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 (2,016)

Combining love and work is an art

Feb 13, 2009
Hand crafters Michael Wood and Mona Harris met through work and fell in love, and eventually started working together. Mitchell Hartman reports to keep such a relationship healthy, you've got to be crafty.

Bankrupt stores can still sell their name

Feb 12, 2009
Several big retail chains have been going bust in this economy, with Circuit City and Mervyn's the latest to fall. But some companies are willing to spend some money on a still valuable brand name. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Close check on child-product chemicals

Feb 10, 2009
A new U.S. law in effect today says child products can't contain more than one-tenth of 1 percent phthalates, a plastic-softening chemical. Congress passed it after last year's recalls of Chinese-made toys. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Mr. Clean goes from kitchen to car wash

Feb 5, 2009
Mr. Clean is getting a second job. Procter & Gamble is planning to expand its Mr. Clean Car Wash franchise nationwide. But is it that a good idea in this recession? Mitchell Hartman reports.

House on small business health care

Feb 4, 2009
Today a House committee will explore the challenge small businesses face to cover their employees. Some reformers want to mandate employers provide insurance or pay into a government fund. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Commission delays lead testing in toys

Feb 2, 2009
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has delayed testing and certification requirements for lead content in children's toys and other products for a year. Tess Vigeland speaks with reporter Mitchell Hartman about the impacts of the delay.

Portland realtor deals in tough market

Jan 29, 2009
Home sales continue to plunge, which must be pretty frustrating for real estate agents who depend on commissions from home sales. Mitchell Hartman spends time with one of them in Portland, Ore.

Clean-tech strong in venture capital

Jan 26, 2009
Solar power and "smart-grid" technology are the current winners in the venture capital race, and clean-tech is beating out biotech, which is getting a healthy shake-out. Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman reports.

The mompreneurial spirit

Jan 23, 2009
With the economy in a tailspin, many stay-at-home moms are starting businesses to help support their families. Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman reports on these so-called "mompreneurs."

Mid-tier banks face their own troubles

Jan 22, 2009
Megabanks like JP Morgan and Citigroup make headlines for their losses, but smaller and mid-tier banks are suffering as well. But Mitchell Hartman explains how the troubles of these banks may differ.