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    The Indicator from Planet Money – 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.Try Planet Money+! a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. You’ll also get access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions. sign up at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

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    Copyright: © Copyright 2015-2021 NPR - For Personal Use Only

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    Latest Episodes:
    Cool, cool, cooling jobs Nov 01, 2024

    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)
    For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
    Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
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    The U.S. once banned Chinese immigrants — and it paid an economic price Oct 31, 2024

    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.
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    What's missing in the immigration debate Oct 30, 2024

    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
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    What happens when Social Security runs out of money? Oct 29, 2024

    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.
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    What looks like a bond and acts like a bond but isn't a bond? Oct 28, 2024

    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.
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    An economist answers your questions on love Oct 25, 2024

    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.
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    Trying to fix the dating app backlash Oct 24, 2024

    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.
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    How American heiresses became Dollar Princesses Oct 23, 2024

    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)
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    Why the publishing industry is hot (and bothered) for romance Oct 22, 2024

    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
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    It's Love Week! How the TV holiday rom-com got so successful Oct 21, 2024

    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.
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    Reversing shrinkflation (via potato chips) and other indicators Oct 18, 2024

    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.
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    Rebranding 'the world's most dangerous private army' Oct 17, 2024

    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.
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    Can the yield curve still predict recessions? Oct 16, 2024

    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.
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    Why are some nations richer? Oct 15, 2024

    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.
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    The cost of living, lead pipe removal, and a more expensive Mega Millions Oct 11, 2024

    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.
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    The trouble with water discounts Oct 10, 2024

    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
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    Half a billion people need reading glasses. Why can't they get them? Oct 09, 2024

    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.
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    The year the music festival died Oct 08, 2024

    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.
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    Why the name Taft-Hartley got airplay during the dockworkers' brief strike Oct 07, 2024

    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.
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    Does unemployment whiplash mean recession? Oct 04, 2024

    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.
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    Champagne. Neapolitan pizza. Now döner kebabs? Oct 03, 2024

    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 döner 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.
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    Are we about to lose TikTok? Like actually tho? Oct 02, 2024

    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.
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    Is an American sovereign wealth fund such a bad idea? Oct 01, 2024

    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.
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    Mail bag! Grad jobs, simplified branding and central bank independence Sep 30, 2024

    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.
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    America's small GDP bump, China's big stimulus dispersal, and a Monkey King Sep 27, 2024

    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.
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    What does the next era of Social Security look like? Sep 26, 2024

    Peak 65 is here. More than 4 million Americans will turn 65 each year 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?
    James Chappel's book: Golden Years: How Americans Invented and Reinvented Old AgeGolden Years: How Americans Invented and Reinvented Old Age
    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.
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    Are pharmacy benefit managers driving up drug prices? (Update) Sep 25, 2024

    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.
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    How to pass on a global media empire Sep 24, 2024

    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.
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    Could you live without GPS? It's OK, the economy can't, either Sep 23, 2024
    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.
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    The Fed cut rates ... now what? (featuring: Sasquatch) Sep 20, 2024

    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.
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    What are Harris' economic plans? Sep 19, 2024

    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.
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    What are Trump's economic plans? Sep 18, 2024

    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:
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    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
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    Behind the Tiny Desk and other listener questions Sep 17, 2024

    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
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    Pay Cuts Vs. Layoffs
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    Bad economics, smart politics Sep 16, 2024

    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.
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    How much do presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy (Apple / Spotify)
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    The return of Fyre Festival and other indicators Sep 13, 2024

    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:
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    How much would you do this job for? And other indicators
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    The DOJ's case against Apple Sep 12, 2024

    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:
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    Can an old law bring down grocery prices? (Apple / Spotify)
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    Overtourism ho! The Barcelona cruise dilemma Sep 11, 2024

    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:
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    How Iceland's tourism bubble deflated
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    I will PAY YOU to take my natural gas Sep 10, 2024

    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!
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    The debate at the heart of new electricity transmission (Apple / Spotify)
    The rise of American natural gas (Apple / Spotify)
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    How Medicare fraud became Miami's vice Sep 09, 2024

    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.
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    Why aren't more people taking on the trades? Sep 06, 2024

    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.
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    Why it's so hard to mass produce houses in factories (Apple / Spotify)
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    How Pitbull got his name on a college football stadium Sep 05, 2024

    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
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    How Japan is trying to solve the problem of shrinking villages Sep 04, 2024

    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:
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    Japan's ninja shortage
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    Want to get ahead in youth sports? Try staying back a year. Sep 03, 2024

    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)
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    Let's party like it's NVIDIA earnings report day! Aug 30, 2024

    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?
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    The Olympian to influencer pipeline Aug 29, 2024

    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.
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    You can't spell Olympics without IP (Apple / Spotify)
    The monetization of college sports (Apple / Spotify)
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    How mortgage interest rates work (and why they're currently out of whack) Aug 28, 2024

    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.
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    How mortgage rates get made
    The rat under the Fed's hat
    AP Macro gets a makeover
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    How China became solar royalty Aug 27, 2024

    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.
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    The debate at the heart of new electricity transmission (Apple / Spotify)
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    A food fight over free school lunch Aug 26, 2024

    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.
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    How much would you do this job for? And other indicators Aug 23, 2024

    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
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    Biden's beef with bad customer service Aug 22, 2024

    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
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    What is the deal with car rentals? Aug 21, 2024

    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:
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    Offloading EVs, vacating offices and reaping windfalls
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    So, how's this No Tax On Tips thing gonna go? Aug 20, 2024

    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
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    Is endless vacation a scam? Aug 19, 2024

    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.
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    The 28-Hour Work Week
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    Mortgage applications, China's housing and ... Carrie Bradshaw? Aug 16, 2024

    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?
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    Why big banks aren't interested in your savings account Aug 15, 2024

    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.
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    Should presidents have more of a say in interest rates? Aug 14, 2024

    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.
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    The Denver basic income experiment Aug 13, 2024

    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.
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    Beach reads with a side of economics Aug 12, 2024

    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)
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    Google's monopoly, gold medals and gasping markets Aug 09, 2024

    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:
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    Why the Olympics cost so much (Apple / Spotify)
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    You can't spell Olympics without IP Aug 08, 2024

    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:
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    Peacock, potassium and other Paris Olympics Indicators (Apple / Spotify)
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    Is the UK open for business? Aug 07, 2024

    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:
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    The debate at the heart of new electricity transmission Aug 06, 2024

    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:
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    Green energy gridlock (Apple / Spotify)
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    Markets have a bad case of the Mondays Aug 06, 2024

    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:
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    Why are we so bummed about the economy? (Apple / Spotify)
    The Sahm Rule With The Eponymous Economist
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    Getting more men into so-called pink-collar jobs Aug 02, 2024

    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
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    Why the Olympics cost so much Aug 01, 2024

    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:
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    Why California's high speed rail was always going to blow out (Apple / Spotify)
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    Are both rents AND interest rates too dang high? Jul 31, 2024

    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:
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    The housing shakeup (Apple / Spotify)
    The highs and lows of US rent (Apple / Spotify)
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    Test your knowledge of NVIDIA, ChatGPT and...Peppa Pig? Jul 30, 2024

    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
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    How insurance is affecting the cost of childcare Jul 29, 2024

    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)
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    Peacock, potassium and other Paris Olympics Indicators Jul 26, 2024

    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?
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    Is AI overrated? Jul 25, 2024

    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)
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    Is AI underrated? Jul 24, 2024

    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.
    Related episodes:
    Is AI overrated? (Apple / Spotify)
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    The curious rise of novelty popcorn buckets Jul 23, 2024

    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)
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    Three Kamala Harris Indicators Jul 23, 2024

    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?
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    Bankruptcy, basketball, and bringing the dollar down Jul 19, 2024

    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?
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    Goodbye, Chevron. Hello, lawsuits! Jul 18, 2024

