Maybe you’ve noticed: Seattle traffic is back. And not just during rush hour. It’s busy all the time. But there's a transportation levy on the ballot in Seattle this November, and it's the biggest one we’ve ever seen. So, will $1.55 billion buy us better commutes?

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.

Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Jennie Cecil Moore and Lucy Soucek. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Lucy Soucek, filling in for Monica Nickelsburg.

Maybe you’ve noticed: Seattle traffic is back. And not just during rush hour. It’s busy all the time. But there's a transportation levy on the ballot in Seattle this November, and it's the biggest one we’ve ever seen. So, will $1.55 billion buy us better commutes?
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/booming">kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.</a>
Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/carol-smith">Carol Smith</a>. Our producers are <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jennie-cecil-moore">Jennie Cecil Moore</a> and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek">Lucy Soucek</a>. Our hosts are <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/joshua-mcnichols">Joshua McNichols</a> and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek">Lucy Soucek</a>, filling in for <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/monica-nickelsburg">Monica Nickelsburg</a>.

Booming is a weekly podcast about the economic forces shaping our lives here in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle area's been home to many booms over the years. It’s brought jobs, people, and wealth to the region, but also real growing pains that people here feel every day. In Booming, KUOW economy reporters Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg help listeners make sense of our ever-changing economy. We'll dig into what people are seeing or feeling and unpack the story behind it.

Booming is a weekly podcast about the economic forces shaping our lives here in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle area's been home to many booms over the years. It&rsquo;s brought jobs, people, and wealth to the region, but also real growing pains that people here feel every day. In&nbsp;Booming, KUOW economy reporters Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg help listeners make sense of our ever-changing economy. We'll dig into what people are seeing or feeling and unpack the story behind it.

Booming

Can historic transpo levy fix Seattle's traffic problems?

Planet Money has been making economic news fun since 2008. And now it's the start of a new chapter for the beloved podcast... a whole book’s worth of chapters in fact.  

Their new book is called Planet Money: A guide to the economic forces that shape your life.  

On today's episode, Monica and Joshua sat down with Kenny Malone, host of Planet Money, and Alex Mayyasi, business reporter and author of the book, to talk about the hidden laws that control our economy, and how they’re affecting us here in Seattle. 

If you want to meet Alex and Kenny in person, they will be at Town Hall in Seattle on Monday, April 13th. You can grab your tickets here.

Do you have a story idea for us? We'd love to hear about it. Give us a call at (206) 221-7158 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at booming@kuow.org.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.

Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.

<a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510289/planet-money">Planet Money</a> has been making economic news fun since 2008. And now it's the start of a new chapter for the beloved podcast... a whole book&rsquo;s worth of chapters in fact.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Their new book is called <a href="https://www.planetmoneybook.com/">Planet Money: A guide to the economic forces that shape your life</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On today's episode, Monica and Joshua sat down with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/people/555861024/kenny-malone">Kenny Malone</a>, host of Planet Money, and <a href="https://www.alexmayyasi.com/">Alex Mayyasi</a>, business reporter and author of the book, to talk about the hidden laws that control our economy, and how they&rsquo;re affecting us here in Seattle.&nbsp;
If you want to meet Alex and Kenny in person, they will be at Town Hall in Seattle on Monday, April 13th. You can grab your tickets <a href="https://kuow.org/events">here</a>.
Do you have a story idea for us? We'd love to hear about it. Give us a call at&nbsp;<a href="tel:2062217158" data-stringify-link="tel:2062217158" data-sk="tooltip_parent">(206) 221-7158</a> and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:booming@kuow.org">booming@kuow.org</a>. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes">kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes</a>. Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/carol-smith">Carol Smith</a>. Our producers are <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek">Lucy Soucek</a> and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/alec-cowan">Alec Cowan</a>. Our hosts are <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/joshua-mcnichols">Joshua McNichols</a> and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/monica-nickelsburg">Monica Nickelsburg</a>.

A conversation with Kenny Malone, host of Planet Money, and Alex Mayyasi, business reporter and author of the new Planet Money book, to talk about the hidden laws that control our economy, and how they’re affecting us here in Seattle. 

Planet Money and the hidden laws that run our economy

The middle class economy is quintessentially American. It’s a whole range of businesses that cropped up to serve the growing middle class after World War II. Think coffee and apple pie at your neighborhood diner. Or back-to- school shopping at Sears.  

But companies that cater to the middle class are cratering under the weight of the affordability crisis.  

On today's episode, why is the middle economy disappearing? And what does it mean for the businesses we love? 

Do you have a story idea for us? We'd love to hear about it. Give us a call at (206) 221-7158 and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at booming@kuow.org.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.

Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.

The middle class economy is quintessentially American. It&rsquo;s a whole range of businesses that cropped up to serve the growing middle class after World War II. Think coffee and apple pie at your neighborhood diner. Or back-to- school shopping at Sears.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But companies that cater to the middle class are cratering under the weight of the affordability crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On today's episode, why is the middle economy disappearing? And what does it mean for the businesses we love?&nbsp; Do you have a story idea for us? We'd love to hear about it. Give us a call at&nbsp;<a href="tel:2062217158" data-stringify-link="tel:2062217158" data-sk="tooltip_parent">(206) 221-7158</a> and leave a voicemail. You can also email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:booming@kuow.org">booming@kuow.org</a>. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes">kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes</a>. Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/carol-smith">Carol Smith</a>. Our producers are <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek">Lucy Soucek</a> and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/alec-cowan">Alec Cowan</a>. Our hosts are <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/joshua-mcnichols">Joshua McNichols</a> and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/monica-nickelsburg">Monica Nickelsburg</a>.

Companies that cater to the middle class are cratering under the weight of the affordability crisis. What does that mean for the businesses we love?  

Where have all the diners gone? The disappearing middle class economy

It’s taken 10 years and almost $4 billion, but at long last, light rail will run across Lake Washington.  

For people living near the new light rail, it’ll mean shorter commutes, and faster trips to the airport, sporting events, and public parks.

But its impact will extend beyond those conveniences for riders. Some say it could lead to an economic renaissance in the region, creating new jobs and housing opportunities. And there's precedent for making that claim. 

Today, we find out what a bridge in Scandinavia can tell us about our own future -- and whether the Crosslake Connection could bring this region the economic boost it needs.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes.

Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Carol Smith. Our producers are Lucy Soucek and Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Joshua McNichols and Monica Nickelsburg.

It&rsquo;s taken 10 years and almost $4 billion, but at long last, light rail will run across Lake Washington.&nbsp;&nbsp;
For people living near the new light rail, it&rsquo;ll mean shorter commutes, and faster trips to the airport, sporting events, and public parks.
But its impact will extend beyond those conveniences for riders. Some say it could lead to an economic renaissance in the region, creating new jobs and housing opportunities. And there's precedent for making that claim.&nbsp;
Today, we find out what a bridge in Scandinavia can tell us about our own future -- and whether the Crosslake Connection could bring this region the economic boost it needs.
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes">kuow.org/donate/boomingnotes</a>. Booming is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/carol-smith">Carol Smith</a>. Our producers are <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek">Lucy Soucek</a> and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/alec-cowan">Alec Cowan</a>. Our hosts are <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/joshua-mcnichols">Joshua McNichols</a> and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/monica-nickelsburg">Monica Nickelsburg</a>.

It’s taken 10 years and almost $4 billion, but at long last, light rail will run across Lake Washington.  Aside from faster commutes, some are hopeful the new "crosslake connection" can revitalize the regional economy. 

Can historic transpo levy fix Seattle's traffic problems?

In 1 playlist(s)

Booming

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips