Subject: Last night's Marketplace podcast
Last night’s (7/18/25) Marketplace podcast covered consumer spending and tariffs. Since a lot of typing has been done on these topics here, I think some of you may be interested in this episode if you are not a regular listener.
https://www.marketplace.org/ep...

The consumer spending story look at who is spending on what.

Why are consumers spending more even as consumer sentiment keeps dropping?by Mitchell HartmanConsumer sentiment, as measured by the closely-watched survey from the University of Michigan — took a sharp dive in early August, down 5%, the first fall in four months.Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagWealthier Americans are driving much of the growth in spending, while lower-income consumers are falling further behind.

The tariff story looks at a macro story at a micro level – a cheese monger and the producers she buys from.

“Life can suck at times, but you know what’s good? Cheese.”by Kai Ryssdal and Andie CorbanLydia Clarke in front of her “happy place,” the cheese case.Andie Corban/MarketplaceLydia Clarke navigates co-owning two California cheese shops and a bar amid tariffs and a decline in business in downtown Los Angeles.