Best Byte Federal Podcasts (2025)

1
Let's get a grip on the labor market 25:58

10h ago25:58

25:58

The June jobs report gave a sunny picture of the labor market. But if you’re, say, looking for a job right now, you may see things a bit differently. What gives? In this episode, we break down the pros and cons of backward-looking data, and search elsewhere for answers about the current employment situation. Plus: Entrepreneurship chugs along in th…

1
The countdown to a government shutdown begins (again) 13:06

15h ago13:06

13:06

Now that the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is law, Congress is turning its attention to another matter: avoiding a government shutdown. We’ll explain what it will take to keep the government running beyond Congress’ Sept. 30 deadline. And, we’ll fill you in on another deadline: President Trump’s new due date for trade deals before a slew of higher t…

1
Supreme Court green lights Trump's federal layoff plans 7:06

17h ago7:06

7:06

The high court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to plan out mass layoffs across the government. It's somewhat of a confounding decision, though, in that it appears to say two things at once: the job cuts can proceed, but they may or may not be legal. We'll discuss the implications. And later: Investors take a wait-and-see approach o…

1
Public infrastructure investments and Texas' deadly flooding 7:18

20h ago7:18

7:18

More than 100 people are dead and 170 are still missing in Texas, where, on July Fourth, the Guadalupe River in Kerrville rose more than 30 feet in five hours. Staff shortages at the National Weather Service may have made it harder to coordinate a response, and Texas lawmakers are now reconsidering a bill to improve local governments’ emergency com…

1
British farmers warn trade deals could threaten livelihoods 6:47

21h ago6:47

6:47

From the BBC World Service: England's biggest agricultural show has started, but away from the sheep shearing competitions and livestock judging, farmers are talking about international trade — and they’re adamant about not giving ground in any future negotiations. Plus, the U.K. government is capping tax relief on farmland passed down through gene…

1
Are we “flying blind” into peak hurricane season? 4:17

22h ago4:17

4:17

The National Weather Service lost some 600 positions early in the second Trump administration, through early retirements and layoffs. Now the agency says it’s working to fill some “mission-critical” roles. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has also proposed cutting the greater NOAA budget by more than 25% next year. A rising chorus of meteorologi…

1
Are we “flying blind” into peak hurricane season? 4:17

22h ago4:17

4:17

The National Weather Service lost some 600 positions early in the second Trump administration, through early retirements and layoffs. Now the agency says it’s working to fill some “mission-critical” roles. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has also proposed cutting the greater NOAA budget by more than 25% next year. A rising chorus of meteorologi…

1
RIP to the EV tax credit 25:29

1d ago25:29

25:29

A tax credit for electric vehicles was killed under the latest GOP tax and spending bill. It's a credit that has existed in some form for nearly 20 years. In this episode, how the tax break supported EV innovation and what might change when it ends in September. Plus: Big retailers eye vertical integration as a salve to supply chain and tariff dram…

1
Burning Questions: Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” passed. What now for the climate? 14:10

1d ago14:10

14:10

Last week’s massive spending and tax bill, named the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” was signed into law by President Trump. It includes major cuts to clean energy incentives, pushed forward by the Biden Administration’s signature climate law, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The new law is a huge setback against cutting emissions and transi…

1
Who profits from immigration detention? 25:13

1d ago25:13

25:13

Republicans’ freshly passed spending bill sets aside $45 billion just to expand immigration detention centers. And a number of private companies are poised to profit from the surge in funding. On the show today, Deirdre Conlon, co-author of the new book “Immigration Detention Inc" explains how immigration detention became dominated by private compa…

1
How do you become a CEO? 31:13

1d ago31:13

31:13

Being a CEO is a big job and 9-year-old Shreen is wondering how to become one! On today’s episode, Bridget and Ryan learn about the different paths people take to be the boss and what it really means to lead a company. (Hint: its not just about meetings and fancy suits). And, guess what? Even CEOs have a boss sometimes, too! If your family is inter…

1
Food banks and resilience amid SNAP cuts 7:05

1d ago7:05

7:05

Among the spending cuts in the big tax bill signed into law by President Donald Trump last week: $186 billion over the next decade to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. Community food banks are already strained. Now, many worry whether they'll be able to keep up. Also on the program: Delta tries to crack the "…

1
Beyond Naloxone: Rethinking Overdose Prevention Through Harm Reduction with Dr. Jorge Petit & Leah Harris – Episode 386 44:17

1d ago44:17

44:17

Overdose prevention starts before the crisis, with compassion, planning, and real-world tools that save lives upstream. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Jorge Petit and Leah Harris from Zero Overdose, a national nonprofit dedicated to preventing overdose deaths through education, empowerment, and harm reduction. Dr. Jorge Petit, St…

