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On today’s show, WNYC reporter Brigid Bergin joins Kimberly to talk about New York City’s brand new Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose campaign on affordability caught nationwide attention. We’ll get into how Mamdani is tackling affordability during his first days in office, how the business community is reacting, and how his administration is navigating an unpredictable White House. Plus, the case for daydreaming more in 2026.Here’s everything we talked about today:"Gov. Hochul, Mayor Mamdani announce push for free child care for NYC 2-year-olds" from Gothamist "NYC to provide expansion of free child care in "high-need" areas" from Marketplace"MAMDANI’S FIRST 100 DAYS: Mayor signs executive orders targeting junk fees and subscription traps" from amNY"The Mamdani vs. big business era begins as mayor pledges 'economic justice'" from Gothamist"Politics Trump administration freezes $10 billion in child, family aid to 5 states over fraud concerns" from CNBC  "The new go-to for Napa Valley wine lovers? Costco" from Marketplace "Google adds proofreading, AI summaries to Gmail with new update" from Marketplace "Why you should put down your phone and daydream instead" from The Washington Post"At grocery stores, shopping with a side of biometric surveillance" from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

In the wake of U.S. military action in Venezuela, including the capture of the country’s leader Nicolás Maduro, we’re left with questions about what this moment could mean for the future of U.S. foreign policy and the global economy. On the show today, director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Jason Marczak joins Kimberly to explain why the Trump administration is shifting its focus back toward the Western Hemisphere, harkening back to the Monroe Doctrine. Plus, what it would take to revitalize Venezuela’s economy. Here’s everything we talked about today:"Experts react: The US just captured Maduro. What’s next for Venezuela and the region?" from the Atlantic Council"Donald Trump asserts control over Venezuela—and all the Americas" from The Economist"For Big Oil, Venezuela's reserves show long-term promise" from Marketplace  "What Is the Monroe Doctrine, and How Is Trump Reasserting It?" from Time"Dispatches from Venezuela: Red roofs and the new ogling" from MarketplaceJoin us tomorrow for “Economics on Tap.” The YouTube livestream starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

It’s been a year since the Eaton and Palisades fires swept through Southern California, taking 31 lives and destroying over 16,000 structures — including the homes of “Marketplace Morning Report” host David Brancaccio and his neighbors in Altadena. On the show today, David joins Kimberly to talk about the road to rebuilding the community and the complicated, costly task of rebuilding with fire resistant materials. Here’s everything we talked about today:"How my Altadena neighbors are rebuilding, one year since the Eaton Fire" from Marketplace "L.A. wildfires broke record for costliest in the history of the planet" from the San Francisco Chronicle "These numbers tell the story of the Los Angeles wildfires, one year later" from AP News"Marketplace’s David Brancaccio on community, loss and rebuilding in Altadena" from Marketplace"To rebuild homes cheaper, faster and safer, some want new rules" from MarketplaceWe love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email [email protected].

Hey smarties! Happy New Year. We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Reema Khrais and the team are getting ready to relaunch the show on Jan. 15. Stay tuned for new episodes!Nikki Massie never had a reason to question her salary. After more than a decade with the same company, she’d earned awards, promotions and the trust of co-workers who felt like family. But then one day, she discovered she might have missed out on tens of thousands of dollars over the years. Nikki began to wonder: What do you do when you suspect you’ve been underpaid? And at what point do you consider walking away? If you liked this episode, share it with a friend. And to get even more Uncomfortable, subscribe to our newsletter!

Hey smarties! Happy New Year. We’re taking a short break for the holidays. In the meantime, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “This Is Uncomfortable.” Reema Khrais and the team are getting ready to relaunch the show on Jan. 15. Stay tuned for new episodes!When newlyweds Chantal and Travis Lisback started searching for their dream home in Seattle, they weren’t entirely on the same page. Chantal was eager to settle down as soon as possible, while Travis was more comfortable waiting a few years. As the search dragged on, what began as a shared dream started to feel more like a standoff. This week, a story about how a big life decision can bring to light the money and communication issues you didn’t know were there. Plus, later in the episode, Chantal and Travis sit down with financial therapist Aja Evans to unpack what’s happening beneath the surface, and how to approach money fights with more care and intention. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend!