Nearly 600 Marketplace fans gathered at the Aratani Theatre in downtown Los Angeles to watch Kai Ryssdal present Marketplace Live, in partnership with LAist.

Kai was joined onstage by economics author, educator, and content creator Kyla Scanlon to talk about AI, prediction markets, Federal Reserve independence, and the war in Iran. Later, former “Marketplace Morning Report” host David Brancaccio joined Kai to discuss his experience rebuilding after the LA fire and his new job as Marketplace senior correspondent covering future effects.

Note: This show was recorded on March 29, and the situation in Iran has changed since then. Follow our latest coverage here.

Overall unemployment measured 4.3% in March, which is a sign of a fairly strong economy. A contradicting data point? The number of Americans who have been unemployed for more than six months grew 300,000 year-over-year. In this episode, a job hunt with no end in sight. Plus: The CPI shows still-high shelter inflation, composting finds its place in a trash-import state, and we recap the week’s economic data.

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The personal consumption expenditures report, which is the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, showed costs rose 2.8% year-over-year in Feburary. That’s above the target, but never fear: Resilient consumers keep on spending, despite rising prices. What’ll it take to shake things up? Also in this episode: A war-driven plastic shortage costs U.S. manufacturers, we give that GDP revision some context, and Kai visits a nuclear reactor.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.