The Indicator from Planet Money: Recent Episodes
NPR
A little show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening today. It's a quick hit of insight into work, business, the economy, and everything else. Listen weekday afternoons.
Today, we're sharing an episode of a podcast that we've enjoyed, and think you will, too! It's called The Economics of Everyday Things. It's made by the Freakonomics Radio Network and on each of its episodes, host Zachary Crockett uncovers the hidden stories behind ordinary things! Stock photos, girl scout cookies, and cashmere sweaters, you name it.
In this episode, you're about to hear Zachary crack the lid open on ... the humble pizza box.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
On Indicators of the Week, we cover our favorite numbers in the news. On this week's edition we cover Netflix's foray into live sports, the possible psychology behind the post-election cryptocurrency rally, and a struggling DNA company's fight for survival.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Nuclear energy hasn't been a growing industry in decades. But now, it seems to be making a comeback. This week, the Biden administration announced a goal to triple nuclear energy capacity in the US by 2050. And over the past few months, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have all made deals to use nuclear energy to power their artificial intelligence appetites. Today on the show, could nuclear energy work differently this time?
Related episodes:The debate at the heart of new electricity transmission (Apple / Spotify)
Wind boom, wind bust (Two windicators) (Apple / Spotify)
How China became solar royalty (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Major flooding events are increasingly common across the U.S., but homeowners looking for flood insurance will find few choices. The main providers of flood insurance is the U.S. government through the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP. But even though the NFIP is one of the only flood insurance games in town, it's drowning in debt. On today's episode, the NFIP's struggle to stay afloat.
Related listening:Hazard maps: The curse of knowledge (Apple / Spotify)
When insurers can't get insurance
Flood money
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In a first-best world, we'd all save enough money and there'd be no scammers. In a second-best world, we'd all know how to protect ourselves.
That's what Sheila Bair thought, too. As former chair of the FDIC, she noticed many kids and adults weren't quite getting the education they needed. So, she decided to do something about it.
Today on the show: What Sheila Bair has learned about American capitalism as one of its top regulators and how she's trying — one book at a time — to help new generations from falling into its traps.
We learned about Sheila Bair's kids books from listener Erin Vetter. If you've come across anything that makes finance fun, email us! We're at indicator@npr.org.Related Episodes:Mailbag: Children Edition
Beach reads with a side of economics
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The federal government has been tracking the weather for more than 150 years. Yet over the last few decades, the rise of the Internet and big tech have made weather forecasting a more crowded space. Today on the show: the value of an accurate forecast and the debate over who should control the data.
Related stories:Hazard maps: The curse of knowledge (Apple / Spotify)
Should we invest more in weather forecasting?
After a year of deadly weather, cities look to private forecasters to save lives
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's ... Indicators of the Week! It's that time of week when we look at the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.
On today's episode: Election aftermath. Stocks jump, the temperamental Mexican peso, and which states are raising minimum wage.
Related Episodes:Should We Raise The Minimum Wage?
America's economy is the envy of the world. Will it stay that way?
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
This week, a powerful hurricane hit Cuba, causing nationwide electricity outages — right after a string of power failures that have plagued the country in recent months. These power outages are a low point for a country that has struggled economically for years and is experiencing mass emigration.
Today on the show, we explain why Cuba is struggling to keep the lights on and investigate the root causes of the Caribbean nation's dramatic fall.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Donald Trump's victory in this year's election had a lot to do with how many Americans feel about the US economy (surprise: not good). But Simon Rabinovitch, US Economics Editor for The Economist, argues that, despite the turmoil of the past few years, America's economy remains the envy of the world. Today on the show, Simon explains why that is, but also why he believes a Trump presidency puts America's 'economic exceptionalism' at risk.
The envy of the World - The Economist
Related episodes:How much do Presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy? (Apple / Spotify)
Why are some nations richer? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's the most important day of the year for the country ... The Beigie Awards! The Beigie Awards are back to recognize the regional Federal Reserve Bank with the best Beige Book entry. This time, we shine a spotlight on one entry that speaks to a logistics problem affecting farms in the midwest.
Related episodes:Using anecdotes to predict recessions (Apple / Spotify)
The Beigie Awards: Why banks are going on a "loan diet" (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
For the second year in a row, the U.S. government is buying the largest quantity of apples in its history because there are not enough consumers and processors who want to buy them. Today on the show, an abundance of apples and why some apple growers are getting out of the game altogether.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1% and 12,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy during October. It's a lower-than-expected jobs number, from a period that saw two significant hurricanes in the southeast and a strike from workers at Boeing. Today on the show, we explain the complexities of calculating the monthly job numbers, and why the Bureau of Labor Statistics can be trusted.
Related episodes:Behind the scenes of Jobs Friday (Apple / Spotify / NPR)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In 1880, the Chinese were the biggest group of immigrants in the western U.S. But Sinophobic sentiments crystallized into racist policies and eventually the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The rationale was that banning Chinese laborers would boost job opportunities for U.S.-born workers. Today, an economist explains how the Chinese exclusion laws affected the economies of western states and what it says about our current debate over immigration and jobs.
Read the working paper co-authored by Nancy Qian.
A digital scan of the photo album in the California Historical Society's collections is available here.
For more on this period of history, check out At America's Gates: Chinese Immigration during the Exclusion Era, 1882-1943 by Erika Lee.
Related episodes:What's missing in the immigration debate (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Immigration is a top concern among U.S. voters this election cycle. But Zeke Hernandez, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania who studies immigration,thinks politicians and the media aren't giving the public the full story. Too often, he argues, they paint immigrants as objects of pity or fear, when the reality is much more complex — and positive. Today on the show, we look beyond the binary and explore the less talked about ways documented and undocumented immigrants shape the U.S. economy.
Zeke's book is called The Truth About Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers.Related listening:
Is the border crisis really a labor market crisis? (Apple / Spotify)
Do immigrants really take jobs and lower wages? (Apple / Spotify)
Welcome to the USA! Now get to work (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Social Security has thus far been self-sustaining—payroll taxes go into this big fund, which then pays out monthly checks. But the problem we have now is the money coming into that fund is not keeping up with the money going out.
The election hasn't been great for people concerned about the government's finances. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that Donald Trump's election proposals will speed up the rundown in the Social Security fund by a few years.
So, when Social Security runs out of money as it's projected to do ... could we just borrow more money? And if so, what would that mean for the already rising government's debt?
Today on the show, how worried should we be about Social Security and the federal debt? We explain a fresh indicator to assess whether or not America's getting too far in the red.
Related Episodes:What does the next era of Social Security look like?
Iceberg ahead for Social Security
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Maldives is a small island nation struggling with a heavy debt load. Its borrowing includes $500 million worth of something called sukuk. These are bond-like investments that don't pay interest, to be in line with Islamic law. Today on the show, we explain how sukuk works, how it fits into the larger world of Islamic finance and what might happen if the Maldives can't pay back its debt.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
We ask economists for their expertise all the time on The Indicator, so why not their tips on love? On our final installment of Love Week, we ask economist Tim Harford to answer listeners' relationship quandaries, from paying for a first date to alternatives to saying, 'I love you.'
Thanks to Grant-Lee Phillps for composing our Love Week theme song and Kaitlin Brito for artwork.
Related episodes:Trying to fix the dating app backlash (Apple / Spotify)How American heiresses became Dollar Princesses (Apple / Spotify)
Why the publishing industry is hot (and bothered) for romance (Apple / Spotify)
It's Love Week! How the TV holiday rom-com got so successful (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Unanswered messages. Endless swiping. An opaque algorithm. The backlash to online dating feels like it's reached a fever pitch recently. For today's Love Week episode, why people are unhappy with online dating and what Hinge's CEO is trying to do about it. Also, a Nobel Prize economist delivers a little tough love.
Related listening:How American heiresses became Dollar Princesses (Apple / Spotify)
Why the publishing industry is hot (and bothered) for romance (Apple / Spotify)
It's Love Week! How the TV holiday rom-com got so successful (Apple / Spotify)
Hinge: Justin McLeod (How I Built This)
The dating app paradox
The economics behind sorority rush
Special thanks to Grant-Lee Phillips for our Love Week theme song and Kaitlin Brito for episode artwork.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In the late 19th century, British aristocrats had a big problem. They were short on cash to fund their lifestyles and maintain their vast country estates. In our third installment of Love Week, we look at the economic forces that drove some British men of the time to marry American heiresses, dubbed "Dollar Princesses," forming a union of money, status and, sometimes, love.
For more on Dollar Princesses, Mark Taylor's research paper is published here. Kristen Richardson's book is called The Season: A Social History of the Debutante.Related episodes:Why the publishing industry is hot (and bothered) for romance (Apple / Spotify)
It's Love Week! How the TV holiday rom-com got so successful (Apple / Spotify)
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Once relegated to supermarket aisles, romance books are now mainstream. And authors, an often-maligned group within publishing, have found greater commercial success than many writers in other genres. On today's episode of Love Week, our series on the business of romance, we find out how romance novelists rode the e-book wave and networked with each other to achieve their happily-for-now status in the industry.
Read more by Christine Larson, Priscilla Oliveras and Natalie Caña.
Thanks to Grant-Lee Phillips for our theme song and Kaitlin Brito for artwork.Related listening: It's Love Week! How the TV holiday rom-com got so successful (Apple / Spotify)
Rufaro Faith's 'Let the Games Begin' is a rom-com set in the Olympic village
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Welcome to Love Week on the Indicator, our weeklong series exploring the business and economic side of romance. On today's show, we fire up the gas logs and pour a mug of cocoa to discuss the made-for-TV rom-com machine, and how television executives learned to mass produce seasonal romance.
Special thanks to Grant-Lee Phillips for our Love Week theme song and Kaitlin Brito *for episode artwork.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org**.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's ... Indicators of the Week! It's that time of week where we look at the most intriguing indicators from this last week of economic and business news.
On today's episode: NHPR's Nate Hegyi, host of the podcast Outside/In, joins us to talk natural disaster loans, election prediction markets and ... potato chips?
Related Episodes:
What's with all the tiny soda cans? And other grocery store mysteries, solved.
A market to bet on the future
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
When the leader of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin died in an exploding plane widely attributed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, it wasn't clear what would happen. Today, why the Wagner Group has been called the world's most dangerous private army, its relationship with Russia and how its business model creates a blueprint for others to follow.
Related episodes:Not your typical army: how the Wagner Group operates (Apple / Spotify)
How the 'shadow fleet' helps Russia skirt sanctions (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Two years ago, the yield curve inverted. That means short-term interest rates on Treasury bonds were unusually higher than long-term interest rates. When that's happened in the past, a recession has come. In fact, the inverted yield curve has predicted every recession since 1969 ... until now. Today, are we saying goodbye to the inverted yield curve's flawless record?
Related episodes:The inverted yield curve is screaming RECESSION (Apple / Spotify)
Yield curve jitters
Two Yield Curve Indicators
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
This year's Economics Nobel went to a trio of researchers whose work focuses on the importance of strong institutions for an economy. Today we hear from the newly minted Nobel laureates about how they came to their groundbreaking conclusions.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's ... Indicators of the Week! It's that time of week when we look at the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.
On today's episode: Inflation slowly coming down, getting the lead out of water pipes, and a more expensive Mega Millions.
Related Episodes:Lotteries And Happiness
Indicator exploder: jobs and inflation
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The problem of how to price water is a perennial conundrum. Water is an essential limited resource that everyone needs, so how do you price it so everyone can afford it while making sure that utilities have enough revenue to fix their aging systems?
Today on the show, we find out why it's so hard to price water and how a city's solution led to a threat to cut off thousands of residents from a popular welfare program.
You can read more about the fight over water prices here.For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
If you need some reading glasses in the United States, you don't have to break the bank to pick some up. That's important for older folks who need a little extra magnification. But in some parts of the world, people who need readers don't have that privilege. Today on the show, we'll find out why that is and learn the economic solution to the reading glasses shortage.
Related episodes:Two indicators: supply chain solutions (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Is 2024 the year the music festival died? Festivals are getting canceled left and right, from Northern California to Florida to Virginia.
Big name festivals that used to sell out in minutes struggled to sell tickets this year, too, like Burning Man and Coachella.
And it's not just America. By one count, over 60 music festivals were canceled in the UK this year alone. In Australia, so many festivals were canceled that one newspaper there recently asked, are the nation's music festivals extinct?
Today on the show, the music festival recession. What's behind it and is it temporary or a permanent cultural shift?
Related Episodes:Live Music Industry Blues
The Economics of Music Festivals
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The U.S. economy is breathing a little easier after the International Longshoremen's Association reached a tentative agreement last week with the United States Maritime Alliance. The short-lived dockworkers strike reignited a debate over whether the president ought to intervene, invoking an old law on the books called the Taft-Hartley Act. On today's show, we explain what the Taft-Hartley Act is, why it was created and why it's still scorned by unions.
Related episodes:What the data reveal about labor strikes (Apple / Spotify)
Why residuals are taking center stage in actors' strike (Apple / Spotify)
The never-ending strike (Apple / Spotify)
The strike that changed U.S. labor
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or atplus.npr.org.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's Jobs Friday! It's that time of the month where we check in on the American worker.
In September, 254,000 jobs were added to the US economy and the unemployment rate ticked down very slightly to 4.1%. It's unexpectedly strong, and relieving news for workers after a pretty lackluster summer.
But ... given how the labor market cooled over summer, is the labor market still on thin ice? And if there were to be a plummet in jobs, could anything be done to speed up the recovery?
Today on the show: How it's easier to break the economy than to fix it, and whether we can escape from the patterns of the past.
Related Episodes:The Sahm Rule With The Eponymous Economist
How much would you do this job for? And other indicators
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In Germany, döner kebabs are more than just an affordable, satisfying street food. They're a symbol of Turkey's culinary influence in the country. Today on the show, how an effort to give doner kebabs a protected status under a little-known EU regulation could dish out some real economic consequences, in Germany and beyond.
Special thanks to Sidney Gennies, Sönke Matschurek, and Maren Möhring.Related episodes:Cheese wars
Coca Cola vs. Coca Pola (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
TikTok could begin shutting down in the U.S. as soon as January 19 of next year. But the app is not going down without a fight. The company is asking a panel of federal judges to block the law in a high-profile case that pits free speech versus national security. Today on the show, how TikTok got to this point and what we can expect from the app's last ditch effort to stay alive in the U.S.
Related episodes:Tick tock for TikTok? (Apple / Spotify)
Is Project Texas enough to save TikTok? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Sovereign wealth funds have been around since the 1800s, but they're having a bit of a moment right now ... The financial instrument was recently name-dropped in HBOs 'Industry' (good show!) and members of both the Biden administration and the Trump campaign have floated the idea of an American sovereign wealth fund.
That idea, for the most part, has been derided by economists. But... is an American sovereign wealth fund such a bad idea?
On today's show: What IS a sovereign wealth fund? Is a US national sovereign wealth fund a good or even viable idea?
Related Episodes:Why oil in Guyana could be a curse
The boom and bust of esports
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Penny for your thoughts? Today we open our mail bag to hear from Indicator listeners. A college graduate tells us about their job search, a researcher discusses why products advertised as 'simple' may not be so straightforward, and another listener thinks the debate over Fed independence is a little more nuanced than we let on.
Heard something on the show you liked (or didn't)? Have an insight to share about the economy? Send us an email: indicator@npr.org!
Related episodes:Should presidents have more say in interest rates? (Apple / Spotify)
We grade Fed Chair Jerome Powell (Apple / Spotify)
Trade wars and talent shortages (Apple / Spotify)
If the world had no accountants (Apple / Spotify)
The case for inflation
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's time for ... Indicators of the Week! It is our show where we talk about fascinating numbers from the news. On today's episode, America's small GDP increase, a big assist from China's government to its lower income residents, and a high-grossing, centuries-old Monkey King.
Related Episodes:How Red Lobster got cooked and other indicators
China's luxury liquor indicator
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Peak 65 is here. More than 4 million Americans will turn 65 between 2024 and 2027, representing the largest retirement surge in history. Years ago, older Americans could count on Social Security. But today there is some uncertainty on the program's solvency in the next decade plus. Now, many are entering their golden years with financial insecurity. Today on the show, how did Social Security become a thing? And what could the safety net for the Peak 65 generation and beyond look like?
Related episodes:Iceberg ahead for Social Security (Apple / Spotify)
What would it take to fix retirement? (Apple / Spotify)
Social Insecurity
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
A group of obscure yet powerful players in the prescription drug industry are under the microscope. On Tuesday, at a Senate hearing in D.C., the head of pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk blamed the health insurance industry and pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, for allegedly making products like the weight loss drug Ozempic way more expensive in the U.S. than it is in other countries. A few days before that, the Federal Trade Commission sued three of the country's largest PBMs for allegedly using unfair tactics to artificially inflate the price of insulin.
So what exactly are PBMs and how do they work? In an episode that aired two years ago, we explain how the answer involves secret deals and double agents.
Related episodes:
Who can and cannot get weight loss drugs (Apple / Spotify)
New drugs. Cheaper drugs. Why not both? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Rupert Murdoch took an Australia paper in Adelaide and turned it into one of the most influential media empires in the world. The question of who will run it after he's gone though is the subject of speculation both in reality and on the HBO fictional series "Succession." Now, a small probate court in Nevada will weigh in on that very question.
Today, how did the drama come to be? And what will the decision mean for the future of Fox, one of the most influential networks, on the planet and our political discourse?
Related episodes:Dollar v. world / Taylor Swift v. FTX / Fox v. Dominion (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
A recent survey found that nearly half of all Americans say they could not live without GPS in their car. The American economy couldn't live without GPS, either! Clocks on Wall Street, commercial fishermen, and of course, your Lyft driver, all rely on satellite navigation services.
An outage in those services, however, would cripple the U.S. economy. A study found that an outage could cost at least $1 billion a day ... and we don't have a backup.
Today on the show, we explain who owns GPS and why we don't have a Plan B if it fails.
Related Episodes:The Military Industry ... It's Complex
Why the FTC is cracking down on location data brokers
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's ... Indicators of the Week! We roundup the economic indicators that caught our eyes and ears. This week, all our attention was on the Federal Reserve, which cut interest rates by half a percentage point. (Egad!)
On today's episode, we've got dot plots, why the Fed rate cut may not bring immediate relief, and ... Sasquatch?!
Related Episodes:Has the Fed lost the dot plot?
Are both rents AND interest rates too dang high?
When mortgage rates are too low to give up
Related Reading:Mortgage Rates Puzzle Is a Worry for Housing and the Fed
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Yesterday we looked at Donald Trump's key economic proposals for a second term. On today's show, we do the same for Kamala Harris, examining the Democratic nominee's plans for taxes, housing and grocery store prices.
Related episodes:What are Trump's economic plans? (Apple / Spotify)
Three Kamala Harris indicators (Apple / Spotify)
Bad economics, smart politics (Apple / Spotify)
How much do presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy? (Apple / Spotify)
When Uncle Sam stops paying the childcare bill (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
With less than two months before election day in the U.S., there's still a lot to learn about both major candidates' economic platforms. Today we look at some key proposals from Donald Trump for a second term, including tariffs and immigration. Tomorrow: Kamala Harris' plans.
Related listening:Bad economics, smart politics (Apple / Spotify)
How much do presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy? (Apple / Spotify)
Do immigrants really take jobs and lower wages? (Apple / Spotify)
Why tariffs are SO back (Apple / Spotify)
What is Trumponomics?
Trump vs. Red Tape
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The co-hosts return with answers to YOUR questions. In this episode of listener questions, we dive into why storefronts don't just fill up, how Tiny Desk found its secret sauce, and whether there's an ideal level of staff turnover.
Tiny Desk Donation Page
Related episodes:Anatomy of a Layoff (Apple / Spotify)
Pay Cuts Vs. Layoffs
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Nippon Steel says it wants to keep jobs in America as it looks to buy out US Steel. And economists say: that makes sense. But U.S. presidential candidates are pushing back. Today, we'll look at the role politics plays in distorting economics and find out whether that's what's happening in Pennsylvania and some other battleground states.
Related episodes:The tensions behind the sale of U.S. Steel (Apple / Spotify)
How much do presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's ... Indicators of the Week! We roundup the economic indicators that caught our attention. On this (kinda) spoOoOooky Friday the 13th, we were morbidly curious about higher household incomes, a Keurig K-Cup kerfuffle and, believe it or not, the return of Fyre Festival.
Related Episodes:Wake up and smell the fraud
How much would you do this job for? And other indicators
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Department of Justice thinks Apple has violated an antitrust law, pointing to its ecosystem of apps and products. Apple, for its part, thinks the DOJ is wrong on both the facts and the law. Today on the show, why the DOJ brought this lawsuit against one of the largest companies in the world and why it matters for all you smartphone owners out there.
Related episodes:How Fortnite brought Google to its knees (Apple / Spotify)
Can an old law bring down grocery prices? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Barcelona has always attracted crowds, but now it's attracting protests from locals angered at the negative consequences of being one of Europe's most popular destinations. This is especially true as large cruise ships can dock close to some of the city's most famous landmarks. On today's show, we look at how cruise ships are both driving revenues and frustrations in Barcelona, and we consider what the city's options are for regulating the flow of visitors.
Related episodes:The return of Chinese tourism?
How Iceland's tourism bubble deflated
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
A weird thing is happening in West Texas. Natural gas prices have gotten so low, energy producers are actually paying to give it away. Today, why it's happening and whether it's a big concern. Plus, who else won a Beigie award!
Related episodes:Texas' new power grid problem (Apple / Spotify)
The debate at the heart of new electricity transmission (Apple / Spotify)
The rise of American natural gas (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In 2019, Philip Esformes went on trial for one of the biggest Medicare fraud cases in history. His longtime family rabbi said Philip Esformes was an upstanding citizen ... when he lived in Chicago.
Malcolm Gladwell was fascinated by this case and the prospect of a city changing a man. He covers this in his forthcoming book Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering.
Today on the show: How Miami became known as the capital of Medicare fraud. We learn what went wrong in South Florida and what it says about how places may change our behavior.
Related Episodes:Book drama, NVIDIA hype, and private equity Football
How Pitbull got his name on a college football stadium
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
There is expected to be a lot of demand for manufacturing jobs in the coming decade, but many of those positions will be left unfilled. So Darnell Epps set out to close that gap by connecting employers with workers and showing potential workers what's appealing about these jobs. Today, we dig into Darnell Epps journey through both law school and trade school.
Related episodes:One of the hottest jobs in AI right now: 'types-question guy' (Apple / Spotify)
Why it's so hard to mass produce houses in factories (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Recently, singer/rapper/entrepreneur Pitbull agreed to pay $6 million to Florida International University for the naming rights to its football stadium ... an unusual move for both parties: a musician paying for their name on a stadium, and for a college to name their stadium after a musician.
How does this move benefit the college? How does this move benefit Mr. Worldwide?
In today's episode, what Pitbull and FIU's deal tell us about the fast-changing economics of college sports.
Related Episodes:The monetization of college sports
The Olympian to influencer pipeline
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The once-thriving Japanese hamlet of Nanmoku was known for its silk and timber industries. Today, it is the country's most aged village, with two-thirds of residents over age 65. On today's show, how the Japanese government is trying to address rural depopulation and attract younger residents to villages like Nanmoku.
Related listening:Japan had a vibrant economy. Then it fell into a slump for 30 years (Apple / Spotify)
Japan's ninja shortage
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Reclassing, when a student repeats an academic year by choice, is a popular way for kids trying to land a spot in a top college athletics program. But it can also come with some heavy costs. Today on the show, we explore the reclassing phenomenon and pressures kids and their parents face in a competitive environment for young athletes.
Related episodes:Should schools be paying their college athletes? (Apple / Spotify)
The monetization of college sports (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
On this Indicators of the Week, we take you to a Manhattan bar to watch NVIDIA's latest earnings reports. Plus, how publishers are trying to keep their books in Florida school libraries and what private equity is doing in Football.
Related episodes:The tower of NVIDIA (Apple / Spotify)
What do private equity firms actually do?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
While the 2024 Paris Olympics are over for some athletes, many competitors are still seeking to capitalize on their fame back on their college campuses. Thanks to the NCAA's 2021 rule changes for Name, Image and Likeness, college athletes are now able to leverage their stardom to maximize their earning potential.
Today on the show, we talk to University of Michigan men's gymnastics star and Olympic medalist Frederick Richard about how he's playing the business game for the long term.
Related episodes:Why the Olympics cost so much (Apple / Spotify)
You can't spell Olympics without IP (Apple / Spotify)
The monetization of college sports (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Even with falling interest rates in recent weeks, mortgage rates are still higher than you'd expect.
Mortgage interest rates are usually a little less than two percentage points higher than what you would get on a 10-year Treasury bond. But for the last couple of years that difference has been noticeably higher: 2.6% at the moment. New borrowers have been paying potentially thousands of dollars extra each year on their mortgages.
Today on the show, how mortgage interest rates work and why they're currently out of whack ... with new borrowers footing the bill.
Related Episodes:Are both rents AND interest rates too dang high?
How mortgage rates get made
The rat under the Fed's hat
AP Macro gets a makeover
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
When Shi Zhengrong started making solar panels at the turn of the century, there was basically no solar industry in China. But in the decades that followed, the nation started heavily investing in renewables. Today, we dig into how China became a leader in solar power while following the story of one man: the Sun King.
Related episodes:Rooftop solar's dark side (Apple / Spotify)
The debate at the heart of new electricity transmission (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The ascendance of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz has made the topic of free school lunch a political flashpoint. Over the past several years, several states—including Walz's home state of Minnesota—have created free school lunch programs, to the dismay of some House Republicans who believe government subsidies should go only to needy students.
Today on the show, we break down the economics of school lunch and explore whether universal programs are more effective than targeted programs.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Welcome to another edition of Indicators of the Week! On today's show, the large downward revision to jobs numbers, the awkward release of that news and a survey that asks U.S. workers for the minimum salary they would accept a new job for.
Related listening:
Getting more men into so-called pink collar jobs (Apple / Spotify)
Do I need a four-year degree? (Apple / Spotify)
Indicator exploder: jobs and inflation
Our 2023 Valentines
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Earlier this month, the White House unveiled a new initiative aimed at trying to serve and protect American consumers: Time is Money.
It's an array of actions the Biden Harris administration is taking to stomp out business processes that waste consumers time and money, like, for example, making it unnecessarily difficult to cancel a subscription, get an airline ticket refund, or file an insurance claim.
On today's episode: In a competitive market, companies want to treat their customers well or else they'll lose their customers to competitors ... so why does the White House want to intervene in this area of the free market?
Related Episode:Junk fees, unfilled jobs, jackpot
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Like several aspects of the travel economy, renting a car is more expensive than it was before the pandemic. Today on the show, we explore the great reset happening in the U.S. rental car industry that's kept prices elevated, left fleets leaner, and customers frustrated.
Related episodes:The semiconductor shortage (still)
Offloading EVs, vacating offices and reaping windfalls
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
By now, you've probably heard a lot from both presidential nominees about getting rid of taxes on tips.
The idea may sound good on first go, but it has its detractors, namely economists and tax experts. Their fears include unfairness and people gaming the system.
On today's episode, how to put in place guardrails for a policy that many economists believe is likely to go off the rails.
Related episode:Why Americans Can't Quit Tipping
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Unlimited paid time off may sound like a nice perk, but it's not always what it appears. Employers aren't typically obligated to pay out unused vacation balances when a worker leaves, and it can be hard for workers to understand just how much time they can actually take off.
And yet ... endless leave?? It doesn't sound so bad.
Today on the show, is unlimited paid time off really a benefit? We try to figure out whether it works.
Related episodes:Vacation, and why the U.S. takes so little of it (Apple / Spotify)
The 28-Hour Work Week
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's ... Indicators of the Week! We cover the numbers in the news that you should know about. This week, we cover mortgage applications increasing, China's home prices decreasing, and Carrie Bradshaw ... Indices-ing?
Related Episodes:When mortgage rates are too low to give up
Are both rents AND interest rates too dang high?
The highs and lows of US rents
The mess at the heart of China's economy
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Some bank customers are jumping to high-yield savings accounts to escape the shockingly low interest rates of personal savings accounts at big banks. So why aren't these banks raising their rates to attract more customers? Today on the show, we explore why big banks may not care about your savings account anymore.
Related episodes:The dangers of money market funds (Apple / Spotify)
Interest rates up, but not on your savings account (Apple / Spotify)
Bad Form, Wells Fargo
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Former President Donald Trump recently suggested that if elected in this year's presidential election he would want more say on decisions made by the Federal Reserve. Presidents taking a more active role in monetary policy would mark an extraordinary shift in U.S. economic institutions, and mark the end of central bank independence.
Today on the show, why the Federal Reserve insulates itself from day-to-day politics, and what it looks like when central banks are influenced by politicians.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Homelessness is a pervasive issue that cities across the country struggle to address. This led an entrepreneur to team up with researchers and local foundations for an experiment called the Denver Basic Income Project. The goal was to see how different variations of a basic income program would impact the local homeless population. What the researchers found could become a guide for how localities in the United States could address the problem of homelessness.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's that time of year when we want to lie on a beach and lose ourselves in a good book. Today on the show, three summer reading recs that got our hosts thinking about economics. Remember, anything read on the beach is, in fact, a "beach read."
Books recommended in this episode:
• Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (B&N, Bookshop)
• Everything Is Predictable: How Bayesian Statistics Explain Our World by Tom Chivers (B&N, Bookshop)
• Range: Why Generalist Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein (B&N, Bookshop)
Related episodes:How Asimov's 'Foundation' has inspired economists (Apple / Spotify)
The carbon coin: A novel idea
Beach reads for econ nerds
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Indicators of the Week is a show dedicated to highlighting some of the most interesting numbers in the news. Today, we break down our favorite indicators in Google's antitrust defeat, the currency trade in Japan that jolted global markets and another way of creating an Olympic medal tally.
Related episodes:Is Google search getting worse? (Apple / Spotify)
Why the Olympics cost so much (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The International Olympic Committee has developed a reputation over the years for stringently enforcing its trademarks during the summer games. It has good reason to, with brands like Coca-Cola and Visa paying top dollar for exclusive sponsorship rights. Today on the show, the lengths the IOC will go to protect its trademarks and how smaller brands try to avoid their dragnet.
Related episodes:Why the Olympics cost so much (Apple / Spotify)
Peacock, potassium and other Paris Olympics Indicators (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Globalization, as we once knew it, is dead ... well, that's according to the UK's new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.
Chancellor Reeves has run the UK Treasury since July 2024. She's facing an economic backdrop familiar to many countries: hollowed-out industrial towns; climate change; global wars and conflicts.
Today on the show: Our conversation with Chancellor Reeves on her visit this week to the US. What she thinks went wrong with globalization, and the new economic map she's coursing.
Related Episodes:From Brexit to Regrexit
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The U.S. wants to become a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. That will mean a lot of new generation from renewable energy. It also means more transmission networks are needed to bring it onto the grid.
But there's a debate over how that new transmission should be built — between a competitive or monopoly approach. Today, we look at why competition is so divisive and why each side thinks they should build the next generation of transmission infrastructure.
Related Listening:Texas' new power grid problem (Apple / Spotify)
Green energy gridlock (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's been a turbulent couple of days for financial markets around the world. Japan's biggest stock market saw its worst day in decades. Corporate earnings disappointed investors. And last week's jobs report here in the US showed disappointing numbers. Is this a sign of a recession or just some temporary turbulence? Today, we speak with two economic analysts to make sense of what's really going on.
Related:Matt Klein's newsletter"The Overshoot"Why are we so bummed about the economy? (Apple / Spotify)
The Sahm Rule With The Eponymous Economist
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Jobs numbers came out today and they weren't great: Unemployment hit 4.3% and only 114,000 jobs were added to the economy in July. The U.S. economy's downshifting gears ... but there are bright spots.
Care jobs grew. Like social assistance: 9,000 new jobs in July.
Social work organizations have been calling out for more men in particular ... and with unemployment rising for men, a lot of them want jobs. So why aren't they meeting?
Today on the show: Getting more men into so-called pink-collar jobs. We learn about an experiment that showed a surprising way to encourage men into industries traditionally represented by women.
Related Episodes:Wanted: Social workers
Ghost jobs
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The modern Olympic Games are notorious for saddling host cities with burdensome cost overruns into the billions. Organizers for the Paris 2024 Olympics were aware of this and planned to put on one of the most cost-effective Olympics in recent memory. They still went over budget.
Today on the show, why the Olympics almost always costs host cities much more than they anticipate and what we can learn from the Olympic Games' original economic sin.
Related episodes:Peacock, potassium and other Paris Olympics Indicators (Apple / Spotify)
Why California's high speed rail was always going to blow out (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Federal Reserve has once again opted to leave interest rates unchanged. That appears to be creating a big challenge to one part of the economy: housing prices. Today, we look at how elevated interest rates may actually be keeping home prices and rent high. Plus, we see how one community is taking the issue of housing affordability into its own hands.
Read the research paper co-authored by Julia Fonseca, Lu Liu, and Pierre Mabille.
Related episodes:When mortgage rates are too low to give up (Apple / Spotify)
The housing shakeup (Apple / Spotify)
The highs and lows of US rent (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's time for The Indicator Quiz!
We test you, dear listener, on your knowledge of topics that we've covered on The Indicator!
Today's quiz focuses on our June episodes, in which we covered a lot of... well, a little bit of everything! NVIDIA, ChatGPT, and...Peppa Pig?
Play along with us and see how you do!
Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Email us your name and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line.Related Episodes:Spud Spat
The tower of NVIDIA
Indicators of the Week: Debate Edition
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The childcare industry has been having a tough go of it. It's already expensive; pandemic-era programs have ended; plus there are too few providers. Enter a new challenge: increasing liability insurance premiums. Today, we look at why these premiums are rising for childcare providers, and how they're impacting both businesses and consumers.
Related episodes:Baby's first market failure (Apple / Spotify)
When Uncle Sam stops paying the childcare bill (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Indicators of the Week is BACK, and this time, we're going for the gold! (...In educating our listeners on the economics and business stories behind the Olympics.)
In this Olympics-themed episode, we'll learn what economic factors help countries win more medals, how NBCUniversal is betting on these games to support its streaming service, and what it takes to feed 15,000 hungry athletes. (Hint: A LOT of potassium. And pain au chocolat. And baguettes.)
Related Episode:Why Host The Olympics?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Are the promises made by AI boosters mostly hype, or are we actually underappreciating the transformative potential of AI?
This week, The Indicator hosts a two-part debate on the hype around generative AI. Today, the second episode: Despite the tech world's love affair with the technology, is AI overrated?
Related episodes:Is AI underrated? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Are the promises made by AI boosters all hype, or are we actually underappreciating the transformative potential of AI?
This week, The Indicator hosts a two-part debate on the hype around generative AI. Today, the first episode: Despite all the news coverage and money, is AI underrated?
Guest Tyler Cowen's book that he published as an AI chatbot is GOAT: Who is the Greatest Economist of all Time and Why Does it Matter? and his interview with an AI Jonathan Swift is on his podcast, Conversations With Tyler.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Even before the Dune: Part 2 popcorn bucket went viral this year, movie theaters have been trying all types of ways to lure customers back. There's reclining seats, expanded menu options and even more merchandise. Today on the show, we track the rise of the popcorn bucket and its afterlife on eBay.
Related episodes:Coyote vs. Warner Brothers Discovery (Apple / Spotify)
Why platforms like HBO Max are removing streaming TV shows (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
You may have heard some big news this past weekend: Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential election. This leaves Kamala Harris as the favorite to be the Democratic nominee.
On today's show, We imagine what can be, and we're unburdened by what has been: Kamala Harris' economics, delegate math in deciding the nominee and ... can Kamala Harris use Joe Biden's campaign money?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's Indicators of the Week! We cover the numbers in the news that you should know about. This week, we cover climbing corporate bankruptcies, J.D. Vance's potential to bring the dollar down, and the NBA's new super serious salary cap.
Related episodes:The Science of Hoops
Why Ecuador Uses The Dollar?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Supreme Court's decision to quash Chevron deference means countless agency regulations are now more vulnerable to being challenged and struck down. Think the Environmental Protection Agency's plan to boost electric vehicle sales, discrimination protections against transgender people, and rules that expand eligibility for overtime.
Yesterday, we explained the history that led to this moment. Today, we look at the how the decision will play into a wave of regulatory lawsuits.
Related episodes:The conservative roots behind the Chevron doctrine (Apple / Spotify)
Could SCOTUS outlaw wealth taxes (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
When the Supreme Court decided Chevron U.S.A., Inc v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. 40 years ago, it didn't turn many heads. But eventually, it became the most widely cited case in all of administrative law. It set a legal precedent to give federal agencies the benefit of the doubt when the law is ambiguous, known as Chevron deference.
Now, a recent Supreme Court decision has set in motion another tectonic shift, effectively ending that precedent. Today, we dig into what Chevron deference is and how it actually came about. Then tomorrow we'll continue our focus on this significant change by looking at the potential fallout.
Related episodes:A Supreme Court case that could reshape social media (Apple / Spotify)
Could SCOTUS outlaw wealth taxes (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Digital Markets Act is a new piece of European legislation aimed at making markets in the digital sector "fairer and more contestable." It's essentially antitrust regulation—rules to ensure that no one company or group of companies makes an area of business uncompetitive. And these rules are making some big companies sweat, not because they're afraid of monetary penalties, but because they could have an effect on antitrust regulations around the world.
Today on the show, we examine the differences between how the EU and the United States handle antitrust and what the Digital Markets Act could mean for big tech's regulatory future.
Related episodes:EU leads the way on controlling big tech
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
If you regularly listen to The Indicator, you know China's economy is not doing great. Over the last few years, indicators like unemployment and local debt are up, and consumption and property sales are down.
There is one big indicator that's been a bellwether for China's economy ... booze. One specific kind: Baijiu.
In today's episode, a quick history on baijiu and how the liquor is a potent symbol for consumer confidence in China.
Related Episodes:China's weakening economy in two Indicators
The Beigie Awards: China Edition
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
On Indicators of the Week, we cover the numbers in the news that you should know about. This week, we cover an encouraging trend for global wealth, closing Mexico's tariff loophole and the European nation bucking the trend of shorter work weeks.
Related episodes:Why tariffs are SO back (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
There are currently just under 65,000 migrants in New York City's shelter system, stretching the city's outworn social service systems. Today on the show, we follow one asylum seeker's journey from Venezuela to New York and explore why the process is lengthy and complicated.
Related episodes:Is the 'border crisis' actually a labor market crisis? (Apple / Spotify)
'Welcome to the USA! Now get to work.' (Apple / Spotify)
The migrant match game (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Voters have a bleak outlook on the economy right now, and many are pointing the finger at President Biden. At the same time, many voters have a rosy view of the economy when Donald Trump was president. But how much credit or blame should a president get for the economy? And how do partisan politics play into our perception of the economy's performance?
Related episodes:Common economic myths, debunked (Apple / Spotify)
Not too hot, not too cold: A 'Goldilocks' jobs report (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Children of U.S. military families, a.k.a. brats, are known for their adaptability when relocating to new neighborhoods and schools every few years. This migratory population became the basis for brand new research on how the neighborhood you grew up in affects your economic success later in life. Today on the show, how a place influences your financial destiny.
Related episodes:Chasing the American Dream at Outback Steakhouse (Apple / Spotify)
The secret to upward mobility: Friends
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Back in 2021, the meme stock frenzy was at its peak: Roaring Kitty AKA Keith Gill, and young day traders gleefully upended financial markets. Roaring Kitty disappeared for a bit before returning just a couple months ago.
His disciples that followed him into the markets, however, never left. That's according to Nathaniel Popper in his new book, The Trolls of Wall Street: How the Outcasts and Insurgents are Hacking the Markets.
Today on the show, why Nathaniel believes these day traders are here to stay and where they're putting their money now.
Related Episodes:GameStop and the Short Squeeze
The tower of Nvidia
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
U.S. job growth cooled this month. But one job is hot to the touch: AI prompt engineer. The role can command a six figure salary, but ... what is it? Today, we speak to an AI prompt engineer to figure out what they actually do and how long the job could remain hot.
Related:AI creates, transforms and destroys ... jobs (Apple / Spotify)
If AI is so good, why are there still so many jobs for translators?
Applying for a job? Make sure your resume is AI-Friendly (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Last week, Vladimir Putin vowed to make new nuclear weapons and consider placing them close to NATO countries. Meanwhile, here in the US, the government boosted its nuclear weapon spending by 18% between 2022 and 2023.
The world is closer to nuclear war than it's been in at least forty years.
Today on the show: The game theory of nuclear war. When can mathematical models help us, and when can they lead us astray ... even to the brink of destruction?
Guest Kelly Clancy's book is Playing With Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World.
Related Episodes:How to get Russia to pay Ukraine
Congressional game theory
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Europe is expecting a wave of victories from far-right candidates in upcoming national elections. Voters are showing they're worried about income inequality, immigration and the effects of participating in a global economy. Today, we take a look at what the swing to the right means for Europe's economy and the European stance on globalization.
Related Episodes:Can Europe fund its defense ambitions (Apple / Spotify)
Why the EU is investigating China's wind turbines (Apple / Spotify)
How vikings launched globalization 1.0
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to an abortion, triggering a parade of restrictions and bans in conservative-led states. Today on the show, how the medical labor force is changing post-Roe and why graduating medical students, from OB-GYNs to pediatricians, are avoiding training in states with abortion bans.
Related listening:What's the cure for America's doctor shortage? KFF: Medical Residents Are Increasingly Avoiding Abortion Ban States
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Indicators of the Week is BACK! This week we're doing something just a little bit different. You see, it's the same 'ol Indicators of the Week you're used to, but as a nod to last night's presidential debate, this time, it's debate style.
On today's episode, your candidates argue over who has the best Indicator of the Week: the links discovered between health care prices and layoffs, stress-tested banks, and ... cow burps?
Related Episodes:Time to make banks more stressed?
The Cows Are Taking All The Land
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
For years, rich nations have sent money to lower-income countries to help deal with the impacts of climate change. But it turns out, these wealthy nations are finding creative ways to funnel some of that financing back into their own economies. Today, we look at how the climate crisis is reviving a debate over how money should flow from rich to less-rich nations.
Related episodes:A countdown to climate action (Apple / Spotify)
Gambling, literally, on climate change (Apple / Spotify)
Blue bonds: A market solution to the climate crisis? (Apple / Spotify)
Why a debt tsunami is coming for the global economy (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The last major overhaul of the tax code was in 2017, when Republicans passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Much of that is set to expire next year, and that means a big debate over tax policy is looming.
Voters this fall won't just be voting for a president—they'll essentially decide who pays for the government and how much for years to come.
Today on the show, we explain the battle lines forming in this tax code throwdown.
Related Episodes:
The Good, The Bad and The Tax Cuts
Happy Birthday, Tax Cuts!
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
A few years ago, bike enthusiast Bryan Hance got a tip. A whole bunch of expensive bikes that were stolen in the Bay Area had suddenly turned up ... for sale on a Facebook page in Mexico. The revelation started Bryan down a years-long investigation where he would uncover an intricate, large-scale criminal operation out of Jalisco, Mexico.
In today's episode, we talk to freelance reporter Christopher Solomon who wrote about Hance's journey in WIRED Magazine.
Related episodes:Is retail theft getting worse? (Apple / Spotify)
The economics of stealing bikes
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
For a moment last week, semiconductor chip designer NVIDIA eclipsed Microsoft to become the world's most valuable company. How did it get there?
Today on the show, David Rosenthal, one half of the tech podcast Acquired, explains how NVIDIA's founder Jensen Huang laid the groundwork for the company's meteoric rise, and why there may be obstacles ahead.
Related episodes:The life and death spirals of social media networks (Apple / Spotify)
The semiconductor founding father
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Indicators of the Week are back! We are here, as always, to bring you the most fascinating snapshots from the week of economic news.
On today's show, we're digging into the embattled aerospace company, Boeing. We look at how paying your rent with a Wells Fargo credit card is costing the bank millions of dollars a month. And we learn how much richer the Planet Money coffers are after we invested in the funds that track stock trading by congresspeople and their families on both sides of the aisle.
Related Episodes:Invest like a Congress member
Help Wanted at Boeing
ICYMI, preorder our new Indicator t-shirt at the NPR shop. For more ways to support our show, sign up for Planet Money+ *where you'll get sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, and access to even more Indicator merch.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter*.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
When Diane Lewis' son, Jovaan, was sentenced to prison, she told him to call her every day. What he didn't know at the time is that those collect calls often meant Diane was unable to pay her other bills. Today on the show, how prison phone calls got so expensive, and the movement to make them free.
Related listening:The Uncounted Workforce
From Prison to the Workforce
The Prisoner's Solution
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
There are some new funds that track stock trading by members of Congress and their family. So we thought, why don't we get in on that? Today on the show, we crack open the Planet Money Investment Jar to learn more about how our political leaders play the market, investing in funds tracking Democratic and Republican stock trades.
Whether Congressional stock trading should be limited is a hotly debated matter. So to test whether lawmakers are beating the market, Dartmouth College economist Bruce Sacerdote and his co-authors pitted lawmakers' stock picks against reindeer at a Christmas-styled theme park.
Trust us for this ride! It'll all make sense with some intriguing results.
Related listening:Stock traders are trying to beat the market — by copying lawmakers
WTF is a Bitcoin ETF? (Apple / Spotify)
Planet Money's Toxic Asset
Planet Money Summer School: Investing
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The federal government classifies potatoes (whether they be baked, waffled, curly, fried) as a vegetable.
Recently some nutritional scientists were questioning that logic as the feds updated their dietary guidelines for 2025.
On today's episode, why potatoes have such sway on Capitol Hill and the real financial stakes spuds have in staying a veggie.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Indicators of the Week is back! This week, we've got indicators about oil gluts, big bucks for Ukraine and fewer bucks at Starbucks. (Apologies for the slurping.)
Related episodes:
How to get Russia to pay Ukraine
An oil boom, a property slump and dental deflation
ICYMI, preorder our new Indicator t-shirt at the NPR shop*. For more ways to support our show, sign up for Planet Money+ where you'll get sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, and access to even more Indicator merch.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org**.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
There are many anecdotal complaints about Google search not being what it used to be. A German computer scientist and his colleagues put this theory to the test recently focusing on product reviews. Today on the show, we bring their findings to Google's chief search scientist.
Related episodes:How Fortnite brought Google to its knees (Apple / Spotify)
Microsoft vs. Google: Whose AI Is better? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Federal Reserve introduced a visual tool called the "dot plot" in 2012 to communicate where officials think interest rates should be in the coming years. The dot plot is eagerly dissected by Fed watchers looking for insight on future policy, but others think that the dot plot has become a visual example of just how little the Fed can predict where the economy is going.
Today on the show, we decode the dot plot and hear why some think that the Federal Reserve's artistic exercise should be scrapped altogether.
The Federal Reserve's latest dot plot (page 4) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Politicians on both sides of the aisle call the surge at the US Southern Border a "border crisis."
One camp says we need to focus on addressing the conditions in other countries that cause people to leave. The other says we have to focus on deterrence and enforcement.
But...what if both camps are actually ignoring a major piece of the picture? Today on the show, an overlooked cause and potential solution to the situation at our southern border that has nothing to do with the border at all.
Related episodes:Why Venezuela is no longer in freefall
Welcome to the USA! Now get to work.
ICYMI, preorder our new Indicator t-shirt at the NPR shop*. For more ways to support our show, sign up for Planet Money+ where you'll get sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, and access to even more Indicator merch.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org**.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
We are back to answer your questions that you, our listener's, have been sending. On today's show, is chicken actually getting cheaper? Why doesn't the Federal Reserve use different interest rates around the country? And: is election spending an indicator of economic health?
If you have a question you'd like us to answer, email us at indicator@npr.org.
Related episodes:Can an old law bring down grocery prices? (Apple / Spotify)
How political campaigns raise millions through unwitting donors
How mortgage rates get made
The rat under the Feds hat (Apple / Spotify)
The interest-ing world of interest rates (Apple / Spotify)
ICYMI, preorder our new Indicator t-shirt at the NPR shop. For more ways to support our show, sign up for Planet Money+ *where you'll get sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, and access to even more Indicator merch!
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Today's jobs report shows a slight rise in unemployment to 4%. And some frustrated job seekers are growing tired of applying for job after job with no replies, sometimes asking whether the listings are even real. And this isn't just vexing for applicants. It's also haunting economists when trying to figure out how much slack there is in the labor market, and whether interest rates should be raised or lowered. Today on the show: the rise of ghost jobs. Where they're happening and why.
Related episodes:Not too hot, not too cold: a 'Goldilocks' jobs report
The Beigie Awards: From Ghosting to Coasting
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
99.5 percent of megaprojects are either over time, over budget or have lower benefits than expected. What's going wrong? Today, we look at case studies from California's high speed rail project to the Sydney Opera House to consider the do's and don'ts of ambitious projects.
Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner's book on megaprojects is How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors that Determine the Fate of Every Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration and Everything In Between.
Related episodes:Why building public transit in the US costs so much (Apple / Spotify)
Planes, trains and bad bridges (Apple / Spotify)
ICYMI, preorder our new Indicator t-shirt at the NPR shop. For more ways to support our show, sign up for Planet Money+ *where you'll get sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, and access to even more Indicator merch!
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The United States has been a supporter of Israel since the nation's establishment in 1948. With the civilian death toll rising in the Israel-Hamas war, growing scrutiny is mounting over just how much the U.S. should support Israel's military. Today, a historical explanation for why the United States tied itself so closely to support for Israel.
Related episodes:Protesters want schools to divest from Israel. How would that work? (Apple / Spotify)
ICYMI, preorder our new Indicator t-shirt at the NPR shop. For more ways to support our show, sign up for Planet Money+ *where you'll get sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, and access to even more Indicator merch!
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Maybe you've heard these things on social media, in the news, and take them as fact: More than half of the adults in the US live paycheck to paycheck, the trade deficit is always bad, and making the super wealthy pay their fair share will fix everything. Well, the truth isn't so simple. Today on the show: economic mythbusting. We take three factoids about the American economy and run them through the fact checkers.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
MERCH! You asked for it. We got it. After rebranding our podcast earlier this year, we decided it was time to create our own merch. On today's show, a brief oral history of early merch, how to score an Indicator t-shirt, and the winning name of our new mascot.
• Preorder the t-shirt now at shopnpr.org/indicator
• Sign up for Planet Money+ to access more Indicator merch
Related episodes:Name our mascot. No, really (Apple / Spotify)
Planet Money Makes a T-shirt
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Indicators of the Week is back, where we dig into three economic snapshots from the global economy. This week, we are exploring consumers' ever so slightly improved perception of the economy, what's going on with carbon offsets, and why China is sending some pandas to U.S. zoos.
Related Episodes:
Actors back. Pandas gone. WeBankrupt. (Apple / Spotify)
How Red Lobster got cooked and other indicators (Apple / Spotify)
Emission Impossible (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's time for The Indicator Quiz! We test you, dear listener, on your knowledge of topics that we've covered on The Indicator! Today's quiz focuses on ch-ch-changes. (That's a David Bowie reference, kids!) We're covering changes in the economy, the environment, the rental market, you get the picture. We're even tossing in a question about an AI-resurrected rapper. Play along with us and see how you do! Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Email us your name and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Eight times a year, we award regional Federal Reserve Banks with our coveted Beigie Award. While the anecdotes within the Beige Book offer us fascinating looks into the economy, to others, it can be difficult to make anything of the stories they tell. That's why we're giving out a special Beigie award today to some economists who found a way to use anecdotes to peer into our economic future.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Dental therapists have been practicing in other parts of the world for decades, but in the U.S. they are relatively few and far between. Like a hygienist, dental therapists can do cleanings as well as some procedures usually reserved for dentists, like simple extractions. They could also be the solution to getting underserved, rural communities better oral care. Today on the show, new momentum for dental therapy and why the American Dental Association is pushing back.
Related episodes:The value of good teeth
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Indicators of the Week is back! On today's episode, we discuss Red Lobster's bankruptcy, the rancid vibes of the U.S. economy, and a surprising shift in vices among Americans.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Last week, President Biden placed tariffs on a slew of Chinese goods. When Donald Trump was president, he did the same. Regardless of who wins the election, the US is gearing up for heavy tariffs on imports in 2024. But this is far from the first time the economic tool has been in style.
Today, a brief history of US tariffs: how they came into fashion, fell out of fashion, are now back again and why economists aren't too happy about it.
Related Episodes:
Trade wars and talent shortages (Apple / Spotify)
The surprising leader in EVs (Apple / Spotify)
A brief history of tariffs
Worst. Tariffs. Ever.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In August 2020, Epic Games launched a legal assault against both Google and Apple, alleging that their mobile app stores are illegal monopolies. Almost four years later, Epic could be close to forcing Google to make major changes to its Play Store.
Today, we explain the legal battle behind Epic v. Google and why the outcome could have major implications for where consumers get their apps and how they pay for them.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
With a few clicks of AI software, anyone can conjure the voice or visual likeness of a dead celebrity — or really anyone. This new world has opened up a bunch of new legal questions about the rights of people and their heirs to control digital replicas of themselves. Today on the show, how a Drake diss track featuring the voice of Tupac made it into the Congressional record, and how it may lead to more regulation of AI.
To read more of Greg Rosalsky's reporting, subscribe to Planet Money's newsletter.
Related episodes:AI creates, transforms and destroys ... jobs (Apple / Spotify)
Are the Products in your shopping cart real? (Apple / Spotify)
Planet Money makes an episode using AI
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Homes are not just where we eat and sleep, but one of the primary ways people build generational wealth in the U.S. But with home shortages and harsh climates, rural America's path to building that wealth looks a little different than other parts of the country. Today on the show, we focus in on housing challenges in Alabama's Black Belt and one innovative solution to preserving generational wealth.
Related:There is growing segregation in millennial wealth
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Indicators of the Week is back. This time, an in-depth look at what Biden's massive tariffs on Chinese imports might mean for inflation and jobs. After that, why it may soon become easier to become a certified public accountant, addressing that nagging CPA shortage.
Related Episodes:If the world had no accountants (Apple / Spotify)
The surprising leader in EVs (Apple / Spotify)
How electric vehicles got their juice (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
For decades, the Dominican Republic's economy has been growing at a remarkably steady pace. The Caribbean nation of 11 million people is today considered a middle-income nation, but the International Monetary Fund projects it could become an advanced economy within the next 40 years.
Today on the show, we uncover the reasons behind the Dominican Republic's economic success and whether or not these benefits are being felt widely in the country.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The latest inflation numbers are in. This month's Consumer Price Index, or the CPI, is ... well, good and bad news for renters. Shelter prices went up over the last year, but at a slower pace. Shelter makes up nearly a third of the CPI. Today's episode: Rent. Where is it high? Where is it low? What exactly is "coffee milk"? The Indicator tours the U.S. to bring you the answers.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
When June Carbone, Naomi Cahn and Nancy Levit set out to write a book about women in the workforce, they initially thought it would be a story all about women's march towards workplace equality. But when they looked at the data, they found something more disturbing: of the ways in which women's push toward workplace equality has actually been stalled for years.
In today's episode, law professor June Carbone argues that the root of the problem lies in something they call the "winner take all" approach to business. That's the thesis of their new book, "Fair Shake: Women & the Fight to Build a Just Economy".
Related episodes:What would it take to fix retirement? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Advancements in cryptocurrency networks are sparking conversations about the potential for Central Bank Digital Currencies, or CBDCs for short. Advocates for CBDCs think they would provide security and unlock more efficient fiscal policy actions. However, opponents believe they would provide a shortcut for government interference and the erosion of privacy.
Today on the show, we'll dive deep into the world of CBDCs and pose the question if countries actually need them at all.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Indicators of the Week is back! This time, we dig into why gold prices are spiking, why the Biden administration has only spent a small portion of money pledged to infrastructure projects, and what the spurt of streaming consolidations means for you.
Related episodes:Gold Rush 2.0 The semiconductor shortage (still) (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
The secret entrance that sidesteps Hollywood picket lines (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
According to a government report released this week, Congress has until 2033 to fix Social Security before retirees receive an automatic benefit cut of about 21%. This is a more optimistic estimate from a previous report that stated the Social Security Trust Fund would run dry sooner, but it still paints a grim picture for a program that millions of retirees rely on.
Today, NPR's Chief Economics Correspondent joins the show to explain what exactly lawmakers can do to fix Social Security and why proposed solutions might be easier said than done.
Related episodes:What would it take to fix retirement? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Back in 2019, The Indicator started checking in on with a Venezuelan economist Gabriela Saade. The economy was in freefall. The country was suffering from hyperinflation and a huge jump in poverty. Today, the U.S. faces a spike in migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, many from Venezuela. So we check back in with Gabriela. Venezuela is due to go to the polls in July. We ask Gabriela and two other Venezuelans: what are economic conditions like at the moment? How has life changed since the pandemic? Some of the answers surprised us.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
What happens when small town politics collide with the climate crisis? And how do hazard maps—maps that show which homes in your neighborhood are at risk of getting destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster—come into play? On today's episode, how some people—from Indiana to Oregon to Alaska—are facing some very real concerns about insurance and the ability to sell their houses.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In Western Colorado, towns and farms are banding together to pay a hundred million dollars for water they don't intend to use. Today on the show, how scarcity, climate change and a first-dibs system of water management is forcing towns, farms and rural residents to get spendy.
Related episodes:A watershed moment in the West? (Apple / Spotify)
The Amazon, the Colorado River and a price on nature
Water in the West: Bankrupt?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's Jobs Friday and the jobs report is in! There's more jobs! ... but not as many as expected. And there's a teensy bit more unemployment and slower wage growth. But there's an upside ... Plus, healthcare is growing like gangbusters and how immigrants affect American-born workers.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
College campuses nationwide are erupting with protests against Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza. A consistent theme among these actions: a call for university endowment "divestment."
Today, we unpack what that means and how divestment would work. Plus, we hear from an expert who explains why divestment might not have the effect that many believe.
Related episodes:Why Israel uses diaspora bonds (Apple / Spotify)
How much of your tax dollars are going to Israel and Ukraine (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Beigie Awards are back to recognize the regional Federal Reserve Bank with the best Beige Book entry. This time, we shine a spotlight on one entry that explains how some businesses are feeling the impacts of higher for longer interest rates.
Related episodes:The interest-ing world of interest rates (Apple / Spotify)
The Beigie Awards: Why banks are going on a "loan diet" (Apple / Spotify)
Where are interest rates going?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Sandwiched between a burger joint and an oyster bar in New York City hangs a daunting image: The National Debt Clock. And that debt number? It just keeps ticking up. How deep in the hole are we? Nearly a hundred percent of gross domestic product. And counting. Today on the show, the federal debt. Is it time to freak out? Or is there nothing to see here?
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Launches by commercial space companies are becoming more frequent. Last year, the Federal Aviation Administration licensed 117, an all-time high. But these spaceflight companies aren't paying for all of the FAA's services that they use.
Today, we explore why the government is looking to change that and dig into the larger debate over whether human activity in space is a public or private project.
Related episodes:Economics in space
Planet Money goes to space
Space economics
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
We wrap up our series on the economics of the video game industry with a triple roundup. Today, how the new ban on noncompete contracts could affect the gaming industry, whether young men are slacking off work to play games and the ever-controversial world of loot boxes.