    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)
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    The conservative roots behind the Chevron doctrine Jul 17, 2024

    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)
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    Why the EU can regulate big tech faster Jul 17, 2024

    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
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    China's luxury liquor indicator Jul 15, 2024

    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
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    Greece allows a 6-day work week and other indicators Jul 12, 2024

    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)
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    An asylum seeker's long road to a work permit Jul 11, 2024

    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)
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    How much do presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy? Jul 10, 2024

    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)
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    What military brats tell us about social mobility Jul 09, 2024

    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
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    The young trolls of Wall Street are growing up Jul 08, 2024

    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
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    One of the hottest jobs in AI right now: 'types-question guy' Jul 05, 2024

    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)
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    The game theory that led to nuclear standoffs Jul 03, 2024

    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
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    The economic implications of Europe's jolt right Jul 02, 2024

    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
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    How the end of Roe is reshaping the medical workforce Jul 01, 2024

    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
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    Indicators of the Week: Debate Edition Jun 28, 2024

    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
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    Do polluters pay, or do they get paid? Jun 27, 2024

    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:
    A program meant to help developing nations fight climate change is funneling billions of dollars back to rich countries
    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)
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    What's going to happen to the Trump tax cuts? Jun 26, 2024

    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!
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    Tracking the underground bike theft economy Jun 25, 2024

    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
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    The tower of NVIDIA Jun 24, 2024

    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
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    Boeing's woes, Bilt jilts, and the Indicator's stock rally Jun 21, 2024

    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
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    A captive market: The high price of prison phone calls Jun 20, 2024

    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
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    Invest like a Congress member Jun 18, 2024

    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:
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    WTF is a Bitcoin ETF? (Apple / Spotify)
    Planet Money's Toxic Asset
    Planet Money Summer School: Investing
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    Spud spat Jun 17, 2024

    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.
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    Oil gluts, Russian bucks, and Starbucks Jun 14, 2024

    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
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    Is Google search getting worse? Jun 13, 2024

    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:
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    Microsoft vs. Google: Whose AI Is better? (Apple / Spotify)
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    Has the Fed lost the dot plot? Jun 12, 2024

    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)
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    Is the 'border crisis' actually a 'labor market crisis?' Jun 11, 2024

    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.
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    Is chicken getting cheap? And other questions Jun 10, 2024

    We are back to answer your questions that you, our listeners, 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:
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    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!
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    Ghost jobs Jun 07, 2024

    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:
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    The Beigie Awards: From Ghosting to Coasting
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    Why California's high speed rail was always going to blow out Jun 06, 2024

    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.

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    Why the U.S. helps pay for Israel's military Jun 05, 2024

    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:
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    Common economic myths, debunked Jun 04, 2024

    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.
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    Unveiling our mascot's new name and merch! Jun 03, 2024

    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:
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    Planet Money Makes a T-shirt
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    The cutest indicator in the world May 31, 2024

    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.
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    Emission Impossible (Apple / Spotify)
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    Indicator Quiz: May Edition May 30, 2024

    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.
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    Using anecdotes to predict recessions May 29, 2024

    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.
    Regional Economic Sentiment: Constructing Quantitative Estimates from the Beige Book and Testing Their Ability to Forecast Recessions
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    Can dental therapists fill the gap in oral care? May 28, 2024

    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.
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    How Red Lobster got cooked and other indicators May 24, 2024

    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.
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    Why tariffs are SO back May 23, 2024

    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.
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    Worst. Tariffs. Ever.
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    How Fortnite brought Google to its knees May 22, 2024

    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.
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    AI Tupac and the murky legality of digital necromancy May 21, 2024

    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.
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    Building generational wealth in rural America May 20, 2024

    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
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    Trade wars and talent shortages May 17, 2024

    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.
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    How the Dominican Republic became Latin America's economic superstar May 16, 2024

    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.
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    The highs and lows of US rents May 15, 2024

    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.
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    The "Winner Take All" problem May 14, 2024

    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".
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    Is 'government crypto' a good idea? May 13, 2024

