(U.S. Edition) A G-20 summit of financial ministers has ended with the U.S. signing (for a change) a joint statement about potential risks to global economic growth, which include trade tensions. We’ll recap some of the key highlights from the event. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how shifts in the toy and retail industry — like Toys R Us’ bankruptcy — are affecting toymakers. Plus: We talk to Alan Brochstein, founder of the platform 420 Investor,  about what the stock market for weed is looking like. Today’s podcast is sponsored by Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.michiganbusiness.org), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace), and USPS (USPS.com/future). (07/23/2018)  

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … G-20 leaders have been meeting to try and head off a global trade war. We’ll bring you the latest. Then, in India, at least 18 people have been killed in a series of lynchings after a video spread widely via WhatsApp groups. The killings have prompted WhatsApp to take action. We’ll explain what it plans to do and how misinformation is being transmitted widely among those groups. Then, Americans streamed more than 400 billion songs in the first half of this year, a trend that’s upending the way the music industry works. But is every artist embracing the change? Today’s podcast is sponsored by Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.michiganbusiness.org), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace), and USPS (USPS.com/future). (07/23/2018)

(Markets Edition) President Trump has criticized the China and the European for allegedly “manipulating their currencies and interest rates lower.” Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial, joined us to discuss how true these claims are. Afterwards, we’ll chat with labor economist Giovanni Peri about what America’s changing immigration policies could mean for wages, employment growth, and the overall economy. Today’s podcast is sponsored by Memory Bank (mymemorybank.com/apm) and Indeed (indeed.com/marketplace). (07/20/2018)

(U.S. Edition) General Electric has reported second-quarter earnings, revealing that it beat expectations. But over the past year, its stock has been down 50 percent. We’ll take a look at how a company that used to be the most valuable in the world is trying to turn itself around. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how a gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany is causing controversy, and then we’ll turn back the clock to examine whether the job market is as good as it was at the end of the Clinton administration. Today’s podcast is sponsored by Memory Bank (mymemorybank.com/apm) and Indeed (indeed.com/marketplace). (07/20/2018)  

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … North Korea’s economy suffered its biggest contraction in two decades as international sanctions imposed over the country’s nuclear programs began to bite. But can the economic pressure on Pyongyang force change to its nuclear policy? Then, feeling tired at work? Spare a thought for a group of women in India who have just won the right to sit down on the job. We’ll explain how the case began. And, what do you do if you’re a luxury clothing brand with excess stock at the end of the season? Apparently you burn it. We’ll delve into the world of fast fashion. Today’s podcast is sponsored by Memory Bank (mymemorybank.com/apm) and Indeed (indeed.com/marketplace). (07/20/2018)

(Markets Edition) President Trump has threatened “tremendous retribution” against the European Union over trade, possibly targeting imported cars, trucks and auto parts. We’ll look at how groups representing automakers feel about these potential penalties, and what they mean for car prices. Afterwards, we’ll chat with Diane Swonk, chief economist for the firm Grant Thornton, about what she expects the country’s second-quarter GDP results to look like, and then we’ll talk with political risk consultant Ian Bremmer about how America is doing as a brand. Today’s podcast is sponsored by Abby Connect (abbyconnect.com/morning), Battelle (Battelle.org/QI), and USPS (USPS.com/future). (07/19/2018)

(U.S. Edition) The Senate is voting today on Trump’s pick to head the IRS (Charles Rettig), which comes during a week when the agency is getting blowback for a new policy. We’ll discuss the rule, which says that certain types of nonprofits will no longer have to disclose their big donors. Afterwards, we’ll look at how Tesla investors are getting worried about CEO Elon Musk’s temperament, and then we’ll talk to MIT economics professor David Autor about current trade tensions. Today’s podcast is sponsored by Abby Connect (abbyconnect.com/morning), Battelle (Battelle.org/QI), and USPS (USPS.com/future). (07/19/2018)  

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Brussels is warning European businesses to do more to prepare for a “no deal” Brexit. With 253 days left until the U.K. leaves the European Union and no end in sight to British infighting, should businesses keep calm and carry on? Afterwards, we’ll discuss how Cuba is preparing to change its constitution in a shake-up that will include recognition of private land ownership for the first time in more than 40 years. Then, it’s been branded the world’s most controversial energy project. The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will cement Germany’s reliance on Russian gas for decades to come. But as tensions between the EU, the U.S. and Russia intensify, will the pipeline tip the balance of power in favor of the Kremlin? Today’s podcast is sponsored by Abby Connect (abbyconnect.com/morning), Battelle (Battelle.org/QI), and USPS (USPS.com/future). (07/19/2018)

(Markets Edition) The construction of new homes in the U.S. plunged in June, according to data out today. We’ll chat with Susan Schmidt, senior vice president at Westwood Holdings Group, about how much of a cause for concern this is. Afterwards, we’ll discuss a new study that finds urgent care centers are prescribing antiobiotics to nearly half of patients with colds or the flu, which could actually end up harming patients. Then to cap off today’s show, we’ll explore how California’s education system isn’t see much of a return on the state’s lottery revenues. Today’s podcast is sponsored by Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.michiganbusiness.org), Anchor, LLC (anchorbooks.co/marketplace), and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (07/18/2018)