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 (2,023)

China's net software could do harm

Jun 26, 2009
China will soon require all computers sold in the country -- including U.S.-made hardware -- be equipped with Internet-filtering software. But glitches in the program could put a strain on U.S.-China relations. Mitchell Hartman explains.

Foreclosures reach prime borrowers

Jun 25, 2009
The next surge in foreclosures has arrived. Borrowers with good credit are defaulting, and the latest wave of foreclosures is already lapping at the edge of communities all over America. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Foreclosure problems trickle to the top

Jun 19, 2009
It's no surprise that the housing crisis hit subprime borrowers or those who bit off more than they could chew. But now foreclosures seem to be making their way to prime borrowers -- those with good credit and a fixed rate. Mitchell Hartman reports.

'Cash For Clunkers' losers and winners

Jun 19, 2009
The Senate has passed a bill that'll give vouchers to car buyers who trade in their gas-guzzling clunkers for more fuel-efficient vehicles. Mitchell Hartman reports on who benefits and loses from the "Cash For Clunkers" program.

Facebook to allow unique user URLs

Jun 12, 2009
Starting tonight, Facebook users can choose their own URL. This will make profiles easier to find in search engines and to remember. Mitchell Hartman reports why it won't be far-fetched to start seeing Facebook URLs on business cards.

Are states fixing jobless programs?

Jun 5, 2009
State jobless programs are billions of dollars in debt, which could spell disaster for unemployment benefits. Mitchell Hartman talks with Tess Vigeland about whether states can turn their programs around.

Job losses for people of all skill levels

Jun 5, 2009
Typically, recessions hit less well-educated workers harder than people with higher degrees. Not this time around. Mitchell Hartman reports recession is broad-based and it's hitting all workers on all levels.

State unemployment funds go bust

Jun 4, 2009
Unemployment insurance is meant to be a safety net for laid-off workers. But so many people are claiming benefits that state unemployment trust funds are broke, or close to it. Mitchell Hartman reports in collaboration with the investigative newsroom Pro Publica.

Just stick with the car you have

Jun 4, 2009
Automakers used to rely on drivers buying a new car every three years. But these days, upkeep is king, even for the most hardcore new-car enthusiasts. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Very different states of unemployment

Jun 3, 2009
How much someone gets in an unemployment check -- and even whether they're eligible at all -- depends a lot on where they live. Mitchell Hartman reports.