Marketplace Looks Within for New Make Me Smart Co-Host
Kimberly Adams officially joins Kai Ryssdal as podcast co-host
LOS ANGELES, March 11, 2022 – American Public Media’s Marketplace has named Kimberly Adams the new co-host of the popular podcast Make Me Smart.
Adams, a fan favorite for years, assumes her permanent hosting role alongside co-host Kai Ryssdal effective immediately.
Adams is based at Marketplace’s Washington, DC bureau where she covers the intersection of politics and the economy as a correspondent and fill-in host for Marketplace, Marketplace Morning Report and Marketplace Tech.
“Make Me Smart listeners have always appreciated Kimberly’s presence on the podcast. In fact, many requested that she assume the permanent role months ago,” said Neal Scarbrough, Vice President and General Manager of Marketplace. “She is a top talent in this business and making her a permanent host was an easy decision for us. Kimberly’s depth of knowledge spanning politics, technology and the economy gives her a great perspective to be tackling these complicated issues alongside Kai.”
“I’ve had a great time filling in with Kai on Make Me Smart, and I’m thrilled to be stepping into this role full-time,” said Adams. “With so much going on in the economy and the world, Make Me Smart is a great platform to have thoughtful conversations about serious topics, and a bit of fun as well. Plus, the show has an engaged and interesting audience that has already made ME smarter, and I’m excited to learn even more with them.”
Make Me Smart, which is averaging two million downloads, keeps its audience top of mind, constantly pivoting to address listeners’ biggest questions about the news. The show began as a weekly podcast about the economy, technology and culture unpacking often complex topics. Two years ago, it started releasing episodes five times a week in recognition that the issues it typically tackles had become even more important as the pandemic reshaped our lives. Now, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, listeners have turned to the hosts once again to answer their questions about how the conflict affects the economy.
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About Marketplace
Marketplace® is on a mission to raise the economic intelligence of the country. Its core programs —Marketplace®, Marketplace Morning Report® and Marketplace Tech® — are currently broadcast nationwide on more than 800 public radio stations and heard by 12.5 million weekly listeners, with over 400 additional commercial stations carrying the Marketplace Minute program. Marketplace podcasts, including Make Me Smart with Kai and Molly, The Uncertain Hour®, This Is Uncomfortable and Million Bazillion, can be found at Marketplace.org or on your favorite podcast app. The Marketplace portfolio of programs are produced and distributed by American Public Media® (APM), one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world. For more information on Marketplace, visit marketplace.org, follow us on Twitter @marketplace or like us on Facebook. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.
About American Public Media
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches over 17 million listeners with nearly 1,000 public radio stations and over 400 commercial stations nationwide each week. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace®, and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.