Mar 6, 2023

Tallying the steep costs of gender inequality

Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

The global economy could get a $7-trillion-a-year boost if more women were in the workforce, a report finds. Plus, explaining the economic history of racism to young readers.

Segments From this episode

Buckle up for a big economics week in Washington

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer

Mar 6, 2023

Fed Chair Jerome Powell testifies on Capitol Hill tomorrow and Wednesday. President Biden is set to release a budget outline on Thursday, and we get February jobs numbers this Friday.

Above, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testifies to Congress in June. He's slated to appear before lawmakers again this week to discuss the central bank's activities and a range of economic issues.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

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The global economic cost of gender inequality in the workplace? $7 trillion per year

by Stephanie Hughes

Mar 6, 2023

A new study finds that more women in the workforce — and fewer roadblocks to their success — could grow the global economy significantly by boosting productivity.

Actions like lowering child care costs could lower the barriers to women entering the workforce.

Jaime Reina/AFP via Getty Images

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Immigrants help fill gaps in trucking workforce

by Elizabeth Trovall

Mar 6, 2023

Trucking is an increasingly immigrant-driven industry as U.S.-born drivers retire and demand to move freight remains high.

Like many trades, trucking doesn’t attract U.S.-born workers like it used to. The hours are long, and the median pay is around $48,000 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Palmer/Getty Images

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As book bans sweep the country, an adaptation for young readers pushes back

by Kimberly Adams and Sarah Leeson

Mar 6, 2023

Heather McGhee's new version of "The Sum of Us" urges transcending racial barriers and creating "common solutions to our common problems."

Author Heather McGhee greets a young girl as she buys books for her middle school teachers at Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington, D.C. McGhee adapted her book "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together" for a young audience.

Paul Peachey

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Amid gas stove debate, manufacturers hope the induction market will heat up

by Savannah Maher

Mar 6, 2023

Manufacturers are ramping up production of induction stoves and cooktops, which use electromagnetism to heat pots and pans. But there's a reason the technology hasn't caught on.

Cities like Seattle, LA and New York have moved to ban natural gas appliance hookups in new construction homes.

John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Deep East 17

Simmer Hayley Williams

Social Insecurity Oddissee

Luvaroq Elujay, serpentwithfeet

Flutter Mocky

In Your Light Gotye

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Daisy Palacios Senior Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer

Sean McHenry Associate Producer

Andie Corban Associate Producer

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer

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