The price is never right anymore

February 19, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

The Format: Fast-paced news magazine radio/podcast with a host introducing economic data releases, correspondent reports, and short interviews—blending hard news, analysis, and human stories.
The Key Players:
- Host: Kai Ryssdal, sharp-witted anchor guiding the show with dry humor and quick transitions.
- Correspondents/Guests: Sabri Benishur (trade report), Kristen Schwab (inflation story), Kate Crater (restaurant trends interview), Elizabeth Troval (Venezuelan immigrants), plus economists and business owners like Fran Dunaway of Tomboy X.
The Vibe: Educational and analytical with optimistic undertones on economic resilience; light banter adds fun amid dense topics like tariffs and inflation.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:01) **U.S. Trade Deficit Hits Record Amid Tariffs**
2 (04:26) **Mixed Labor Market Signals**
3 (05:19) **Why Higher Prices Feel Painful Despite Wage Gains**
4 (10:39) **Restaurants Go Smaller to Combat Costs**
5 (16:46) **Wholesale Inventories Stabilize**
6 (19:37) **Venezuelan Expats in Texas Oil Hub**
7 (24:24) **Housing Market Update**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Consumers have gotten worse at guessing how much goods cost, research shows. Call that literal sticker shock? Accelerated price growth might be to blame, but so is dynamic pricing and the proliferation of online sales. Also in this episode: Trump’s tariffs have failed so far to shrink the U.S. trade deficit, wholesale inventory stabilizes as trade war uncertainty settles, and we visit a place where White House energy and immigration policies collide.

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