Aug 31, 2023

Get used to these labor shortages

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The "silver wave" of retiring baby boomers means labor shortages could last for years. Plus, the U.S. falls from the corn-exporting throne.

Segments From this episode

Despite rising interest rates, consumers increased their spending in July

by Kimberly Adams

Aug 31, 2023

But what they're spending their money on is shifting.

Despite climbing interest rates, consumers spent .9% more on goods in July than in June.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Spending on games and hobbies is up as consumers prepare to hunker down for fall

by Stephanie Hughes

Aug 31, 2023

During the pandemic, people spent money on stuff. Then, they spent money on experiences. Now, it seems they're spending money on things that help them connect.

Ethan Childs, left, and Imani White play Magic the Gathering at Canton Games in Baltimore. Games are part of how they socialize.

Stephanie Hughes/Marketplace

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Biden economist wants businesses to "step up and make investments” in the U.S.

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Aug 31, 2023

Heather Boushey of the Council of Economic Advisers talks about the challenges of implementing the president's economic agenda.

Businesses are "not making the needed investments in the things that matter most," like clean energy infrastructure and chip manufacturing, says Heather Boushey of the Council of Economic Advisers.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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The U.S. is no longer world's leading exporter of corn

by Meghan McCarty Carino

Aug 31, 2023

Brazil breaks America's near-lock on the top spot for half a century. But corn growers are still doing fine.

Despite losing market share to Brazil, U.S. growers are still selling more corn in absolute terms.

Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

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Why labor shortages aren't going anywhere

by Mitchell Hartman

Aug 31, 2023

With the acceleration of baby boomer retirements, multiple sectors face long-term challenges finding enough workers to meet demand.

Pandemic disruptions and baby boomer retirements have created a mismatch between labor supply and demand. That has boosted worker pay, but employers might respond by investing more in automation.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Glimmer Tame Impala

Ordinary Pleasures Toro y Moi

Cataracts Freddie Gibbs, Madlib

Pina Colada Freddie Joachim

Sky's the Limit (feat.112) The Notorious B.I.G., 112

Get By Talib Kweli

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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