Marissa Cabrera

Senior Producer at Make Me Smart

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Articles

What is the lottery, and how does it work?

4 days 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 week 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 week 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.

2 weeks 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.

2 weeks 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!

2 weeks 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

3 weeks 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?
You've got questions about this economy. We've got answers!

3 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Marissa Cabrera |Courtney Bergsieker

Episode 1393May 15, 2025We’re answering your questions about the U.S.-China trade deal, the GOP tax bill and more. In today’s show, Kimber-Kai are answering your questions about all the wild things going on in the U.S. economy. Isn’t the 30% tariff rate on China still crazy high? And, how are local governments preparing for potential federal funding cuts? We’ll discuss how states are weighing their next moves, and how the “Trump Slump” has taken shape in California.
Congress' AI power grab

3 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

On today’s show, Kimberly continues to make us smart about the GOP’s massive tax bill. This time, we’re digging into a small (but important) detail buried in the bill that could have enormous consequences for the regulation of artificial intelligence: a clause that would block states from enforcing AI laws for ten years. We’ll break down what’s at stake. And, the U.S. dollar is getting weaker. We’ll explain what it could mean for the economy. Here’s everything we talked about today:
K2-18b and the search for alien life

3 weeks ago | marketplace.org | Kai Ryssdal |Kimberly Adams |Courtney Bergsieker |Marissa Cabrera

Episode 1391May 13, 2025Anybody out there? Today we’re ditching the drama on Earth and talking about K2-18b, an exoplanet 120 light-years away. K2-18b recently made headlines after researchers claimed to observe possible “signs of life” in the planet's atmosphere. So, did we find aliens? Michaela Musilova, an astrobiologist and analog astronaut, said it’s too early to tell. “Is it actually a detection of life, or is it potentially just some noise in the data?