About this podcast
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.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 111 episodes
- How do AI companies make money? · 30 min · Season 11 Episode 5After Ryan builds his own hip-hop dancing generative AI companion, he and Bridget visit an AI data center to answer Lyric’s question: how do AI companies make money? That’s where…
- What's a recession? · 28 min · Season 11To help celebrate spooky season we’re sharing an episode from our dusty haunted archives about two of the biggest economic frights of all. When Lulu wrote in asking about…
- What is rental arbitrage? · 12 min · Season 11 Episode 4Bridget and Ryan finally answer one of your most requested questions of all time: What is rental arbitrage? Dun. Dun. Dun! The answer involves a moldy fridge, rizz-less cupcakes…
- What is an IPO? · 31 min · Season 11 Episode 3Hear ye, hear ye! Bridget and Ryan have received this question from listener Perry: “How do companies get on the stock market?” which the pair intend to answer while spending the…
- What is a credit score? · 31 min · Season 11 Episode 2Tula wants to know, "what is a credit score," which is perfect timing for Bridget, her board game crew, and Ryan to play Credit Score Quest: Path to 850. As the players roll the…
- What is shrinkflation? · 31 min · Season 11 Episode 1It’s a new season of “Million Bazillion” and listener Noah wants to know, what is shrinkflation? When Ryan notices his favorite pita chip snack is shrinking, he, Bridget and a…
- "Million Bazillion" Season 11 is almost here! · 4 min · Season 11Hello Million Bazillionaires, we’ve got a new season of “Million Bazillion” coming your way on September 29th! Get ready to follow Bridget and Ryan as they meet new characters…
- What's an auction and how does it work? · 29 minA new season of “Million Bazillion” is almost here. But first, we’re resharing one of our favorite episodes. Today, Ryan and Bridget are answering Hezekiah’s questions about…
- How do claw machines work? · 28 minToday, we’re resharing an episode that’s perfect for a summer listen. We’re answering Maddox’s question about what happens to your quarter when you put it inside a claw machine…
- Why did the U.S. stop making pennies? · 31 min · Season 10 Episode 8Bridget 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…
- Introducing "The Midnight Rebellion": which climate path would you take? · 19 minHey 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…
- What’s the difference between capitalism, socialism, and communism? · 33 min · Season 10 Episode 7Bridget 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…
- How do athletes get paid? · 32 min · Season 10Today, 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…
- What if there was only one currency in the whole world? · 10 min · Season 10We’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…
- How does a company buy another company? · 34 min · Season 10 Episode 6“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…
- What is the gold standard? · 31 min · Season 10 Episode 5In 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…
- Why is there so much gold at Fort Knox? · 27 min · Season 10Today, 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…
- What are checks? · 31 min · Season 10 Episode 4The 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…
- Where do game shows get their prize money? · 33 min · Season 10 Episode 3“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…
- Why does the price of gas go up and down? · 32 min · Season 10 Episode 2If you’re anything like “Million Bazillion” listener, Elijah, you may have noticed gas prices change from one day to the next, sometimes by a few pennies, sometimes by a lot…
- What are tax returns? · 32 min · Season 10 Episode 1The 10th season of “Million Bazillion” is here just in time to mark Bridget and Ryan’s favorite holiday – Tax Day! There’s just one problem: Ryan hasn’t finished filing his taxes…
- “Million Bazillion” Season 10 is almost here! · 3 min · Season 10 Episode 1Hello, Million Bazillionaires, we’ve got a new season of “Million Bazillion” coming your way on April 14! To mark the 10th season, Bridget and Ryan are going all out to answer…
- What is inflation? · 27 minToday we're resharing an episode from our archive that might feel more relevant with gas prices up. We're going to dig more into those gas prices in the new season of “Million…
- What are royalties, trademark and copyright? · 33 min · Season 9 Episode 8It’s karaoke night for Bridget and Ryan, but something stops them from belting their favorite tunes on their podcast: the law. It’s the perfect setup to answer a question from…
- Why do we have $2 bills if nobody uses them? · 29 min · Season 9 Episode 7It’s Skimbleshanks’ birthday bash and Bridget and Ryan head to the two-dollar general store for party supplies. When they get back, they tackle Harper’s question about why $2…
