova Safo

  

  The Labor Department’s shutdown-delayed report shows third quarter productivity grew at the fastest pace in two years — a 4.9% annualized gain.

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• "We ended 2025 at our highest net revenue that we've ever had."

  by Sofia Terenzio

  Dylan Demery, owner of She's Fly in Fort Collins, Colorado, reflects on a successful holiday season for her business.

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• How many federal jobs could you do?

  by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

  

  Alexandra Petri at The Atlantic spent five months attempting to do federal work targeted for cuts — including forecasting the weather and collecting price data.

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• NYC to provide expansion of free child care in "high-need" areas

  by Samantha Fields

  

  Two year-olds in “high-need” areas will be the first to benefit from free child care that older preschoolers already receive.

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• After a bright holiday, this candle maker is ready for a break

  by Sean McHenry

  Colina Bruce at Noir Lux Candle Bar in Seattle talks about the end of the holiday retail season.

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• The Numbers

  by Kai Ryssdal

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• Job market shows signs of recovery after "grim" 2025

  by Mitchell Hartman

  

  Employers announced 8% fewer layoffs in December than a year earlier.

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• Will 2026 be the year of toys? This small business owner hopes the answer is yes

  by Sean McHenry

  Phillip Rollins, owner of the record, comic, and toy store OffBeat in Jackson, Mississippi, describes how his holiday season went and what he's hoping to see this year.

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• River communities are building their own whitewater waves — and it’s transforming their economies

  by Laura Hackett

  

  These “perfect waves” attract kayakers, river surfers, and plenty of visitors.

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