Jul 26, 2022

Strong but stressed

A shopper walks through a grocery store in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2022. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

The labor market and consumer spending remain strong, but both show signs of slowing. Plus, Russia limits gas supplies to pressure Germany.

Segments From this episode

The job market is slowing but not stalling out

by Mitchell Hartman

Jul 26, 2022

It's unlikely a crash in employment would prompt a recession. In spite of a slowdown in job creation, the job market remains relatively strong.

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

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Does declining consumer confidence lead to lower spending?

by Savannah Maher

Jul 26, 2022

The mood worsened for the third straight month, but many Americans have financial cushions.

As the labor market cools, economist Betsey Stevenson predicts consumer spending will too. For some lower-income households, that’s already happening.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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As Russia limits Europe's natural gas supply, Germany pays the price

by Andy Uhler

Jul 26, 2022

Europe's largest economy depends on Russian gas. Vladimir Putin is using it as a political weapon.

Last year, Russia supplied more than half of Germany’s natural gas.

Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images

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Fans in China bemoan the departure of Airbnb and Kindle

by Jennifer Pak

Jul 26, 2022

Loyal users of the companies say they didn't try hard enough to acquire users in addition to making basic missteps.

A subway commuter in Shanghai uses a Kindle in July.

Charles Zhang/Marketplace

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Hearst celebrates 135 years and new business ventures

by Kai Ryssdal and Anais Amin

Jul 26, 2022

CEO Steven Swartz highlights the media giant’s important, if little-known, stakes in automotive information and B2B operations.

CEO Steven Swartz says the media giant is having an excellent year and remains open to acquisitions: "We're a good home for entrepreneurs."

Daniel Barry/Getty Images

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Outdated water infrastructure amplifies drought problems for a small Wyoming city

by Caitlin Tan

Jul 26, 2022

Rawlins is replacing miles of leaky pipeline that's more than 100 years old. Some of the original piping is made of wood.

A creek in the Sage Creek Basin area outside Rawlins, where the natural spring that supplies the city is located.

Caitlin Tan/Wyoming Public Radio

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Music from the episode

Better at Making Time De Lux

Love of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop) Common, Erykah Badu

Emma Blowgun's Last Stand Beulah

North Star Future Islands

El Otro Chile Portavoz, Stailok

Sea Legs The Shins

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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