Marissa Cabrera

Senior Producer at Make Me Smart

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Articles

How do athletes get paid?

1 week ago | marketplace.org | Bridget Bodnar |Ryan Perez |Marissa Cabrera |Jasmine Romero

“Million Bazillion” listener Alistair wants to know how professional athletes get paid. It’s perfect timing for the question as Bridget and Ryan prepare for the semi-annual Public Radio Foosball Tournament. They scramble to assemble their dream team on a limited budget, while learning the reasons why big teams pay big bucks to the players who bring in big wins.
What are tariffs?

2 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Bridget Bodnar |Ryan Perez |Marissa Cabrera |Jasmine Romero

Bridget convinces Ryan to launch a new side business, solving money problems. Today’s problem: a local fifth-grader is facing competition with her slime business from a rival school. Could a tariff help solve her problem? With the help of a not-so-spooky-ghost, they’ll learn what tariffs are, and why they make the price of things go up, and how tariffs can lead to … a trade war.
"Million Bazillion" returns June 3!

2 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Bridget Bodnar |Ryan Perez |Marissa Cabrera |Courtney Bergsieker

Hello, Million Bazillionaires! In the new season of Million Bazillion, Ryan and Bridget head out on even bigger adventures to answer some of the best money questions we’ve ever received:From the mystery behind the lottery, to explaining tariffs, and how athletes get paid, the ins and outs of ATMs and how to keep your money info safe online, and why organic food costs more than non-organic food. But the fun doesn’t end there.
What is the lottery, and how does it work?

3 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Bridget Bodnar |Marissa Cabrera |Jasmine Romero

It’s a new season of “Million Bazillion!” In this episode, Ryan and Bridget dive into the world of lotteries after listener Oskar asked how they work. With the help of a talking stat(istics) cat, they learn just how tricky it is to win big. But like many lottery hopefuls, Ryan and Bridget still buy a ticket with a plan they think will help them beat the odds. Will their idea work?
Financially Inclined: Going green with your money

1 month ago | marketplace.org | Kimberly Adams |Reema Khrais |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

Episode 1399May 27, 2025A guide to making sure your money matches your values. 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.
"Million Bazillion" returns June 3!

1 month ago | marketplace.org | Bridget Bodnar |Ryan Perez |Marissa Cabrera |Courtney Bergsieker

Season 8May 5, 2025Listen to the trailer now!Hello, Million Bazillionaires! In the new season of Million Bazillion, Ryan and Bridget head out on even bigger adventures to answer some of the best money questions we’ve ever received:From the mystery behind the lottery, to explaining tariffs, and how athletes get paid, the ins and outs of ATMs and how to keep your money info safe online, and why organic food costs more than non-organic food. But the fun doesn’t end there.
Higher education is a major U.S. export. And it’s under threat.

1 month ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Marissa Cabrera |Courtney Bergsieker

It’s Kai’s last day as a regular co-host of “Make Me Smart” and he’s got a solid rant (and two bleeps). We’ll get into the Trump administration’s push to block international students at Harvard, thretening one of American’s biggest exports: higher education. Plus, we’ll unpack the Supreme Court’s 4-4 split over a separation of church and state case. And, could penguin poop be a tool against global warming?
No tax on tips? Here's what that could mean.

1 month ago | marketplace.org | Kimberly Adams |Kai Ryssdal |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

Episode 1397May 21, 2025No tax on tips? Here's what that could mean. Plus, Senate Republicans’ new filibuster loophole. Ian Maule/Getty Images
Watch the dollar!

1 month ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Marissa Cabrera |Courtney Bergsieker

Episode 1396May 20, 2025A dollar-dominated global system may be no more. Things aren’t looking so good for the U.S. dollar. Though it’s spent decades as the world’s reigning reserve currency, it’s been weakening lately thanks to tariffs and uncertainty in the U.S. economy.
Kai shares some news

1 month ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

On today’s show, Kai makes a special annoucement! But first, Moody’s knocked the United States’ government’s credit rating down a peg below Triple-A. We’ll break down what that actually means and why it matters. Plus, we’ll explain why, even with a majority, the House GOP hasn’t been able to pass its budget bill. And, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty and nerd out on “Star Wars” spin-off shows. Here’s everything we talked about today:Got a message for the hosts?