Sep 26, 2023

Housing market role play

Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Between all-time-high home prices and climbing mortgage rates, what's it like to buy a home right now? Two reporters and some experts hash it out. Plus, debt poetry and the cost of slowing climate change.

Segments From this episode

The housing market is a tale of two people: The buyer and the seller

by Kristin Schwab and Matt Levin

Sep 26, 2023

Both the buyer and the seller have unrealistic expectations right now, while prices and mortgage rates are high.

"Sellers don’t want to take anything less than the peak," Daryl Fairweather of Redfin says. "Buyers are hoping it’s 2008,” says Michael Orbino of Compass.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

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Consumers really care about the cost of gas

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

“Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal looks at why gas prices so often impact how consumers feel about the economy.

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Twenty years on, pumpkin spice still has a hold on autumn (and America)

by Kai Ryssdal and Sarah Leeson

Sep 26, 2023

"It's just sort of become part of the fabric of our lives. It's now vanilla and chocolate and peppermint... and pumpkin spice," says food writer Emily Heil.

Unlike short-lived food fads, pumpkin spice has hung on for 20 years.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

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A Warmer World

Clean energy investment may have bought a chance to avoid climate catastrophe

by Henry Epp

Sep 26, 2023

But the world must rapidly expand spending on renewables, and cut spending on fossil fuels, to make it happen.

The world will need to dramatically boost its investment in renewable energy to stave off irreversible effects of warming, according to the International Energy Agency.

Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

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Shelf Life

Poet Lillian-Yvonne Bertram explores money as "a state of lack"

by Lillian-Yvonne Bertram

Sep 26, 2023

Read an excerpt from the title poem of Bertram's latest work, "Negative Money," which explores race, gender and indebtedness.

Lillian-Yvonne Bertram's "Negative Money," a book of poems, tackles themes including race, gender and debt.

Courtesy Lillian-Yvonne Bertram

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Music from the episode

Teenage Birdsong Four Tet

Wonton Medeski, Martin & Wood

Autumn Sweater Yo La Tengo

JESUS PAZ SOBRENATURAL - Remiz ANGEL DIA BIBLICO

Occasiobal Magic Yppah

Rare Form Millionyoung

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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