Related episodes:Forever games: the economics of the live service model (Apple / Spotify)
Designing for disability: how video games become more accessible (Apple / Spotify)
The boom and bust of esports (Apple / Spotify)
Work. Crunch. Repeat: Why gaming demands so much of its employees (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Employees at video game companies are known for working long hours to meet product launch deadlines. This pressure, known in the industry as crunch, has only gotten more intense as games have grown more complex. Mounting layoffs in the growing industry have only made things worse on the labor front, inspiring some workers to take matters into their own hands.
Today, in the next installment of our series on the business of video games, we speak to several workers in the industry about their experiences with crunch and why they feel unionization is the key to preserving their careers.
Related episodes:Forever games: the economics of the live service model (Apple / Spotify)
Designing for disability: how video games become more accessible (Apple / Spotify)
The boom and bust of esports (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The origins of competitive gaming are rooted in college campuses going back to the early 1970s. Now a globally popular industry, esports is at the center of many questions about long-term financial viability.
Today, we dive deep into the hype surrounding esports and why the luster seems to be rubbing off the industry that was once seen by some as the next NBA.
Related episodes:Forever games: the economics of the live service model (Apple / Spotify)
Designing for disability: how video games become more accessible (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Gaming provides entertainment and community for billions of people worldwide. However, video games haven't always been accessible to those with disabilities. But this is changing.
Today, in the next installment of our series on the business of video games, we explain how accessibility has become an increasingly important priority for game developers and how advocates pushed them to this point.
Related episodes:Forever games: the economics of the live service model (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
People used to pay one standard price for their favorite games in a one-off transaction. But now, many game companies are offering their games for free, supported by in-game purchases. This is called the live service model.
Today, the first episode of a week-long series about the video game industry. We investigate the promise and pains of the live service model and explain how it turned the industry upside down.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's highs and lows in this edition of Indicators of the Week! The surprisingly high amount of electricity needed for artificial intelligence, basketball star Caitlin Clark's surprisingly low base salary, plus a potential crackdown on the ticketing company everyone loves to hate (possibly because of those high fees).
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
After the financial crisis of 2008, regulators around the world agreed banks should have more of a cushion to weather hard times. Now, U.S. regulators are once again looking to update minimum capital requirements through a set of proposals called Basel III Endgame. Today, on the show, a blow-by-blow account of this battle between bankers and regulators.
Related episodes:Time to make banks more stressed? (Apple / Spotify)
SVB, now First Republic: How it all started (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
When an insurance company can't cover all of its claims, it actually has its own insurance. This is called "reinsurance." How does that work and why do reinsurers look at their risk pool differently than say home or auto insurers?
Related episodes:Why is insurance so expensive right now? And more listener questions (Apple / Spotify)
When insurers can't get insurance (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Anti-vaccine activists, far-right groups and some religious conservatives convened in Las Vegas this spring to discuss the creation of a parallel economy. These are groups who believe their speech is threatened by big banks and big tech. On today's show, what is a "freedom economy," and how would it work?
Related episodes:A Supreme Court case that could reshape social media (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
We are back to answer your listener questions. On today's show, we explain reverse mortgages and their risks, why insurance has gotten so expensive, and whether there's a catch to charitable donations at the store.
If you have a question you'd like us to answer, email us at indicator@npr.org.
Related episodes:When insurers can't get insurance (Apple / Spotify)
Are we counting jobs right? We answer your listener questions (Apple / Spotify)
When mortgage rates are too low to give up (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In this edition of Indicators of the Week: the new incentive for speed in cash prizes for Olympic track and field, growing iPhone assembly in India and the curious inflation puzzle of the foot-long cookies at Subway.
Related episodes:Can India become the next high-tech hub? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
With tax season upon us, many people are paying someone or a software to get their tax returns done. A small group of people, however, are filing online directly with ... the IRS. For free. Today on the show: how the IRS's tax filing experiment came to be, how it's been working so far, and who doesn't like it.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Europe wants clean energy, but it's struggling to compete with the low cost of China's green technology. The E.U. just announced it's investigating the subsidies received by Chinese wind turbine suppliers, which play a part in those low costs.
On today's episode, we speak with Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissioner for Competition, about how the E.U. is trying to build and maintain a competitive green tech industry in the face of low-price Chinese imports. And we ask how the U.S.'s climate industrial policy fits into all this action.
Related Episodes:The surprising leader in EVs (Apple / Spotify)
Industrial policy, the debate! (Apple / Spotify)
Why offshore wind is facing headwinds (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
You've heard of the British royal family, but what about the "working royals?" Today on the show, an expert on the royals explains what the job is like — how they measure productivity, how they get paid, and how this tiny, specialized workforce of 11 people might cope with the health crises of King Charles III and Kate Middleton.
Subscribe to journalist Elizabeth Holmes' newsletter on the British royal family.
Related episodes:The U.K.'s most famous family firm in crisis
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
General Electric has been staggering along for years as a conglomerate. But recently, it's turned to a popular strategy to unlock new value: spinning off. Just last week, GE spun off its clean energy business into a new company: GE Vernova. On today's show, we explore what a spin off is and why companies do them.
Related Episodes:What happened to GE?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The U.S. labor market continues its hot streak, adding 303,000 jobs last month — more than expected. Many of these jobs will require a four-year degree despite a push among some employers to eliminate these requirements. On today's show, we look at the state of the job market for people without a four-year college degree.
Related episodes:The lopsided market for higher ed
Enough with bachelor's degrees
The cost of student debt
Failing college
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
"Shadow fleet" refers to the collective of ships used by countries that have sanctions against them, like Russia, to transport commodities around the world. These ships pose threats to global and environmental security because they skirt international maritime law. So what can be done about them?
Today on the show, we explain what exactly makes the shadow fleet so dangerous and why there are surprisingly limited options for how to deal with these problem ships.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Since 2020, grocery prices have shot up. If you're looking to save a buck, it's often more affordable to shop for groceries at a big retailer like Walmart. But some smaller grocers say those low prices are the result of an unfair playing field—and they're looking to a little-used antitrust law from the 1930s as a solution. Today, we consider the Robinson-Patman Act and whether reviving it could bring consumers some relief.
Related episodes:Grocery delivery wars (Apple / Spotify)
Feeling inflation in the grocery store (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The sun is shining, birds are singing, and...our allergies are going NUTS. That can only mean one thing: It's time for The Indicator Quiz! The show where we bring a lucky listener on to test their econ knowledge. Today's quiz focuses on questions related to labor. Play along with us and see how you do! Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Email us your name and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Does breaking the law ... make financial sense? Paying future fines and settlements at the risk of harm to people and the environment? Some legal scholars argue that's just the cost of doing business.Today, we ask whether a company's duty is to the law ... or to its shareholders.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Many broad economic indicators are positive, but consumer sentiment is negative. Even with cooling inflation and low unemployment, consumers are still feeling the economic strain. In today's episode, we look at three ways the US consumer is feeling the pinch.
Related episodes:Dollar stores vs. lettuce Factory boom, credit card debt defaults and housing (Apple / Spotify)
Are we counting jobs right? We answer your listener questions (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
March Madness is in full swing as Men's and Women's college basketball teams across the country compete for the NCAA championship. However, the Dartmouth Men's Basketball team made headlines just before the tournament for its successful unionization vote.
Today, we break down why the Dartmouth men are pushing to unionize and what a college athletics union could mean for the future of college sports.
Related episodes:The monetization of college sports (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Boeing's CEO Dave Calhoun has resigned and will step down at the end of the year. It comes after a series of mishaps with the aviation company including a door plug blowing off a 737 MAX 9 mid-flight. In today's episode, we turn to a head-hunter to explore what Boeing might look for in a new CEO.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
You might notice we're looking a little refreshed thanks to our new podcast logo. Today on the show, we ask some marketing experts what goes into building a strong brand, and whether our own makeover hits the mark.
Listeners, help us name our new Indi-Gator mascot! Email your suggestion to indicator@npr.org with "Indi-gator" in the subject line.
Related episodes:How to make an ad memorable (Apple / Spotify)
BRAND new friends
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Countries all over the world are making big moves in monetary policies. From unexpected cuts to long-awaited hikes to a cautious cling to the status quo, this edition of Indicators of the Week has it all. Today, we explain the motivations for these drastically different approaches.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Snowmaking has helped cover up the effects of climate change for a long time. But by the turn of the century, that started to change. A recent report shows US resorts are opening later, closing earlier, and taking a financial hit. For an industry that relies on snow, the threat is existential. Can ski resorts survive?
Related Episodes:
Ski resorts are welcoming winter storms
The Backcountry Boom
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The number of teenagers in the workforce today is at its highest level in about 20 years. At the same time, child labor violations are up and states are relaxing some protections for their youngest workers. On today's show, we examine the state of the Gen Z labor force, and the distinction between youth employment and child labor.
Related episodes:
Young, 'spoiled and miserable' in China (Apple / Spotify)
Teenage (Employment) Wasteland
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The political pressure on TikTok continues to ratchet up. This week Biden administration officials are throwing their support behind legislation that would essentially give an ultimatum to TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance. Sell TikTok to another owner not controlled by a "foreign adversary" or be banned from US app stores.
It's a big step towards an outcome that some high-ranking U.S. officials have desired for years. But why is there so much concern about TikTok, and just how likely is a ban?
Today, a couple of TikTok creators talk about what a ban would mean for them, and NPR tech correspondent Bobby Allyn explains how we got where we are and what could be coming next.
Related episodes:Is Project Texas enough to save TikTok? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The majority of European members of NATO are not spending as much on defense as they agreed to. But that may change as the European Union considers a move to a "war economy." Today, we examine what that means and what barriers to a "war economy" look like.
Related episodes:The Military Industry ... It's Complex
Are we overpaying for military equipment? (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
Can Just-In-Time handle a new era of war? (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
How to transform a war economy for peacetime (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's Indicators of the Week, our up close and personal examination of economic headlines. Today we have three indicators from President Joe Biden's economic agenda. His budget proposals include fixes for childcare, home buying and hiking corporate taxes.
Related episodes:Shopping for parental benefits around the world (Apple / Spotify)
When mortgages are too low to give up (Apple / Spotify)
Paying for the Inflation Reduction Act
'Dune: Part Two' is a grand spice opera
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
HOOAH! It's our first Beigie Award for 2024! The Beigie Award is back to recognize the regional Federal Reserve Bank with the best Beige Book entry. This edition's winner took us to the City of Brotherly Love, detailing how high home interest rates and low existing home sales in the area are financially affecting our buff brethren in arms: movers.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Cyberattacks are plaguing the healthcare industry. It's an expensive and dangerous trend that's on the rise. Today, we consider why hacking is surging right now, why healthcare companies are being targeted and what hackers want from them.
Related episodes:Cracking the code on cyber insurance
One hack to fool them all (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
How to launder $600 million on the internet (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The introduction of brand new spot bitcoin ETFs has put bitcoin on a bit of a hot streak. Just this week, the price of bitcoin reached a record high of about $72,000 which is about 70% higher than it was a couple of months ago. So why exactly have these ETFs changed the perception around bitcoin so quickly?
Today on the show, we talk with a Bitcoin believer and a skeptic to understand what exactly all the fuss is about for these bitcoin ETFs.
Related episodes:WTF is a bitcoin ETF? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
There's been a disconnect between how the US economy is doing and how people actually feel about it. Maybe people are still burnt from when inflation was high, maybe it's the expensive cost of borrowing for a car or a mortgage, or maybe it's ... wait, are WE the problem?! Today we look in the mirror and find out if financial media contributes to negative economic sentiment.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The job that's projected to be the fastest-growing in the U.S. is wind turbine service technician. So we wanted to learn what they actually do. Today on the show, reporter Darian Woods travels to a windy corner of Maine for a day in the life of one of these green-collar jobs.
Related episodes:Why offshore wind is facing headwinds (Apple / Spotify)
A Man, a plan, wind power, Uruguay (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Ukraine desperately needs money. And there's a tempting solution sitting in a Belgian financial institution: nearly $200 billion in frozen Russian assets. In today's episode, we learn about this unique depository where most of the Russian assets are stored and two proposals to get some of this money to Ukraine.
Related episodes:The cost of a dollar in Ukraine (Apple / Spotify)
Russia's sanctions, graded (Apple)
Why Israel uses diaspora bonds (Apple / Spotify)
Economic warfare vs. Fortress Russia
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The rising cost of living and longer life expectancy is making it harder for Americans to retire comfortably. Millions of Americans are behind on saving for retirement and face the possibility of working in their old age.
Economist Teresa Ghilarducci says she has a plan that could fix retirement in America. In her book, "Work, Retire, Repeat: The Uncertainty of Retirement in the New Economy," she proposes a few policies that she believes can help Americans currently struggling to retire. Today on the show, we talk to her about her ideas and why the current status quo is more serious than we think.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to issue new rules this week on how companies disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. This is part of a broader movement for more environmentally and socially conscious financial options, known as ESG investing. Today on the show, what the proposed climate disclosure rule says, why it's so controversial, and if it passes, what that'll mean for investors and the stock market.
Related episodes:The OG of ESGs (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
One estimate says 2.4 million people die in the U.S. each year, and burying them is expensive: a typical burial can cost about $10,000. That's a lot of money, caskets, and plots filling up cemeteries. But ... what if there was a cost-effective option to bury people, one that was good for the Earth and your pocket book? Today, we look at the prices and features of sustainable burials.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's Indicators of the Week, our weekly look under the hood of the global economy! Today on the show: Tyler Perry halts his film studio expansion plans because of AI, Wendy's communications about a new pricing board goes haywire and a key inflation measure falls.
Related episodes:Listener Questions: the 30-year fixed mortgage, upgrade auctions, PCE inflation (Apple / Spotify)
AI creates, transforms and destroys... jobs (Apple / Spotify)
The secret entrance that sidesteps Hollywood picket lines (Apple / Spotify)
The Birth And Death Of The Price Tag
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Israel has long raised money from individual supporters living overseas through a tool called diaspora bonds. This financing tool is part patriotic gift and part investment. Today, we look at how diaspora bonds work and how Israel is making use of them for its war effort.
Related episodes:The Great Remittance Mystery
Oil prices and the Israel-Hamas war (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
From "Hot Labor Summer" to "Striketober," 2023 was another big year for workers joining picket lines. Today on the show, we'll dig into two recent reports that shed light on the state of labor unrest in the U.S.. We'll look at what industries are driving this trend, how workers are feeling about their jobs and what that says about the American labor movement.
Related episodes:Why residuals are taking center stage in actors' strike (Apple / Spotify)
The never-ending strike (Apple / Spotify)
The strike that changed U.S. labor
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Super Bowl ads this year relied heavily on nostalgia and surprise –– a few tricks that turn out to embed information into our brains. Today, neuroscientist Charan Ranganath joins the show to dissect the world of marketing to its biological fundamentals and reveal advertisers' bag of tricks.
Charan Ranganath's new book is Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold On to What Matters.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Any day now, social media platform Reddit is expected to launch an initial public offering (IPO), earmarking shares for its most dedicated users. On today's show, our friends at WBUR podcast Endless Thread help us unpack why Reddit is making this move, and what it might mean for Reddit's stock.
Related episodes:r/boxes, r/Reddit, r/AIregs (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Indicators of the week is back! This time, we explore why oil and gas companies are pulling in record profits, whether bad commercial property debt is likely to spark a financial crisis and how much a lost tooth goes for in this economy.
Related EpisodesWhat could break next? (Apple / Spotify)
What's really happening with the Evergrande liquidation (Apple / Spotify)
How an empty office becomes a home
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Next week, the US Supreme Court will hear a case that pits the Attorneys General of Texas and Florida against a trade group representing some of the biggest social media companies in the world. Today, how we got here, and now the case could upend our online experience.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Capital One Financial Corporation plans to acquire Discover Financial Services in a $35 billion deal that would combine two of the largest U.S. credit card companies. Today on the show, five big questions about the deal, and the opaque system behind every swipe, tap or insertion of your credit card.
Related:Planet Money's TikTok on the secret behind credit card rewards
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In business, the million-dollar question is how to get people to buy stuff. But in wildlife conservation, the challenge is: how do we get people to not buy stuff? How do we bring down demand for fur, ivory and rhino horns? Today on the show, the story of a business trying to make lab-grown rhino horns and the backlash that followed.
Check out more of Juliana Kim's reporting for NPR here.
Related:Supply, demand, extinction (Apple / Spotify)
Rhino Bonds
Shooting Bambi to Save Mother Nature
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's Indicators of the Week — our weekly look under the hood of our global economy. Today we look at why cocoa prices are soaring, whether India's electoral bonds are bad for democracy and how a typo sent Lyft shares (briefly) soaring.
Related:
Cocoa prices hit a 47-year high before Valentine's Day
Can India become the next high-tech hub? (Apple / Spotify)
Lyft going public: The dual-class share dilemma
Big donors and pay-to-play politics
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In 2023, The Federal Reserve and other banking regulators announced they were making changes to how they grade banks on servicing local communities. This all stems from a 1977 law called the Community Reinvestment Act, which was designed to encourage banks to better meet the needs of moderate and low-income borrowers. However, major banking trade groups weren't too excited about the new rules and filed a lawsuit against the banking regulators last week.
Today on the show, we explain the history of racist housing policies in the United States and how that history informs the banks' fight with the government today.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Egypt's economy is facing its worst crisis in decades. The situation could further destabilize the Middle East if it goes unresolved. Now, the International Monetary Fund is working with Egyptian leadership to figure out another deal for a multi-billion dollar loan ... but will it be enough? Today, we look at how Egypt has fallen into economic crisis and whether its economy is too big to fail.
Related episodes:What could convince Egypt to take in Gaza's refugees? (Apple / Spotify)
Red Sea tensions spell trouble for global supply chains (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Roses are red. Violets are blue. We have another Indicator Quiz for you! Today's episode tests one loyal listener on their econ knowledge about our recent defense series, and they give us their best Valentine's Day cocktail recommendation. Play along with us and see how you do!
Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Email us your name, city and phone number to indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line.
Related episodes:Can Just-In-Time handle a new era of war? (Apple / Spotify)
Are we overpaying for military equipment? (Apple / Spotify)
How to transform a war economy from peacetime (Apple / Spotify)
How to transform a war economy from peacetime (Apple / Spotify)
How the world economy could react to escalation in the Middle East (Apple / Spotify)
How niche brands got into your grocery store (Apple / Spotify)
WTF is a bitcoin ETF (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, *Newsletter.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
China is in the economic doldrums in part due to its slumping real estate market. And one of the largest property developers in mainland China is a huge part of the story. Evergrande is drowning in about $300 billion of debt. And after months of attempting to restructure, one of its entities is now being forced to liquidate. We look at what that means and how the Chinese economy will be affected.
Related episodes:China's weakening economy in two Indicators (Apple / Spotify)
Tumbling Chinese stocks and rapid Chipotle hiring (Apple / Spotify)
The mess at the heart of China's economy (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It is Friday, and Indicators of the Week is back — SUPER Edition. Today, what one New York bank's shakiness means for the wider economy, why Mexican imports in the US are super surging, and the T. Swift effect on the Super Bowl.
Related Episodes:Economics, boosternomics and Swiftnomics (Apple/Spotify)
Does the U.S. have too many banks? (Apple/Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
For decades, Saudi Arabia's economy has been defined by its abundant oil reserves. Its ability to influence global oil supply propelled Saudi Arabia to one of the richest countries in the world. The Saudi royal family became important players on the world stage. However, waning dominance in the oil market is forcing the Saudi government to think differently about its reliance on the commodity.
Today on the show, we explain Saudi Arabia's fantastical vision for its future and how the government is using its present influence in the oil market to fund it.
Related episodes:Why oil in Guyana could be a curse
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
WeWork, DraftKings, Lucid Motors. These are a few companies that have taken an untraditional route to go public through something called SPACs or special purpose acquisition companies. The obscure investment vehicle took off during the pandemic, but has since fallen back to earth. Today, we consider the rise and fall of SPACs and how recent rule changes will affect these deals.
Related episodes:The SPAC is back
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The U.S. launched the Paycheck Protection Program in April 2020 to save jobs and businesses from the worst effects of the pandemic. Today on the show, a post-mortem on the controversial program and whether it fulfilled its objective. Also, we hear from one company that voluntarily paid back its PPP loan — with interest — even though it could have qualified for forgiveness.
Related episodes:Could cash payments ease recessions? (Apple / Spotify)
Small banks' corona crunch
The big small business rescue
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Although we have dodged the bullet for now, the threat of a recession is always a concern for policy makers. The question is: will we be prepared next time? In this episode, we consider an alternative approach to stabilizing the economy during a recession through automatic monthly cash payments. The hope: faster relief, a reduced racial wealth gap and predictable income. Can it work?
Related episodes:The Sahm Rule with the eponymous economist
Hear us out: We ban left turns and other big ideas (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The most recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the United States economy exceeded expectations by adding 353,000 jobs in January. This continues the labor market's years-long trend of resilience in the face of the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes. However, digging deeper into the numbers reveals figures that economists are keeping a close eye on.
Today, we explain why it's not necessarily ideal for local government jobs to lift up a booming labor market.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's no secret — your phone knows where you are, and if that data exists, someone else might have it. Back in 2022, we covered the murky market for smartphone location data. Now, the Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on this multi-billion dollar industry. In today's episode, we explain why the agency is trying to ban a data broker from selling information tied to sensitive places like medical facilities.
Related episodes:Ad targeting gets into your medical file (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In the 1980s, California was the heart of the aerospace industry. But when the Cold War ended, military spending cuts put those defense jobs in jeopardy.
This week, we're bringing you a three-part series on the defense industry. In this episode: how the state redirected some of those defense dollars to another economic opportunity provides an example of how the "peace dividend" can be used effectively.
Related episodes:Are we overpaying for military equipment? (Apple / Spotify)
Can Just-In-Time handle a new era of war? (Apple / Spotify)Industrial policy, the debate! (Apple / Spotify)
Giant vacuums and other government climate bets (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Just-in-time manufacturing began as a way to save space, remove costs and improve efficiency ... for Toyota. The U.S. defense industry has since incorporated this approach. Now, leaders in the defense industry question whether it's to blame for weapons and ammunition shortages.
This week, we're bringing you a three-part series on the defense industry. Today on the show, we look at how a just-in-time mindset filtered through the military contracting system, and we ask whether bare-bones manufacturing styles are leaving the U.S. in a bind.
Related EpisodesAre we overpaying for military equipment? (Apple / Spotify)How to transform a war economy from peacetime (Apple / Spotify)
Toyota Camry, supply-chain hero
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
If the proposed defense budget is passed, it will account for roughly 3.5 % of U.S. GDP. The military buys everything from pens and paper clips to fighter jets and submarines. But the market for military equipment is very different from the commercial market. And sometimes the system results in the Pentagon, and taxpayers, overpaying. This week, we're bringing you a three-part series on the defense industry.
Today, we unpack how defense costs are getting so high and why it's happening.
Related:Can Just-In-Time handle a new era of war? (Apple / Spotify)
How to transform a war economy from peacetime (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's Indicators of the Week, that time each Friday when we look at the most fascinating numbers from the news. Today, we explain the different directions of the Chinese and American economies ... and how a burrito can be a bellwether.
Related Episodes:Young, "spoiled and miserable" in China (Apple / Spotify)
The mess at the heart of China's economy (Apple / Spotify)
China's Big Tech Crackdown
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
From salsas to barbecue sauces to refrigerated beverages, small artisanal brands are infiltrating grocery shelves everywhere. How did this happen? Today on the show, we team up with Dan Pashman of The Sporkful food podcast to follow the rise of niche soda maker Olipop, and share the hidden incentives that have grocers making shelf space for these products.
Listen to The Sporkful on Apple or Spotify.
Related episodes:Grocery delivery wars
How grocery shelves get stacked
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In her new book, Our World In Data's Head of Research Hannah Ritchie investigates how to meet the needs of people without destroying the planet. Today we ask Hannah: Can we feed the world, sustainably?
Related episodesThe Amazon, the Colorado River and a price on nature (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
The Problem with the US's Farm Worker Program (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Listener questions are back! On today's show, we answer whether universities are banks, how — or if — 401(k) contributions affect the stock market, and whether jobs report numbers account for people holding down multiple jobs. If you have a question you'd like us to answer, email us at indicator@npr.org.
Related Episodes:Higher wages, fewer temp workers and indicators of the year results (Apple / Spotify)
Why pizza costs more in Iceland and other Listener Questions (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In the 1980s, economic tensions between the U.S. and Japan permeated American politics and pop culture. Similar tensions are resurfacing as Japan's Nippon Steel tries to buy U.S. Steel. Today on the show, the history of U.S.-Japan trade friction and why a new round of anxieties is complicating the sale of U.S. Steel.
Related episodes:How one small change in Japan could sway U.S. markets (Apple / Spotify)
What Japan's lost decade teaches us about recessions
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It is Friday. And Indicators of the Week is back — Plastics Edition. Today, we dig into how fraudsters have used Walmart gift cards to scam consumers out of more than $1 billion. We also find out why recycled plastic is actually more expensive now than newly produced plastic. And we learn how overdraft fees might be going way down.
Related Articles
ProPublica - How Walmart's Financial Services Became a Fraud Magnet
Financial Times - Petrochemical glut makes new plastic cheaper than recycled
Related episodesOverdraft fees: From perk to penalty
The problem with banning plastic bags
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Election season is upon us, and so is the barrage of election polls. What differentiates a good poll from a bad one? How can we be smarter poll consumers? Today on the show, a couple of polling experts give us their top tips.
Related episodes:Planet Money tries election polling
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The number one producer of electric vehicles in the world is ... BYD? On today's show, we look at how the Chinese EV manufacturer rose from a battery company to global dominance. It took a mix of obsessive attention to detail, scale, government support and ... guitar-string-related quirks. Plus, we consider whether BYD can crack the U.S. market.
Related Episodes:How electric vehicles got their juice (Apple / Spotify)
How the South is trying to win the EV race (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been going on for more than three months, and is now beginning to spill into other parts of the Middle East. That includes attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, rocket attacks by Hezbollah and U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. On today's show, we'll consider what escalation could mean for global trade and the region's most important export: oil.
Related episodes:Red Sea tensions spell trouble for global supply chains (Apple / Spotify)
Oil prices and the Israel-Hamas war (Apple / Spotify)
What could convince Egypt to take in Gaza's refugees (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's Indicators of the Week, that time each Friday when we look at three of the most fascinating numbers from the news. Today we explain why Hertz is trying to sell off part of its EV inventory, why office vacancy rates are still climbing and what Apple's class-action payout yielded one of our hosts.
Related Episodes:What could break next? (Apple / Spotify)
How the South is trying to win the EV race (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
A number of lawsuits against Texas-based company RealPage are putting increased attention on how algorithms can interact with the rental market. In the lawsuit, RealPage is accused of facilitating a cartel between major property managers that results in higher prices for renters and increased profits for landlords who use RealPage's software. RealPage, however, denies any wrongdoing.
Today on the show, we dive into the details of the lawsuit and explain why this case challenges typical notions of cartel behavior.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In 2015, Guyana changed forever when ExxonMobil discovered major oil deposits off its coast. The impoverished South American country known for its thick rainforest was suddenly on course to sudden wealth.
But while a mining boom may seem like only a good thing, it can often be bad for countries long-term. Today on the show, how Guyana can still avoid the so-called resource curse.
Related episodes:Norway has advice for Libya
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
More doctors' offices are ditching clunky clipboards and embracing digital records and online check-ins. But some patients may be unaware that their sensitive health data could be accessible to more than just their health care provider. Today on the show, how ad targeting has moved into the doctor's office, why that's rubbing some patients the wrong way, and why health companies say it can lead to better care.
Related Episodes:The hidden market for your location data (Apple)
This is your brain on drug ads
This ad's for you
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
One of the most puzzling developments for economists in recent months is the disconnect between positive traditional economic data and how people say they feel negatively about the economy. Add to that, people's behavior tracks with what economists would normally expect for happy times. So what's going on?
Today on the show, we turn to something economists have tracked for decades called the misery index. Right now, it says America shouldn't be so miserable, but as we've covered before, surveys say otherwise. We identify five reasons that explain the disconnect.
Related Episodes:
Americans don't like higher prices but they LOVE buying new things (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The U.S. economy added a solid number of jobs, the unemployment rate held steady, and a lot of people got raises. But, today we ask whether fewer temporary workers could mean recession, and whether higher wages might cause interest rates to stay high.
Related episodes:The Indicator of the Year (Apple / Spotify)
Predicting next year's economic storylines (Apple / Spotify)
The money illusion
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
On today's show, we find out what the buzz is around something called a "spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund." Despite a volatile year for cryptocurrency companies, U.S. federal regulators are expected to approve this new financial product. So WTF is a bitcoin ETF?
Related episodes:The spectacle of Sam Bankman-Fried's trial (Apple / Spotify)
A former teen idol takes on crypto (Apple / Spotify)
The rise and fall of FTX
The aftermath of the cryptocurrency crash
The promise and peril of crypto for Black investors
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
News about inflation made a lot of noise in the past two years, but the national CPI reports seem to indicate that inflation is starting to normalize within the Federal Reserve's target range. However, the national CPI basket of goods can have trouble representing inflation at a local level.
Today, we're joined by Drew Hawkins of the Gulf States Newsroom as he goes to the supermarket in New Orleans where the national CPI may not be the best measure of inflation for folks living in the South.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Red Sea is a crucial piece of the global supply chain, accounting for around 15% of the world's shipping. This includes oil tankers and massive container ships transporting everything from microchips to furniture. Recent attacks by Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have destabilized the region and prompted the U.S. to organize a multinational naval force to protect commercial ships. Today on the show, what's going on with shipping in the Red Sea.
Related Episodes:A drought, a jam, a canal — Panama! (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
How often do you hang out with people in a different socioeconomic bracket than you? And where do you meet and congregate? Economist Maxim Massenkoff, and his co-author Nathan Wilmers, looked at cell phone location data to figure out where people with vastly different incomes commune together. Today on the show, Maxim discusses his research, and Darian and Alexi head to a restaurant to try and witness some of this class mixing in action.
