Aug 7, 2019

Back-to-school season, already?

Back-to-school supplies can add up. Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Plus: A conversation with Ben Folds about his career in music and why FedEx is dropping Amazon.

Segments From this episode

Shelf Life

Ben Folds worries about becoming uncool (not really)

by Kai Ryssdal and Bridget Bodnar

Aug 7, 2019

"As satisfying and safe as it can feel to have mastered a craft, it also can be a sign that it’s time to learn a new trick," the musician writes.

"I cannot grow artistically if I am beholden to the opinions of an industry I’ve outgrown," Ben Folds writes in his memoir.

Joe Vaughn

LISTEN

EMBED

Why do states hold back-to-school sales tax holidays?

by Marielle Segarra

Aug 7, 2019

Politicians and retailers say tax holidays are good for sales and they save people money. But it’s not that simple.

Shoppers peruse notebooks and other back-to-school items at a Walmart in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

Tim Boyle/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Why refugees make great entrepreneurs

by Stephen Beard

Aug 7, 2019

The refugee entrepreneurs’ motives are often a mix of altruism and self-interest.

Migrants and refugees wait in the early hours in a tent outside the Central Registration Office for Asylum Seekers in 2015 in Berlin.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Trade showdown

Recession risk rises with trade war

by Mitchell Hartman

Aug 7, 2019

The U.S. economy is slowing. Whether it goes into recession could depend on tariffs and trade disruptions.

The numbers after the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on August 5, 2019 in New York City. Stocks plunged after a forceful response by Beijing to the latest U.S. tariff announcement escalated an ongoing trade war, exacerbating global growth worries.

Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Bond market signals economic slowdown, or worse

by Tracey Samuelson

Aug 7, 2019

There is no perfect economic crystal ball, but the bond market often gives a indication of where the economy is heading.

Traders work after the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange in August.

Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images

LISTEN

EMBED

Music from the episode

Can’t Keep Checking My Phone Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Esperar Pra Ver Poolside, Fatnotronic

Feels Right Carly Rae Jepsen, Electric Guest

Autumn Sweater Yo La Tengo

Still Fighting It Ben Folds

Humbug Mountain Song Fruit Bats

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Latest Episodes From Our Shows

3:48 PM PST