Make Me Smart Podcast

President Trump announced a new trade deal with China after days of negotiations. Heres the thing: Trumps tariffs on China will stay the same. So what did the two countries actually agree to? Well get into it. And, after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired a panel of experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccines, doctors and insurance companies are wondering who they should look to for guidance. Plus, a life-sized stuffed moose on Capitol Hill makes us smile.

Heres everything we talked about today:

• "Trump Hails Progress With China, but Details Are Sketchy" from The New York Times
• "RFK Jr. just fired the governments vaccine experts. What do you do now?" from Vox
• "Former CDC director reacts to RFK Jr.s firing of entire vaccine advisory panel" from PBS News
• "If you move a moose through the Senate" from Roll Call

• "An 84-Year-Old Woman on a Pony Inspires Aweand Concernin the U.K." from The Wall Street Journal

  
  

  We want to hear from you. Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

For decades, going to college has been seen as a reliable path to good jobs and economic success in the United States. But a recent Indeed survey reported that over half of Gen Z respondents beg to differ. As tuition prices continue to rise and the Trump administration takes aim at higher education institutions, is the way we view college changing? On the show today, Bryan Alexander, a higher education writer and senior scholar at Georgetown University, explains why college is still a worthy investment for most students, why more people are considering certificate programs and technical schools, and how President Trumps attacks on elite universities are a risk to higher education as a whole.

Then, Kimberly breaks down the difference between the reconciliation bill and government spending bills in Congress. And, Casey Johnston, author of A Physical Education, answers the Make Me Smart question.

Heres everything we talked about today:

• "Report: 51% of Gen Z Views Their College Degree as a Waste of Money" from Indeed
• "Against college for all: the AFT president" from Bryan Alexander
• "Americans Are Losing Faith in the Value of College. Whose Fault Is That?" from The New York Times
• "Good Jobs Project" from Georgetown University
• "House considers Trump cuts as Senate Republicans work on reconciliation bill" from Roll Call
• "Deal or no deal? Inside reconciliation and govt funding" from Punchbowl News
• "A muted backlash to Trumps new travel ban" from Politico
• "Have Americans grown numb? Trumps new travel ban met with muted reaction" from MSNBC

• "Finding Strength in a Bigger Body" from The Cut

  
  

  
  Got a question about the GOPs reconciliation bill?Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

President Donald Trump deployed California National Guard troops to Los Angeles on Sunday, following demonstrations over the weekend protesting the Trump administrations immigration crackdown. The decision was made without California Governor Gavin Newsoms approval, and the state is now suing the illegal and immoral move. We get into all the potential ramifications of the uptick in immigration raids. Then, we discuss how people in other countries have coped with anti-democratic forces in their own communities. Finally, we smile at the original cast of Hamilton reuniting for the musicals 10-year anniversary.

Heres everything we talked about today:

• The Beautiful Danger of Normal Life During an Autocratic Rise from The New York Times
• The 78th Annual Tony Awards | Hamilton 10 Year Anniversary Performance from CBS
• The original cast of Hamilton reunites on the Tonys stage with rousing performance from CNN
• When to see Junes full strawberry moon on Tuesday night from The Washington Post

Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.

From our sponsor: Imagine if you could ask someone anything you wanted about their finances. On “What We Spend,” people from across the country and across the financial spectrum are opening their wallets — and their lives — to tell you everything: What they make, what they want, and — for one week — what they spend.

“What We Spend” is available wherever you get your podcasts!

Hey Smarties! Make Me Smart is taking a short break while Kimberly and Reema cook up something good for you!

In the meantime, we’re bringing you an episode from “Financially Inclined” a podcast from Marketplace that helps families learn more about money. It turns out where you park your money can actually make a difference in the fight agains climate change. Today, host Yanely Espinal speaks with author and financial educator Kara Perez about how you can spend, save and invest your money in a way that aligns with your values, without sacrificing your financial goals. Plus, they share practical tips for how to use your money to make a real impact.