Related Episode: The Secret to Upward Mobility: Friends
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
This episode originally aired on April 20th, 2023
When it comes to making art, what's the difference between inspiration and theft? Between artistic license and copyright infringement? That is the question at the heart of one of the biggest musical copyright cases in years that went to trial this past year.
Today on the show, did Ed Sheeran steal from Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" in his hit single "Thinking Out Loud"? Law professor Jennifer Jenkins sits down at the piano to help us hear the differences and similarities between these two songs.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: Twitter / Facebook / Newsletter*.
Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and NPR One*.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
This episode originally aired on July 24th, 2023
After a stunning box office opening of more than $300 million worldwide for the new Greta Gerwig film, the Barbieverse is having its moment. So what better time to examine what Barbie's 200-plus careers over the decades—from fashion model to astronaut to teacher—tell us about real-life women in the workforce. Today on the show, a former economics educator gives us a Barbie pink-colored lens on the labor market.
You can find the St. Louis Fed's Barbie curriculum here.
Related episodes:Want more Barbie-nomics? Check out our episode on how Mattel turned the Barbie brand around.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
This episode originally aired on August 21st, 2023
For over 10,000 years, many peoples in what's now known as North America relied on bison. Thirty million of these creatures stretched from modern Canada all the way down to Mexico.
But in the late 1800s hide-hunters and the U.S. military annihilated the bison, bringing them to the brink of extinction. And that had consequences for the people who relied on the bison. Consequences that we still see today.
Today, we hear from an economist who revealed the shocking numbers telling this story, and one member of the Blackfeet Nation who is trying to bring back the bison.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's time for another intra-Family Feud! The friendly game-show competition where our hosts from Planet Money and The Indicator duke it out over which indicator will be the leading economic story in 2024. Will interest rates decline? Will 'Bidenomics' catch on? Will junk fees get taken out with the garbage?
Tell us who won by submitting your vote to Planet Money's Instagram or email us with "Family Feud" in the subject line. Voting ends Dec. 31 at midnight, and we'll announce the winner(s) on our Jan. 5 episode.
Related Episodes:The Indicator of the Year: 2023 (Apple / Spotify)
The 'physics' behind potential interest rates cuts (Apple / Spotify)
Junk fees, unfilled jobs, jackpot? (Apple / Spotify)
We grade Fed Chair Jerome Powell (Apple / Spotify)
Industrial policy, the debate! (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Yellowstone first aired in 2018, quickly becoming one of television's most popular shows. The show follows John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, as he feuds with real estate developers threatening to encroach on his family ranch. Today on the show, how life imitates art in Montana, where tourism has boomed, the population has grown and housing prices have soared.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Talk of New Year's resolutions is bubbling up as 2024 quickly approaches. Whether it's a fitness goal, wanting to learn a new skill or just trying to develop better habits, a new year is the perfect excuse to start. However, it can be difficult to maintain as time passes by.
Today on the show, we talk to a behavioral economist about one of the best ways to stick to your New Year's resolutions using the power of economics.
Mixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work by Uri Gneezy
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The movie Coyote vs. Acme was set to release this summer featuring characters from the iconic Looney Tunes cartoons. The studio behind the film, Warner Bros. Pictures, had some other ideas. Instead of releasing the completed film, the studio canceled Coyote vs. Acme, with no intention of ever releasing it.
Today on the show, we explain the Hollywood economics behind why Warner Bros. Discovery might not want to release movies that its own studio spent years putting together.
Related Episodes:
Why platforms like HBO Max are removing streaming TV shows (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
For decades, states have prosecuted and imprisoned people for selling weed. Today, recreational marijuana is legal in almost half of U.S. states, and many want to give individuals who were impacted by marijuana enforcement a chance to sell it legally. But as the roughly $30 billion cannabis industry grows, are these so-called social equity programs living up to their promise?
Today on the show, why many would-be cannabis entrepreneurs find themselves hitting a 'grass ceiling'.
Related
So you want to sell marijuana across state lines (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
By many measures, 2023 was a decent year for the U.S. economy, but that's not how people necessarily felt. So what economic story best defined the year? Soft landings? Hard feelings about the economy? An inhospitable housing market? Our hosts from Planet Money and The Indicator battle it out over which economic story best illustrates the year.
Tell us who won by submitting your vote via Planet Money's Instagram or email us with "Family Feud" in the subject line.
Related episodes:Taking the temperature of the US consumer (Apple / Spotify)
A treacherous descent, what will the Fed do next? (Apple / Spotify)
When mortgage rates are too low to give up (Apple / Spotify)
Which economic indicator defined 2022?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Women lag behind men when it comes to investing. Combine this with the fact that women tend to earn less than their male peers and live longer, and it can create a waterfall of awful long-term consequences for half of America's population. Today, we speak to an author of an investing study who says he's found a solution.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In the world of science there are laws—rules that describe how the universe works. The Federal Reserve has its own set of rules, except its rules are more like guidelines to help the Fed decide where interest rates should be. Today on the show, we explain inertial and non-inertial rules in the world of monetary policy, and what they tell us about potential rate cuts in the year ahead.
Related episodes:The rat under the Fed's hat (Apple / Spotify)
The fed decides to wait and see (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
How often are you shopping online and think to yourself, is that shirt/dress/jeans in my shopping cart ... even real? That is a question some shoppers are asking themselves as AI-generated products increasingly infiltrate the world of e-commerce.
Today on the show, we talk to an expert in digital forensics about how AI-generated merchandise is only likely to become more common, and what ought to be done to help prevent unethical sellers from abusing the technology.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Since the end of November, diplomats, scientists, activists and lobbyists from nearly every country on Earth have come together for COP 28, the United Nations climate negotiating talks. One of the goals of this gathering is for countries to agree on the best path forward to address human-driven climate change. Stakes are high as average global temperatures continue to approach a key threshold of 1.5 degree Celsius (or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times — the level climate scientists say we must stay under to stave off severe climate disruptions that could contribute to flooding, drought, hunger, and conflict.
As it comes to a close, Nathan Rott with NPR's climate desk helps us navigate the take-aways from the pivotal conference.
Related Episodes:Gambling, literally, on climate change (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter*.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
We often talk about the jobs lost due to artificial intelligence. But what about the ones created or even transformed? From the gig work of training AI on good and bad answers through to designing new AI models, AI jobs are popping up like mushrooms.
Today on the Indicator, we talk to people in these new roles and consider what the bots mean for the labor market.
Related Episodes:Is AI a job-killer or an up-skiller? (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter*.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
"Don't reinvent the wheel" is a common phrase, but structural engineer Roma Agrawal doesn't buy it.
Roma has a new book out, Nuts and Bolts: Seven Small Inventions That Changed the World (in a Big Way). And in it, she argues that the re-interpretation of the wheel has been critical to modernizing the economy from a pottery wheel in ancient Mesopotamia to the gyroscope on the International Space Station.
Today, how this constant reinvention fuels economic progress.
Related Episodes:What nails can tell us about the economy
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter*.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In 2021, the most popular term on Investopedia was "capital gains tax." In 2022, it was "poison pill." These top terms help capture the economic zeitgeist of their year. So... what was it in 2023?
Today, Investopedia's editor-in-chief — and a poet — help us make sense of what the website's top ten terms of the year tell us about our collective economic psyche.
RELATEDWhen mortgage rates are too low to give up (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
Hedonic adjustment: how to measure pleasure (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
The inverted yield curve is screaming RECESSION (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Eight times a year, regional Federal Reserve Banks release a collection of anecdotes that reveal stories about the economy. These stories come together in what's known as the "Beige Book," and we award the regional bank with the best entry with our coveted Beigie Award. Today, we're highlighting an entry that gets to the heart of the contradictions we're seeing when it comes to consumer preferences and sentiment.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Drugs used for weight loss like Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro are nearly everywhere in popular culture, but many patients struggling with obesity are still finding them hard to get. On today's show, what's slowing access to these drugs despite their long-term benefits for the economy and patients, and how social conditioning around obesity and excess weight clouds the conversation.
Related Episodes:New drugs. Cheaper drugs. Why not both? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter*.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
On the latest edition of Indicators of the week, inflation in the U.S. and Europe is slowing down. Plus, a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston highlights the number of gig workers typical employment counts miss. And finally ... Red Lobster, endless shrimp and loss leaders.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter*.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next week on whether the federal government can tax some "unrealized" gains. That's when an asset you hold, rather than sell, gains value. Tax experts say it's the biggest constitutional tax case seen in a century.
Today, we lay out the stakes and the massive implications for government revenue, taxpayers, and even wealth inequality.
Related Episodes:Could a wealth tax work
How the proposed tax on billionaires would actually work
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
A favorite of productivity hackers, the Pareto Principle, aka the 80/20 rule, has taken on a life of its own since it was first observed by an Italian economist over a century ago. The concept states that a small number of causes generates a large number of outcomes. Today on the show, the origins of the Pareto Principle, why marketing and business-types love it, and whether it holds up under scrutiny.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Middle East is synonymous with oil production. And historically, oil prices usually surge when there's a conflict there.
But right now, despite the Israel-Hamas war, we're seeing the opposite — oil prices have fallen.
Today on the show: how the region's history, geography and markets are shaping oil prices.
Related Episodes:Why oil price shocks are getting less shocking (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
What could convince Egypt to take in Gaza's refugees? (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In 2021, a huge winter storm hit Texas. It caused a days-long blackout that resulted in hundreds of deaths. The Texas grid operator adopted a new policy to guard against another blackout: it would incentivize plants to keep power in reserve. The problem is: that may have caused major price spikes.
Today, we make sense of the reserve policy, increased electricity prices, and the future of Texas' unique energy market.
Related Episodes:ESG bans cost Texas (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
It's an Indicator Friendsgiving! You're not alone in feeling the news has been awfully grim this year. So we're taking a collective breath and sitting down at the table to find some economic indicators to be thankful for. That includes an end to global shipping turmoil, the green-blue bubble détente and a palatable salary.
Related Episodes:The great turnaround in shipping (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
Wisdom from the top
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
A lot of people have experienced some version of this: You sign up for the free one-week trial of some subscription service, only later to be surprised when you get a bill for the deluxe, forever plan. Or you log into a website once, and now your inbox is a flood of promotional emails. All because of a little pre-checked box tucked away, unnoticed.
But what if that pesky, pre-checked box cost you thousands of dollars?
On today's show, how some political campaigns used 'dark defaults' to raise millions of dollars from unsuspecting donors.
Related Episodes: Confused when online shopping? It might be a Dark Pattern
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The company behind ChatGPT pushed out its CEO Sam Altman on Friday. OpenAI's board gave the public little insight into its controversial decision. On Sunday, Microsoft announced it was hiring Sam Altman. By Monday morning, hundreds of OpenAI employees are threatening to leave unless the board resigns. Kate Clark, deputy bureau chief at tech publication The Information, says the saga is far from over.
Today on the show, we explore the fault lines below the world of artificial intelligence development, and how the pressure built until a leading CEO was fired.
Related episodes:Bots, bootleggers and Baptists (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
We've been on a wild economic ride lately so let's find the key trends to make sense of where the economy's headed. On this edition of Indicators of the Week, the numbers you need to know about falling producer prices, rising unemployment claims and generational home-buying trends.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
You ask, we answer! Today we answer listener questions on whether certain jobs are becoming "feminized" since COVID started and how that affects what these jobs pay. We also examine labor unions' economic impact and why Ryan Reynolds keeps sending one of our co-hosts a Christmas card.
Related episodes:Women's labor comeback (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
A conversation with Claudia Goldin (Update) (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
Unions but make them grunge
What's really going on with unions
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
School vouchers, or school choice as it's known among advocates, is public funding for children to attend private schools. It's a controversial policy — some say it undermines the public school system, others say it gives parents the ability to choose the best school for their children.
And its popularity has been spiking recently. In 2021, 19 states introduced or expanded them. Partly it's been a reaction against public schools' covid control policies and teaching on sexuality, gender and race.
But leaving aside the deeper political questions, what does the evidence say about the core thing school is supposed to be for: giving children a solid education?
In this episode, we get into whether or not school vouchers improve student learning. The lesson: what may feel better may not have much of an effect.
Related Episodes:The rise of the four-day school week (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping have not sat down for a face-to-face discussion in a year. In that time, Chinese-American relations have become even more tense with the spy balloon incident, the US cracking down on advanced computer chips and the continuing trade war.
Today, we look at why the leaders of the world's two largest economies are meeting and what's at stake for their respective countries.
Related Episodes:The mess at the heart of China's economy (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Fish and chips have long been a staple cheap comfort food for millions of people in the U.K. However, economic headwinds are putting the squeeze on owners of fish and chip shops. Today, we explore how changes in economic conditions play a role in our dietary habits and how the U.K. is grappling with their affordable staple food turning into a luxury.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
This time on Indicators of the Week: actors reached a deal with Hollywood studios after their months-long strike.
The once-popular co-working company WeWork has filed for bankruptcy.
Also, three pandas departed the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. as China repatriates the cuddly animals.
Related Episodes:All WeWork and no play
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In a little over a week, Argentines will head to the polls to pick a new president. Polls show a tightening race between right-wing populist Javier Milei and centrist challenger Sergio Massa. Both are pledging to address the country's out-of-control inflation. Today on the show, we look at Milei's radical proposal to change Argentina's currency to U.S. dollars and whether that could fix inflation.
Related Episodes:The push and pull of inflation (Apple Podcasts / Spotify) It's complicated. Argentina's relationship with the U.S. dollar (Planet Money+)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Hidden deep in an archive in New Jersey is the world's oldest living bond. Originally issued to fund a dike in the Netherlands after a big flood, these days, it's gearing up for its 400th birthday and still paying interest. Today on the show, we visit this elder bond and hear its story.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
When economist Chris Ruhm first got the results from his study on the possible connection between recession and health, he thought he had made a mistake. But time and time again, he got the same results, overturning a decade of previous economic findings. Today, how a nation's health relates to your own.
Related Episodes
Healthcare and economic despair
You can listen to an extended cut of Darian's interview with Christopher Ruhm by signing up for Planet Money+! (You'll hear stuff we couldn't fit into the regular episode, including what Ruhm thought might play out during COVID.) Planet Money+ gets you bonus content, sponsor-free episodes, and you get to support the work we do. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Last week, the former crypto wunderkind Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty for his role in the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The 31-year-old former billionaire fashioned himself as someone who would revolutionize the crypto industry, but now faces the prospect of a life sentence. Today on the show, NPR business correspondent David Gura tells us what stuck out over the course of the four-week trial.
Related Episodes:A former teen idol takes on crypto (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
The rise and fall of FTX (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The American economy is still running hot and the labor market is showing astounding resilience despite elevated interest rates. Things are so good that there's some pickiness being displayed by both employers and employees. Today, we look at what's turning out to be an unusual labor market and what that means for the wider economy.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
A new Hyundai plant in Georgia. A Ford mega campus in Tennessee. The Southeast is quickly becoming a hub for electric vehicles and the manufacturing of its components. Today on the show, we explore the South's formula for landing EV makers and what it means for workers at legacy auto plants.
Related Episodes:How EV batteries tore apart Michigan (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
How unions are stopped before they start (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
If you're wincing at high interest rates on a potential loan right now, it's not just you. And the Federal Reserve's rate hikes actually isn't (entirely) to blame either. There's another culprit: the rate of a return, or yield, on a Treasury bond issued by the U.S.
Today, we explore why this bond yield is so important and why it's at its highest level in years.
Related Episodes
The rat under the Fed's hat (Spotify/Apple Podcasts)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In the typical home sale, the home seller pays a commission, not just to their agent, but also to the buyer's agent. This fee-sharing arrangement is part of a decades-old practice involving what real estate agents call an "offer of compensation."
Others call it a conflict of interest.
That's the dispute at the center of a class action lawsuit that has the potential to upend the real estate business. Today on the show, we'll explain how real estate agents and the National Association of Realtors allegedly conspired to inflate home prices by pushing agents to share fees. And why the industry says the plaintiffs should be careful what they ask for.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Halloween is just around the corner and our hosts are scrambling to find the perfect costume. Today on the show, we scare up fresh costume ideas based on Wall Street's scariest financial jargon. If you know where to look, you can find witches and zombies lurking near dark pools and shadow banks. Are these terms as scary as they sound?
Related Episodes:Are you afraid of inflation?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
This time on Indicators of the Week: the U.S. is seeing massive economic growth, but there are a couple of asterisks.
The European Central Bank is holding off on additional rate hikes, citing a weak economy in the eurozone.
Also, the story of how nearly a quarter of a million dollars was stolen out of a truck... in dimes.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The fiery debate over how the government should regulate the internet came to a head in 2017. That's when the Trump-led Federal Communications Commission repealed so-called net neutrality rules put in place during the Obama administration. The rules were meant to curtail practices like intentionally slowing down someone's internet speed. Now, under a new Democratic majority, the FCC is proposing reviving net neutrality. Today on the show, what happened in the years without it and what happens next.
Related Episodes:Forget Neutrality
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Every time a new Beige Book report rolls around, we honor the regional Federal Reserve bank with the best anecdote with our prestigious Beigie Award. The winner of the October 2023 Beigie highlighted an interesting shift in the behavior of some big banks. Today, we talk to our winner all about "loan diets."
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Gulf of Mexico saw its first-ever auction of leases for offshore wind this summer. It was another sign of the Biden administration's desire to get more renewable energy online as fast as possible. Expectations were high for the sale with over a dozen companies expressing interest. But two of the three patches of sea didn't get any bids at all.
Today, we look at one clean energy experiment and see what choke points remain for offshore wind.
Related
A Man, A Plan, Wind Power, Uruguay - Planet Money (Spotify/Apple)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In the book of corporate folklore, former IBM CEO Thomas Watson Jr. deserves a special spot. Specifically, the massive gamble he took in 1964 to introduce the System/360, which had the potential to undermine his own company's entire business model. Today on the show, an interview with author Marc Wortman on what Watson Jr.'s decision reveals about the fragile relationship between innovation and destruction.
Marc Wortman is co-author of the new book The Greatest Capitalist Who Ever Lived: Tom Watson, Jr., and the Epic Story of How IBM Created the Digital Age*.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org**.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
On this edition of Indicators of the Week: older Americans recorded higher losses to certain scams, the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond is up to the highest it's been in more than a decade and United Airlines has a plan to improve how it boards planes.
Related
You should probably get your plane tickets soon
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
One of the most crucial players in the war unfolding in the Middle East is Egypt, which neighbors Gaza and is facing pressure from the United States and its allies to open up its borders to refugees.
Today, we explain how Egypt's rocky economy presents both a headwind and an opportunity for humanitarian talks in the Middle East and why this situation is testing the United States' economic and political influence.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
There's no business like show business. Or is there? It turns out the business of producing a Broadway hit shares a few things in common with the business of investing in tech start-ups. Today on the show, the producer of hits like Dear Evan Hansen and Leopoldstadt explains how he applies lessons learned from venture capital tech funding to investing in multi-million dollar Broadway productions.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created in 2010 as the legislative response to the Great Recession. It's an aggressive regulator that challenges financial institutions on behalf of consumers. However, the unique power it wields may turn out to be its vulnerability. The bureau's critics take issue with the very tools that give the agency its might and are asking the Supreme Court to make changes. Today, we examine how the CFPB came to be such a powerful regulator and why some want to see the agency overhauled.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
What's spicier than a pumpkin spice latte in the fall? The Indicator Quiz! The show where we bring a lucky listener on to test their econ knowledge. Today's quiz focuses on questions related to climate change. Play along with us and see how you do!
Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Email us your name and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line.Related Episodes: Giant vacuums and other government climate bets
Industrial policy, the debate!
How EV batteries tore apart Michigan (Update)
A drought, a jam, a canal — Panama!
Selling safety in the fight against wildfires For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
On this edition of Indicators of the Week: the FTC wants to ban hidden fees on what feels like every transaction. Down with junk fees! Germany has a possible fix for its struggling economy and unfilled jobs: immigrants. And we explore why the Powerball jackpots keep getting so big.
Related Episodes:10 11 51 52 62 18
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Economic indicators like the Consumer Price Index can tell us a lot about the past, but what about the future? For close to 80 years, policymakers have relied on the Surveys of Consumers to give them an idea of what the economy might do next. Today on the show, we go behind the curtain at the University of Michigan to meet the people in charge of checking the vibes of the U.S. consumer.
Related Episodes:How do you measure inflation?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
In the world of summiting mountains, more accidents happen on the way down than on the climb up. Today on the show, why that could be a bad omen for interest rates.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
This episode was originally published on November 30, 2021
Earlier this week, Harvard economist Claudia Goldin won the economics Nobel for her research into the gender pay gap. Today, our 2021 interview with Claudia about her work, with an update from her after she learned about her award.
Related episodes:
When Uncle Sam stops paying the childcare bill (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
U.S. job growth just surged way past expectations. But one area of employment continues to need more hands on deck: social workers. The evolving occupation is getting new attention from schools all the way up to corporations. Today, we try to understand where this need is coming from and whether it can actually be met. For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
TED Radio Hour's Manoush Zamorodi joins us today to talk about her new series Body Electric. It's looking at how the information age is affecting our bodies in negative ways.
Manoush spoke to researchers who say they've found simple solutions that offset the harms of sitting all day. But do those fixes work in the real world – outside of a lab?
For this six-part limited series, NPR is partnering with researchers from Columbia University and maybe... you... to answer that question.
Read more on how to join the study: NPR.org/bodyelectric
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
We love getting listener mail! Especially when it makes us think about a topic differently. Today on the show, we hear from listeners about host-free Airbnbs, a Danish solution to mortgage lock-in and a laughable policy for industrial policy. Have something to add to the conversation? Send us your letters to the editor: indicator@npr.org.
Related Episodes:AI chips, shared trips, and a shorter work week (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
When mortgage rates are too low to give up (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
Industrial policy, the debate! (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
When some automakers confirmed this year that they were phasing out AM radio in their electric vehicles, the political backlash was immediate and remarkably bipartisan. Today on the show, what's all the fuss about AM radio? And why does the government want to keep AM radio in your car?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the United States took dramatic action to invest in child care. Now in 2023, the majority of those investments are coming to an end. Today, we talk to childcare providers about what those funds meant—and where the end of the pandemic-era programs leaves an essential but strained system.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
On this musical edition of Indicators of the Week: Live Nation stops taking a cut of small artists' merchandise sales. Meanwhile, some fans are using the Billboard charts formula to boost their favorite artists to the top. And a Jamaican duo is staking a claim to the famous rhythm that defines Reggaeton. For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The NFT mania may have finally run its course. Not too long ago, these pieces of digital art exploded in value with the help of celebrities like Justin Bieber and Paris Hilton. But even the most successful digital artists knew it was a bubble. Today, we consider whether this multi-million dollar fad has truly come to an end or if it's still on its last legs and due for a reimagining.
Related Episodes: The $69 Million JPEG (Apple Podcasts/Spotify) and The Celebrity Crypto Nexus (Apple Podcasts/Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
This episode was originally published on November 14, 2022
This week, Ford announced it was pausing work on a new $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan. President of the United Auto Workers, Shawn Fain, viewed this as a "thinly veiled threat" to cut jobs. But this is a factory that's had controversy surrounding it even before this decision. And it all centers around a company called Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited, or CATL.
Today, a classic Indicator on the history behind one of the most divisive factory plans in America and the man leading the charge behind the world's transition to electric vehicles.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
How often do you hang out with people in a different socioeconomic bracket than you? And where do you meet and congregate? Economist Maxim Massenkoff, and his co-author Nathan Wilmers, looked at cell phone location data to figure out where people with vastly different incomes commune together. Today on the show, Maxim discusses his research, and Darian and Alexi head to a restaurant to try and witness some of this class mixing in action.
Related Episode: The Secret to Upward Mobility: Friends
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Canadians are in a bit of a pickle when it comes to getting timely news updates through Facebook. The Canadian government passed a law requiring Meta and Google pay media outlets when news content is posted on social media platforms. Meta's reaction, to block all news from its Canadian users, left many citizens and its government frustrated. Today on the show, what are tech companies' public service obligations in an era of declining news outlets?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Today on the show, we cover this week's top indicators in new work permits for Venezuelan migrants, behind-the-scenes climate meetings and a million-dollar dinosaur skeleton sale.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and serious due to human-caused climate change. This is prompting a new industry focused on residential wildfire preparedness. Today, we consider the new technology addressing wildfire risk and the cost of protecting yourself.
Related Episodes:Gambling, literally, on climate change (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Federal Reserve said today it wasn't raising interest rates, but left the door open to keep hiking later. But there's more to this decision than meets the eye. Today on the show, we use Disney's Ratatouille to explain the Fed's recipe for monetary policy — and take off the chef's hat to reveal the two interest rates that really matter when the Fed is hiking rates.
Related Episodes:AP Macro gets a makeover (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Beigies roll around once again to recognize the regional Federal Reserve Bank with the best Beige Book entry. This edition's winner put a spotlight on a company increasing their efforts to recruit young people for an important piece of the manufacturing puzzle.
Related Episodes:
The Beigie Awards: China Edition (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The coca leaf has been an important part of Andean culture for thousands of years. But when one indigenous woman decided to use the plant in a drink she calls Coca Pola, she awoke a sleeping giant. Today on the show, a small business goes head to head with Coca-Cola over a trademark dispute.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
For this week's Indicators of the Week, Darian is joined by NPR colleagues Jeff Guo and Sydney Lupkin. We get into the latest numbers on child poverty in the U.S. and what it tells us about effective policy intervention. Sydney brings an update on the new covid booster and who's paying for it. And Jeff talks about Taylor Swift...again. He promises it has to do with economics.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Inflation remains stubbornly high as the Federal Open Markets Committee weighs whether they will raise interest rates again. However, new research suggests that elevated interest rates weren't the primary driver for the decline in inflation. Today, we take a look at the debate surrounding disinflation and what comes next for the Federal Reserve.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Yesterday we brought you a debate over whether the government should subsidize industries in the name of economic growth and societal benefits. Today on the show, we zero in on the climate industrial policy of the Biden administration, which is funneling billions into experimental projects that promise to remove, capture and store carbon. It's an effort by the U.S. to meet its ambitious climate goals, but it's not without its skeptics.
Related Episodes:Industrial policy, the debate! (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
There is a lot of taxpayer money going into propping up industry in the U.S. From semiconductor chip fabrication in Arizona to green hydrogen plants in California. Is this smart policy? Today on the Indicator, our guests debate!
We're joined by Réka Juhász, economist at the University of British Columbia and Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
After the debate, tell us what you thought! Did anything you heard change your mind or make you think differently about industrial policy? Send us a note at indicator@npr.org.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Lately, retailers have been complaining to their investors about thieves coming to their stores and stealing stuff and blaming them for falling profits. It's the biggest part of a well-known industry problem called "shrink," but is this trend as pervasive as stores are making it out to be? Today on the show, retail theft and what stores are doing about it.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Today on Indicators of the Week: government iPhone restrictions in China that walloped Apple's market value. Plus plans emerge over how the US government plans to negotiate drug prices. Also, a mass exodus of employees from a top dating app that sheds some light on where the whole working from home debate is.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
When refugees arrive in the U.S. the clock starts ticking. They usually have up to 90 days to get a job and become 'self-sufficient'.
Researcher Blair Sackett says that that's simply not enough time for refugees to acclimate to a totally new country and culture and find work. She argues that current policy essentially resettles refugees into poverty.
Today on the show we explore that 90-day policy and potential solutions to help refugees find their financial footing.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
More than 7 million Americans are living with dementia. To take care of this population, family members must often make the difficult choice of giving up work or paying for a costly facility. Today on the show, the rising cost of memory care in an aging population.
Related Episodes:Who's gonna take care of grandma?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
The Beigies are back, with a twist!
In China, data on the economy is sometimes difficult to come by, so we thought we'd take a leaf out of the US Federal Reserve's Beige Book instead. Today, we bring you some colorful anecdotes about China's economy, on inbound tourism and revenge spending, neither of which is fueling an economic comeback.
Related Episodes:
Boats, bikes and the Beigies (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
Young, 'spoiled and miserable' in China
Two Indicators shaking China's economy
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
The jobs report is in! And both the rate of employment AND unemployment went up in August. How does that happen? Plus, how disabled people are doing in the labor market.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
The Panama Canal links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It sees hundreds of billions worth of stuff pass through it every year. But a historic drought is making it a little harder for big cargo ships to get through the fifty-one mile long channel. Today on the show, we look at how this backup presents yet another test for global supply chains.
Related Episode:Two Indicators: supply chain and solutions (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Every day, A Ze, a young woman in Beijing, would wake up early, do her makeup, and walk to her old work bus stop... and keep going. She'd left her job but couldn't let her parents know.
China's urban youth unemployment rate hit 21% in June, a number way up from pre-pandemic times. But at the same time, factories are crying out for workers.
Today, we talk about China's slowdown in growth, and how it's hit white-collar job openings the hardest, and how China's educated young people are sometimes opting out of work entirely.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Over the years, U.S. agriculture has grown increasingly dependent on the H-2A Guest Worker program to bring in foreign workers to harvest crops. H2A is a vestige of a U.S. and Mexican policy called the Bracero Program, which ended in the 1960s. Today on the show, why farmers and farm worker advocates are calling for more scrutiny of the current-day visa program, which has been dogged by concerns about worker exploitation and safety.
Related Episodes:Farm Jobs Friday (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
What's hotter than a leather car seat in the late summer? The Indicator Quiz! We bring a listener onto the show and test their econ knowledge. Today's quiz is all about the Internet and artificial intelligence. Play along with us and see how you do!
Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Just email us your name and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line.
Related Episodes: Breaking up big business is hard to do
A night at the museum of the economy
r/Boxes, r/Reddit, r/AI
Is AI a job-killer or upskiller?
