Dollars & Sense with Pam Cook

Explores the political, economic and cultural forces that have rippled across the country.

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Recent Episodes

Mornings on 2: San Francisco Rents Hit a Mind-Boggling New Record & Geopolitics at the Pump Wednesday, July 8, 2026

In today's Dollars & Sense, Pam opens with the anniversary of the Wall Street Journal and the Dow dropping over 400 points following President Trump's NATO summit comments. The Mornings on 2 host also talks about Apple's $30 billion partnership with Broadcom for domestic chip manufacturing and San Francisco's record-breaking apartment rent prices. Then, Walmart became a tourist destination for soccer fans before Pam and Gaisa chatted about the competitive $1.5 to $2 billion network bidding war for the 2030 and 2034 World Cup broadcast rights. Finally, Pam and financial advisor Chris Markowski get into the geopolitical impact on oil prices, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and long-term inflation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: Netflix Season Two Struggles, Custom Chips & Humanoid Robots Tuesday, July 7, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam highlights Rivian's second-quarter earnings projections and a tech-led decline in the Nasdaq alongside IBM's positive performance. She also details Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's new custom chip development and a report revealing Netflix's recent viewership drop-offs for its second-season original shows. Then,the segment addresses 7-Eleven's trademark lawsuit against Nike regarding an upcoming sneaker release, alongside a former Tesla scientist's new humanoid robot project and the resurgence of traditional brick-and-mortar bookstores and independent movie theaters before financial advisor Chris Markowski joins the show to give an expert analysis the Trump administration's newly proposed 12.5% import tariffs and their true impact on everyday consumers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: EV Surges, Jobs Slump, and the Crypto Craze Thursday, July 2, 2026

In today’s Dollars and Cents, Pam highlights a weaker-than-expected June jobs report alongside strong second-quarter delivery numbers from Tesla and Rivian. The segment also covers Microsoft's massive new $2.5 billion investment into artificial intelligence, a surge in soccer ball imports ahead of the North American World Cup, a multi-million dollar price-fixing settlement with major egg producers and a federal discrimination lawsuit against 99 Ranch Market. Then financial advisor Chris Markowski joins the program to dive into President Trump's lucrative cryptocurrency ventures and share his skeptical perspective on crypto investing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: California's High Cost of Living & Student Loan Deadlines Tuesday, June 30, 2026

In today’s Dollars and Sense, Pam takes a look at upcoming student loan repayment deadlines and Target's strict new attendance policy for employees. The segment also explores the tech industry's impact on San Francisco's soaring rent prices, rising costs of Fourth of July cookouts and legislative efforts to curb price gouging in California before financial advisor Chris Markowski joins to discuss the reality of the K-shaped economy and the importance of long-term investing for everyday Americans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: OpenAI's Trillion Dollar Hesitation, Disney Payouts & The Strength of the U.S. Dollar Friday, June 26, 2026

In Today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam dives into reports that OpenAI may postpone its highly anticipated IPO until next year due to soft tech stocks. The segment also highlights regional developments, including California's upcoming billionaire tax ballot measure and San Francisco's $3 million initiative to revitalize empty storefronts. In consumer news, YouTube is introducing new user features like a two-times playback speed shortcut, while a $50 million Disney settlement offers potential payouts to certain streaming subscribers. Pam also tells how experts are warning against the rising tide of imposter scams, which topped the Federal Trade Commission's fraud list after stealing billions from consumers before financial advisor Clark Geranen joins the show to analyze the current strength of the U.S. dollar amid shifting Federal Reserve leadership and falling oil prices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: Meta’s Bonuses, Apple’s Price Hikes & American Healthcare Costs Keep Climbing Thursday, June 25, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam discusses Meta’s controversial executive bonuses post-layoffs, and Apple's price hikes on MacBooks. Then the Mornings on 2 host discusses Adobe buying Topaz Labs for AI video tech, Amazon's Zoox ramps up production on its redesigned robo-taxi. Pam also gets into the national healthcare spending hitting $5.7 trillion and a drop in the U.S. child population before a financial deep dive with financial advisor Chris Markowski. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: The $8 Billion Prime Day Boom & and Personal Finance Strategies Wednesday, June 24, 2026

