Jul 10, 2024

How fast would the economy feel an interest rate cut?

Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

When the Fed cuts interest rates, how long until Americans feel the impact? Plus, the business of alumni magazines and life as a doctor before digitization.

Segments From this episode

How long does it take for interest rate cuts to show up in the economy?

by Matt Levin

Jul 10, 2024

While economists agree rate cuts won’t instantly juice an economy, there’s really no consensus on just how long that lag is.

Fed Chair Jay Powell took away the proverbial punch bowl with rate hikes. Now that the economy is slowing, “he’s got his hands on the punch bowl, he’s walking around the room with it, and he’s not sure whether to put it down on the table yet,” says Ann Owen, an economist at Hamilton College.

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Why are Gen Xers worried about retirement?

by Caleigh Wells

Jul 10, 2024

According to a new survey from BlackRock, only 60% of Gen Xers say they are on track to have enough retirement savings. And time is running out -- the oldest of them are reaching retirement age.

Unlike younger generations, Gen Xers are struggling to save money for retirement.

Asif Hassan/AFP via Getty Images

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Why more people are choosing to "put motherhood on ice"

by Kristin Schwab , Maria Hollenhorst and Sofia Terenzio

Jul 10, 2024

A relatively new corporate benefit is leading to a rise in egg-freezing procedures. Emma Goldberg of The New York Times explains.

In recent years, more people have chosen to freeze their eggs in order to focus on their careers without simultaneously juggling the responsibilities of having a child.

Yelim Lee/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images

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My Analog Life

A physician recalls life before electronic medical records

by Maria Hollenhorst

Jul 10, 2024

Technology has allowed Dr. Winnie Lau of Florida to see more patients, but the level of care she's giving is the same, she says.

Before the widespread adoption of electronic medical records, doctors filled out a lot of paperwork in triplicate.

Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

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How trade-oriented is the U.S. economy?

by Maria Hollenhorst

Jul 10, 2024

Compared to many other countries, the U.S. trade-to-GDP ratio is below the global average. But the explanation is complicated.

The U.S. imports and exports hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of goods and services ever year, but international trade accounts for a relatively low percentage of GDP.

Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

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Why alumni magazines continue to be a standby of print journalism

by Stephanie Hughes

Jul 10, 2024

During the pandemic, many colleges cut costs by taking their magazines entirely online. Since then, there's been a big shift back to print.

“You can't put a digital magazine on your coffee table," said alumni magazine consultant Erin Peterson.

Stephanie Hughes/Marketplace

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Music from the episode

"Lush" Four Tet

"Antenna" Bonobo

"Hold Me Up (Thank You)" Khruangbin

"Ideal and the Real" Atlus/Persona 5

"Sweet Berry Wine" Blue Wednesday

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Sofia Terenzio Assistant Producer

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

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