Inside the underwater cables powering the economy For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
It's Indicators of the Week, our weekly news roundup. Today, AI doesn't want to invest in AI, a county in Washington state implements a 4-day work week, and NYC says bye bye to Airbnb, sorta.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Russia's Ruble is hovering around its lowest value against the dollar since June 2022. A weak currency is already a big deal for ordinary people affected by inflation, but in Russia, the concern is only amplified because of the Ruble's unique history in Russia. Today, we dive deep into Russia's historical connection to the Ruble and why a weak Ruble puts Russia in a difficult position today.
Related Episodes: The artificial strength of the Russian ruble (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
The idea of a state-run bank in the United States feels like a foreign concept. While public banks are fixtures of the financial system in countries like Canada and Chile, only one state in the U.S. can say they have a public bank. Today, we explore the promises and challenges of public banking in the U.S. and what advocates can learn from 20th-century farmers in North Dakota.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
You ask, we answer! We help a parent explain exchange rates to their kid, a high school teacher explain bond prices to his students, and we follow up on what happened to the diversity of the student body at the University of California after the state's ban on affirmative action.
If you have a question you'd like us to answer, email us at indicator@npr.org.
Can't get enough of these topics? We've got you covered! Here's our reporting on how ending affirmative action changed California and NPR's follow up on what happened after. More on the birth of the bond, the bond market and the yield curve. And a whole lotta Iceland (Justin Bieber, planes), plus dollar-slice pizza.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
For over 10,000 years, many peoples in what's now known as North America relied on bison. Thirty million of these creatures stretched from modern Canada all the way down to Mexico.
But in the late 1800s hide-hunters and the U.S. military annihilated the bison, bringing them to the brink of extinction. And that had consequences for the people who relied on the bison. Consequences that we still see today.
Today, we hear from an economist who revealed the shocking numbers telling this story, and one member of the Blackfeet Nation who is trying to bring back the bison.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Last year, the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law as the Biden Administration's signature attempt to combat climate change. Today, we present three climate-related indicators with guest Nate Hegyi of the public radio podcast, Outside/In.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
The average mortgage rate in the U.S. just hit 7.09%—its highest level in more than two decades. And that's having ripple effects in the wider economy. Some homeowners feel locked in, tethered to their super low interest rates and unable to find something better. Today on the show, what happens when homeowners are locked in by low rates?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Yellow stunned the trucking industry when it filed for bankruptcy this month. The nearly hundred-year old company said it will lay off 30,000 employees and liquidate all of its assets. On today's show, a glimpse into Yellow's bankruptcy process: who's blaming who for what, and an explainer on a specific type of loan - the debtor in possession financing - which promises some rich returns to the lender in this case.
For more on challenges in the trucking industry check out our story on the spot market and the so-called freight recession.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
We are often taught to think of math as a rigid set of rules, never to be questioned. But that is exactly the wrong way to think about it, according to one mathematician. Today on the show, we talk to Eugenia Cheng about her new book "Is Math Real?: How Simple Questions Lead Us to Mathematics' Deepest Truths" and how math can help us ask more probing questions about the world around us.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
The Federal Trade Commission is the sheriff for big businesses. One of its main functions is to stop companies from buying up other companies in a way that hurts competition. Those investigations have been going way up under FTC Chair Lina Khan, and it's not gone unnoticed by critics in business and some Republican lawmakers. Today on the show, we look at the FTC's scorecard under Lina Khan.
Related Episodes:
Listen to Planet Money's three-part series on antitrust.
• Antitrust one
• Antitrust two
• Antitrust three
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
In a week jam-packed with major economic news, we've selected a few of our favorite stories for Indicators of the Week. Today we cover an Italian bank story, the drop in Chinese imports and the $1.6 billion acquisition of Simon & Schuster.
Related Episodes: Are we entering a new dawn for antitrust enforcement? (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
You've heard of The Price Is Right, but what about Is This A Bank? It's a game show where contestants puzzle over some obvious and not-so-obvious places where people store their money. This podcast may or may not remind you where your secret stashes of cash are hidden.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Dinosaur museums have dinosaurs. Space museums have spacecraft. But what would a dedicated museum of the economy have in it? That was a question author and friend of the show Tim Harford recently posed in his column for the Financial Times. So we decided to run with this thought experiment, too. Today on the show, get ready for a night at the museum — of the economy.
Read Tim's original column.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
RaeShawn and LaShone Middleton are twin sisters and business owners based in Columbia, Maryland. We last talked to them in the midst of the pandemic when they were just getting started with their steamed crab delivery service called R&L Crab. Today, we check back with the sisters and see how their business is fairing two years later.
Related Episodes: Entrepreneurship On The Rise (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
*For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Even if there isn't a recession right now, there are still vulnerable spots in the economy that could cause economic pain. Today on the show, we explore why some are concerned about the markets for commercial real estate and private credit.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Farm employment numbers are historically very hard to track. Partly because they fluctuate a lot from season to season, partly because a large portion of farm workers are undocumented. They're also not included in the monthly job numbers, which means we hardly ever talk about them on Jobs Friday. But today we're bringing you "Farm Jobs Friday" as we zoom in on three big trends in farm employment.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
Meta's new social media platform, Threads, had a rocket-like start when it launched a month ago as a challenger to X (formerly known as Twitter). But it's far from clear which platform will prove dominant. Today, an expert in online networks walks us through the economics of this social media battle.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The credit rating agency, Fitch, caused a stir yesterday when it downgraded the United States' credit rating from AAA to AA plus. This came less than a week since Federal Reserve staff stopped forecasting a recession on the horizon.
So what gives? Today, we talk to an economist to break down the reasons why Fitch no longer views the US as among the safest of bets.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Do office workers get as much done working from home as they do in person? We've been debating this question for years.
At the beginning of the pandemic, many economists thought yes, people can be just as productive from home. Wouldn't it have been nice if they'd just stopped there?
Well, they didn't. And new evidence suggests working from home, at least full-time, may not be as productive as we once thought.
Some of the research referenced in this show:
Jose Maria Barrero, Nicholas Bloom and Steven J. Davis – The Evolution of Working from Home Natalia Emanuel and Emma Harrington – Working Remotely? Natalia Emanuel, Emma Harrington and Amanda Pallais – The Power of Proximity to Coworkers
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
It's been a summer of record breaking heat. And for both outdoor and indoor workers, that heat poses a growing health risk. Around the country, worker advocates and industry groups are in an ongoing fight over how to address extreme heat and workplace safety. And that got The Indicator team thinking about an episode we did last year.
Co-hosts Adrian Ma and Darian Woods spoke to an economist who said heat safety regulations could be a win-win-win for workers, businesses and the economy.
You can find the original episode from last year here.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
In this edition of Indicators of the Week, we talk about the end of surprise IRS visits, new research on elite college admissions, and why a soft landing is in sight.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Hollywood has been on strike for weeks with writers and actors hitting picket lines from California to New York. The unions for both groups, the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, say a major sticking point in negotiations with major studios has been over one item in particular: residuals. Today on the show, we talk to SAG-AFTRA's chief negotiator on how residuals are drying up for actors in the age of streaming.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
The Federal Reserve finds itself in a tricky spot with inflation just a notch above its target of 2%. This poses a challenge for the central bank as they enter what's known as the "last mile" of monetary policy. Today, we explain why the final stretch of the Fed's race to 2% inflation is considered the hardest.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Lots of women left the workforce early in the pandemic. At the time, there were fears these women would stay out of the workforce for years, if they returned at all. But women's participation in the labor force, between the ages of 25 and 54, is at an all time high.
Check out more of NPR's Scott Horsley's reporting on women's return to the workforce. And listen back to our previous episodes about women leaving the workforce in 2020 and why many women didn't immediately return.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
After a stunning box office opening of more than $300 million worldwide for the new Greta Gerwig film, the Barbieverse is having its moment. So what better time to examine what Barbie's 200-plus careers over the decades—from fashion model to astronaut to teacher—tell us about real-life women in the workforce. Today on the show, a former economics educator gives us a Barbie pink-colored lens on the labor market.
Related Episodes:
Want more Barbie-nomics? Check out our episode on how Mattel turned the Barbie brand around.
Tired of waiting days for your money to transfer in the bank? So is the Fed. It's just launched a new instant payment system that could mean no more waiting for your paycheck to come through.
Plus, after a nearly four-year wait, the bizarre-looking Tesla Cybertruck is here! We check in on how it compares to other electric pickup trucks on the market.
And a draft research paper has the economics profession on edge. A popular online forum for econ jobs has long been littered with abusive, racist, misogynistic and otherwise toxic posts. Planet Money did a story on the site back in 2019. This new research ties toxic content to the universities it came from.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The price of mailing a first-class letter in the U.S. went up to .66 this month, part of a series of price hikes that the postal service hopes will put it on a pathway to profitability. But from its inception, the United States Postal Service wasn't designed to run much like a business. Today on the show, how the U.S.P.S. went from a public service to a business burdened by debt.
Cryptocurrency's rise attracted the endorsements of several high-profile celebrities during the pandemic. Actor Ben McKenzie, however, wasn't really convinced by the promise of crypto and has emerged as a surprising skeptic of the industry. Today, we talk to him about his journey from former teen idol to outspoken crypto critic.
Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The Beigies are back and headed down south! From boats and bikes to pigs and cows, you could call this one a wild ride.
Eight times a year, the 12 regional Federal Reserve banks come together to share anecdotes from businesses and other industry experts in their respective parts of the country.
These stories are published in the "Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions by Federal Reserve District," more commonly known as the Beige Book.
We pick our favorite anecdotes and crown a winner!
Check out the previous Beigies winner here and click to listen to our recent story on greedflation.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org*.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.*
When we talk about classic economic texts, you might think of something like Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations." But how about the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov? One of the big ideas at the heart of this science fiction saga is that math can predict and shape the future. We hear from two economists who tell us how the ideas in Foundation helped set them on their career path.
Related episodes:
The carbon coin: A novel idea
Beach reads for econ nerds
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
It's time again for our Indicators of the Week! Today on the show, we've got a new social network, a new lineup for an old stock index and some new fines for old grievances. Listen to the numbers that caught our attention on the launch of Threads, the Nasdaq 100's stock shake-up and Bank of America's big fine.
Stress tests are one of the many tools the Federal Reserve has to regulate the financial system. So why didn't stress tests help prevent the bank failures of Silicon Valley, Signature and First Republic? Today, we explain how stress tests work and why the Fed is considering an overhaul.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Earlier this week, China reported a headline CPI of zero. Observers are concerned about the potential for a deflationary environment in China that could have ripple effects for the rest of the world. Today, we find out why prices are falling in China and what the CCP could do to reverse that trend.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
It's another Indicator Quiz episode! We bring a listener onto the show and test their econ knowledge. Today's quiz is all about jobs and employment. Play along with us and see how you do!
Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Just email us your name and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line.
Government websites and online services leave a lot to be desired. Today we look at California's unemployment insurance fiasco as a test case for how government can do digital services better.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The US economy added more than 200,000 jobs in June. But are these good jobs? Today, we look at some ways to answer this question, and what it takes to transform a job from bad to good.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
In the past few years, Shein has grown into the world's largest online-only fashion retailer. And in the process, it has also drawn criticism, a cultural backlash, and the ire of U.S. lawmakers. Today on the show: how Shein's unusual business model helped it grow from a small internet startup to a global retail behemoth, and why it is so controversial.
In early 2016 the U.S. barely exported any liquified natural gas at all. Now it's the leading exporter of the fossil fuel — on track to way surpass Qatar and Australia. How did that happen? Today on the show, we talk to one of the men who triggered the American exporting revolution.
We have a few fascinating fireworks facts for your Fourth of July picnics! Over the last few decades, states and counties across the U.S. have liberalized fireworks laws. It's just one reason why sales of backyard pyrotechnics have exploded. So what happened to safety over this period?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
On today's edition of Indicators of the Week, we cover the numbers behind stories relating to the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action, the Wagner rebellion's effect on the Russian currency, and some huge 2023 sales numbers for the video game industry.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Online banking has become so common that some banks don't have any physical locations at all. Today we track the transition to online banking in Mexico, where startups are eager to win over new customers who are tech-savvy but don't have any kind of bank account.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The recent mutiny in Russia has put a spotlight on the quasi-military organization responsible: the Wagner Group. Today, we talk to an expert on the Wagner Group to get a sense of how it operates and what its failed rebellion against the Russian government means for the group's future.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that climate change is affecting our planet, a lot of people out there are still not convinced it's a problem. Today on the show, a tool that might actually shift people's opinions on climate change: gambling.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
American public transit is notoriously expensive to build compared to countries in Europe and Asia. Today, we visit a $837 million subway station in New York to learn why these projects come with such a high price tag all across the country.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Housing prices are easing! Good news for homebuyers, not great news for Adrian. Turkey's new central bank governor raises its interest rates. And is the FTC's Lina Khan riding into Amazon in a trojan horse?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Climate change is changing the property insurance market. California is one state where major insurers have opted out of writing new property insurance policies. So how does that affect the people living in these states? Today, how climate change is breaking down the insurance market.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Arizona officials announced this month that all the groundwater in the Phoenix metro area is spoken for, potentially affecting its fast-growing suburbs. Despite the initial shock, the news hasn't exactly slowed development — or home prices. On today's show, we ask whether Greater Phoenix, and the west overall, is inching closer to a reckoning over water.
About 2 percent of the global population lives in countries where they're not citizens, and many of these migrants are seeking economic opportunities. This flow of people can benefit countries with aging populations and shrinking workforces, but only when migrants' skills are in demand in the places where they land. Today on the show, we look at what it can take to make a good match.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
How boxes contain all of our consumer goods, hopes and dreams. Why communities on Reddit went dark this week. And the European Union's plan to regulate AI. It's Indicators of the Week!
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Across the U.S. each month, utilities send meter readers out to record how much water their customers are using. Smart readers can do this virtually, and detect leaks, but many utilities have been slow to adopt the technology. On today's show, we dig into utilities' disincentives to save water.
The Fed just announced a pause on interest rate hikes for the first time in over a year. With inflation still double the Fed's 2% target, what's the plan here? Today on the show, how a shower helps explain the Fed's incremental approach.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Who's to blame for current inflation? It's one of the spiciest debates these days, with many fingers pointed at one villain: corporations. Today on the show, an economist who looked for evidence on whether or not greedflation is the answer.
It's another listener questions episode where we take on what you want to know! On today's show... The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. It's a cornerstone of the U.S. housing market, but not so much in the rest of the world. Why? We also look at upgrade auctions in the economy and a measure of inflation often overshadowed by the CPI ... PCE.
If you have a question you'd like us to answer, email us at indicator@npr.org. Please include your name and number.
Too many texts? Some of them could be scams! Plus the SEC is trying to play sheriff in the wild west that is crypto. And we remember the late economist William Spriggs who died this week, and read his open letter to economists.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
California's 25-year-old ban on affirmative action at public universities offers clues into how a Supreme Court ban on the policy would affect students and schools nationwide.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Turkey's strong-arm President Erdogan is at war with interest rates, which he's called the mother and father of all evil. But inflation is out of control and the Turkish lira keeps losing value. How did Turkey get here, and what's the plan to turn things around?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Today, we power up our CB radios to find out what's roiling the transportation services sector, and talk to a trucking company operator who's feeling what one regional bank called a freight recession.
India's recent announcement that it'll get rid of its highest denomination bill brings back memories of a disastrous experiment to invalidate most of its currency in 2016. Today, a critical look at the challenges of going cashless around the world.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The job market continues to surge despite fears of an economic slowdown. In recent months, Black Americans benefited from strong labor market conditions. But May's unemployment numbers hint that could change.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Decades before the current debate about ESG and "woke capitalism," there was a guy on Wall Street investing money on behalf of nuns and labor unions. He's known today as one of the pioneers of socially responsible investing.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
New economic research suggests that large companies can hold back inventors, and the overall economy. Today we talk to an inventor who left a big pharmaceutical company to start afresh, leading to some incredible treatments for serious diseases.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Is this Mars thing really happening? SpaceX did its first test launch of Starship this spring, the rocket that it's developing to send to Mars. But getting to Mars is still a long way off. So does SpaceX have the funding and business plan to pull it off?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Indicators all about kicking the can down the road but never far enough. A deal on water in the west, the US's tippy top credit rating gets put on notice, and tech companies want us to have less fun and fewer shared passwords.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Money market funds are a key aspect of the financial system and hold about $5.75 trillion of assets. Today, we explain what makes up a money market fund, why they've been looking shaky lately, and why a potential debt default is making things worse.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
A corporate titan and a cautious professor face off before Congress and ... agree with each other? From the ivory tower to inside the boardroom, the pressure campaign to regulate AI.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
For all the talk about AI, one of the burning questions is how the technology will affect the workforce. Today, we talk to the authors of one of the first empirical studies that looks at AI in the workplace.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
It's another Indicator Quiz episode! We bring a listener onto the show and test their econ knowledge. This time around, the quiz is all about the banking system and its recent troubles.
Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Just email us your name and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line. You have until the end of the day, Monday (05/29), to enter.
It's Indicators of the Week! We round up the economic indicators that caught our attention. On today's episode, we look at growing U.S. household debt, the shrinking sales of Home Depot and Montana's new TikTok ban.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
In the background of the debt ceiling fight between Congress and the Biden administration, we peek inside a little-known program created for citizens who want to help pay off the national debt. This special fund has been collecting donations from civic-minded Americans since the 1960s.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Nobel-winning economist Robert Lucas Jr. died on Monday. His revolutionary theories transformed the field of macroeconomics. His influential "Lucas critique" argued economic policy must take into account people's decisions in reaction to the policy itself, and just as importantly, their expectations. Not only is he remembered as a brilliant mind, but a supportive colleague as well. On today's episode, we remember Robert Lucas and his legacy.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The United States is unusual in that it has thousands of relatively small and specialized banks. Even after adjusting for population size, countries like Canada, the U.K., India and Brazil have far fewer banks. Today, we examine America's love affair with small banks and why having so many could be a double-edged sword.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
In recent years, we've seen dozens of cities ban new dollar stores from opening up. The thinking goes, by keeping dollar stores out, it'll be easier to get much-needed grocery stores to come in. On today's show, we visit two cities that have passed dollar store bans, New Orleans and Birmingham, to see if they've worked.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
It's Indicators of the Week! We round up the economic indicators that caught our attention ... Germany's economic resilience comes in the form of a heat pump. As debt-ceiling negotiations continue, the debt default date continues to move around. And a new survey on job satisfaction that kind of surprised us.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Twitter's false labeling of the NPR Twitter account as "state-affiliated" put a spotlight on the website's handling of government-controlled accounts. Today, we talk to NPR tech reporter, Dara Kerr, about the recent surge in activity for state-controlled Twitter accounts.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The rate of inflation is slowing, but still uncomfortably high, according to today's consumer price index report. The Federal Reserve has been front and center in fighting inflation, cranking up interest rates for more than a year. But how about Congress? It has fiscal tools to help bring down prices, but they've largely gone unused. On today's show, we look at why.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Hot, fresh and kinda salty, the Beige Book is back! This time we're headed to the beach as businesses get ready for summer.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The coronation of King Charles III is putting the United Kingdom and its relationship with Commonwealth countriesback in the spotlight. Today, we explore the economic links between the UK and Caribbean Commonwealth countries to see what the future might hold for them.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
It's one thing to quit your job and a completely other thing to get laid off or fired. A new indicator compares quits with firings and layoffs to measure who has more power in today's labor market, workers or employers.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
As a presidential candidate, Joe Biden promised to make climate change a major priority, But since taking office, President Joe Biden seems pretty friendly to the fossil fuel industry. What gives?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
How much power does the Fed have? According to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, the limit basically does not exist! New York Times reporter Jeanna Smialek joins the show to talk about her new book Limitless: The Federal Reserve Takes on a New Age of Crisis.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Unsung hero of the financial system or enabler of failing banks? Today on the show, how the Federal Home Loan Bank system, originally designed to support homeownership and affordable housing, ended up loaning billions to failing banks like First Republic.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The turmoil in the banking industry isn't over yet. Today, First Republic Bank was seized, following the failures of Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank back in March. How did we get here? And how do we prevent banks from failing in the future? A show-stopping mea culpa from the Federal Reserve provides some answers.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
As we wrap our series exploring the influencer marketing industry, we go to the cutting room floor for some extra insight into topics that we didn't have time for.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
When your lifestyle is your brand, the line between work and life can start to get blurred. From hate comments and sneaky contracts to prejudice and discrimination, it's not all sunshine and brand deals in the influencer industry.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
'Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life,' they said. How Gen Z is trying to do just that through ~influencing~
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
We wanted to know how many influencers were making a living from their content creation. Turns out, not many are. On today's episode of our series on the influencer industry, we meet a fashion influencer trying to piece together sponsorship deals ... and hit the shops for styling advice.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
This week, we're going deep into the multi-billion dollar influencer industry. Today, a researcher and two generations of influencers take us through the industry's history, from its origins in the blogosphere of the Great Recession to the sponsored content in your social media feeds today.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Why does Brazil's President Lula go to bed every night thinking about the US dollar? Did Taylor Swift know crypto exchange FTX was trouble? That and more on this week's financial news roundup.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Did Ed Sheeran steal from Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" in his hit single "Thinking Out Loud"? That case heads to trial next week, and our guest says the outcome should matter to music-lovers everywhere.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Earlier this year, Bao Fan, a prominent Chinese banker and tech billionaire, went missing in China. According to a statement from his company, he's "cooperating in an investigation being carried out by certain authorities in the People's Republic of China." The details are very murky, but his disappearance raises questions about doing business in China right now.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
A video game where you go on dates and also prepare your federal tax return? We obviously had to play. Plus the IRS's 20 year journey to make tax prep free.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
"Forced savings, you cowards!" Those aren't his exact words, but in 1940, macroeconomist John Maynard Keynes advocated for compulsory savings to help tame inflation during World War II. Could that work today?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
In this edition of Indicators of the Week, our hosts cover the latest news from the International Monetary Fund, Tupperware and the media conglomerate behind HBO Max — or is it just Max now?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Artificial intelligence has been portrayed as a solution to human bias. But, when it comes to finding top job talent, AI can get it just as wrong. So how can that be fixed?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Earlier in the pandemic, we saw many businesses raise their prices because of the higher costs they faced. So we wondered, now that some of those costs are coming down, will companies also pass along that price relief to consumers? The answer reveals a lot about how corporations make pricing decisions.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
You've heard of the butterfly effect, right? A seemingly small action causes ripples in unexpected ways elsewhere. So, what would it mean if Japan's central bank raised interest rates on its 10-year government bonds, which have been near zero percent since 2016?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Recent bank failures are putting a spotlight on risky behaviors in the financial sector. The Federal Reserve is introducing a new way for banks to borrow money that's better for banks, but exposes the government to more cost and risk. Today, we explain the Bank Term Funding Program.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Dominion Voting Systems is seeking $1.6 billion in damages from Fox News, which if it wins, would be the biggest defamation verdict in U.S. history. So we wondered, how do you price a reputation?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
On the Internet, everything feels instantaneous. But how exactly did that data get to you? We'll take you on a virtual tour of the 19th-century technology that runs the modern world.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
There is one indicator that has predicted every recession since 1969, and that indicator is flashing red right now. It's the yield curve. But Mr. Yield Curve himself, Campbell Harvey, explains why this time he thinks his prediction could be wrong.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
U.S. government bonds have long been seen as a steady, reliable place for investors. So why has this safe 'merry-go-round' option turned into a rickety roller coaster ride? We step into the financial markets theme park to explain.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
We cover some of this week's top economic stories: Cryptocurrency company Binance's legal issues, patching a hole in the banking system's rainy day fund, and newly approved waters for oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
How one Ukrainian is circumventing the government exchange rate to turn U.S. dollars into medicine for Ukrainians near the front lines.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The doctor shortage is a growing problem across the U.S. But there was a time when the government, researchers, and medical professionals worried about a doctor surplus.
Lithium-ion batteries—used in everything from smart phones and laptops to electric scooters and cars—are catching fire on land and at sea. A former cargo ship captain walks us through why these fires are so hard to put out and why ocean-going car carriers are particularly at risk.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
How do you do the most good in the world? Money and data! That's according to this new wave of philanthropy known as effective altruism, heralded by the likes of Sam Bankman-Fried. Today on the show we uncover the art and science of effective altruism.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Our indicators of the week: how a federal agency is trying to make it easier for you to cancel your subscriptions. And what's being done to address the 100,000-plus person backlog for organ transplants.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The high seas — water 200 nautical miles from shore — are an ocean of possibility for industries looking to cash in. But without proper oversight, the problems could be as deep as the ocean itself.
Could an international agreement help?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
We're putting Fed Chair Jerome Powell in the hot seat. Without fear and without favor, our guests look at Powell's record on jobs, inflation and financial stability.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Recent banking turmoil is shining a spotlight on the people whose job it is to monitor banks themselves. Today, we examine the bank examiners and learn why their job is so important for the banking sector. Plus, a recent government report that shows they could be in short supply very soon.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Credit Suisse was a 167-year-old financial giant. A favored place for the world's super-rich to stash their cash. So why did it collapse?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank continues to ripple across banking and tech. Today, three indicators on the fallout, including what's next for some startup CEOs and why you might be hearing the term, moral hazard. And we talk about the other bank failure that's been overshadowed by SVB, New York-based Signature Bank.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
It's time for another edition of the Beigie Awards! Today, our winner comes through with one of the best anecdotes in Beigie history with a story about a Montana construction company that flew in workers via a private jet.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Why are American consumers paying out the wazoo for drugs? Drug companies say it's because they need that money to fund the research and development that goes into making new life-saving drugs. Today we talk to a health economist who says you actually can have it all, lower prices and more innovation.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Prices are rising. A major bank has collapsed. And the Fed is left holding the hose trying to put out these fires. The question of whether to raise interest rates or not just got even more challenging.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
For decades, Silicon Valley Bank was the bank for thousands of startups and tech companies in the Bay Area. No longer. SVB's sudden failure last week has roiled the tech world. And it forced regulators to step in as concerns grew about the wider financial system. On today's episode, we look at what happened at SVB, and the three reasons that made the bank especially vulnerable to collapse.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Millions of people opted out of the labor force during the pandemic, and the Federal Reserve's most recent update on the economy explains why. Today, we hear from people who made that decision to leave the workforce.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
After a series of train derailments, the railroad industry is under scrutiny from politicians, the public and rail workers themselves. Many workers blame a relatively new management philosophy called precision-scheduled railroading (PSR). What is PSR and how has it changed the industry?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The U.S. is helping broker a $20 billion deal to transition Indonesia off coal. The hope is this climate financing plan could be a model to move other developing counties away from coal-fired electricity. But Indonesian energy experts and solar executives worry much of this deal may just be "omong kosong" — empty talk.
Today on The Indicator, we bring you an episode of Short Wave, NPR's daily science podcast. Climate solutions reporter Julia Simon breaks down the realities and limitations of Indonesia's renewable energy aspirations with Short Wave co-host Aaron Scott. (You can read more about this story here.)
It's another listener questions episode where we take on what you want to know! On today's show... We look at the U.S. birth rate. Are we booming or busting? Does the Consumer Price Index capture what's happening in rural America? And copyrighting knitting & sewing patterns, it's a tangled issue! If you have a question you'd like us to answer, email us at indicator@npr.org.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The UK's withdrawal from the European Union in 2020 came with plenty of challenges. And now one of its biggest — how to deal with Northern Ireland — may finally be resolved. On today's episode, we hear from a small business owner whose land and operations are split by the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Washington is doubling down on the industries it wants to see grow. From semiconductor chips to lithium-ion batteries, we trace where the money is going and why. And which part's got the European Union all bent outta shape.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org
For more than a decade, China has been a leader in global manufacturing, producing everything from trinkets and toys to advanced electronics. But there's another country looking to challenge China for manufacturing dominance: India.
We ask, what would it take for India to become the world's factory?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
In 1957, a group of scientists fed up with their boss set the modern venture capital model in motion. Today, the story of the unconventional investment idea behind Silicon Valley startup culture and so much of the technology we use today.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Consumers and politicians around the country are making a lot of noise about price gouging. But when do prices cross the line from simply high to something more painful? We talk to an economist to find out.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
From the depths of econ twitter straight to your podcast feed – this is economemes. Our guests bring us their favorite economic memes and explain what they mean. Can econ be funny? Only you can decide!
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
On this day one year ago, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today, we cover three indicators about the war's economic impact.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Do work requirements actually work? The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will soon require some benefit recipients to work in order to receive government aid. New economic research looks at whether that approach is effective in getting participants into the workforce and earning more.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Americans love TikTok – 100 million of them and counting. So why are politicians at the federal, state and local levels on both sides of the aisle calling for the China-owned social media app to be banned? We peer behind the rhetoric to see if there's anything to the labeling of TikTok as a national security threat. And we hear about the extraordinary plan the company has devised to stave off extinction in the U.S.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org
How one man's legal fight turned 26 ambiguous words from a 1996 law into the shield big tech companies use today. This key part of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is at the heart of two cases being argued this week before the Supreme Court.
This episode originally came out in April 2021.
Economic news of the week – from the government's new projections on unemployment and inflation to the latest retail spending numbers. Plus, what's the deal with companies retaliating against union organizers?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
One of the most important tools the federal government has for cracking down on greenhouse gas emissions is a single number: the social cost of carbon. It represents all the damage from carbon emissions — everything from the cost of lost crops to the cost of climate-related deaths. Currently, the cost is $51 per ton of carbon, but the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed raising it to $190.
Today on The Indicator, we bring you an episode of Short Wave, NPR's daily science podcast. NPR climate correspondent Rebecca Hersher and Short Wave co-host Aaron Scott discuss how this new number is simultaneously more accurate and an ethics nightmare.
The quest for dominance in artificial intelligence is taking shape in the tech world with some familiar players. Both Google and Microsoft are spending billions to come out on top of the chatbot arms race. Today, we put ChatGPT and Bard to the test to see which company hosts the superior chatbot.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The latest inflation numbers are out, and prices are up 6.4% from a year ago. This, coupled with an increase in wages compared to last year, may have some economists concerned about a possible wage spiral.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Apparently the no-take-backs rule doesn't always apply when it comes to buying a car. Today on the show, how and why some dealerships can take back your car even after you've driven off the lot.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org
It's indicators of the week, when we break down our favorite economic headlines! This one's for all the flavor dust lovers out there.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Gautam Adani is no longer Asia's richest man. Since American firm Hindenburg Research released a scathing report last month alleging widespread fraud, market manipulation and corruption, the head of India's Adani Group has lost billions. What does this all mean for India's economy?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Low-income countries are falling behind on their debt payments. Countries like Zambia, Chad and Sri Lanka have already defaulted, and others could be on the brink. Today, we examine the escalating debt crisis in the global economy and how the International Monetary Fund says it's going to help.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Open markets together with free and fair elections have long been the American ideal. But, in his new book, Financial Times chief economics commentator Martin Wolf argues this is a fragile marriage that is spinning towards divorce.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
It's another Indicator Quiz episode! We bring a listener onto the show and test their knowledge on inflation.
Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Just email us your name and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line. We'll pick one person at random. Just one entry please. You have until the end of the day, Monday (02/13), to enter.
The U.S. economy is red hot, adding 517,000 jobs in January. Unemployment is at its lowest rate in more than 50 years. So why are there so many jobs when there's talk about a possible recession?
One idea that's been talked about is labor hoarding, where employers hold onto more staff than they need. That's because the costs of rehiring are so high.
We find that the answer is more complex — and maybe a little more optimistic as well.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
History remembers Arthur Burns as the Fed chair who let inflation run rampant. That's precisely the outcome that current Fed chair Jerome Powell wants to avoid. Today, we look back at the '70s to find out what went wrong.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
A Fed vice president gets a new pair of shoes. Does that mean supply chains are fixed?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Chinese citizens are once again allowed to travel internationally and the global tourism industry is ready to welcome them with open arms. Why? Chinese tourism has meant big money in the past. In 2019, Chinese travelers spent a fifth of all tourist dollars. But a full rebound in Chinese tourism might be a ways off.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Advancements in artificial intelligence are making replicating the work of artists much easier. Some artists are arguing that AI art generators have been breaking the law to do this. Today, we talk to an artist whose paintings are at the center of a class action.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Tips, eggs and whisky...it's a food edition of Indicators of the Week! We talk egg-spensive food costs and why at least one whisky drinker is upset with the maker of Fireball.
For more economics content, subscribe to Planet Money's weekly newsletter.
Forget extraordinary measures. Today we're going full extra extraordinary. How a trillion-dollar platinum coin could get the country around the debt ceiling limit.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The U.S. reached its debt ceiling last week, and some lawmakers say they won't raise it unless there are also cuts to balance the budget. The problem? That would mean 25% reductions everywhere.
For more economics content, subscribe to Planet Money's weekly newsletter.
One of the world's biggest banks acquires a promising tech company, and things go very, very wrong. It's a flashy tech startup story with some surprisingly low-tech twists and a web of alleged lies.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Prices for shipping carriers have gone back down to 2019 price levels after record highs during the pandemic. So what does this mean for consumers and businesses who rely on international trade? For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
What's up with China's GDP, what's down with China's population numbers, and what Marvel's return tells us. Indicators from China to bring in the Lunar New Year. For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org
The debt ceiling approaches. A congressional standoff ensues. It wasn't always this way. So where did the debt ceiling come from? And how do other countries control their debt?
This episode originally came out in October 2021.
A chatbot that can do your homework for you? Sounds like every student's dream. But one college senior is building an app to call out the fakes. For more HUMAN WRITTEN content like this, subscribe to Planet Money's weekly newsletter.
Today, a conversation with Mary Daly, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Her family faced the pain of high prices and a turbulent economy decades ago, so she dropped out of high school to earn money. That experience, she says, helps guide her today, as the Fed tries to bring down inflation without sparking a recession.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
We comb through the surveys, polls, and reports so you don't have to! Three caught our attention for Indicators of the Week: one asking CEOs on whether we're headed for a recession, another on the economic challenges facing rural communities, and a report offering further evidence on the high audit rates of low-income workers.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The Federal Reserve has a dual mandate: keeping prices stable (and inflation low) and promoting "maximum employment." But sometimes, as the Fed attacks one goal, it can potentially hurt the other. It's a dueling dual mandate.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
What happens if someone can't perform their job in the same way because of pregnancy? Until now, they could be sent home without pay – essentially lose their job. But a new law aims to change that, by requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant people. For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
In 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. More than 6 years later, a majority of voters are feeling some buyer's remorse. Today, we cover what's changed since Brexit. For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Many sectors of the American economy depend on foreign nationals holding H-1B work visas for valuable skilled labor. But if a H-1B visa holder gets laid off, they're on their own.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Apprenticeships: not just for medieval guilds, but also useful in today's tight labor market! More employers in fields such as healthcare are turning to apprenticeship programs to train new hires for critical roles.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The average labor strike lasts just over 40 days, but a union of coal miners in Alabama has been on strike for over a year and a half. Protesting for that long requires help, both from the community and the economy.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Dear listeners: You had questions, and we have answers! Today, we're digging into airline fares, buying in bulk at the supermarket and the Fed's wacky (?) district boundaries. It's a listener questions episode!
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
This episode originally came out in January 2022. We're back with a new episode tomorrow!
It's a new year, and many people are excited for their fresh starts. But, it's no secret that following through with New Year's resolutions can be challenging. Today on the show, behavioral economist Katy Milkman shares her tips on how you can follow through.
This week, we're sharing some of our favorite Indicator episodes from 2022! Today, we hear one of our most downloaded from the year. This episode originally came out in August.
Who your friends are may be the key to your economic success story. In a groundbreaking study by Harvard researchers, find out why cross-class friendships may be the key ingredient to the American Dream.
This week, we're sharing some of our favorite Indicator episodes from 2022! Today, we hear one of Darian's favorite episodes. It originally came out in August.
Today on the show, why colleges and high school Advanced Placement Macroeconomics classes had to rip out old textbook pages and write a new chapter.
This week, we're sharing some of our favorite Indicator episodes from 2022! Today, we hear one of Adrian's favorite episodes. It originally came out in September.
"Gamification" as we know it has become increasingly common since the late 2000s. And proponents say adding game-like features to non-game activities — especially boring ones — can make us healthier, happier, and more productive. But Adrian Hon, who has made a career out of 'gamifying' mundane activities like jogging, says the trend has gone awry. Today on the show, Adrian argues that companies are using gamification to confuse, manipulate, or coerce people into doing things they wouldn't have done otherwise.
This week, we're sharing some of our favorite Indicator episodes from 2022! Today, we hear one of Wailin's favorite episodes. It originally came out in September.
Shrinkflation, yeet, supply chain, unbanked. What do these terms have in common? They're some of Merriam-Webster's newest dictionary entries!
We love a good competition, so we brought on two Planet Money hosts for a special edition of indicators of the year. Who will take home the title of the indicator that's defined this year? You decide.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Most people assume that when the Fed says a two percent inflation target is best for the economy, they're correct. But that number is more arbitrary than it seems, and some economists are pushing back.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
When the Fed hikes interest rates, the interest rate on your savings account usually follows in step. But recently, that logic hasn't held up. We ask an economist and a community banker why.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The U.S. economy does a bad job of serving the Latino population. Today, we hear from a researcher about why changing that is a win-win, and from one entrepreneur who took matters into her own hands.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Residential construction is one of the few industries that's gotten less productive over time. Modular housing, or building homes in factories to be assembled onsite, offers a solution.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The sequel to Avatar has been hyped up for over a decade, but Covid outbreaks in China threaten its box office success. And the World Cup champion will have more than glory to celebrate — its GDP should rise, too.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Venture capital investors pour money into startups in hopes of landing a unicorn—a $1 billion company. But what happens to the companies that don't reach that status?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Way back in January, when the economy was in a very different place, we picked three indicators to watch. Almost 12 months later, we're seeing how they fared.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Consumers' and businesses' inflation expectations usually stay safely anchored at the Fed's two percent target. But recently, that anchor has been slipping. It's one of the reasons inflation has risen.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Since World War II, the United States has prided itself on being a global leader in technological innovation. But shepherding those innovations from the lab to the masses has proven to be a sticking point.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Should we be worried about a recession? New polling shows that auto dealers certainly are. But leftover pandemic stimulus money is one of the biggest buffers holding one off.
2022 is almost over and we want to know what your favorite Indicator episode of the year is ... Email us at indicator@npr.org and put "favorite Indicator" in the subject line. We'll reveal some of them at the end of the month!
The most recent Beige Book featured a little of everything — economic anecdotes from around the country, some positive, some not so good. But one Fed branch's contribution stood about above the rest.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
In part two of our ESG series, we speak with two insiders who have been involved with ESG since before it was cool. To them, it's come a long way — and is now mainstream enough to have a real impact.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
ESG investing claims to pursue both profits and morals at once. But is it really the future of finance, or just a PR sham? In part one of our series on the topic, a former ESG guy argues the latter.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Technical analysis, or finding patterns in stock charts to predict future price movements, is like cloud watching: You can see pretty much anything if you squint hard enough. Even a vomiting camel.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
This jobs Friday, we look to the tech sector, where companies are laying off thousands of workers in a rapid reversal of their pandemic-era hiring boom. What effects could tech layoffs have on the broader economy?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Water utilities in the United States could gain from economies of scale: localized infrastructure can be inefficient and lead to outages in places like Jackson, Miss. But in practice, it's complicated.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion, but almost a third of it was in loans—and Twitter's on the hook to pay them back. This strategy, popular in the '80s, is called a leveraged buyout.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
NYU professor Scott Galloway thinks America is drifting — away from investing in a strong middle class, and away from prosperity for all. Today on the show, he brings us the indicators that explain why.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Indicator fans and trivia fanatics, this one's for you. In our first ever Indicator Quiz episode, we invite a listener onto the show and test their knowledge on crypto and GDP.
Are you interested in being a contestant on our next "Indicator Quiz"? Just email us your name and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line. We'll pick one person at random. Just one entry please. You have until the end of the day, Monday (12/05), to enter.
Thanksgiving isn't immune from inflation — an annual survey recently found that a holiday meal for four is 20 percent more expensive than it was last year. We bring the Indicator team around the dinner table for a very nerdy Thanksgiving.
Indicator listeners — as the end of the year approaches, we want YOUR feedback! What were your favorite shows of 2022? Are there any stories from the past year you'd like an update on? Let us know by emailing indicator@npr.org or commenting on social media!
Doing more by working less sounds like an oxymoron, but a slew of recent studies show that switching to a four-day workweek is linked with greater health, happiness and productivity for workers.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
For most people, buying scalped tickets may be the only way to see Taylor Swift's Eras tour. Thanks, Ticketmaster. But economically speaking, the resale market is more complicated than it seems.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
For this week's series finale, we explain Indonesia's climate deal, why nobody came #1 in the CCPI's climate rankings and whether it's possible to grow an economy without increasing carbon emissions.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
What if we could engineer a path towards solving the climate crisis...with monetary policy? Kim Stanley Robinson's novel The Ministry for the Future considers this question, and the idea is catching on in real life too.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Extreme heat takes a toll on workers. From heatstroke to an increased likelihood of workplace accidents, protecting employees from heat illness is a growing priority for state legislatures. We talk to an economist about how higher safety standards help businesses too.
Low- and middle-income countries are facing the worst consequences of the climate crisis, and rising global interest rates are making it harder to repay their debts. What if there was a way to solve both problems at once?For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
CATL is a hugely important company that a lot of people probably haven't heard of. It's grown from nothing to become the world's largest EV battery supplier — with some strong help from the Chinese government along the way. This story of how EV batteries became cheap kicks off The Indicator's week on the climate crisis — how markets, government and businesses can deal with growing emissions.
Crypto? Not doing well right now. But stocks? With elections soon to be behind us, history says they should be on the rise. This week's indicators explain the story behind FTX's bankruptcy and why markets love midterms.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
We all need a little hedonism in our lives sometimes. A spa day, a good meal ... and modeling to account for quality change? Today, how economists model pleasure – and what it means for inflation data.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Let's face it: buying a new car sucks. From the hidden dealership fees to the reams of paperwork, it just seems harder than it should be. Well, economically speaking, it is – and today, we explain why.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
As the COP27 climate conference begins, a tricky economic question is on the table: should wealthy nations compensate their lower-income neighbors who suffer most from the climate crisis? And how?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The labor union playbook just doesn't work like it used to. While unions enjoy the spotlight right now, they've faced years of declines. So advocates are deploying what one might call a grungier tactic: alt labor.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The U.S. economy added 261,000 jobs in October, meaning there are still about two jobs available for each unemployed person. Could expanding the H2-B visa program for temporary foreign workers help America's tight labor market?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Rare earth metals are everywhere – in cars, drones, the device you're listening on right now — and China has the market cornered. But a new laboratory breakthrough could level the playing field.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Today the Fed raised interest rates to just under 4%. The Taylor Rule says this should have happened a year ago. We talk to John Taylor about letting a formula do the work instead.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Your smartphone is pretty bad at keeping secrets – if it keeps track of your location, someone (or some app) almost definitely knows where you are. Today, the murky market for personal location data.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Your smartphone is pretty bad at keeping secrets – if it keeps track of your location, someone (or some app) almost definitely knows where you are. Today, the murky market for personal location data.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Spirit Halloween is known for its unique business model. On Halloween, we bring you an episode of It's Been A Minute about why this pop-up scheme is such a hit.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Spirit Halloween is known for its unique business model. On Halloween, we bring you an episode of It's Been A Minute about why this pop-up scheme is such a hit.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
How did energy-starved Europe end up with too much natural gas? New GDP numbers look strong, but how is the economy really doing? And is Meta betting too big on the metaverse? This week's indicators explain.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
How did energy-starved Europe end up with too much natural gas? New GDP numbers look strong, but how is the economy really doing? And is Meta betting too big on the metaverse? This week's indicators explain.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
What's in a name? New research shows that for some people, employment prospects could be on the line. We hear from two economists who looked at hundreds of econ Ph.D. students to find out if the ones with harder-to-pronounce names were hurt in the job market.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
What's in a name? New research shows that for some people, employment prospects could be on the line. We hear from two economists who looked at hundreds of econ Ph.D. students to find out if the ones with harder-to-pronounce names were hurt in the job market.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but it's keeping the Fed up at night. For this month's Beigie Awards, we look at how high energy prices and a strong dollar are disrupting the global apple market.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but it's keeping the Fed up at night. For this month's Beigie Awards, we look at how high energy prices and a strong dollar are disrupting the global apple market.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Labor productivity, historically the engine of American economic supremacy, is faltering. And even in a tight labor market, some workers are feeling less valued by their employers than ever before.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Labor productivity, historically the engine of American economic supremacy, is faltering. And even in a tight labor market, some workers are feeling less valued by their employers than ever before.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Xi Jinping was reappointed as China's leader over the weekend. He faces a housing market crisis that could put China's overall economy at risk.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Xi Jinping was reappointed as China's leader over the weekend. He faces a housing market crisis that could put China's overall economy at risk.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Turkish interest rates, U.K. bond yields, Chinese GDP data (or lack thereof?) ... Our indicators this week bring us around the globe in just 10 minutes. Strap on those seatbelts!
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Turkish interest rates, U.K. bond yields, Chinese GDP data (or lack thereof?) ... Our indicators this week bring us around the globe in just 10 minutes. Strap on those seatbelts!
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The Liz Truss era is over. Headlines blame her budget fiasco, but we talk through the deeper story: slowing economic productivity in the UK.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The Liz Truss era is over. Headlines blame her budget fiasco, but we talk through the deeper story: slowing economic productivity in the UK.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
A week before the Communist Party of China's 20th congress kicked off, the US government announced comprehensive new rules blocking China's access to advanced semiconductor chips. It's a sign the Biden Administration can't disentangle security concerns from trade with China.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
A week before the Communist Party of China's 20th congress kicked off, the US government announced comprehensive new rules blocking China's access to advanced semiconductor chips. It's a sign the Biden Administration can't disentangle security concerns from trade with China.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Juneau, Alaska doesn't have enough veterinarians. Nate Hegyi, host of the podcast Outside/In from member station NHPR, brings us there to show how the pandemic has reshaped animal healthcare work in Alaska and across the nation.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Juneau, Alaska doesn't have enough veterinarians. Nate Hegyi, host of the podcast Outside/In from member station NHPR, brings us there to show how the pandemic has reshaped animal healthcare work in Alaska and across the nation.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Every time you swipe a credit card, you produce data—and now, a new tool could make it easier for the financial industry to identify suspicious gun purchases. But will companies want to use it?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Every time you swipe a credit card, you produce data—and now, a new tool could make it easier for the financial industry to identify suspicious gun purchases. But will companies want to use it?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
It's been a busy week for the economy: our key indicators cover key topics related to social security increases, rent and its relationship with recent CPI data, and a looming rail strike. All aboard!
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
It's been a busy week for the economy: our key indicators cover key topics related to social security increases, rent and its relationship with recent CPI data, and a looming rail strike. All aboard!
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Gas prices have been dropping, but production cuts from OPEC+ and new inflation data bring back memories of oil shocks of the 1970s. However, the U.S. economy is better prepared now than it was then.
Gas prices have been dropping, but production cuts from OPEC+ and new inflation data bring back memories of oil shocks of the 1970s. However, the U.S. economy is better prepared now than it was then.
The IMF has been in the news for its criticism of the UK government's recent budget. But what exactly is the organization, and how does it fulfill its mission to achieve global economic prosperity?
The IMF has been in the news for its criticism of the UK government's recent budget. But what exactly is the organization, and how does it fulfill its mission to achieve global economic prosperity?
Former Fed chair Ben Bernanke and two colleagues were awarded an economics Nobel for research on the role banks play in financial crises — research that's shaped the global financial system.
Former Fed chair Ben Bernanke and two colleagues were awarded an economics Nobel for research on the role banks play in financial crises — research that's shaped the global financial system.
Social Security Disability Insurance helps support millions of Americans, but it's a slow-moving program that rejects most people who apply.
This Jobs Friday: The 10 million working-age people who are neither working nor seeking a job — and they're living with a disability.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Social Security Disability Insurance helps support millions of Americans, but it's a slow-moving program that rejects most people who apply.
This Jobs Friday: The 10 million working-age people who are neither working nor seeking a job — and they're living with a disability.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Ever had a pet turtle? Try a pet bond! They're a reliable addition to your 401k that can be valuable even when stocks are down. We discuss why bonds belong in your terrarium (or retirement plan).
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Ever had a pet turtle? Try a pet bond! They're a reliable addition to your 401k that can be valuable even when stocks are down. We discuss why bonds belong in your terrarium (or retirement plan).
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
How does sorority rush relate to organ donations, doctors, and New York high schools? Put on your best pearls because we're market matching with a Nobel Prize economist today.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
What will rebuilding Ukraine look like after the war with Russia ends? No one knows, but some are taking a page out of the history textbook for inspiration. Perhaps, a Marshall Plan 2.0 for Ukraine.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
When confronted with racial categories, which box do you tick? For Asian Americans, the grouping called AAPI – that's Asian American and Pacific Islander – is a strangely broad and ambiguous category.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Sound the alarms because Britain's financial markets are in turmoil. That, plus the upticking 'fear gauge,' and Porsche's vrooming public debut on indicators of the week. Markets edition.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
What happens when a country's foreign reserves are stored in another country, and then part of that is run by a third? No, it's not the start of a bad joke. It's the story of Afghanistan, the U.S., and Switzerland.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
According to the U.S Dollar Index, the U.S Dollar reached a twenty year peak. Today, we're revisiting a classic episode to ask: What exactly are the pros and cons to U.S dollar dominance?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
What's cooking in the executive suite? Today, delve deep into the world of corporate investigations. Learn how checking the facts can avoid some seriously salacious scandals.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Shrinkflation, yeet, supply chain, unbanked. What do these terms have in common? They're some of Merriam-Webster's newest dictionary entries!
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
When interest rates are on the up and up, the housing market tends to slide down and down. That, plus the declining value of the Japanese yen, and updates about the global supply chain on indicators of the week.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
"Gamification" as we know it has become increasingly common since the late 2000s. And proponents say adding game-like features to non-game activities — especially boring ones — can make us healthier, happier, and more productive. But Adrian Hon, who has made a career out of 'gamifying' mundane activities like jogging, says the trend has gone awry. Today on the show, Adrian argues that companies are using gamification to confuse, manipulate, or coerce people into doing things they wouldn't have done otherwise.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
When Knut the polar bear was rejected by his mother at the Berlin Zoo, a debate caught fire over whether it was more humane to keep him alive or euthanize him. Today, as the Fed raises interest rates again, another polar bear is in danger: The economy.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Surf's up with the IRS! Patagonia's founder Yvon Chouinard recently gave his company and billionaire status away. But how he did so entails a complex tale of trusts, exemptions and a whole lot of taxes.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
According to a Forbes report, half of all Bitcoin trades are fake. Today, we unveil crypto's cryptic facade by diving deep into a classic concept: Wash trading.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Hands up! A bank heist with a toy gun exposes the chaos in Lebanon's financial system. That, plus declining child poverty rates, and Ethereum's "Merge" on indicators of the week.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
The September Beige Book is an emotional roller coaster. We crown the Federal Reserve bank who gave us the funniest and most poignant anecdotes about the economy.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
How would you like your burger? With a side of higher wages? Today on the menu, California's FAST Recovery Act is rethinking labor relations for the fast food industry.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Argentines party hard in the bustling bars of Buenos Aires, despite the stubborn cloud of inflation. Across the pond, German companies switch gears in response to high gas prices, as Russia shuts off its supply. Today on the show, the push and pull of inflation.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
From the aftermath of World War II to the coronavirus pandemic, Queen Elizabeth has lived through it all. But after her death, what happens to the future of the royal family... and its fortune? Today on the show, we're revisiting our classic episode to ask: Can "The Firm" really survive without its CEO?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Crank up that AC because a record-breaking heat wave is sweeping through the American West. That, plus workplace surveys, and Apple's newest drop on indicators of the week.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
What happens to local government projects when the big banks that back them leave the state? A Texas-sized experiment in values-based financing.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Welcome to the Global Growth Gym, where countries are working out their economies. Over in the corner, the U.S. is standing there on a weight scale, just a tad confused...
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
From Sacramento to San Diego, the state of California is a tryhard when it comes to regulations. Today, we're singing about how the nation's strictest standards affect economies across state lines.
Headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing...the lingering health effects of COVID-19 continue to haunt millions of Americans, and the labor market, too.
A new paper in the Journal of Cultural Economics says happy songs are more popular during a recession. So we thought we'd have a little fun on today's show. Armed with a new soundtrack, what can we learn about past recessions?
Ever thought of spicing up your 401k with crypto? Well, we leave it up for the Prudent Man to decide. On today's episode, learn about how wonky pension regulations from the '70s opened a new era of riskier investments.
At first glance, mobile home ownership seems like the happy medium between renting and buying a house. But what happens when a tug-of-war ensues between the landlords and the residents? For the full read, click here.
Biden is canceling student loans for millions of Americans. Love it or hate it, one thing is for sure – many economists from the left and the right think that this plan is a not-so-good idea...
Canceled flights are the worst. So is inefficient healthcare and unaffordable college tuition. Today on the show, three indicators about new solutions to address age-old problems.
We learn about the Chinese government's global financing boom by zooming in on one country where controversy surrounding Chinese money is smoldering hot. We're going to the Pacific: The Solomon Islands.
The verdict is in: the current Supreme Court is the most business-friendly SCOTUS of the past century, according to a new study. But why the lean towards corporate?
China owns a LOT of Benjamins, greenbacks, whatever you like to call it, in the form of US treasury bonds. But it's been cutting back on some of those securities recently. So what would happen if Beijing decides to sell off all its holding of American debt, and is that the plan?
Ah, 2018, a good year in music. Don't agree? Just check out our playlist. It's also when Spotify rocked-and-rolled the finance world with its rebellious take on going public.
From sea to shining sea, rivers in the United States are drying up, including the Colorado River. For indicators of the week, three environmental indicators about the state of Mother Nature.
Long gone are the days of hauling sixty books home from the local library. With eBooks, the worlds of Fahrenheit 451 to Harry Potter are at your fingertips with just a tap. But what's the price behind the click?
Even the sheep are complaining. A severe drought is drying Europe to its limits, and the effects are widespread. From crops to shipping energy, what are the economic consequences?
Peer into the crystal ball with Kalshi.com. Will inflation stay high? Will daylight saving time become permanent? Place your bets.
Today on the show, why colleges and high school Advanced Placement Macroeconomics classes had to rip out old textbook pages and write a new chapter.
The economy cooled off a bit, but inflation is still really, really high. But, not all goods and services respond the same to a high inflation environment. Today on the show, we're talking about sticky prices, bonds, and that old chestnut, transitory inflation.
The Inflation Reduction Act has it all, from fighting climate change to cutting drug prices. But today, we're zooming in on one aspect of the bill. The changes to corporate taxes.
Not all recessions are created equal. Some look like Vs, while others look like Ks. But the scariest one of all is the L-shaped recession. Travel back to Japan's "Lost Decade" with us to understand why.
The cost of pharmaceuticals has been rising for years, well before inflation became the big economic talking point. Today on the show, why some policymakers suspect an obscure middleman is partly to blame.
Who your friends are may be the key to your economic success story. In a groundbreaking study by Harvard researchers, find out why cross-class friendships may be the key ingredient to the American Dream.
Baristas and warehouse workers unite! After decades of decline, we're hearing a lot about new unions starting around the country. But union membership actually declined last year. We look at what's really happening.
We crunched the numbers (on Excel of course), and the results are in. There's not enough Certified Public Accountants right now. Can the world of finance come up with a solution to address this issue?
More than three-quarters of adults in the United States say they've experienced extreme weather in the last five years, according to a nationwide survey conducted by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
And events like floods, wildfires and hurricanes are emptying bank accounts — especially when insurance doesn't cover the damage. Today on The Indicator, we bring you an episode of Short Wave, NPR's daily science podcast.
After two long years, the results seem to be in. Which countries were the 'Pandemic MVPs,' the countries most resilient to COVID-19? And more importantly, what was the secret to their success?
The world runs on semiconductors. From cameras to cars, tiny chips power most electronic devices. So why do we have such a shortage of them?
We assess the Inflation Reduction Act: Will there be unintended consequences from taking on Big Pharma? Will electric vehicles become cheap? And does the tax department need more money?
Ah, GDP, the titan of all economic indicators. But are we breaking it down correctly? Today, we're remixing GDP to evaluate the true health of an economy.
Can you feel the inflation emanating from the milk aisle? Today on The Indicator, we explore how food prices – and who does the grocery shopping – affect how we think about inflation. Oh and don't forget your grocery list, because we're headed to the supermarket too.
When Mario Draghi saved the euro with a 2012 speech, the world was in awe. Then he was called in to lead Italy's six motley political parties through the pandemic, and turn around Italy's economy.
Love is sharing a password, but maybe not anymore. With streaming services cracking down on account sharing, this got The Indicator team wondering, what exactly is the definition of a household?
The sweltering heat has us wondering, how exactly are people responding to climate change? Today on The Indicator, we're going green with three environmental indicators. Stay tuned for a sliver of hope at the end.
When in doubt, count on the price of metals like copper and gold to predict the economy. But what magical forces are driving prices in the metal market down?
Two years ago, the pandemic haunted New York City. But now the Big Apple is back in full swing, with tourists and bodegas galore. To celebrate the return to normal, join us for the Beigie Awards, live from Times Square!
For some student athletes, taco discounts and even Lamborghini partnerships are becoming a reality. That's because last summer , the NCAA changed a decades-old precedence that banned college sports stars from pursuing lucrative brand deals. How has that decision changed the game a year on?
Before, after, and during college, the cards are still stacked against Black students. Today, we look at how that reality translates into Black borrowers being more likely to default on their student loans.
On Earth and in space, economics affects us wherever we go. Today, we're looking at three indicators: The yen, copper prices, and NASA's James Webb telescope. Quite an otherworldly combination!
Seems like the British people might have to cut down on their afternoon tea... food prices in the UK are going through the roof, and wages are stagnating. Can the new Prime Minister handle the heat?
As countries crank up their interest rates to fight inflation, the whispers of a reverse currency war are getting louder. But is this cause for concern or just political posturing?
Amazon Prime Day, the unofficial holiday of the e-commerce enthusiast, is here. But for third-party-sellers, today might not be a day for celebration.
A new alternative to federal court for copyright holders may provide an inexpensive route towards justice for small businesses. But is cheaper, better? How well will it work?
Gen Zers, it's time to put the TikTok away and revamp those cover letters. With murmurs of an upcoming recession, what does this mean for the newest entrants into the labor market?
Why is the Russian ruble so strong right now? Despite heavy sanctions, the Russian government has a special trick – a serum, if you will – up their sleeves.
What are the economic consequences of being denied an abortion? In a recent study, an economist looked for the answer in a pile of credit data. And the results surprised even her.
The deadline to apply for an internship to Planet Money and The Indicator for fall through winter is extended to Sunday, July 17th. Come work with us! Go to npr.org/internships to apply.
Amid daunting gas prices, President Biden's proposed federal gas tax holiday sounds like a sweet relief. But the economics behind this tax break reveals the push and pull between consumers and oil companies, and an unexpected outcome.
After the G7 talks, we're turning our attention back to Russia. But in typical The Indicator fashion, we're zooming in on three global commodities affected by the ongoing war: gold, oil, and wheat.
Planet Money and The Indicator are looking for our intern for fall through winter. Come work with us! We would love to have you. And it's paid! Go to npr.org/internships to apply. Deadline is Sunday, July 10th.
