Million Bazillion
Marketplace
Million Bazillion is a podcast from Marketplace that inspires families to talk about money. Described as “a godsend for anyone who knows a little kid with big questions about money,” by The New York Times, the podcast tackles questions from: "What is cryptocurrency?" to “How do I save money?” and “How does inflation work?” Hosts Ryan Perez and Bridget Bodnar take listeners on an awesome adventure to answer the awkward, complex, and sometimes surprising money questions from real kids.
Million Bazillion is funded in part by the Sy Syms Foundation, partnering with organizations and people working for a better and more just future since 1985. And special thanks to The Ranzetta Family Charitable Fund and Next Gen Personal Finance for providing the start-up funding for this podcast, and continuing to support Marketplace in our work to make younger audiences smarter about the economy.
Million Bazillion is funded in part by the Sy Syms Foundation, partnering with organizations and people working for a better and more just future since 1985. And special thanks to The Ranzetta Family Charitable Fund and Next Gen Personal Finance for providing the start-up funding for this podcast, and continuing to support Marketplace in our work to make younger audiences smarter about the economy.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 8, 2025 • 31min
How do you become a CEO?
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 interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!
Jul 1, 2025 • 26min
Replay: What is a credit card, and how does it work?
Today, we’re taking it way back to Bridget and Ryan’s first episode together. They’ll work on answering a question that quite a few listeners were wondering about: What are credit cards, besides little pieces of plastic with chips in them? We’ll learn how grownups use credit cards in the first place, and some potential pitfalls of swiping. Then things really get out of hand when the ghost pirates show up. Check out the tipsheet for this episode for some ways you can keep the conversation about credit cards going at home.
Jun 24, 2025 • 27min
How do ATMs work? (And other money questions from you!)
A retro-themed romp answers how ATMs connect and move cash, plus a step-by-step walk-through of using one. Learn why the U.S. penny got its name and hear kids imagine silly ATM items. Discover the factors and algorithms airlines use to set ticket prices. Also covers how much the president earns and who decides government pay.
Jun 17, 2025 • 5min
BONUS: How do Olympic athletes make money?
This week, Ryan and Bridget are answering a question about why athletes get paid what they do. In this bonus mini-episode of “Million Bazillion,” Bridget and Ryan hear from Colin Hufman, who competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics with the U.S. curling team. Curling is a sport that’s played on ice, in which players slide granite stones toward a target area. We’ll learn about Colin’s experience earning income as an Olympic athlete, including payments for medals, monthly stipends and promotional endorsements. The hosts realize that making a living as an Olympian involves a lot more than just training and competing in sports.
Jun 17, 2025 • 31min
How do athletes get paid?
“Million Bazillion” listener Alistair wants to know how professional athletes get paid. Bridget and Ryan prepare for the semi-annual Public Radio Foosball Tournament, but their star player is drafted to the opposing team. The hosts have to scramble to assemble players for their dream team in time for the big tournament. In this episode, they learn about labor unions, player trades and statistical analysis strategies used in the movie “Moneyball.”If your family is interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!
Jun 10, 2025 • 28min
What are tariffs?
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.If your family is interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!
Jun 3, 2025 • 27min
What is the lottery, and how does it work?
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, the pair still buys a ticket with a plan they think will help them beat the odds. Will their idea work? Listen to find out! If your family is interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!
May 27, 2025 • 2min
"Million Bazillion" returns June 3!
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. When you’re done listening to each episode, check out our newsletter for bonus content and cool questions to spark conversations between kids and grownups. New episodes drop every Tuesday starting June 3! Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. In the meantime, check out our trailer above and catch up on any episodes you might’ve missed.
Apr 18, 2025 • 14min
From "Financially Inclined": How to negotiate
Hey Million Bazillionaires! Ryan and Bridget are working hard on brand-new episodes for our next season. In the meantime, we're doing something special today. We're sharing an episode from our friends at Marketplace’s podcast for young people, “Financially Inclined.” It's all about negotiation. That means learning how to speak up for yourself, make fair deals and solve problems in smart ways. It's a skill grown-ups use all the time. But negotiation isn't just for adults. Kids do it every day at home, school and even the playground. We’ve talked before about why negotiation is such an important skill. But if you still have questions, this episode is for you!Want more “Financially Inclined”? Check out the rest of the season wherever you get your podcasts.Have a question you want Million Bazillion to answer? Send it to us!
4 snips
Nov 19, 2024 • 32min
What is Black Friday?
For our final episode of the season, Bridget and Ryan team up with the hosts of “Forever Ago” to tell you about one of the biggest shopping days of the year: Black Friday. While they search for the best gifts for Podcast Host Appreciation Day, they learn how Black Friday started and how stores come up with deals, and they share tips on how to shop smart during the holiday season.If your family is interested in learning more about the questions we answered in this episode, check out our website. We’ve got discussion questions and tips!
