Sean McHenry

SHORT BIO

Sean is based in Los Angeles, California.

He works on the flagship broadcast show “Marketplace,” where he produces host interviews, first-person stories via the “My Economy” series, and directs (he’s one of the people who picks the music you hear on the show).

Sean graduated from the University of Michigan and got his formal entry to radio as an intern on Michigan Radio’s daily newsmagazine “Stateside.” Before that, his notable jobs include writing teacher, barista, and he was briefly a janitor. He enjoys being a big nerd over coffee and TV, especially sci-fi and reality TV.

Episodes by Sean (4)

Corner Office from Marketplace

Running a contemporary art museum is a balancing act

Feb 10, 2020

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Corner Office from Marketplace

For "The Walking Dead's" Scott Gimple, a story needs sadness to make the happiness real

Oct 30, 2019

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Corner Office from Marketplace

Dick's Sporting Goods' Ed Stack on taking a stand

Oct 7, 2019

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Corner Office from Marketplace

Dany Garcia runs one of the most influential companies you probably haven't heard of

Sep 25, 2019

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Latest Stories (399)

Ticket scalpers are way better at buying Olivia Rodrigo tickets than the rest of us

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Sep 29, 2023

Ticketmaster's Verified Fan system was meant to reduce scalping. But Jason Koebler at 404 Media says it may have done just the opposite.

Scalpers have "basically figured out every restriction that Ticketmaster has and then have figured out a way to circumvent it," says Jason Koebler at 404 Media. Above, Olivia Rodrigo in performance.

Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

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This Seattle candle maker is hoping to see "an uptick" this fall

by Sean McHenry

Sep 15, 2023

While it's currently the "slow season" in her shop, candle maker Colina Bruce is hoping to see an uptick in October.

"We did a lot of vendors markets this summer where we literally were just, every single weekend, trying to make up for the slowness that was happening in the shop," said Colina Bruce (right).

Courtesy Bruce.

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After a flat August, this North Carolina toy store is already looking forward to the holidays

by Sean McHenry

Sep 14, 2023

For this toy store owner, the biggest challenge right now is prepping for the holidays.

"We are selling a lot of Halloween products right now," said Irene Kesselman, owner of Ali Cat Toys in Carrboro, NC. "And certainly we'll move into the Christmas season shortly thereafter."

Ariel Jackson

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Where did all the G-rated blockbusters go?

by Kai Ryssdal , Livi Burdette and Sean McHenry

Sep 13, 2023

A look at why PG is the new G for family movies in theaters this year.

Even this year's sequel to the "Trolls" movie didn't pass the G-rated test.

Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

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Mississippi record store owner hopes "greatest hits" compilations sound good to collectors

by Sean McHenry

Sep 13, 2023

While vinyl record prices remain a concern for Phillip Rollins of OffBeat, he thinks lower-priced "greatest hits" albums may entice customers.

Phillip Rollins, owner of OffBeat in Jackson, Mississippi, says collections of popular work by artists such as En Vogue and Notorious B.I.G. could get more people interested in buying records.

Courtesy Rollins

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Biden economist wants businesses to "step up and make investments” in the U.S.

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Aug 31, 2023

Heather Boushey of the Council of Economic Advisers talks about the challenges of implementing the president's economic agenda.

Businesses are "not making the needed investments in the things that matter most," like clean energy infrastructure and chip manufacturing, says Heather Boushey of the Council of Economic Advisers.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Air travel is still melting down, and travel agents are caught in the middle

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Aug 30, 2023

Erica Wilkinson of Campbell Travel says travel agents are the ones getting clients "unstuck" in the New Air Travel Normal.

"I've been doing this for a dozen years. I've never quite seen a season of so much upheaval," says travel agent Erica Wilkinson.

Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

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For this customs broker, the Section 301 China tariffs are still top of mind

by Sean McHenry

Aug 23, 2023

The tariffs placed on over $360 billion of Chinese goods is still a chief concern for Gretchen Blough of Erie, Pennsylvania.

"People are looking for more supply chain solutions," says customs broker Gretchen Blough. Above, shipping containers at the Port of Los Angeles.

Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

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Adventures in Housing

For this fire lookout, home is a cabin 20 feet off the ground

by Sean McHenry

Aug 21, 2023

Brig Malessa spends fire season living in the tower and travels the rest of the year. "I can get by on very little money."

"It's the closest you can get to living outside without living outside," Brig Malessa says of living in a fire lookout tower. Above, the Oregon tower that she currently calls home.

Courtesy Brig Malessa

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China's economy is slowing. Is the political economy to blame?

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Aug 9, 2023

Adam Posen of the Peterson Institute says that implementation of the zero-COVID policies made people feel "very insecure."

According to Adam Posen, it's been difficult for China's leaders to re-establish trust after the implementation of zero-COVID. "We've already seen leaders from the Communist Party around President Xi Jingping say, 'Oh, no, we want a vibrant private sector in China, said Posen. "But it's hard to be credible once you get to that point."

Ken Ishii-Pool/Getty Images

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