Oct 12, 2021

Americans are quitting their jobs in record numbers

The latest jobs data follows recent reports that have shown an economy maintaining strength as new COVID infections have plummeted since late January. Tim Boyle via Getty Images

We'll also hear what a flower company CEO learned during COVID and how online ESL teachers are responding to changes in China's tutoring industry.

Segments From this episode

COVID & Unemployment

The Great Resignation continues in the U.S. workforce

by Kimberly Adams

Oct 12, 2021

A record 4.3 million people quit their jobs in August, according to the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Women walk past by a "Now Hiring" sign in Arlington, Virginia, on Aug. 16. The most recent JOLTS report shows a high number of people leaving the workforce across multiple sectors.

Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

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Why this CEO is leaving “money on the table”

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Oct 12, 2021

“No company wants to say no to growth, but there is another side to that,” said Farmgirl Flowers CEO Christina Stembel.

Christina Stembel, who runs Farmgirl Flowers, a direct-to-consumer flower company, said she’s forfeiting growth opportunities this year in an effort to take on less risk.

Courtesy Farmgirl Flowers

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You do want fries with that: Wendy's and Google bet on drive-thru AI

by Matt Levin

Oct 12, 2021

The deal could include voice-recognition software, mapping apps and other digital tools to improve the drive-thru experience.

Artificial intelligence may be coming to a Wendy's drive-thru near you, thanks to a new pairing with Google Cloud.

Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

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American ESL teachers are in limbo after shift in China's tutoring policy

by Jennifer Pak

Oct 12, 2021

Teachers at one company that's still in business are dealing with financial uncertainty and the thought of lost connections with children.

ESL teacher Kristen Peele during a VIPKid lesson with a student in China. She depends on the income to support her three children.

Courtesy Kristen Peele

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Shelf Life

How the birth of the index fund revolutionized the investing world

by Robin Wigglesworth

Oct 12, 2021

In his new book, journalist Robin Wigglesworth looks at the cast of characters who kickstarted the index fund and how it's grown into the trillion-dollar business it is today.

In an excerpt from his new book, "Trillions: How a Band of Wall Street Renegades Invented the Index Fund and Changed Finance Forever," journalist Robin Wigglesworth tracks the growth of the index fund from invention through to today.

iStock/Getty Images Plus

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Music from the episode

Teenage Birdsong Four Tet

French Letter J-Walk

Mirage Toro y Moi

Burning Maggie Rogers

Make It Easy On Yourself Jerry Butler

Mine Forever Lord Huron

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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