In Today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam talks about the record-breaking $8 billion in sales on the first day of Amazon Prime, rebounding tech stocks, lower oil prices, and Micron’s upcoming earnings report. Then, the Mornings on 2 anchor dives into Open AI and Broadcom’s new AI accelerator chip to make ChatGPT faster and more accurate, California's renewable energy expansion, Delta Airlines reasons why ticket prices remain high before sharing financial advice on the power of compounding interest and eliminating credit card debt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: The Upside of Job-Hopping & The 40-Year Housing Freeze Tuesday, June 23, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam opens things up with the overnight tech sell-off, major index drops, and Twilio ringing the opening bell. Then the Mornings on host gets into how corporations are turning former employees into brand ambassadors for their companies before highlighting Meta’s New Smart Glasses, Lucid Motors' staff layoff and the sudden shutdown of Left Bank restaurants before an analysis and discussion of mortgage rates, low housing inventory, and rising rental costs with Gasia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: Why Young Adults Are Moving Home & The Discipline of DIY Investing Friday, June 19, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam discusses the rising trend of young adults living with parents and the potential economic impact of upcoming tech IPOs like SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI in California. The Mornings on 2 anchor also talked about Apple and Intel's microchip manufacturing collaboration, social media scams, and theme park updates before Clark Geranen discusses buy/sell disciplines for DIY investors and evaluating stock fundamentals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: AI at work, Apple AI limitations & Smart Money Moves Thursday, June 18, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam dives into how companies are using AI platforms to identify toxic managers and improve internal communication. Then the Mornings on 2 anchor gets into hardware limitations for older iPhones incompatible with the new Siri Apple AI upgrade, Adobe's expanded creative AI studio, Waymo's autonomous vehicle recall, and discusses the future of smart glasses with Gasia before financial advisor Chris Markowski joins the segment to break down how to find the right financial guidance, regardless of your net worth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: AI as Your Personal Shopper & The Hard Truth About Interest Rates Wednesday, June 17, 2026

In today's Dollars & Sense, Pam begins with Abercrombie & Fitch’s expansion into the shoe category amid massive year-over-year growth. The Mornings on 2 anchor also dives into Uber announcing a partnership with Lucid, Nuro launching driverless robo-taxis, Pinterest introducing new AI-powered tools, Snapchat’s latest $2,200 AR glasses, and Jersey Mike's dethroning Chick-fil-A as the top-rated fast-food restaurant. Then Pam and Gasia chat about consumer preferences before financial advisor Chris Markowski joins the segment to discuss a skeptical outlook on future interest rate relief, advising consumers to pay off high-interest credit card debt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: SpaceX Surges Past Microsoft & The Reality of the Iran Deal Tuesday, June 16, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam opens with an analysis of the positive momentum on Wall Street, driven by optimism surrounding a tentative agreement with Iran and the commencement of the Federal Reserve Chair's first policy meeting. Then, the Mornings on 2 host dives into tech news with SpaceX's milestone of surpassing Microsoft in market cap and how AI companies are expanding into New York City office spaces. Pam also broke down a new report showing workers dipping into retirement funds, followed by Comcast Xfinity's rollout of same-day equipment delivery before talking to financial advisor Chris Markalski about the realities of the tentative Iran deal, high insurance costs, and the cautious approach of shipping companies in the Strait of Hormuz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: Rocket Ships, Market Dips & Soul Food for the Next Generation Friday, June 12, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam dives into the anticipation surrounding the massive SpaceX IPO. The Mornings on 2 anchor also gives a World Cup ticket update and discusses declining global oil reserves before talking to financial advisor Clark Gararan about Bitcoin. Pam also highlights a local culinary and chef Renee Johnson of Blackberry Soul Fine Catering in Oakland ahead of Zip Trips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: Secret AI at Work and the True Cost of Groceries Thursday, June 11, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam kicks things off with new updates from Cash App and Door Dash and Wall Street's response to inflation data and the recovery of tech stocks across the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq. Then, the Mornings on 2 anchor discusses Starbucks' World Cup promotion, Anthropic's $200 million investment into AI job impact research, and DoorDash's rollout of an AI chatbot for grocery shopping and restaurant reservations before talking with financial advisor Chris Markowski regarding the reality of rising "bare necessities" costs and consumer credit card debt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: The Countdown to the Historic SpaceX IPO Thursday, June 4, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam dives deep into the announcement of SpaceX’s upcoming initial public offering (IPO). Financial advisor Chris Markowski joins the show with tips for potential investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: Summer Vacation Spending Splurge & The Reality of Modern Job Hunting Wednesday, June 3, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam discusses California-based Applied Aerospace and Defense celebrating its IPO at the New York Stock Exchange, and a new travel survey reveals that more than 50% of Americans plan to splurge on summer vacations. Then the Mornings on 2 anchor dives into technology updates about WhatsApp expanding its AI and TikTok launching a FIFA World Cup-inspired app before diving into the Trump administration proposes new tariffs on countries accused of utilizing forced labor, data center delays slowing down artificial intelligence expansion, and some major brands have pulled sponsorship from Pride events due to economic and diversity policy shifts. Pam also talks to financial advisor Chris Markowski about the nuances of the current labor market, the rise of work-from-home trends, and the realities behind unemployment calculations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: Google's AI Move & Is Remote Work Hurting New Grads? Tuesday, June 2, 2026

