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Mitchell Hartman

Correspondent

SHORT BIO

Mitchell’s most important job at Marketplace is to explain the economy in ways that non-expert, non-business people can understand. Michell thinks of his audience as anyone who works, whether for money or not, and lives in the economy . . . which is most people.

Mitchell wants to understand, and help people understand, how the economy works, who it helps, who it hurts and why. Mitchell gets to cover what he thinks are some of the most interesting aspects of the economy: wages and inflation, consumer psychology, wealth inequality, economic theory and how it measures up to economic reality.

Mitchell was a high school newspaper nerd and a college newspaper editor. He has worked for The Philadelphia Inquirer, WXPN-FM, WBAI-FM, KPFK-FM, Pacifica Radio, the CBC, the BBC, Monitor Radio, Cairo Today Magazine, The Jordan Times, The Middletown Press, The New Haven Register, Oregon Business Magazine, the Reed College Alumni Magazine, and Marketplace (twice — 1994-2001 & 2008-present).

Mitchell has gone on strike (Newspaper Guild vs. Knight Ridder, Philadelphia, 1985) and helped organize a union (with SAG-AFTRA at Marketplace, 2021-23). Mitchell once interviewed Marcel Marceau and got him to talk.

Latest Stories (2,035)

Why not further empower the Fed?

Jul 15, 2009
The White House wants to try to avoid the next financial crisis by giving new powers to the Federal Reserve, but a group of prominent investors and former regulators says that's a bad idea. Bill Radke talks to Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman.

Lobbyists call health care bill costly

Jul 15, 2009
The health care bill unveiled yesterday by House Democrats would insure nearly all Americans and run up a trillion-dollar bill, paid for with tax hikes and surcharges. Business lobbyists say it's too expensive. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Exxon looks to benefits of pond scum

Jul 14, 2009
Exxon is expected to invest $600 million to develop a new generation of fuels derived from algae. Mitchell Hartman explains the various environmental benefits to algae and Exxon's involvement with biofuel investing.

Job gains in environment, health care

Jul 13, 2009
The Council of Economic Advisers reports green jobs and health care jobs will see the biggest gains in the next few years. This is fueling a backlash against stimulus spending to benefit the labor market. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Government not helping CIT so far

Jul 13, 2009
Congress met with regulators and government officials this weekend to come to a decision over CIT, a lender specializing in business financing. The banking group's troubles could have some major ripple effects. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Retail sales continue steep decline

Jul 9, 2009
Retail chains are reporting dismal monthly sales numbers, despite cutting inventories and discounting prices. So why are most of the major retailers still doing so badly? Mitchell Hartman reports.

A concert with that Doritos bag

Jul 7, 2009
Late Night Doritos chips are not only good for a snack, but also a free online concert. Mitchell Hartman explains.

L.A. business ready for Jackson service

Jul 7, 2009
The city of Los Angeles hosts thousands as fans flock to Staples Center to pay tribute to Michael Jackson. Some businesses around the city see opportunities for extra cash. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Small spike in IPOs signals optimism

Jul 3, 2009
The flow of initial public offerings slowed to a crawl during the first half 2009, but the number of IPOs has taken off recently. Could this spell success for start-ups in the months ahead? Mitchell Hartman reports.

Very different states of unemployment

Jul 3, 2009
How much money people get in their unemployment checks -- and even whether they're eligible for jobless benefits -- depends a lot on where they live. Mitchell Hartman reports.