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
Jun 29, 2021 • 19min
Taxes pay for the things we care about
Back in Robin Hood’s day, tax-collecting sheriffs forced people to pay money to a king, who decided how those taxes were spent. These days our tax system works a bit differently. We get to vote for people who’ll spend that money on things we care about — like schools and libraries, health care for elderly people, police, parks, sewers and so on. With the help of a rambling troubadour and a tax policy expert, Jed and Bridget teach Robin Hood that the way tax dollars are spent today reflects what we prioritize as a society. Plus, we’ll ask random kids some not-so-random questions.Sign up for our bonus newsletter to get a tip sheet, episode extras and cool comics about each week’s episode! It’s all at marketplace.org/bonus!Keep sending us your questions about money at marketplace.org/million!
Jun 22, 2021 • 21min
How is money made? Let’s head to the U.S. Mint!
We’re back for our second season! Thanks for sending in so many great questions about money. One that a whole bunch of you wanted to know more about is how money is made. To help us find out, Jed called his old economics teacher, Ms. Grizzle, who took us on a very hands-on field trip to the factory that stamps out U.S. coins. Plus, we talked to an expert about all the ways that money moves through our economy. You may never look at coins the same way again!Sign up for our bonus newsletter to get a tipsheet, episode extras and cool comics about each week’s episode! It’s all at marketplace.org/bonus!Keep sending us your questions about money at marketplace.org/million!
Jun 15, 2021 • 3min
“Million Bazillion” is back for season 2!
Calling all Bazillionaires! Jed, Bridget and the gang are back for brand-new episodes of “Million Bazillion”! This season, we’re answering one tough money question each week from real kids! Questions like “How is money made?” “Why are women’s clothes sometimes more expensive than men’s?” “How do banks work, anyway?”And for season two, we’re putting out a bonus email newsletter for kids and their grownups. Each week you’ll get a tip sheet, episode extras, and cool comics all about that episode’s big question. Sign up at Marketplace.org/bonus.The fun starts June 22. Here’s a sneak peek.
Mar 23, 2021 • 2min
Jed and Bridget need your help!
Hey, Million Bazillionaires! Jed and Bridget are hard at work on season two of our show. But to get it over the finish line, we need a favor (or two)! Kids, we need your money questions! You can send them to us, with a grown-up’s help, here. Grown-ups, we need your help closing a funding gap for our new season! Your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar at marketplace.org/givemillion! Please help us reach our $50,000 goal!
Aug 25, 2020 • 23min
Secrets for starting a business
There are lots of great reasons to want to start a business: solving a problem, pursuing a passion, even making some money. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work, and even if you do everything right, it may not work out. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you failed — thinking through a business idea can build some really great skills! This week, we talk with a bunch of expert kids and grown-ups about turning an idea into a full-blown business. Plus, Jed bakes us some cookies! And just because the season is over doesn’t mean we don’t still want to hear from you! Keep sending us your questions about money at Marketplace.org/million!
8 snips
Aug 18, 2020 • 22min
Saving money is really hard to do
Jed’s treehouse needs repairs, but it’s gonna cost more than he has right now. Saving money can be tough — and even tougher to talk about! So this week on the show we’re gonna get the conversation started and learn a few ways to think about spending and saving our money. We’ll sit down with some experts, do some mythbusting around saving and hear from a young Dollar Scholar who’s got a unique way of keeping track of her savings. Plus, singer Natasha Bedingfield’s got a cheeky idea for a twist on the piggy bank. Don’t forget to send us your questions about money at Marketplace.org/million!
Aug 11, 2020 • 21min
Ads are there for a reason — to sell you stuff
Advertisers have lots of ways of persuading us to buy their stuff. Sometimes you might not even realize it’s happening … until you find yourself riding around town on an ice-cream-making scooter. (Don’t worry, we’ll explain.) This week on the show, we’ll learn how to spot an ad and identify the tricks they use to win you over. And we’ll learn how to defend against them — from our special guest, Captain Kimberly. Plus, this week’s Dollar Scholar shares great ways you can help out in your community. Don’t forget to send us your questions about money at Marketplace.org/million!
Aug 4, 2020 • 23min
The price of pizza
There’s a reason things cost what they do — sneakers, pizza, you name it. Businesses put a lot of thought into how much they charge, because they have to consider their behind-the-scenes costs. But you might put just as much thought into what you’re willing to pay — so in a way, you get the final word on whether the prices are right. This week on the show, we’ll talk about how we value the things we buy. Plus, two Dollar Scholars talk to each other about their saving and spending habits, and we’ll hear pastry chef Duff Goldman’s idea for a pizza rover. Don’t forget to send us your questions about money and your ideas for what businesses you wish existed at Marketplace.org/million!
5 snips
Jul 28, 2020 • 21min
Negotiation is a super important skill
Ruby, a 12-year-old student negotiating for a new phone, shows how to use active listening, compromise, and planning. Short scenes cover preparing like a spy, addressing parents' screen-time worries, and practicing trade-offs. Fun moments include jokes and a celebrity currency pick.
6 snips
Jul 21, 2020 • 21min
Where did money come from?
Explore the origins of money through bartering, pacts, and coin inventions. Hear anecdotes from kids and learn about the evolution from social currencies to clay tablet debts. Discover King Alliates' introduction of coins as currency and follow a young entrepreneur's journey in the business world.