In today’s Dollars and Sense, Pam starts with Alphabet's plans to sell $80 billion in stock to meet surging customer demand for AI. Then, San Francisco-based AI company Anthropic is moving toward a historic public debut following a recent $65 billion private funding round before discussing how tech expansion is driving San Francisco real estate prices to record highs. The Mornings on 2 hosts also dives into Apple's development of a new bill-splitting feature for group expenses, a study linking remote work to rising unemployment among new college graduates, aviation industry updates, and Lego’s tech-upgraded Pokémon sets. Financial advisor Chris Markowski joins the show to share his skeptical perspective on political proposals for economic stimulus checks and updates on businesses reclaiming tariff money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: Prices are Insane & Oakley's Wine Country Thursday, May 28, 2026

In today's Dollars & Sense, Pam breaks down a newly released report on inflation with financial advisor Chris Markowski. The conversation highlights rising prices are forcing Americans to dip into their personal savings to maintain their standard of living. Markowski warns that credit card stress is at its highest level since the Great Recession, indicating that consumers are becoming dangerously overextended. Then Pam transitions to Oakley for another Made in the Bay segment where she interviews multi-generational grape growers who shares the unique history of a120-year-old vine business. The owner explains how Oakley's sandy soil and perfect delta breeze create ideal conditions for growing intense, flavorful wine grapes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: Real Estate Reality Check & Trader Joe's Expansion Plans Friday, May 22, 2026

In today’s Dollars and Cents, Pam highlights the financial pressures everyday Americans are currently facing before giving an update on the financial market. The Mornings on 2 anchor also covers the sudden shutdown of the AI audio app Hux. Over at Disney, several exciting park updates are unveiled, including the integration of the Muppets into a Hollywood Studios coaster and a special discounted summer ticket offer for kids. Then, a buried treasure hunt in the Bay Area concluded with a twist, as two college best friends successfully uncovered a $10,000 chest hidden in the Marin Headlands. Finally, Pam talks to financial advisor Clark Geranen about the California housing market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Mornings on 2: Big Changes Coming to Disneyland & The Real Cost of Sports Betting Thursday, May 21, 2026

In today’s Dollars & Sense, Pam dives into how Nvidia outpaced Wall Street expectations despite facing increased competition in the AI chip industry and why the general stock market opened lower today before discussing first quarter sales updates for major retailers like Walmart and Target Stellantis is partnering with AI startup Wave to bring hands-free automated driving technology to more cars by 2028. She also gets into park-hopping restriction changes at Disneyland, Governor Newsom’s proposed $3,500 tax credit for new electric vehicle purchases, Planet Fitness’ free pass for teens this summer, and federal investigation into sports gambling. Pam also talks to financial advisor Chris Marcowski about the upcoming leadership transition at the Federal Reserve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices