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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 (2,055)

Gamers score at playing cheap online

Apr 13, 2009
Low-cost online games are thriving as an alternative to pricey video games that require high-end consoles. Mitchell Hartman explores who's benefiting most in the gaming industry and who's playing the games.

Will merger of homebuilders help?

Apr 8, 2009
Housing company stocks soared after two home building giants announced a merger. But the housing market is still struggling in the short run. So is the money being spent worth it? Mitchell Hartman reports.

Workers fight against defense cuts

Apr 7, 2009
The Department of Defense's budget is being trimmed, and many of the cuts are happening in the aviation field. But the people who help make planes are fighting back. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Infrastructure bids lower than expected

Apr 2, 2009
State and local governments are gearing up to spend federal stimulus money on projects like repaving roads, widening interstates and retrofitting government buildings. And contractors are offering good deals. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Home selling moves to a new stage

Apr 1, 2009
As desperation sets in among home sellers, some are using actors to simulate lively neighborhoods in otherwise empty developments. Mitchell Hartman reports this April 1 exclusive.

Twittering your business away

Mar 31, 2009
Twitter has made a quick name for itself in the business world as a handy tool for entrepreneurs. Mitchell Hartman explores the unique ways different businesses use the tool -- and tries his own hand at tweeting.

Afraid of layoffs, they ready biz plans

Mar 25, 2009
With job losses piling up, some workers are taking preemptive measures to ensure they will be able to land on their feet should a pink slip come. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Housing slowdown is slowing down

Mar 24, 2009
Housing values are falling, again. But from December to January, the housing market rose by 1.7%. So is the housing market up or down? Mitchell Hartman reports.

Unemployment expansion a tough sell

Mar 20, 2009
With unemployment benefits soon to run out for 500,000 laid-off workers, the federal government is encouraging states to sign up for more funding. But some governors don't want the money. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Franchises can still sell in a downturn

Mar 20, 2009
The International Franchise Expo kicks off today in Washington, D.C., and companies from everywhere will be looking hard for franchise buyers. Mitchell Hartman reports why this might be a good time to get into a franchise.