Sep 22, 2022

A cautious approach to holiday hiring

Walmart employees walk down an aisle during Black Friday shopping on November 29, 2019 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

It's hiring time for seasonal workers, but there may be fewer of them this year. Plus, turning the idea of a personal brand on its head.

Segments From this episode

Companies plan to hire fewer seasonal workers this year

by Kristin Schwab

Sep 22, 2022

Retailers are worried that inflation and fear of a potential recession will impact holiday spending.

Walmart said it plans to hire 40,000 seasonal workers for the holidays this year. It brought on 150,000 in 2021.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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As economies worldwide struggle with inflation, Japan faces another problem: a weak yen

by Justin Ho

Sep 22, 2022

As many central banks raise interest rates, the Bank of Japan is keeping them low to prop up the economy. That leads to a depreciated currency.

The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. The BoJ has kept interest rates low to prop up the economy, but the side effects include a depreciating currency.

Richard A. Brooks/AFP via Getty Images

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U.S. oil reserve tumbles to lowest level in 4 decades

by Samantha Fields

Sep 22, 2022

Biden authorized the release of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to boost supply and ease gas prices after Russia invaded Ukraine.

An oil refinery in Wilmington, California. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve now holds around 427 million barrels, down from nearly 600 million at the beginning of the year.

Allison Dinner/Getty Images

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Schools call on FCC for cybersecurity funding

by Stephanie Hughes

Sep 22, 2022

School districts big and small are increasingly popular targets for ransomware attacks.

Students arrive at a Los Angeles elementary school in August 2021. The district is grappling with the fallout from a ransomware attack early this month.

Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

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A professor’s "antithesis" to self-aggrandizing personal websites

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Sep 22, 2022

“It's meant to illustrate the vanity of human pretensions,” says Karl Aquino of the University of British Columbia.

A screenshot from the homepage of Karl Aquino’s “official, unofficial” website. Aquino teaches organizations and society at the University of British Columbia.

Screenshot courtesy Aquino

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Fall is prime time for apple picking

by Anais Amin

Sep 22, 2022

“We'd like to think that we're responsible for high demand but it's really the weather," says Al Rose of Red Apple Farm.

Nancy and Al Rose of Red Apple Farms in Massachusetts. "COVID made us stronger," Al Rose says.

Courtesy Rose

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Music from the episode

ATK Bonobo

The Spirit Blossoms All Over the Land Onra

Lost (In Isolation) Blossoms

Hypercolor goosetaf, Anbuu, Chromonicci

Nothing Breaks Like a Heart Mark Ronson and Miley Cyrus

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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