1
The Eaton Fire, six months on 7:05

2d ago7:05

7:05

Today marks six months since the Eaton Fire ravaged the town of Altadena, about a half hour northeast of downtown LA. More than 9,000 structures burned — most of them homes. We'll check in with Lucie Russo of Southern California Radio/LAist about the loss of her home and where rebuild efforts stand. But first: Tariffs and other inflationary pressur…

1
World reacts to President Trump’s new tariffs deadline 6:39

2d ago6:39

6:39

From the BBC World Service: 14 countries received a letter from the White House saying a pause on tariffs due to expire Wednesday will now be extended to Aug. 1. Japan and South Korea are among the countries facing a renewed threat of 25% tax on U.S. exports, with other import duties ranging from 30% for South Africa to 40% for Myanmar and Laos. We…

1
Could AI be a peacekeeper of the future? 6:10

2d ago6:10

6:10

As technology has advanced, the ways countries fight wars has changed drastically. Now, AI companies are hoping technology can also play peacekeeper and prevent the next global conflict. Anadyr Horizon, one of the AI startups, developing what many are calling “peace tech,” is doing so through simulating future conflicts and the world leaders they m…

1
Could AI be a peacekeeper of the future? 6:10

1d ago6:10

6:10

As technology has advanced, the ways countries fight wars has changed drastically. Now, AI companies are hoping technology can also play peacekeeper and prevent the next global conflict. Anadyr Horizon, one of the AI startups, developing what many are calling “peace tech,” is doing so through simulating future conflicts and the world leaders they m…

1
The consequences of tariff uncertainty 25:59

2d ago25:59

25:59

Trump officials signaled tariffs will be once again postponed, possibly to August 1. But as the White House nails down details, some businesses are suffering while they wait. In this episode, retailers explain why ongoing trade negotiations have put a damper on profits. Plus: Consumers could pull back spending if tariff-related worries persist, emp…

1
The first national private school voucher program just dropped 19:16

3d ago19:16

19:16

Republicans’ newly passed tax and spending law establishes the first major federal program for shifting public money to private schools. It comes in the form of a wonky tax break. We’ll explain how it will work. And, we’ll get into how massive cuts to Medicaid will impact rural hospitals across the United States. Plus, anime is more popular than ev…

1
Trade deals and tariff deadline looms large 6:49

3d ago6:49

6:49

Nations the world over have until Wednesday to strike trade agreements with the U.S., or face the return of astronomically high tariffs that were announced — and later paused — in April. But the White House has signaled some wiggle room, saying tariffs might not actually come back until August 1, should countries not make a deal. Plus, in the final…

1
T-minus two days until Trump's tariff deadline 6:50

19h ago6:50

6:50

Wednesday marks the deadline for countries around the world to strike new trade deals with the U.S. The steep reciprocal tariffs President Trump announced, and then delayed, back in April could come roaring back. Or maybe not. Mixed messages from President Trump and his advisors have left the outcome uncertain. But as the Wednesday deadline approac…

1
Trump takes aim at BRICs countries 6:37

3d ago6:37

6:37

From the BBC World Service: An alliance of emerging countries — which includes Brazil, South Africa, China and Russia — has criticized the Trump administration’s tariffs, causing the president to threaten them with an extra 10% tariff on trade. And as trade tensions rise, we take a look at how the art of negotiations are being transformed by the U.…

1
Episode 239: The Rise and Fall of Canada’s Digital Services Tax 20:52

3d ago20:52

20:52

Two days after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to suspend all trade negotiations with Canada unless it rescinded the digital services tax, Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced that the government was rescinding the tax. The rise and fall of the Canadian DST was marked by repeated warnings of potential U.S. retaliat…

1
One in five consumers are using AI daily 7:51

3d ago7:51

7:51

More than half of all Americans have used artificial intelligence tools recently, according to a study published by Silicon Valley venture capital firm Menlo Ventures. And one in five people use it daily. Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Amy Wu Martin, a partner at Menlo Ventures, to learn how they’re using it in their day-to-day lives.…

1
One in five consumers are using AI daily 7:51

3d ago7:51

7:51

More than half of all Americans have used artificial intelligence tools recently, according to a study published by Silicon Valley venture capital firm Menlo Ventures. And one in five people use it daily. Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Amy Wu Martin, a partner at Menlo Ventures, to learn how they’re using it in their day-to-day lives.…

1
What happens when states manage public land? 26:16

5d ago26:16

26:16

Some conservatives think states should take over management of federal land. But often, states lack adequate resources, or use land for revenue rather than recreation or conservation. This Independence Day, we visit state trust land in Wyoming to learn more about state versus federal management issue. Plus: Homeownership is a tough bargain if you t…

1
From “Million Bazillion”: What are tariffs? 28:23

6d ago28:23

28:23

Since President Trump began imposing on-and-off tariffs earlier this year, “tariff” has become a buzzword. And you might have a kid in your life who’s asked what the deal with tariffs is all about. So today, we’re sharing an episode from the latest season of Million Bazillion that breaks down how they work. Hosts Bridget and Ryan help out a local f…

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