meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Marketplace All-in-One

Why does the price of gas go up and down?

Marketplace All-in-One

Marketplace

News, Business

4.51.4K Ratings

🗓️ 21 April 2026

⏱️ 32 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

If you’re anything like “Million Bazillion” listener, Elijah, you may have noticed gas prices change from one day to the next, sometimes by a few pennies, sometimes by a lot more. Why does that happen? Ryan and Bridget’s search for answers turns into a much bigger adventure when a falling star and misplaced wish mean Ryan’s car suddenly comes to life and takes them on a wild road trip. Together, Bridget and Ryan learn what the price we pay at the pump has to do with global forces and crude oil's long journey to becoming gas in our fuel tanks.


If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!


Love the show? You can help make it happen. Donate what you can at marketplace.org/givemillion.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Thanks for picking me up for work, Ryan.

0:06.4

Of course, I'm always happy to carpool to the office.

0:09.5

One less car on the road is better for traffic, better for the environment,

0:13.1

and better for sharing my favorite podcasts with passengers.

0:16.7

Of course, Finding Dory is a top 10 Pixar movie.

0:20.1

Is that even up for debate? I'm just saying for me, good dinosaur is better than Finding Dory is a top 10 Pixar movie. Is that even up for debate?

0:21.0

I'm just saying, for me, good dinosaur is better than Finding Dory.

0:25.3

For me, Finding Dory, it's more like Finding Snorri.

0:28.2

Take that back, dude.

0:29.6

What are you listening to?

0:32.0

It's this movie discussion show called Castatoui.

0:35.9

Every single episode is two grown men ranking and re-ranking

0:39.3

all the Pixar movies. Monsters University is your number three. Your head must be in the clouds.

0:45.6

Like Carl Fredrickson. Who's Carl Fredericksson? The old man from up, which I noticed isn't even in your

0:50.4

top ten. This is what you listen to in the car? Yeah. And when I'm at home doing the dishes or eating or going to bed or any moment in life I'm threatened

0:59.6

by an uncomfortable silence, I guess I can turn it off.

1:02.9

Hey, wouldn't it be fun if we lived in a Pixar movie and random objects just came to life

1:08.7

and our adventures were filled with funny and emotional lessons about subjects that are borderline too complex for kids.

1:17.1

Whoa, what was that flash of white light just now? Was that a falling star?

1:22.3

Well, hey, y'all. Thanks for driving with me today. I'm Vroom Vroom.

1:26.5

What? I made a wish on a falling star and it actually came true?

1:32.0

Wait, this is actually a talking car on our show? Yeah, and I'm so excited to be here. I love driving and learning new things. Wow. Well, this is really gonna make the drive to the office a lot more interesting.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Marketplace, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Marketplace and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.