The Indicator from Planet Money
The Indicator from Planet Money

Looking for love in the auto supply chain

November 19, 2025

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

  • The Format: The podcast features a narrative storytelling format with a mix of interviews and on-site reporting.
  • The Key Players:
    • Stephen Basaja and Waylon Wong - The hosts from NPR's Planet Money, known for their engaging storytelling on economic topics.
    • Jack Grace - Director of sales at Landrum Workforce Solutions, provides insight into the speed dating event.
    • Doug Drake - Represents Baxter Enterprises, sharing the impact of tariffs on his company.
    • Marlena Melantin - From the joint Mazda-Toyota factory, discusses their procurement strategies.
    • Amy Broglin-Peterson - Former buyer for Ford, now a consultant and educator, offers expert perspective on supplier relationships.
  • The Vibe: The episode maintains a fun and light-hearted tone, likening supplier relationships to dating, while addressing serious economic issues with humor and relatability.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:00) **🎙️ Introduction: Stephen Basaja & Waylon Wong**
  • 2 (00:32) **Impact of Tariffs on Consumers**
  • 3 (01:07) **Speed Dating for Auto Manufacturing**
  • 4 (01:38) **Setting the Scene at the Event**
  • 5 (02:36) **Networking Dynamics**
  • 6 (03:04) **Current Concerns on Tariffs**
  • 7 (03:52) **Searching for Reliable Suppliers**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Foreign automakers already have huge assembly plants in the U.S., but lots of parts and materials come from overseas. 

To avoid costly tariffs, they gotta buy American. But … How does one meet those suppliers? How do you build a new relationship with them?

The answer: Speed dating. 

Related episodes:

 The old trade war that brought foreign carmakers to the U.S.

Tariffs: What are they good for?


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The Indicator from Planet Money