Federal Reserve policymakers met this week and announced they’re cutting interest rates by half a percentage point. That’s meant to buoy the economy, but getting the public to understand why rates have been high, and why now’s the time to cut, is tricky. In this episode, experts weigh in on Chair Jerome Powell’s communication prowess. Plus, Gen Zers feel the pain of a tight job market combined with high prices, and we travel back in time to a Fed rate cut in 2019.

Since the COVID pandemic started, you’ve been shopping online more, right? Though consumer spending remained relatively stable over the past year, shopping at nonstore retailers (i.e., e-commerce) grew nearly 8%. We get it, it’s more convenient and safer, pandemic-wise. But how are brick-and-mortars adapting? Also in this episode: Corporate execs spout similar economic lingo, our electric grid’s got green energy shortcomings and rate cut anticipation raises homebuilders’ confidence.

For years, global oil demand has ticked up, mostly thanks to China’s voracious consumption. But real estate trouble combined with widespread electric vehicle adoption means China’s not guzzling oil like it used to. In this episode, the impact on the global oil market. Plus: A dockworker strike could put snags in holiday shopping, flight attendants dislike delays as much as you do and four states will vote on bond measures in November.

Everyone’s favorite aircraft manufacturer is back in the news — 30,000 Boeing machinist union members are on strike over pay. Typically, flyers don’t care what plane they’re on, as long as it gets them to the right place safely. But Boeing has had a year of high-profile controversies. Will the strike put the company into free fall? Also in this episode: Dollar stores struggle, Sierra Mist fizzles out and Jack’s Family Restaurants thrives in rural towns.

Today in Econ 101, we’re talking yield curve. In a typical economy, the longer a bond’s duration, the more interest it yields. The inverse — shorter duration, higher yields — usually means a recession is coming. We’ve been seeing an inverted yield curve in the U.S. financial system for nearly two years. So, where’s the recession? Also in this episode: Credit card delinquencies hit a 12-year high and we visit U.S. troops preparing for climate change.

Annual inflation, according to the consumer price index, fell to a multiyear low in August. That’s great, but we’re still half a percentage point away from the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal. What’s holding up prices? Also in this episode: Campbell’s wants us to know it sells more than soup, recession alarm bells are ringing — but maybe not for the reason you think — and will companies that already collect our data please stop sending us surveys?

Since 1970, Amtrak has run U.S. passenger rail service and — per a formal agreement with private railroad companies — those passenger trains get preference over cargo carriers on the tracks. But now, the Department of Justice says freight companies are breaking the rules. Also in this episode, more moving: New pipelines carry excess natural gas out of Permian Basin fields, programs that help families move into affordable housing assist with repairs too, and farmers pressure Congress to budge on the delayed farm bill.

When the August consumer price index is released Wednesday, it’ll be the final major inflation report before the Federal Reserve’s policymakers meet next week, when they’re expected to cut interest rates. But how important is the CPI as a gut check this time around? Also in this episode, backup generators are too expensive for many older Texans who need them most, China makes electric vehicles that seem impossibly cheap, and U.S. leaders show interest in a sovereign wealth fund.