Podcast
Million Bazillion
Hosted by Marketplace · EN
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.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why did the U.S. stop making pennies?
2w ago00:30:58Tap to summarizeBridget and Ryan are approached by a big film producer to write the next summer blockbuster — a movie all about the penny! The timing couldn’t be better because so many of you have been wanting to know: why did the U.S. stop making pennies? The answer comes down to dollars and cents. But … will this be “Million Bazillion”’s big break into Hollywood? Listen now to find out.
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Introducing "The Midnight Rebellion": which climate path would you take?
2w ago00:19:07Tap to summarizeHey Million Bazillionaires, we're dropping into your feeds again this week to tackle a different kind of question: can we actually change course on climate change? That question is at the heart of a new podcast for kids and families from our friends at WBUR. “The Midnight Rebellion” is a pick-your-own-path podcast set 100 years in the future, where the stakes are nothing less than the planet itself. It's fiction rooted in real science. Each episode ends with a choice. YOU decide what’s next. Choose wisely. And if you liked what you heard, listen to the rest and follow “The Midnight Rebellion” wherever you get your podcasts. Have a question you want Million Bazillion to answer? Send it to us! And join us next week for our season finale episode all about pennies.
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What’s the difference between capitalism, socialism, and communism?
3w ago00:33:06Tap to summarizeBridget and Ryan are having their lunch break at a Chinese restaurant when they run into “Million Bazillion” listener Daphne with a big question: What’s the difference between capitalism, socialism, and communism? Turns out, each system was born out of people’s attempts to build a better society, but they have very different ideas about the role the government should play in our money lives. As the duo work their way through these "isms," they explore the problems that each system tries to solve and the tradeoffs that come with it.
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How do athletes get paid?
4w ago00:31:44Tap to summarizeToday, we’re resharing an episode from our archive that feels especially relevant as the World Cup men’s soccer tournament kicks off next week! “Million Bazillion” listener Alistair wants to know how professional athletes get paid. It’s perfect timing for the question as Bridget and Ryan prepare for the semi-annual Public Radio Foosball Tournament. They scramble to assemble their dream team on a limited budget, while learning the reasons why big teams pay big bucks to the players who bring in big wins.
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What if there was only one currency in the whole world?
May 2800:09:49Tap to summarizeWe’ve talked a lot about how money works and why countries have their own currencies here on “Million Bazillion.” But listener Alessio wants to know: Why DOESN’T the whole world use the same money? And could the world’s nations all decide to just use one shared currency? In this bonus mini-episode, we’ll get some answers!
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How does a company buy another company?
May 2600:34:02Tap to summarize“Million Bazillion” listener Cora wants to know: How does a company buy another company? But before Bridget and Ryan can answer, Borpo, host of “Learning with Borpo” and CEO of a giant educational media empire, shows up with an offer to buy “Million Bazillion!” As the duo tries to figure out whether it’s a good deal or not, they’ll learn that buying (or selling) a company is more than just money on the table. It also involves intense negotiations, government regulations, and could change things for workers and customers.
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What is the gold standard?
May 1900:30:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Bridget and Ryan travel through the history of money in front of a live audience of kids and families (for real!) to answer Sofia’s big question: What is the gold standard? Together, they explore this old money rule, how paper money became a thing, and why no countries in the world – not a single one – use gold to back their money anymore.This episode was performed as part of WBUR’s Podcast Playdate festival for kids in Boston. It was one of the most fun experiences we’ve ever had on the show. We loved seeing so many of you in the audience, hearing your reactions in real time and getting to meet you in person.Thank you to everyone who came out. We can’t wait to go back next year!If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!Love the show? You can help make it happen. Donate what you can at marketplace.org/givemillion
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Why is there so much gold at Fort Knox?
May 1200:26:59Tap to summarizeToday, we’re resharing an important episode from our archive! We’re answering Sadie’s question about why there is so much gold at Fort Knox. (And, we’re releasing a special new episode next week all about gold too. We can’t wait for you to hear it!) Fort Knox is one of the most secure places in the world. In today’s episode, Bridget and Ryan are determined to get inside! But just as the pair lands a special tour to the top-secret gold vault, a couple of mysterious Fort Knox enthusiasts throw a wrench in their plans.
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What are checks?
May 500:31:02Tap to summarizeThe episode you’ve been waiting for is finally here. This is part 2 of the San Fran Fin Lit Pod Con cliffhanger episode from last season. Bridget and Ryan finally made it to the conference, only to find it’s entirely cashless. It’s the perfect opportunity to answer all your non-paper-money questions: What would happen if we lived in a cashless world and paid for everything with debit and credit cards? How do you send and receive money with mobile payment apps? And how exactly do checks work?
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Where do game shows get their prize money?
Apr 2800:32:31Tap to summarize“Million Bazillion” listeners and brothers John and Peter want to know where game shows get their prize money. It’s the perfect opportunity to answer this question as Ryan and Bridget find themselves competing on a chaotic game show with a chance to win $1 million on the line. While they take on one challenge after another, the duo uncover the surprising ways game shows get the cash for those big prizes.If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!Love the show? You can help make it happen. Donate what you can at marketplace.org/givemillion.
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