Have you ever wondered where the terms 'bull' and 'bear' markets originated from? Today on the show, we're journeying back to the 1700s to find out how a particular financial event popularized these animal terms.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how effective are the sanctions on Russia? Today on the show, we're grading the hodgepodge of sanctions aimed at persuading Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
Black consumers are more likely to own crypto than white consumers and crypto enthusiasts laud the crypto world as a driver for racial equity. In today's show we explore that premise. If you're interested in learning more, listen to the episode and check out Terri Bradford's article on Black crypto ownership.
From Jimmy Fallon to Reese Witherspoon, why are so many celebrities promoting crypto? We untangle the web of connections between Hollywood A-listers, Bored Apes, and one influential talent agency, with journalist Max Read. He wrote about this in his Substack newsletter, Read Max.
This Friday, we're looking at fast-food companies who are still hanging on in Russia. Juul getting banned. And as a cherry on top, THE Ohio State University deciding to patent you guessed it, "the."
The crypto market has taken a beating lately, and even though Bitcoin and other crypto assets are risky, they're becoming more mainstream. How concerned do we need to be about the recent crypto collapse?
What took the Fed so long to address high inflation? Today on the show, we're exploring six reasons behind the Fed's hesitancy to hike interest rates, according to Bill Nelson, who spent two decades working for the Federal Reserve. For more background, check out our episode last week, Jerome Powell's ghosts.
Everyone's a stock trader these days. With a press of a button, companies like Robinhood allow everyday people to buy and sell shares with no fee. But, this practice is just a tad bit controversial.
With rising interest rates, this economy has got us scratching our heads. To rent, or not to rent? To borrow money, or not to borrow? To qualify for a mortgage...or maybe not. Maybe our three indicators on the housing market will give clues.
Hey, we're off for Juneteenth but The Indicator will be back on Tuesday!
School's out, and so are pandemic-era relief measures for families with children. But when universal free lunches and expanded child tax credits roll to a halt, what are the consequences?
Take NPR's annual podcast survey – especially if you're a new listener! It's short, anonymous, and will help us serve you better!
The Fed hiked interest rates by 0.75 percentage points. But why the sudden jump now? Why not earlier? To understand the psyche of the Fed and its chair, Jerome Powell, we're turning back the clock to the 2013 Taper Tantrum, and a 2019 road trip.
3... 2... 1... GONE? Already? The Telfar Shopping Bag's been considered the "it" bag the last few years, if you can get your hands on one. It's also making big fashion statements by redefining luxury and accessibility in the fashion world.
For the corporate engagement of Elon Musk and Twitter, the road to the chapel has been unusually rocky. So how are these deals supposed to go, anyway?
Welcome to the macroeconomic bar fight. Today, fists are being thrown over the causes of high inflation. But off to the corner stands John Cochrane, an economist with a core explanation for rising prices: government borrowing and spending.
Check out some of our earlier episodes on inflation:
- Why some economists last year were concerned about low interest rates and high government borrowing and spending - Why the term 'transitory' inflation was banned by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta as consumers spent and spent in 2021
- How the war in Ukraine raises prices around the world, including food prices, and a look at grain exports stuck in the country
- Whether corporate greed is to blame for inflation
June. School's out, the sun is shining and most importantly, the Beige Book is here again! Among the Federal Reserve Banks, which gave the best anecdote about how the economy is doing?
For decades, antitrust agencies focused on the harm to consumers. But lately, the federal government has started paying more attention to anticompetitive behavior when it comes to workers. Could this be a major turning point for antitrust enforcement?
For more on monopsony, check out the paper referenced in the show: Monopsony in Labor Markets: A Meta-Analysis.
Take NPR's annual podcast survey – especially if you're a new listener! It's short, anonymous, and will help us serve you better!
What happens to the flow of venture capital when the market drops? We look at each player – from limited partners to venture capitalists to startups – and the choices they face when turbulent times are ahead.
Ah, college... the classes, the parties, the debt. Is it still worth it? While most schools are seeing their enrollment decline, 'elite' schools are receiving a jump in applications.
Take NPR's annual podcast survey – especially if you're a new listener! It's short, anonymous, and will help us serve you better!
The United States added 390,000 jobs in May. Today, we go behind the scenes to find the surprisingly delightful secrets to how the Bureau of Labor Statistics collects that number.
Housing prices all over the country are rising at historic rates. Some are concerned about a housing bubble and crash like the one in 2008. So what's happening?
Russia's blockade of Ukraine's seaports have stopped 20 million tons of grain from getting exported. Today, how Ukraine is trying to get its trapped grain to countries that rely on these crucial food supplies.
The toy giant, Hasbro, is set for a contentious proxy vote in early June. An activist investor argues the publicly traded company is neglecting its most profitable asset. Today, how a proxy battle works and what it means for Hasbro.
After the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, some investors are making bets on gun-related stocks while others are trying to avoid them altogether.
The U.S. Dollar has gotten a lot stronger in recent months compared with other currencies. Today, we dive into the economics of foreign exchange and the pros and cons of dollar dominance.
Matching talent with opportunity is great for economic growth. But when it comes to Identifying talent, we have a lot to learn according to economist Tyler Cowen. He joins the show today to talk about innovative strategies for finding under the radar talent.
Companies with more top female execs are more likely to please customers, be socially responsible, and are more profitable. But we don't know why. Today we talk to Corinne Post, who thinks she's solved the mystery.
Baby formula is in short supply after a voluntary February recall by the manufacturer, Abbott. Today, we explain how the government helped shape the U.S. formula market, and why that structure led to a devastating shortage.
The economy is in a weird place right now. It seems like every day there are new numbers coming out that say economic conditions are either great or poor. Today, we bring you some indicators this week — factory output, credit card defaults and housing — and bring some clarity to the tumult.
With the Supreme Court expected to overturn its landmark decision on abortion rights, more than 150 economists submitted a brief with the court saying there will be major consequences if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Today on the show: How the field of causal inference helps economists decipher the effects abortion policy has had on people's lives during the past half century, and what the likely effects will be if Roe is overturned.
Last year, we analyzed whether or not the Simpson family's lifestyle was attainable for the middle class. A writer on the show listened to that Indicator, and decided to answer that question with an episode of their own. Today, we bring you a sneak preview of their take on America's shrinking middle class.
The United States has hit a million recorded deaths from COVID-19, a likely undercount. Today, how John Burn-Murdoch from the Financial Times tracks COVID-19, and what the true death toll really is.
Are the skills from dealing drugs transferable to the world of legal entrepreneurship? We review the evidence and meet Coss Marte, a former drug dealer who built a successful fitness routine business after a long time in prison.
On today's edition of Indicators of the Week, we bring you the top numbers to know in the stock market, cryptocurrency, and the world's second most valuable company.
Bill Gross is a retired investor known for creating and dominating the bond market. But what exactly made him so successful? Today, we talk to Aaron Brown, who created a mock portfolio to unpack the success of the Bond King.
We often talk about inflation as a bad thing. But for countries in a lot of debt, inflation has an upside. But can a country try to inflate its way out of debt?
America is getting older which is bad news for the state of the labor market. Today, we learn how lower fertility rates and retiring seniors are contributing to shortages in the labor force.
The European Union is poised to pass its latest big tech legislation package. The Digital Services Act could reshape how we interact with big online platforms. Today, we go through some of the highlights of the regulation.
Unemployment is low and job listings are at a record high: This shows up in a chart called the Beveridge curve. What's driving this? We talk to a former brewery manager to find out.
Prices for cooking oil have spiked around the world. You can point to drought and, more recently, the war in Ukraine for reasons why. But palm oil prices were on the rise before those production shocks. Today, we look into the palm oil price mystery.
To try and slow inflation, the Federal Reserve is going beyond its typical tool of raising interest rates, and adopting a policy of "quantitative tightening." So ... what is that, exactly?
Savings bonds are known for their low yields and relative safety. However, the recent inflation spike is creating a heightened demand for the Series I Bond. Today, we learn the mechanics of the I Bond and why it might be the hottest investment of 2022.
The trucking industry saw a boom in the early months of the pandemic as consumer demand for goods surged. This caused a key trucking indicator known as the spot market rate to hit historic highs. Today, we learn what the recent decline in the spot rate could mean for the economy.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis released their quarterly gross domestic product report this week. It showed GDP shrank at an annualized rate of 1.4%. Not good. But there's a mix of stories in the details. We explain with the help of a bit of music.
Global food prices were rising even before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but the war in Eastern Europe is putting more pressure on supply. Today, the global impact of rising food prices and how countries are attempting to make up for missing supply.
Shanghai is enduring a strict COVID lockdown that has left many without many basic necessities, including food. So ordinary people have banded together to build their own group-buying and barter economy.
A series of policy missteps combined with a global pandemic is putting heavy economic pressure on Sri Lanka. Today, the events that led to surging prices, power outages and violent protests in the island nation.
The pandemic crushed the airline industry, causing a wave of layoffs. While increased consumer demand in 2022 has analysts forecasting a profitable year for the major airlines, lingering issues are likely to make summertime travel more expensive.
Media and entertainment companies had a turbulent week, which made us want to cover a few of them for Indicators of the Week! Today, indicators for Netflix, Twitter, and Disney we think should be on your radar. Come see Planet Money Live in NYC on May 10th! One night only. Tickets on sale here.
Over the past year China has enforced strict regulations on its tech platforms. But this crackdown has sparked such instability in financial markets that the Chinese government appears to be having second thoughts. | Come see Planet Money Live in NYC on May 10th! One night only. Tickets on sale here.
Russia is on the verge of doing something it hasn't done since 1918: Default on its foreign debt. Today, we explore what's happening, and why Russia and its creditors may be headed for a long, messy legal battle.
In the wake of the war in Ukraine, American companies are preparing themselves for potential Russian cyber attacks. Many of them will need to rely on an insurance system that has historically looked to avoid paying out in times of war or crisis. Today, why the threat of cyber warfare has the insurance industry scrambling.
A policy designed to draw investment to economically distressed communities has clearly benefited wealthy investors in the form of tax breaks. But the benefit to the communities is less clear.
The development of the Moderna vaccine was the culmination of decades of scientific research. This research was able to flourish thanks in large part to Flagship Pioneering and its founder, Noubar Afeyan. Today, the innovative way Flagship created one of the most successful COVID-19 vaccine makers in the world.
Part of the yield curve has been inverting. This caused panic because the yield curve has a stunning track record at predicting recessions. But wait! A familiar friend helped us calm down.
Low-income households spend a disproportionate amount of their income on food and as inflation continues to spike, especially when it comes to food prices, these families are particularly vulnerable. However, research looking at how the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the consumer price index, indicates the CPI may be failing to show the extent of that harm. Today, why the CPI may be underestimating higher prices in the supermarket for low-income Americans.
Elon Musk is not shy about the changes he'd like to see with Twitter. So now that he is the largest shareholder in the social media giant, some fear he could become an activist investor.
Inflation is one of the hottest topics in economics. So naturally, it's all we wanted to talk about in this edition of Indicators of the Week!
The pandemic forced the closure of music venues around the country. Owners of many of these businesses believed their existing insurance policies would help them weather the storm. But, as it turns out, many of those policies weren't designed for COVID-19.
America has a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Without serious changes to lifestyles, that means dramatic investments in green energy. But environmental laws are getting in the way.
The Russian invasion meant Ukraine's central bank had to work to avoid financial collapse. We hear from an economist and a Ukrainian bank CEO about how they're keeping money moving.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is forcing Germany to rethink its reliance on Russian energy, particularly natural gas. And as it looks for solutions, the nation is talking about something economists despise - rationing.
The economic recovery is still hot with a streak of strong jobs reports over the last couple of months. One of the groups benefiting from this strong labor market are teenagers.
Ukraine has been receiving a steady stream of weapons from the United States and NATO for the past several weeks. Like the goods that come to your door, these weapons have to go through a supply chain. Today, we learn the steps.
In the past, war can sometimes boost parts of the economy. After World War 2, the United States emerged as an economic superpower. The same, however, is highly unlikely for Russia in its current war with Ukraine.
Whistleblowers are essential tools for agencies like the SEC in their efforts to root out corporate malfeasance. Jordan Thomas knows this better than anyone, as he helped create the government agency's program.
The census is an important tool for determining where federal funding is most needed. So what happens when those communities most in need are undercounted? Today, we cover the local economics of the census.
The economic pressure on Russia continues to build a month after its Ukraine invasion. How Russia is handling its stock market reopening and how the United States plans to close more sanction loopholes.
The Federal Trade Commission's hammer hit a weight loss app geared towards children earlier this month. What this decision means for businesses, consumers and online privacy.
One of the consequences of stronger remote work culture is the abandonment of office space. These empty buildings have created opportunities for real estate developers to create housing in American cities where residential apartments are expensive and in short supply.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities in the global supply chain, including here in the United States. But when outsourcing failed, one textile manufacturer in Massachusetts came up with a plan.
Although there is no mention of race in the U.S. tax code, tax law professor Dorothy Brown believes race and taxes are closely intertwined.
President Biden quietly signed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill this week. It funds a lot of different programs, but what three are our indicators of the week?
Russia's invasion has forced Ukrainian businesses to mobilize for the broader war effort. How are the people on the ground adjusting and what are they doing to support themselves?
All eyes were on the Federal Reserve today as it hiked interest rates. What does the 0.25% increase mean for people borrowing money? And how exactly does the Federal Reserve raise interest rates?
Governments in the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom and other countries have placed harsh sanctions on Russian oligarchs. But they may have missed the most influential people in Putin's inner circle.
Climate change, farmworker shortages and increasing transportation costs were already driving global food prices higher and higher. What happens when you add war to the mix?
It's another edition of indicators of the week! Today, we take a look at the wide-ranging effects Russia's invasion is having on corporations and commodities.
Some House Democrats continued to blame high inflation on greedy corporations this week. Today, we'll fact-check that claim.
Heavy sanctions on Russia have forced Central Bank of Russia Governor, Elvira Nabiullina, to get creative. What steps is she taking to keep Russia's economy afloat?
A dispute going back to 2013 involving Russia and Ukraine and $3 billion in bonds has revived a discussion about a legal concept called odious debt. What is it and how does the current conflict complicate the case?
Safe-haven assets like U.S. government bonds and gold are seeing heightened interest from investors due to the uncertainty caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. So why are volatile cryptocurrencies also attracting attention?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has finally added American Indian and Alaska Native labor data to its monthly jobs numbers. Why it's important and how the Minneapolis Fed proved it was possible.
OPEC produces over half of the world's internationally traded crude oil. How did this organization come about and what does it have to do with the war in Ukraine?
Despite ups and downs, China has become Russia's most important trading partner. And some suspect China may support Russia as it deals with the economic fallout from sanctions imposed due to its invasion of Ukraine. What could that look like?
President Vladimir Putin spent years trying to sanction-proof Russia's economy. With recent sanctions from the West, his Fortress Russia idea is now being put to the test.
Eldercare has been hit extremely hard since the pandemic began. A severe nursing shortage is lowering the availability and quality of care for seniors. What can be done to reverse course?
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sent markets all over the world into a frenzy. Just how widespread could the economic fallout be?
With Russia's invasion of Ukraine, we break down three economic takeaways from the invasion – the impact on oil prices, the global supply chain, and the strength of the Russian economy.
A New York couple was recently arrested for laundering billions of dollars worth of stolen cryptocurrency assets. If the blockchain is so secure, how were federal officials able to catch them?
Indicators are all around us — but do we really understand these numbers' size and what they mean? Today, a data teacher gives us some tips on how to put these figures into perspective.
The price of coffee beans is surging, the Biden administration wants to reduce the price of hydrogen and the surprising number of unemployed young men with a criminal record.
Oil prices are on the rise, but futures markets see them lower than where they are now. This is known as backwardation. Today, we learn what's behind this phenomenon.
The Academy Award-winning film, Sideways, is often credited with decimating sales for merlot and elevating taste for pinot noir. Some economists tried to prove it.
For much of the pandemic, government aid helped lower the number of personal bankruptcies dramatically. With those measures ending, close observers say a sharp increase is likely.
Our indicators of the week have to do with trade. On one hand, protests against covid restrictions on the Canadian border are blocking trade with America's biggest trading partner. On the other, a historic high for the national trade deficit.
Today, inflation hit a 40-year high of 7.5%. The Federal Reserve is expected to start raising interest rates next month, but how exactly does that affect inflation?
January was a rocky month for many tech companies as earnings reports came in. Paddy Hirsch joins the show to share what's scaring many investors in this correction market.
The 2022 Beijing Olympics are in full swing. But do many of the official sponsors seem a little quiet?
The Mcdonald's Arch Deluxe is one of the most infamous product failures in history. Economist John List helps us understand what happened and how it could've been averted.
The January jobs report exceeded the expectations of many. Will the better-than-expected numbers merit the return of our old friend the airhorn?
Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman is a rising star in the world of economics. Today, she joins us to talk about the collection of essays she edited, Black Agenda: Bold Solutions for a Broken System.
Trouble attracting employees has some companies offering free pet care and "No-meeting Wednesdays." One CEO was "liberally begging" for workers.
An increasing number of major musicians are selling their songwriting catalogs for tens – and even hundreds – of millions of dollars. What's going on?
Rent control is one of the most unpopular policies among economists and policy reporters. But current housing shortages have one long-time critic rethinking her position.
The team comes together to showcase what's happened since we last checked on some previous headline-grabbing indicators.
Uber's CEO Travis Kalanick grew the company fast, but oversaw scandal after scandal. One venture capitalist wanted Travis out. Today: The epic tug-of-war between venture capital and founders in tech.
A US District Court just ruled Gruyere cheese can be made outside of the Swiss French border region – including here in the US. Today, what this court battle over a cheese has to do with global trade.
Insys Therapeutics was an opioid startup that made lots of money for its addictive nasal spray. Today, we hear from Evan Hughes, author of the book Hard Sell: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup, on how the company's carelessness led to its ultimate downfall.
Banks make billions on overdraft fees every year. So why are some of them walking away now?
It's a new year so that means it's time to choose our indicators to watch! Listen to find out what we will be tracking in the economy for 2022.
Russia has the United States and its allies worried about a potential invasion of Ukraine. One of the most painful sanctions NATO could impose would cut Russia's economy from the world.
In this frenzied housing market, offering cash gives you a huge advantage. It used to be only wealthy people and investors could do it. But now some lenders will let everyday homebuyers put in a cash offer too.
Microsoft just announced its intention to buy video game developer, Activision Blizzard, for almost $70 billion. This has some people speculating about Microsoft's future metaverse aspirations.
TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, and increasingly, a powerful tool for marketing. Today, we learn why TikTok makes us buy.
Despite being fairly simple items, nails can actually reveal a lot about the greater economy. Today, we talk to economist Dan Sichel about the history of nails and what they can teach us about economic trends.
Inflation reached a 40-year high today of 7%! There's been a storm of debate about an old anti-inflation policy: Price controls. So we dust off the history books and see what happened in World War II.
McDonald's is notorious for frequent malfunctions of its ice cream machine. What's behind those malfunctions and why is the government getting involved?
Disruptive backlogs at west coast ports in the U.S. have caused some shippers to get creative with their routes. Today, we tell you why one vessel took the long route from Shanghai to Cleveland, Ohio.
Unemployment is at 3.9%. Is this full employment? Some Americans aren't so sure. We look at this complex situation through the eyes of someone who has been job hunting for a long time.
In hospitals, it's standard for nurses to work a 12-hour shift. But research shows that may not be such a good idea for patients — or nurses.
For years, Johnson & Johnson has been entangled in lawsuits regarding its talcum based products being linked to causing ovarian cancer. And to save itself from future lawsuits, the company is betting big on a tricky legal move named after a famous dance.
Although there are more warehouses in the U.S. than ever before, these warehouses are running out of space. Today on the show, we go behind the scenes into the warehousing world to understand why warehouses are running out of space.
2022 is finally here, and many people are excited for their fresh starts. But, it's no secret that following through with New Year's resolutions can be challenging. Today on the show, behavioral economist Katy Milkman shares her tips on how you can follow through.
It's Encore Week at The Indicator! We're sharing some of our favorite episodes of 2021.
Today, we hear one of Stacey's favorite episodes from this year. It's a deep dive into how the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates a key economic indicator, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the most widely used measure of inflation.
This episode originally came out in July.
It's Encore Week at The Indicator! We're sharing some of our favorite episodes of 2021.
Today, we hear about people who became small business owners after losing their jobs due to the pandemic. AKA the hotdog guy episode!
This episode originally came out in July.
It's Encore Week at The Indicator! We're sharing some of our favorite episodes from 2021.
Today, we hear Darian's favorite episode to work on this year. It's a story about one economist's idea to conserve wetland habitats and save birds from losing their homes.
This episode originally came out in July.
Hey Indigators! It's Encore Week at The Indicator. We're sharing some of our favorite episodes of the year.
Today, we're kicking things off with a listener favorite about the time President Andrew Jackson paid off all of America's interest-bearing debt...with disastrous results.
This episode originally came out in August.
Indicator family feud is back, and the stakes are higher than ever! Stacey is joined by our friends from Planet Money as everyone makes their case for the indicator of the year. Who will win?
It's time to award our last Beigie of the year! And we find out that reading the Beige Book from back to front makes all the difference in the world.
One Taiwanese company, TSMC, makes 90% of the most advanced semiconductors — the chips for your phone or car. From Hong Kong to Boston to Texas to Taipei: This is TSMC founder Morris Chang's story.
You can buy almost anything online, including ... human cells. Culturing and selling cells is a multibillion dollar global industry that supports all sorts of scientific research. But where do those cells come from?
Concern about inflation has the Federal Reserve pivoting from its earlier plans. Meanwhile, a spike in COVID cases disrupts Broadway, ball games, and businesses.
When economists see holiday gifts, they see waste: sweaters that never get worn; books that never get read. Many recommend cash or no gift at all. Economist Tim Harford proposes a different solution in this encore episode from 2019.
The recruiting message for the National Guard, "one weekend a month, two weeks a year," is well known. But the job has changed. Today on the show, we discuss the growing discontent among Guard members and why some want to unionize.
With inflation on the rise, some of our favorite menu items have gotten a little more expensive. So we wanted to know if eating out is now cheaper or more expensive than in the past, adjusted for inflation. We look at a New York City restaurant menu from 1915 and compare it to today's.
Supply chain delays are always challenging. But during the holidays, slow shipping can make or break a company's bottom line. Today on the show, a toy company that makes Tonka trucks musters a shipment tracking war room.
Inflation has officially reached a nearly 40-year high and some businesses have been forced to raise their prices. But it becomes a bit of a dilemma when being 'cheap' is your brand. Today on the show, how are businesses with price-centric brands dealing with inflation?
Since last week, the MLB has been in a lockout due to ongoing labor negotiations between players and owners. Today on the show, how a 100-year-old court case gave the MLB an 'antitrust exemption' and how that set the stage for the labor unrest we see today.
In 2019, we bought a junk bond and named her Becky. Two years later, Becky has been on a journey that's included Chapter 11 bankruptcy and reorganization. On today's show, Becky's journey finally comes to an end as we see how much we made on our investment.
The last couple of years have been rough for most of us, the British royal family included. Due to a pair of scandals and Queen Elizabeth's recent poor health, the future of the royal family feels less certain than it has in years. Today on the show, the finance that drives "The Firm" and can it survive without its CEO?
General Electric and Johnson & Johnson are the most recent conglomerates to have a messy breakup. However, Techglomerates like Amazon and Facebook are doing just fine. Today on the show, will today's tech conglomerates eventually suffer the same fate as their predecessors?
Today's jobs report found that workers received a small raise last month. And, yes, higher pay is great for attracting workers and boosting morale, but sometimes it can even pay for itself.
After a tumultuous 2020, we welcomed the new year by picking three indicators to watch for economic recovery. As 2021 wraps up, we revisit those indicators to see how they've fared. Our old friend Cardiff Garcia returns for this walk down indicator memory lane.
If you Google "Obamacare signup," good luck finding healthcare.gov. It'll be buried under several ads trying to lure you to something less healthy. Today's show looks at a classic bait and switch.
Caregiving responsibilities for women have drastically increased since the start of the pandemic. And with new demands at home and at work, many women have struggled to find a balance between work and family. On today's show, economist Claudia Goldin joins us to talk about that and other issues in her new book, "Career and Family: Women's Century Long Journey Towards Equity."
In the wake of the "great resignation", organized labor may be having a moment in the U.S. Tens of thousands of workers have protested working conditions at companies like John Deere and Kellogg's and, in recent months, workers across the country have chosen or threatened strike action. Today on the show, author Erik Loomis shares how the history of America's unions explains today's labor movement.
How much will Thanksgiving dinner cost compared to last year? Today on the show, the Indicator team gathers around the virtual Thanksgiving table to let you know how much prices have changed for each holiday favorite.
Ticket scalpers. They're the bane of every fan's existence because they manage to snag concert tickets before fans can even get their webpages to load. An economist would tell you the story is more complicated than that.
Today President Biden reappointed Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve. So we revisit a recent episode about Jay Powell's first term and his approach to steering the economy — Jeromonomics.
This episode is from our friends at the podcast Wisdom From The Top, featuring our very own Stacey Vanek Smith!
Stacey Vanek Smith has reported on business and the economy for over 15 years now, first for public radio's "Marketplace," and now as the host of Planet Money's daily podcast "The Indicator." Over that time, she's seen the same barriers blocking advancement for women in the workplace again and again. Recently, she's started to recognize that a lot of tools to move past those barriers can be found in the work of Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli.
It's that time again! A crypto group fails to buy an original copy of the U.S. Constitution, Crypto.com succeeds in renaming LA's Staples Center, and warnings the economy might be too exuberant.
We're in the midst of a vinyl boom and chains like Walmart have been cashing in. But so have stars like Adele, who reportedly pressed over 500,000 records for her new album, "30." Today on the show, has Adele really clogged the fragile vinyl supply chain, or should we go easy on her?
Americans love to shop, and consumer spending has only increased since the start of the pandemic. Even the supply chains are tired. That's why one Bloomberg columnist believes it's time for an intervention.
Toyota pioneered just-in-time production. But this lean method is dangerous when car parts are in short supply, like in a pandemic. Today: How Toyota invented and reformed just-in-time production.
Trade with China made American goods cheaper and lifted millions of Chinese people out of poverty. At the same time, it devastated communities across America's heartland. What have we learned from the "China Shock"? And what can we do to prevent something like it from happening again?
This episode is all about quitters! Over 4 million people quit their jobs in September. That's a record high following another record quits rate in August. What does this trend say about America's evolving workforce, and when did so many people start saving "rest eggs?"
It's Indicators of the Week! General Electric splits into three separate companies, the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill promises faster internet speeds, and interest rates for government debt inched up.
Although workers across the country have seen an increase in wages, the cost of things like gas and food have also been increasing. This leaves workers wondering whether these raises are real or just an illusion.
Adnan Durrani loved sourcing ingredients from all over the world for his food company Saffron Road. Then the pandemic hit. Now Adnan is totally reconsidering the benefits of globalization.
With troves of data at their disposal, iBuyers like Opendoor, Redfin and Zillow have been trying to make money buying homes online and selling them — quickly. Armed with high-tech algorithms, what could go wrong? Lemons, for one thing.
It's Jobs Friday, and we blow our first air horn in months! Albeit, a slightly muted one. Last month, the economy added more jobs than expected. But there are still millions of people staying out of the workforce. Why?
For renters to receive emergency rental assistance, they usually need cooperation from their landlords. This is also true vice versa. On today's show, we hear about the struggles of two mom-and-pop landlords with renters who left them holding the bag.
Check out some of Chris Arnold's earlier reporting on the challenges renters are facing during the pandemic:
Why rent help from Congress has been so damn slow getting to people who need it
Georgia County Tried To Help Everyone Facing Eviction. Now A Crisis Looms
With The Eviction Moratorium's End Looming, Black Renters Likely To Be Hit Hard
Just 2% of Elon Musk's wealth could supposedly help solve world hunger. But how was this estimate calculated, and is solving this issue as simple as a billionaire writing a check?
The Beigies are here again! October's Beige Book entries captured the seismic shift in the way we live during the pandemic, and things got a little emotional.
As if they don't have enough to worry about, restaurant, retail, and airline employees are still facing customer meltdowns over COVID-19 precautions. We ask a 'customer whisperer' if these explosive customers can be defused.
Boo! The Indicator team invites you to listen to a spooky episode about an invisible monster that has given our economy a fright. Listen at your own risk...
GDP numbers for the third quarter just dropped and they are... not awesome. With the economy experiencing slower than expected growth and rising prices, are we entering into a period of stagflation?
From buying green bonds to monitoring bank lending, some central banks have already created policies to help fight climate change risk. Should the Fed be next?
When Chip Gerhardt's daughter Anne ran into some issues with Social Security disability benefits, his job as a lobbyist became very personal.
In the Netflix show Squid Game, 456 desperate players compete to the death in a series of children's games for millions of dollars. How did their debt impact their decision making?
It's Indicators of the Week! The U.S. is using a lot more coal for electricity, the first Bitcoin ETF is finally here, and WeWork officially debuted on the New York Stock Exchange.
Repeating a customer's name is a classic sales technique used by telemarketers to car salesmen. But can a salesperson use a customer's name too much?
The Indicator team plays a beer game to understand how the bullwhip effect tangles supply chains. And no, it's not beer pong.
Trick or treat! As we all know, some indicators are sweet, but others are scary. Luckily, one economist is here to help us separate the tricks from the treats in our labor market.
In advertising, there's always been an unspoken rule — never praise your competition. But one marketing professor's research shows that approach can actually be good for businesses and their brand.
Indicators of the Week! Prices are up again, but is it fair to call this 'transitory' inflation? Black Friday deals are early at stores anticipating supply-chain shortages. And America is on strike.
For months, lawmakers have been negotiating two big spending bills with no end in sight. Game theory could explain the hidden strategies behind the congressional chaos.
