<p>Consumer sentiment really ran the gamut this year. But right now, Americans are feeling almost as bad about the economy as they were when inflation was at its peak summer of 2022. In this episode, we chronicle 2025’s consumer vibes rollercoaster. Plus: Kansas City’s housing market preps for the 2026 World Cup, a college professor offers an AI-driven macroeconomic theory course, and we go over the week’s headlines.</p><br/><p><em>Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? </em><em><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters">Subscribe</a></em><em> to our daily or weekly newsletter.</em></p><br/><p><em>Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at </em><em><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/">marketplace.org</a></em><em> — and consider </em><em><a href="https://www.marketplace.org/make-a-smart-investment">making an investment</a></em><em> in our future.</em></p>