Mitchell Hartman

Correspondent

SHORT BIO

Mitchell’s most important job at Marketplace is to explain the economy in ways that non-expert, non-business people can understand. Michell thinks of his audience as anyone who works, whether for money or not, and lives in the economy . . . which is most people.

Mitchell wants to understand, and help people understand, how the economy works, who it helps, who it hurts and why. Mitchell gets to cover what he thinks are some of the most interesting aspects of the economy: wages and inflation, consumer psychology, wealth inequality, economic theory and how it measures up to economic reality.

Mitchell was a high school newspaper nerd and a college newspaper editor. He has worked for The Philadelphia Inquirer, WXPN-FM, WBAI-FM, KPFK-FM, Pacifica Radio, the CBC, the BBC, Monitor Radio, Cairo Today Magazine, The Jordan Times, The Middletown Press, The New Haven Register, Oregon Business Magazine, the Reed College Alumni Magazine, and Marketplace (twice — 1994-2001 & 2008-present).

Mitchell has gone on strike (Newspaper Guild vs. Knight Ridder, Philadelphia, 1985) and helped organize a union (with SAG-AFTRA at Marketplace, 2021-23). Mitchell once interviewed Marcel Marceau and got him to talk.

Latest Stories (2,010)

MGM bets on Macau over Atlantic City

Feb 8, 2010
MGM Mirage is under pressure from New Jersey gaming regulators for alleged links its partner may have to Chinese organized crime syndicates. So MGM is divesting its stake in Atlantic City and holding onto its casino venture in China. Mitchell Hartman reports.

However you say it, it's still Pepsi

Feb 8, 2010
While Pepsi sat out the Super Bowl this year, it did work on its buzz over in Spain and Latin America with a play on mispronunciation. Mitchell Hartman rep-p-p-ports.

Rules for modifying loans may ease

Feb 3, 2010
The Obama administration's program to help homeowners stay in their homes by reducing monthly payments has been slow to make progress. Now there's talk the Treasury Department may tweak formulas to make loan modifications easier. Mitchell Hartman explains.

Toyota dealers dealing with recall

Feb 2, 2010
Replacement parts for recalled vehicles are on their way to Toyota dealerships, and dealers will have to do their best to field customer questions and concerns. Mitchell Hartman explores what dealers must do to keep customers loyal.

Big shifts on Main Street

Feb 1, 2010
Walk down any commercial street in the U.S., and you're likely to see empty storefronts. But there are new businesses to come along to take up the space. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Obama's plan to help small biz hiring

Jan 29, 2010
President Obama hopes to create some jobs with an idea he's pitching today to a gathering of Congressional Republicans. Mitchell Hartman reports.

Ford ends up on top despite debts

Jan 28, 2010
Ford said it earned $2.7 billion last year -- despite being stuck with more debt than bailed-out counterparts GM and Chrysler. Mitchell Hartman explains how the carmaker managed itself differently.

Obama delves into spending freeze

Jan 28, 2010
In his first State of the Union address, President Obama supported the trillion-dollar stimulus and announced his proposal to freeze spending next year on Congress-controlled programs. Steve Chiotakis gets more from Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman.

Toyota puts brakes on certain car sales

Jan 27, 2010
Toyota has told its dealers not to sell any more of many of their most popular vehicles, including Camrys and Avalons, until the car maker has figured out an acceleration problem. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman.

Survey studies global government trust

Jan 26, 2010
Communications firm Edelman presents its annual "trust" survey at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Steve Chiotakis talks to Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman about which nations' governments have been gaining more of their citizens' trust.