Mar 24, 2021

Nothing like a blocked Suez Canal to show the global supply chain’s fragility

Cargo ships seen in the Suez Canal in 2019. Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

A 1,300-foot-long, 200-foot-wide cargo ship shut down the Suez Canal this week. Also on today's show: We decided to see for ourselves what all that NFT buzz is about.

Segments From this episode

The Suez Canal block could hit 'downstream' manufacturers the hardest

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Mar 24, 2021

A container ship blocking the Suez Canal since Tuesday evening underscores the fragility of the global supply chain.

Cargo ships seen in the Suez Canal in 2019.

Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

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Durable goods orders sidetracked by February storms and pandemic shortages

by Sabri Ben-Achour

Mar 24, 2021

Despite disruptions caused by bad weather and limited semiconductor supplies, durable goods shipments are up 2% year-over-year.

Durable goods are big-ticket items that last for three years or more, like clothes dryers and vehicles.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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Why economic data has revisions

“Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal looks into why economic reports — such as weekly unemployment claims and GDP — often contain big revisions from previous releases.

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Why businesses are pushing Congress to expand paid family and medical leave

by Samantha Fields

Mar 24, 2021

Federal funds would help businesses who already offer paid leave — and be an incentive for those who don't.

Paid leave is good for both workers and businesses.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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Who will win the delivery app war?

by Kristin Schwab

Mar 24, 2021

As more people start eating in restaurants again, delivery companies are competing for consumer loyalty and looking beyond food.

Food and grocery delivery are just the start for apps like DoorDash and GrubHub.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

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COVID & Unemployment

As state unemployment trust funds empty, employers face soaring taxes

by Mitchell Hartman

Mar 24, 2021

States are scrambling to raise money — and changing their unemployment systems in other ways.

Owner Chris Knudson at Well 80 Brewhouse in Olympia, Washington. Knudson just started broadcasting Well 80’s weekly Tuesday Trivia Night live on the brewpub’s big-screen TVs for in-person diners, after holding the event virtually via Zoom for the past year during the pandemic.

Mitchell Hartman/Marketplace

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Tweets are selling for millions as NFTs. We decided to see what all the buzz is about.

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

Mar 24, 2021

Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal and Andrew CM from Valuables by Cent experiment with turning a tweet into a non-fungible token.

David Becker/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Tea Vender On the Street Onra

Chosen Blood Orange

Closer Project Pablo, Patrick Holland

Overtime Nipsey Hussle

Favorite Song Sinkane

Dans Le Noir Dark Rooms

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

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