Why's It So Hard To Predict A Recession?
Economists have more information at their fingertips than ever before. And yet, in many ways it’s become more difficult for them to predict if–and when–a recession is coming. Why is that? US economy reporter Katia Dmitrieva joins this episode to talk about how economists peering into the future are turning to all kinds of tools–some expected (employment data), and others….not so expected (men’s underwear?). And Simon Kennedy, who leads Bloomberg’s economic coverage, gives his answer to the question on everyone’s mind these days: will there be a recession this year, or not? Read more here: https://bloom.bg/400cafw Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
26 Jan 202320min
Companies Are Doing More to Keep Workers From Walking
Despite headlines about tech giants firing thousands of employees, many companies in the US are struggling to attract and keep workers. There are more jobs available across the country than people willing to fill them. Workers have choices and they’re demanding better pay and work-life balance. Businesses of all kinds are starting to listen–changing old ways and getting creative to keep their employees happy enough to stay put. Nicole Bullock and Matthew Boyle of Bloomberg’s Work/Shift team join this episode to talk about how employers are rapidly adjusting to a changing workplace. Check out more from Work/Shift here: https://www.bloomberg.com/work-shift Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
25 Jan 202327min
What Will Republicans Do With Their House Majority?
Republicans are back in charge of the US House of Representatives after winning a narrow majority in November’s midterm elections. They’ve got a long list of things they want to accomplish: spending cuts are near the top, as well as investigating Joe Biden and his administration. The hitch? The Senate is still in Democratic hands, which means they can block just about any legislation the House passes. And Republican leaders often have a difficult time keeping their own fractious members in line (just look at how hard some Republicans fought to keep Kevin McCarthy from becoming House speaker). Bloomberg congressional reporter Steven Dennis joins this episode to talk about what’s ahead this year in congress–and how to sort out what to pay attention to, and what’s just noise. Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
24 Jan 202327min
Gasoline Starts Its Long, Slow Ride Down
Even though Americans are driving more than ever before, they’re using less fuel to do it. Gasoline demand in the US hasn’t bounced back to pre-Covid levels, and for all kinds of reasons, it likely never will. In the long run, that will mean relief from high gas prices. But the decline of fossil fuels won’t be quick — or painless. As the oil industry recalibrates to meet the new reality and seeks to maximize profits, we could see price spikes and periodic supply crunches. Bloomberg journalists Lynn Doan, Chunzi Xu and Millie Munshi join this episode to talk about why gasoline use is trending lower, even as Americans pile on more miles in their cars. And energy analyst Mark Finley of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy explains how diminishing gasoline use could impact not just consumers and companies, but US national security, and America’s relationship with China and the rest of the world. Learn more about this story: https://bloom.bg/3J8TBQt Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.This podcast is produced by the Big Take Podcast team: Supervising Producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Kathryn Fink, Producers: Mo Barrow, Rebecca Chaisson, Michael Falero and Federica Romaniello, Associate Producers: Sam Gebauer and Zaynab Siddiqui. Sound Design/Engineers: Raphael Amsili and Gilda Garcia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
23 Jan 202328min
Why Is Your Rent So High?
The price of everything is going up, but few things have risen as fast as rent. The rule of thumb used to be that housing shouldn’t eat up more than a third of your paycheck. But these days, a lot of people are handing over half or more of their income to the landlord. Why has rent climbed so high so fast–and is there any end in sight? Real estate reporter Prashant Gopal joins this episode to explain how we got here–and offers a dose of cautious optimism for renters. And Neil Callanan, who covers corporate finance, gives a broader view of the consequences of turmoil in commercial and housing markets around the world. Learn more about the story here: https://bloom.bg/3whXo66 Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
20 Jan 202326min
Get Ready For Lab-Grown Meat
Companies around the world are competing to produce what’s often called lab-grown meat. It begins with the cells of cows, chickens, fish, or whatever protein you’re trying to recreate–and like the name says, it’s grown in a lab into food-sized portions.How is it made, how long until it appears in your local supermarket, and how…does it taste? Bloomberg reporters Deena Shanker and Priya Anand join this episode with answers. Learn more here: https://bloom.bg/3WgTl4I Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
19 Jan 202324min
How Cocaine Hitches A Ride on The Global Fruit Supply Chain
In December, we told the wild story of drug smugglers who hide tons of cocaine aboard huge container ships bound for Europe from South America. Today, we pick up the saga from there. What happens to all that cocaine once it reaches port?Bloomberg investigative reporters Lauren Etter and Vernon Silver join this episode to talk about how a sophisticated network of drug cartels and traffickers recruit young people to sneak the cocaine off the ships and coerce dockworkers to look the other way. And how law enforcement is trying to stop cheap cocaine from flooding the streets of Europe–without grinding global trade to a halt. Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
18 Jan 202331min
Russia and Iran Team Up Against The West
Tough economic sanctions the US and European Union imposed on Russia and Iran have succeeded in cutting off those nations from much of the world economy. But they’ve also had an unintended effect: Moscow and Tehran are now joining forces to evade some of the crippling trade restrictions. They’re investing billions of dollars on an 1,800-mile trade route that enables them to move products of all kinds over land and water that’s beyond the reach of the West–to buyers in the fast-growing economies of Asia. Bloomberg journalists Golnar Motevalli in London and Jonathan Tirone in Vienna join this episode to describe how this new trade route operates. And Dr. Maria Shagina, an expert in sanctions, explains how sanctions work–and whether Iran and Russia can ultimately succeed in outmaneuvering the West. Learn more about the story HERE. Listen to The Big Take podcast every weekday and subscribe to our daily newsletter: https://bloom.bg/3F3EJAK Have questions or comments for Wes and the team? Reach us at bigtake@bloomberg.net.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
17 Jan 202328min