- What is the national debt? · 26 min · Season 9 Episode 6It’s Halloween, and Bridget and Ryan are trying to answer a question about the national debt while preparing for their town’s giant Halloween extravaganza. The town has taken on…
- How do stocks make money? (Part 2) · 6 minIn the previous episode of “Million Bazillion,” listener Aditya wanted to know all about the stock market, and how people make money from stocks. So what happens when a kid…
- How do stocks make money? · 29 min · Season 9 Episode 5“Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal needs a bit of help doing his classic “The Numbers” stock market segment so Ryan jumps in to save the day. The only problem is, he has no idea what…
- What is insurance? · 28 min · Season 9Today, we’re resharing an important episode from our archive! There’s a major storm brewing, and Ryan and Bridget are stuck inside. It’s the perfect opportunity to answer a…
- What is a government shutdown? · 7 min · Season 9When Esmé noticed her dad suddenly staying home from work, she had questions! Her dad is one of the hundreds of thousands of workers sent home because of the government shutdown…
- Why is it called a bull market or a bear market? · 26 min · Season 9 Episode 4Bridget and Ryan are at the Podcast Hosts for Youths Sleepaway Camp, but Ryan just can’t fall asleep. That’s when they meet Dougie Pickles, host of the Cozy Critters sleepy time…
- Why does everything cost more at airports? · 26 min · Season 9 Episode 3You had lots of travel related money questions! So, Bridget and Ryan are on a money mission. While racing through the airport on their way to the San Fran Fin Lit Pod Con, they…
- What is a financial bubble? · 30 min · Season 9 Episode 2Today, we’re talking about bubbles. Not the kind you play with. The kind that happen in the economy! Bridget and Ryan take a trip down memory lane to answer Jocelin’s question…
- What is a chain restaurant? · 28 min · Season 9 Episode 1It's the start of a whole new season and Bridget and Ryan have a great question from listener, Dena: What is a chain restaurant? Some chain restaurants work a little differently…
- “Million Bazillion” returns Sept. 16! · 2 min · Season 9Hey Million Bazillionaires, are you ready for a new season of “Million Bazillion”? Bridget and Ryan are back to answer even more of your money questions. This season, we’ll…
- Who is fibbing about ... the stock market? · 26 minHi Million Bazillionaires. While we’re working on a brand-new season, we’ve got a special treat for you. Today, we’re sharing an episode from our friends over at “The Big Fib.”…
- The ghost that launched a business · 43 minHey, Million Bazillionaires! We just wrapped up the latest season of the show and are already working on the next one. In the meantime, we’re bringing you a special feature from…
- How does online scamming work? · 31 min · Season 8 Episode 8Bridget and Ryan get swept up in a cyberpunk adventure as they try to answer Cooper’s question about how online data thefts can lead to real world consequences for your bank…
- How much debt is too much debt? · 28 min · Season 8 Episode 7Bridget and Ryan get a question from listener Deji - who wants to know, how much debt is too much debt? Before they can answer, the pair run into Ghost Pirate Blackbeard, who has…
- Why does organic food cost more than non-organic food? · 28 min · Season 8 Episode 6Listener Cecilia wrote in to ask: “Why does organic food cost more than non organic food?” And she's right! Certified organic foods do usually cost more than other options…
- BONUS: Listen to Million Bazillion listener Shreen interview a real CEO! · 8 minIn the latest episode of Million Bazillion, listener Shreen wanted to know, “How do you become a CEO?” No spoilers, but after Ryan and Bridget’s adventure in attempting to become…
- How do you become a CEO? · 31 min · Season 8 Episode 5Being 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…
- Replay: What is a credit card, and how does it work? · 26 minToday, 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…
- How do ATMs work? (And other money questions from you!) · 27 min · Season 8 Episode 4Bridget and Ryan hit rewind and break out an old-school cassette tape to answer your money questions. You wanted to know: how ATMs work, why the penny’s called the penny and how…
- BONUS: How do Olympic athletes make money? · 5 minThis 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…
- How do athletes get paid? · 31 min · Season 8 Episode 3“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…
- What are tariffs? · 28 min · Season 8 Episode 2Bridget 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…
- What is the lottery, and how does it work? · 27 min · Season 8 Episode 1It’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…
- "Million Bazillion" returns June 3! · 2 min · Season 8Hello, 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…
- From "Financially Inclined": How to negotiate · 14 minHey 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…
