Jan 17, 2022

TikTok is changing the voice of brands online

Thanks to its Gen Z social media coordinator and big green owl, the official TikTok account for language learning company Duolingo recently blew up. Photo Illustration by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Plus: A dispatch about China's economic recovery, a preview of the messy tax season ahead and a check-in with a mechanic mom of three.

Segments From this episode

Expect a messy tax season after last year's delays

by Kristin Schwab

Jan 17, 2022

Some 6 million returns from last year have yet to be processed. Delays could snowball for seasons to come.

File your taxes early, experts advise. Delays in moving last year's returns through the system could stall processing this year.

Drew Angerer via Getty Images

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China releases GDP, retail sales figures for 2021

by Jennifer Pak

Jan 17, 2022

The economy expanded a healthy 8.1% and retail sales 12.5%. Indications for 2022, tempered by COVID lockdowns, are lackluster.

People eat at a restaurant in Hong Kong. While travel in China has dipped, restaurant and catering sales climbed 18.6%.

Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

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Why are there so many celebrity beauty brands?

by Reema Khrais and Andie Corban

Jan 17, 2022

Beauty reporter Cheryl Wischhover says social media and industry profits are behind the abundance of celebrity makeup and skincare lines.

Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

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Community colleges hit hardest by higher-ed enrollment slump

by Samantha Fields

Jan 17, 2022

Low-income students are facing bigger barriers due to pandemic-related hardships.

COVID-19 has exacerbated some of the barriers low-income and first-generation students face when applying to college.

FatCamera/Getty Images

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The creative force behind a viral corporate TikTok account

by Reema Khrais and Maria Hollenhorst

Jan 17, 2022

Duolingo’s social media coordinator on their big green owl, the “Wendy’s effect” and changing the voice of brands online.

Thanks to its Gen Z social media coordinator and big green owl, the official TikTok account for language learning company Duolingo recently blew up.

Photo Illustration by Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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My Economy

Automotive supply chain issues haven't driven this mechanic mom out of business

by Anais Amin

Jan 17, 2022

When Erin Gomes opened her repair shop in March 2020, it was deemed an essential business. That helped keep it up and running.

Erin Gomes

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Music from the episode

Pink + White Frank Ocean

Glass Shamir

Hard to Say Goodbye Washed Out

Redbone Childish Gambino

Don't Sweat the Technique Eric B and Rakim

INDUSTRY BABY Lil Nas X

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

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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