The debt ceiling approaches. A congressional standoff ensues. It wasn't always this way. So why did the debt ceiling get built? And how do other countries control their debt?
Joshua Angrist, Guido Imbens and David Card won the economics Nobel on Monday. On today's show, we talk to the Princeton professor who mentored two of the winners.
Sure, some seniors took the pandemic as an opportunity to ride an RV into the sunset, but there's a darker story unfolding in today's jobs report. Today's show looks at the challenges many older worker can face as they try to reenter the workforce.
Daniel Craig's tenure as James Bond is coming to an end with the release of No Time To Die. With Amazon acquiring MGM, where does the 007 franchise go from here?
A lot of things grow slowly, then fast, then slow again. From the growth in smartphone users to the rise of vaccinations, the s-curve explains a huge part of technological, scientific and economic change.
Facebook's status hasn't been so hot of late. From internal documents leaked by a whistleblower to outages of hours. How does a company with millions of dissatisfied customers turn its image around?
In the high school lunchroom version of business school, finance majors were the popular jocks and logistics majors were... the math club. But nowadays, they're sitting at the cool kids' table.
Indicators of the Week! Dentists resist the Biden administration's spending plan. China is rationing electricity. And Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson negotiates his own contract, agent-free.
Anime is a twenty-billion-dollar industry and it is growing fast. But traditionally, anime is produced in Japan. What happens when other countries try producing Japanese-style animation?
The 2018 Camp Fire burned down much of the town of Paradise, Calif. Over the years, wildfires in the West have become more frequent and intense. But Paradise is rebuilding for a more resilient future.
Lebanon's economy is in freefall. The World Bank calls it one of the worst financial crises in a century. We look back at Lebanon's optimistic years, zooming in on the one key decision that started this house of cards. And we ask what this can teach us about booms and busts in general.
From ghost apartments empty in China, to a backlog of ships in Los Angeles, to towns struggling to find city managers... yes, it's time for Indicators of the Week!
For decades China exported better and cheaper stuff. But now China's experiencing a factory worker crunch. It's been a long time coming.
A real estate startup says it's the fastest company in American history to achieve a billion-dollar valuation, but the neighbors aren't buying what they're selling: fractional home ownership.
Political upheaval! Conspiracy theories! Global spread of disease! Sounds like a recipe for... trust? Today on the show, how 2020 increased trust, and how that trust underpins so much of our economy.
With the pandemic shutting down in-person life, thousands of retail stores closed up shop. But, some retailers see an opportunity for growth by moving into American malls. Let's go to the mall.
It's that time of the week again! On today's show, we bring the indicators on airline vaccine mandates, U.S. poverty after all that pandemic aid and a surprising shakeup in college rankings.
Auto companies needing to lower emissions while facing car bans in some cities, are turning their focus toward a familiar, two-wheeled competitor. Today on the show, the rise of the e-bike.
Millions of mothers left work during the pandemic. Decades of progress seemed lost. Is it time to reconsider how our economy handles child care and the workplace?
Climate change, farmworker shortages and increasing transportation costs are driving global food prices higher and higher. What happens when food costs too much?
Restaurant owners washing their own dishes? Shipping containers changing all prices mid-delivery? The rise of the spooky, surf-happy employee? It's the Beigie Awards!
It's time for Indicators Of The Week! This week: The confidence of consumers takes a hit, El Salvador makes it official with Bitcoin, and our future's so bright, we might just need those shades.
The Texas abortion law includes an unusual provision: a financial incentive to report others. On today's show, we look into another time in U.S. history where the government tried bounties.
A reporter frustrated by the gender and race gap in company CEOs sets out to buy products only from companies led or owned by women. Today on the show, what it takes to advance women in business.
Early this summer, the U.S. inadvertently launched one of the largest unemployment experiments in history to see if unemployment benefits impact worker shortages. Today on the show, we find the answer.
As our week on water ends, we go to the heart of the conflict. On today's show, the ranchers on the frontlines of the Western drought are caught between a political battle and the climate crisis.
An epic drought and population explosion is draining Lake Mead and the Colorado River, which millions rely on. And then there's the lawns. Today on the show, what happens if the water runs dry?
As we grapple with the climate crisis, there's less and less water to go around. But in the U.S. water is cheaper than dirt. Today on the show, the reason we're willing to flush something so valuable down the drain.
Economists often say we should put prices on scarce resources. So that's what Australia did with water. On today's show, how that turned out.
Water is one of the West's most precious resources, but it's drying up. We begin a week of the economics of water. Today: Who has the rights? When there isn't enough, could the answer be bankruptcy?
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has radically changed the Fed's approach to supporting the economy. Today for our Indicator Of The Week we explain "Jeromonomics".
As the Taliban assumes control of Afghanistan, uncertainty looms over an already-fragile financial system. Today on the show, we look into Afghani currency and the Afghan central bank, how it worked before and the questions of this precarious present moment.
When a Chinese tech CEO shared a poem over a thousand years old, his company's stock plummeted. Investors are on a knife's edge as the Chinese government cracks down on big tech.
There are millions of job openings, but there are also many jobs that shut out qualified candidates simply because they don't have a bachelor's degree. Today on the show, we explore this phenomenon.
TikTok deal-maker Demi Skipper is on a quest to get a house one trade at a time. Starting with just a bobby pin, Demi gives us a crash course on the economics of bartering.
It's that time of the week again! Today on the show, our Indicators of The Week about the insufficient number of global vaccinations and a dip in retail spending.
So many players in the U.S. electrical game, but maybe less is more? A look into energy grids, how monopolies could topple, blackouts stop, and the climate impact of it all. On today's show, who controls the power?
Location, location, location! As private companies race to control space travel, a conversation around spatial real estate gets reignited. Today on the show, can you buy the moon? If so, how much?
Yale's Anne Wyllie pioneered saliva coronavirus testing, but wasted a lot of precious time worrying about funding. Until she met her fairy godmother, an economist funding covid-fighting ideas fast.
In recent years, meat alternatives have grown in popularity. But they remain more expensive than the real thing. Why?
The recent updates on the Biden Administration's infrastructure bills raise a serious question: what counts as infrastructure? Today on the show, we speak with two economists on the topic.
Not every job can be done remotely, but will those that can stay remote? Today on the show, we discuss the current trends in remote work with an economist.
The rise of remote work and telecommuting during the pandemic raises questions about the future of the office. Today the argument for why offices are here to stay.
The transportation industry has a bottleneck right now, not only with imports, but also exports. Still many container ships are leaving American shores empty. Why is that?
American adults on average spent more than four hours on their phones in 2020. Can we reduce our phone usage if we want to? Some recent research says yes.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released the jobs report for July. The economy added nearly one million jobs. An economist helps us analyze these numbers.
The Tokyo Olympics will cost tens of billions of dollars, making it one of the most expensive Olympic games in history. So why do cities want to host the Olympics?
History is full of financial bubbles. People speculate on real estate, stocks, coins, even flowers. Why do bubbles happen? The answer may lie in a concept known as the greater fools theory.
President Andrew Jackson was ruthless in reducing federal debt. The administration paid off all interest-bearing debt in 1835, but the results were not as rosy as people expected.
WeWork was one of the most valuable startups in the world, until it wasn't. Today we speak with journalist Maureen Farrell, who covered WeWork extensively and recently wrote a book on its history.
There are so many indicators this week, so we invited our friends from Planet Money to compete for the best Indicator of The Week.
The wedding industry lost tens of billions of dollars in 2020. Now the numbers are roaring back, especially in Las Vegas. Today on the show, we explore the marriage boom in Las Vegas and elsewhere.
Korean boy band BTS is a global music phenomenon. The group has millions of fans called A.R.M.Y., who happily support the group with their wallets. Today on the show, we dive deep into the economic impacts of BTS and what makes the group special.
Nobel Prize laureate Richard Thaler is a rockstar in the world of economics. His book Nudge introduced many of us to the field of behavioral economics and how it could be used in public policy. Today we speak with Professor Thaler on his latest and final edition of Nudge, and go beyond nudge to the land of sludging and shoving.
According to new data from the Federal Reserve millennials are struggling. A closer examination of economic data, however, paints a different picture.
On today's show, kids ask everything you were too afraid to admit you didn't know about money — what is it, where did it come from, what happens if a government goes bananas printing it.
The Pacific Flyway, one of the major bird migration routes in North America, has lost over 90% of its original wetland habitat in California. Purchasing and restoring these lands would cost a lot of money. But one economist had an idea: What if we paid rice farmers to flood their fields?
The demand for tequila is booming, but it wasn't always the case. We speak with a fifth generation tequila distiller and a tequila scholar on the history of tequila and what will happen with this current boom.
The Beigie Award is out for July! This time our winner talks about employee burnout, increased talent poaching, and a special cameo from someone we all know and love.
Only 3 to 4 percent of small businesses in many states require workers to show proof of vaccination but in Puerto Rico, the number is 20 percent. Why? We speak with an economist and two business owners to find out.
President Biden signed an executive order promoting competition and large technology firms came under fire. We speak with economists Luigi Zingales and Carl Shapiro on the history and implications of antitrust.
After millions of people lost their jobs during the pandemic, many of them started their own businesses. In June people started over 440,000 new businesses. We speak with a hot dog stand owner about his journey and an economist on this trend.
Australian wine exports to China have gone from about $1 billion a year to nearly nothing overnight. Australia blames geopolitics, saying the Chinese government wants to send a message to the world.
The Consumer Price Index helps to understand prices and inflation, but where do the numbers come from in the first place? We tagged along with an economist to find out the prices of socks, butter, and daycare.
Streaming services have changed how people consume films and TV shows, but they've also changed what viewers are able to consume. For example, a rom-com about two Indian families who live next to each other in South Africa, is now available to a global audience.
Used cars are expensive right now. Bloomberg writer Conor Sen thinks it might be a reason behind recent inflation. We explore how used cars got so expensive and used cars' relationship with the CPI.
Inflation is the talk of the town recently, but some companies are shrinking the size of their products and charging the same price, aka "shrinkflation". Today we explore the booming market of inflation's sneaky cousin.
The Biden Administration and Congress have introduced expanded child tax credits for families in 2021. Senator Michael Bennet, the author of the original plan, hopes to make the bill permanent. We speak with him and economist Hilary Hoynes on the implications of child tax credits.
It's summer, which means time to read at the beach. We asked professor Tyler Cowen for his picks. His three books cover scientific progress, the rocket business, and how to cope with doomsday.
The world of unemployment rates can get confusing. We are here to help. What is U-3 and what is U-6? Of course, U-2 is here as well. And now, the Indicator presents... the U-Blend!
Demand for homes has increased dramatically this year and supply can't keep up. One of the biggest issues is a labor shortage in the construction industry. So employers are increasing wages and getting creative to entice people into the trades.
When millions of women entered the workforce during World War II, what happened to the children? The government stepped in and created the first federal child care program. What happened to it?
TikTok videos are entertaining and sometimes... life-saving. Earlier this year, a video on hospital bill cancellation went viral. We speak with the creator to find out how he got into charity care.
In a few weeks, more than half of the fifty states will terminate the pandemic assistance unemployment benefits. What does this reveal about the current state of the economy?
There are big changes in the crypto and the retail world. Bitcoin's price declined from recent highs, as mining activities stopped in China. Meanwhile, the retail sector cannot keep up with booming demand...
Sixteen months have passed since the closure of the US-Canada border. What are the economic impacts on border towns, local residents, businesses and cross border tourism?
Residents of a small town in Washington state are troubled by something big... container ships. Why are they there? What does this say about the state of the global shipping industry?
We love our pets, but do you know what Corporate America loves even more? Veterinary clinics. Today on the show, we explore the explosion of corporate investment in the vet clinic world.
What do Kit Kat, dog food, and mask wearing have in common? You'll find the answer in the new book Anthro-Vision. We speak with its author, journalist and anthropologist, Gillian Tett.
Covid-19 has brought so much loss and hardship, but there was at least one pleasant surprise for Beijing - less hazy skies and air pollution. Today on The Indicator, the concept of experience goods. How you don't know the value of something until you actually experience it. And how in Beijing there were blue skies during the COVID lockdown.
It's time to bust some myths about millennials... real estate edition! Millennials are a big part of the real estate boom this year. How did that happen? We speak to an industry insider and an economist to find out more.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell will speak tomorrow. His words will likely be boring, but the financial markets are watching carefully. Such words seem to have serious implications. Why is that?
Many people will watch movies on a big screen this summer, but the pandemic fundamentally changed the industry. How can movie theaters survive and possibly thrive post-pandemic?
It's time for the Indicators Of The Week! Our three indicators are: tax, oil, and jobs. We will cover their importance and how they are relevant to Bono, the Ford F-150, and Kim Kardashian.
The latest Consumer Price Index reveals 5% inflation over the last year. Should we be worried? Treasury Secretary Yellen says no. Two economists argue yes. The Indicator presents... the inflation hawks!
Millions of women left the workforce during the pandemic. Today, a story about a mother's tough decision to leave work and an economist's view on the labor market for women during the pandemic.
The Indicator gives out the special Beigie Award eight times each year, and it's that time today! We are honoring the Federal Reserve branch that told the story of beef. Yes, premium cuts!
Zoom is the most popular video conferencing software and many people's communications lifeline during COVID. How did the tiny company beat tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Cisco?
It's Jobs Friday! It's not exactly the jobs report we wanted, but there were some bright spots. On the Indicator, we discuss the rise in self employment.
Art crime is a big business, and it requires special skills to investigate. Enter Christopher Marinello, one of the world's foremost experts in art recovery.
Dear graduating college classes of 2021: Congratulations! On The Indicator, Stacey and Cardiff present an economic guide to the future that awaits you.
Several schools have cut women's sports teams during the pandemic, and some of the teams have lawyered up in response. Ultimately, these lawsuits ask the question: how do we measure equality?
President Biden unveiled a massive budget proposal on Friday. We discuss the hefty price tag and ask two economists to weigh in on his plan.
The Chehalis Tribe had a plan to create jobs and revenue. The only problem? A racist law from 1834.
You may have the best product in the world, but that doesn't mean people will try it. What does it take to get consumers to try something new?
When people were stuck at home during Covid lockdowns, the pet sitting business slowed to a trickle. But recently traveling has picked up and now pet sitters can barely keep up with demand.
Many white millennials have made amazing progress in building wealth in recent years. Meanwhile, Black millennials keep falling further and further behind.
For this edition of Indicators of the Week, we hear from economists Kate Waldock and Ben Ho about what they're looking at to signal the health of the economy: the strength of retail and Dogecoin.
The Ford Lightning is the first electric F-150 pickup truck, and it could be a historical tipping point for the US auto industry. The only problem? Selling it to old-school drivers.
Obsessing over hidden treasure isn't just for pirates and conquistadors. In 2010, an eccentric art dealer launched a modern day treasure hunt that lasted ten long years.
The US just backed calls by South Africa and India to waive intellectual property protection for COVID-19 vaccines, but that may not be enough to ramp up vaccine production.
The Brood X cicadas are finally back this summer, but what was life like 17 years ago when they first went underground?
What's the best way to persuade people to get a vaccine? A new study from the University of Pennsylvania may have the answer.
Skinny jeans have reigned supreme for two decades, but now their rule seems to be ending.
Taxes can be a nightmare for taxpayers and also for the under-resourced IRS. But there's an idea that could make taxes easier for everybody: only pay taxes once every two years.
A cyberattack forced the shutdown of a major U.S. fuel pipeline, and the hackers wrote ... a press release? We discuss the business of hacking, and why hackers would give a press statement.
Unemployment is still above 6%, but companies across the US are saying they can't find people to fill their jobs. What's going on?
Sometimes companies offer sales promotions that are TOO good, ending in livid customers and a disaster for the company.
The IRS helps millions of people do their taxes FOR FREE every year. But, as with many things in the past year, covid has made this a little more complicated.
Millions of Americans are eligible for huge savings on health insurance due to Biden's stimulus plan, but many haven't taken up the offer. Why is it so hard to give people a break on health insurance?
A new union was formed earlier this year. Why has it caught our attention? Some of its members make more than $300,000 a year, and they all work at Alphabet, Google's parent company.
The pandemic spurred a year full of shortages, so why haven't producers responded by raising prices in most cases?
For decades, policymakers chose to put millions of people into either a frying pan (inflation) or a fire (unemployment). An idea called the Phillips Curve was influential. But is it still?
Dark patterns are online tricks used by retailers and marketers that cause you to do things that you didn't mean to do. And they're becoming more and more common.
We join Stacey for her first haircut of the year, and discuss the future of the service economy as the end of the Covid-19 pandemic (hopefully!) nears.
There's been a Barbie boom recently, and it's due in part to new collections of products featuring diverse skin tones and body types, as well as an accompanying PR makeover.
It's almost time for The Oscars! We look back at the founding of The Oscars, and how it propelled the American movie industry to the prominence it holds today.
How one man's legal fight turned 26 ambiguous words from a 1996 law into the shield big tech companies hide behind to this day.
There are now more realtors than homes for sale, and this is not just concerning for real estate agents facing extra competition. New research suggests too many real estate agents can make downturns worse for the entire housing market.
A lot of pandemic-related supply chain snafus have been corrected, but scientists are still struggling to get some of their most basic supplies. What's going on?
People are flying again. But so many airplanes are still parked in storage. Getting them in the air again isn't always so simple.
It's Beigies season! We honor the Federal Reserve Bank that added two new sections to their Beige Book entry: Worker experience and Minority- and Women- owned Business Enterprises.
The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the decline of in-person banking. But after a bank branch finally closes down, what happens to the community left behind?
When the minimum wage goes up, where does the extra pay for workers come from? Princeton economist Orley Ashenfelter turned to McDonald's to look for some answers.
Burlington shut down its online store right as the pandemic started, but it still weathered 2020 well. In fact, its stock prices just hit an all time high! What's Burlington's secret to success?
The results are in: Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama will not unionize, for now. We discuss the tactics companies use to keep organized labor at bay.
Cardiff picked our final installment of favorites week. We learn about an experiment that led to more low-income students attending an elite college. Sometimes all it takes is the right nudge.
This favorite episode comes in the form of a mystery. Corn prices were falling, but the price of Fritos in the White House press corps break room went up by 20%. The Indicator was on the case.
In today's classic, the robots take over the show from Cardiff and Stacey as we continue our week of favorite episodes.
It wouldn't be favorites week at The Indicator without the yield curve. Meet it again for the first time in this classic from the first time Cardiff brought it to the show.
This week we're picking our favorite Indicators and adding a little behind the scenes peek. Today, the first time Stacey and Cardiff realized they share a taste for the bizarre in podcasting.
On this very special episode of Indicators of the Week, we talk about the decline of demand for gasoline and reflect on the past three years of the show with Cardiff.
The Indicator team has been working remotely for about a year now. While remote work has its perks, sometimes we miss sharing an office space. Can virtual reality help bridge the gap?
The start of the COVID-19 pandemic led to an N95 mask shortage. Now there's still a shortage, but many American mask manufacturers can't sell their masks. We break down the reasons why.
Women now make up nearly half of entry level work workers, but there's still a gap higher up on the corporate ladder. One possibility for why this is happening? Schmoozing.
On Indicators of the week, we discuss the Suez Canal blockage hindering global trade and the stock market recovery since last year's low point. Plus, listeners chime in with their indicators!
Stimulus checks have started to hit many Americans' bank accounts. Will this give an extra boost, or maybe even a lifeline, to retailers?
Many media outlets think they need to be on Facebook to reach people. So why did New Zealand's biggest news publisher decide to go it alone?
Americans get billions of robocalls every month. They are almost universally despised, so how have they managed to stick around? The answer lies in the economics, of course.
Rural communities are sometimes perceived as farmland with a homogenous population, but economist Gbenga Ajilore helps us explain the demographic and economic diversity within Rural America.
On the show, we look back at the number of people globally who fell into poverty last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and look forward to where U.S. interest rates are projected to stay until 2023.
The music industry has boomed thanks to streaming, but with thousands of new songs being added to platforms everyday, sometimes royalties slip through the cracks unpaid. $424 million worth of royalties, to be exact.
What has trade with the EU been like for Britons post-Brexit? We answer that question by looking at some of the tastiest indicators around.
Is an economic reset on the way? Economist Constance Hunter explains how technology and businesses have changed during Covid, and how these trends offer some hope for long-term recovery.
The median price of a single family home in Bozeman, Mont., is now over half a million dollars — nearly a 20% increase from last year. Why has the housing market gotten so hot so fast?
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused demand shifts and supply chain snafus that have led to many shortages. For Indicators of the Week, we'll be looking at two more: cars and ... babies?
What's happened since the Covid-19 pandemic was declared a year ago? On the show, we discuss the differing effects on workers across the economy and the government's larger role in recession recovery.
Digital art has been largely neglected by the traditional art market, but one artist has made millions selling his work as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). And his work is now being auctioned at Christie's.
A non-fungible token (NFT) for a LeBron James dunk recently sold for over $200,000 on NBA Top Shot. Anyone can watch the clip online, so why is the NFT worth so much money?
In the modern U.S. people may avoid or begrudgingly pay taxes. But in ancient Athens, wealthy people considered it an honor.
It's Jobs Friday! The February jobs report shows signs of recovery, but there's still a long way to go. We talk to three experts about their indicators on how things will change and when.
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a tough time for everyone, so many people have turned to a familiar source of comfort: pets!
President Biden's Covid relief plan calls for about $1.9 trillion in government spending. Where is all that money going? We discuss a few of the biggest items in the bill.
The Simpsons were the quintessential American family when the show first aired back in 1989. But while the Simpsons have stayed largely the same, American middle class life has changed a lot.
Homes owned by California's department of transportation lay vacant. So people reclaimed them.
Two of the most important ways the government is supporting Americans right now is through distributing vaccines and providing unemployment insurance. But are there cracks in the system?
2020 was a horrific year for the economy. We're hoping 2021 will be better, but will it? We discuss 3 indicators that suggest this year is shaping up to be better than last year.
The recent winter storm caused thousands of Texans to see their power bill climb to hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Can economics explain what happened?
Living on the open road is more than just an Instagram photo opportunity; for many it's both an economic necessity and a countercultural movement. Just ask Bob Wells, the evangelist of nomad life.
Amazon workers in Alabama are voting on whether to form the company's FIRST U.S. union. We explain how the union has succeeded in getting this far, and the potential ramifications of the vote.
For our indicators of the week, we're talking about shortages of heating sources during the recent cold snap and trends amongst unemployed Americans.
As the value of a bitcoin recently passed $50,000, market watchers struggled to explain how a virtual currency could reach such dizzy heights. One possible answer? It's kind of like a religion.
We've heard about how hard it's been for restaurants to stay open during this pandemic. But what we often don't hear is that closing can be just as tough.
Arthur Lewis changed our understanding of how poor countries can improve their economies — and became the first Black economist to win the Economics Nobel
The Covid-19 lockdown sent the flower market into free fall, but recently, flower prices have been picking up again. Who are the culprits behind this? Our old friends supply and demand, of course!
The Hollywood Writers Guild just declared victory in their fight with talent agencies. Who do they have to thank for their historic win? Among other factors, possibly ... the pandemic?
Last year, China pledged to vastly increase its U.S. imports during 2020 and 2021. We ask economist Chad Bown if actual spending has been keeping pace with what was promised.
Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency created in 2013 as a joke, recently broke a $10 billion market cap. The coin's creator tells us how the joke became real and if he has regrets.
Everyone enjoys a good laugh, but could humor be the secret to success in the workplace?
The US economy created 49,000 jobs last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's a lot less that people had hoped and shows that the recovery has slowed.
Over the past couple of weeks, the WallStreetBets Subreddit were responsible for the surge in GameStop stock, among others. Who are these people? And what do they want?
What secretive forces were behind getting the pickup truck emoji onto phones and laptops around the world? And how much did it cost?
Irving Fisher and John Maynard Keynes suffered terrible losses in the Great Wall Street Crash of 1929. But they responded in different ways, leading to tragedy for Fisher and triumph for Keynes.
Biden is calling for a $15 federal minimum wage. Is that a good idea for workers and small businesses? Stacey and Cardiff duke it out.
The nation is reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Lockdowns and layoffs have devastated the economy. But consumer confidence is higher than expected.
The price of GameStop shares have surged this week, in part because of something called a short squeeze.
Hispanics in the US have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, in terms of job losses, household income and schooling. Their road to recovery could be long and hard as a result.
Small liberal arts colleges across the US have been struggling for years. COVID has made things worse. Now many are facing the prospect of closing down. Or being gobbled up in a merger.
Bucatini is a specialty pasta that looks a lot like spaghetti with a hole in it. For pasta lovers, it's a fan-favorite...but it has mysteriously gone missing from grocery stores across the U.S.
Economics is the earthiest of the social sciences. But its principles apply equally in space. The difference is how certain goods, services and even experiences gain currency in zero gravity.
President Biden recently announced his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, targeting pandemic relief and economic recovery. We discuss 3 indicators to watch to measure the Biden economic agenda's success in the coming years.
Social media played a big part in the demonstration and riot at the U.S. Capitol last week. For many it was a surprise, but to social media watchers, it was simply the culmination of 10 years of influence.
The economy might be down, but Americans are buying a lot of stuff right now. Today on the show, we break it down and pick our favorite economic story from the Beige Book.
Statistics and the information we get from them have a massive influence on our worldviews and the decisions we make, but how can we ensure we're interpreting them properly? Today, we find out.
Politics used to be off limits for most American companies — at least publicly. Most would usually take a neutral position when a big political story hit the news. But that has changed.
Last year, more than half the firms that went public were special purpose acquisition companies, also known as SPACs. We explain what that means and how it impacts the world of finance.
The coronavirus has been responsible for massive business closures...but at the same time, Americans are starting businesses at the fastest rate in more than a decade.
For the first time since April, the American economy lost jobs. Today, we break down the December jobs report and the slowing economic recovery.
We're only seven days into the new year and we're off to a bumpy start. But as chaos rages through the capitol, the stock market and other signs of economic growth continue.
There's a fear radiating out from the commercial real estate market — a fear that some economists say could become a drag on any economic recovery. In fact, there's evidence it already has.
2020 was a tough year for the economy. How different will 2021 be? Today on the show, we take a look at three of our favorite indicators for the new year.
What will the global economy look like in a decade? Mauro Guillen joins the show to talk about 2030, his new book where he analyzes the economic trends of the future.
Globalization and urbanization historically have made the global economy more productive and efficient — and also more vulnerable to pandemics. But now they can be forces for good in the fight against pandemics.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought with it a massive economic downturn. Another thing it's brought: A booming housing market. We explain why. | Support The Indicator here.
We've had plenty of warnings over the years that we weren't ready for a pandemic. Today on the show: the psychology and economics of why.
Rare earths are essential to a wide variety of strategically important components, but the vast majority of rare earths are produced by mines in China. That's something that the U.S. is working to correct.
The coronavirus has strained healthcare systems — and not just in their ability to deal with surges. We talk to one hospital administrator about the financial strain of COVID-19. | Donate to your member station here.
Chris Montana is a Minneapolis distillery owner whose business was destroyed in rioting early this year. Since then, he's committed himself to supporting local businesses and raised more than $770,000. | Support The Indicator here.
Morgan Gould is a playwright who talked with us in April about the cancellation of her play. She describes what life has been like for people who work in the arts during the pandemic. | Support The Indicator here.
China effectively stopped the spread of the virus early in the global pandemic. Life there has subsequently been quite different this year. | Support public radio here.
When the pandemic hit, the government pumped large amounts of money into the economy. The support kept many families afloat, but for many small businesses, it wasn't enough. | Donate to your NPR member station here.
We venture into the dark web and take a look at the world of black market vaccine sales. | Support The Indicator here.
There's no denying that 2020 has been a rough year, but economist Tyler Cowen brings the show a source of hope: the possible return of productivity growth. And he plays overrated/underrated! | Support public radio here.
Right now, demand for a coronavirus vaccine far outweighs supply. Leaders are trying to figure out who should get the vaccine first. Dr. Alvin Roth, a Nobel Prize winning economist who specializes in game theory, has some ideas. | Support The Indicator here.
Early in the pandemic, things looked bleak for Source Booksellers, a bookstore in Detroit. But they survived. The secret? Adaptation and loyal customers. | Support public radio here.
Some friends of The Indicator join the show and share some economic indicators that give them hope for the future. | Donate to your NPR member station here.
Team Indicator follows up with ice cream shop owner Molly Moon to look at the road to recovery for small businesses. | Show your love for The Indicator here.
As the holiday season approaches, people are beginning to notice an online shopping trend: shipping delays. Today, we explain why packages are taking longer to ship than usual this year. | Donate to your member station here.
Average real disposable income this year is on pace to rise at the fastest rate in more than 35 years. How could that be? We break down the strangest economic indicator of 2020. | Support public radio here.
Like all industries that revolve around large gatherings, weddings have been hit hard...but some wedding planners have found a way to adapt. Hint: It involves eloping. | Support The Indicator here.
For the final jobs report of the year, we break down how different sectors of the economy have handled the pandemic. | Support your NPR member station here.
The Federal Reserve's Beige Book focuses on stories from the economy. The latest edition shows some hopeful points of light in an otherwise gloomy economic landscape. | Support The Indicator here.
Early in the pandemic, there were national shortages of protective equipment and hospital supplies. Now, there's a shortage of nurses.
As President-elect Biden prepares to take office, there's a lot of speculation about how his administration might change the federal approach to immigration.
People are hesitant to buy electric cars because fast chargers still aren't widely available. The irony? Most people charge at home, not with fast chargers. NPR's Camila Domonoske explains.
The great toilet paper shortage of 2020 wasn't caused by the virus or by a disruption to manufacturing. It was caused by a story: one that we told ourselves. On the Indicator: how stories can affect the economy.
Each year, the American Farm Bureau estimates the cost of Thanksgiving dinner. The main finding this year? Thanksgiving dinner is the cheapest it's been since the survey started 35 years ago.