    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.
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    A new gold rush and other indicators May 10, 2024

    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.
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    Iceberg ahead for Social Security May 09, 2024

    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.
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    Why Venezuela is no longer in freefall May 09, 2024

    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.
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    Hazard maps: The curse of knowledge May 07, 2024

    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.
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    How Colorado towns are trying to get some water certainty May 06, 2024

    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.
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    Not too hot, not too cold: a 'Goldilocks' jobs report May 03, 2024

    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.
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    Protesters want schools to divest from Israel. How would that work? May 02, 2024

    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.
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    What a cabinet maker can teach us about interest rates May 01, 2024

    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.
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    Is the federal debt REALLY that bad? May 01, 2024

    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?
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    Taxing the final frontier Apr 29, 2024

    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.
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    Video Game Industry Week: The Final Level Apr 26, 2024

    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.
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    Designing for disability: how video games become more accessible (Apple / Spotify)
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    Work. Crunch. Repeat: Why gaming demands so much of its employees (Apple / Spotify)
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    Work. Crunch. Repeat: Why gaming demands so much of its employees Apr 25, 2024

    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.
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    Designing for disability: how video games become more accessible (Apple / Spotify)
    The boom and bust of esports (Apple / Spotify)
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    The boom and bust of esports Apr 24, 2024

    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.
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    Designing for disability: how video games become more accessible Apr 23, 2024

    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:
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    Forever games: the economics of the live service model Apr 22, 2024

    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.
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    Ticketmaster's dominance, Caitlin Clark's paycheck, and other indicators Apr 19, 2024

    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).
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    Inside the epic fight over new banking regulations Apr 18, 2024

    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:
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    SVB, now First Republic: How it all started (Apple / Spotify)
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    Profiting off greater risk: the reinsurance game Apr 17, 2024

    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:
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    When insurers can't get insurance (Apple / Spotify)
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    What is a 'freedom economy'? Apr 16, 2024

    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:
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    Why is insurance so expensive right now? And more listener questions Apr 15, 2024

    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:
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    Are we counting jobs right? We answer your listener questions (Apple / Spotify)
    When mortgage rates are too low to give up (Apple / Spotify)
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    What Subway's foot-long cookie says about inflation Apr 12, 2024

    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)
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    The IRS wants to do your taxes for free. Will it last? Apr 11, 2024

    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.
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    Why the EU is investigating China's wind turbines Apr 10, 2024

    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)
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    What do the royals do all day, anyway? Apr 09, 2024

    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
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    Why companies spin off Apr 08, 2024

    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?
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    Do I need a four-year degree? Apr 05, 2024

    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
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    How the 'shadow fleet' helps Russia skirt sanctions Apr 04, 2024

    "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.
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    Can an old law bring down grocery prices? Apr 03, 2024

    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)
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    The Indicator Quiz: Labor Edition Apr 02, 2024

    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.
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    Can breaking the law be good for business? Apr 01, 2024

    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.
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    Three ways consumers are feeling the pinch Mar 28, 2024

    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)
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    Should schools be paying their college athletes? Mar 27, 2024

    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)
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    Help Wanted at Boeing Mar 26, 2024

    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.
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    Name our mascot. No, really. Mar 25, 2024

    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
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    The interest-ing world of interest rates Mar 22, 2024

    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.
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    How ski resorts are (economically) adjusting to climate change Mar 21, 2024

    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
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    When does youth employment become child labor? Mar 20, 2024

    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
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    Tick tock for TikTok? Mar 19, 2024

    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)
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    Can Europe fund its defense ambitions? Mar 18, 2024

    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)
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    Biden's economic pitch for a second term Mar 15, 2024

    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:
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    When mortgages are too low to give up (Apple / Spotify)
    Paying for the Inflation Reduction Act
    'Dune: Part Two' is a grand spice opera
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    How are moving companies faring with high mortgage rates? Mar 14, 2024

    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.
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    Are data breaches putting patients at risk? Mar 13, 2024

    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)
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    What's behind Bitcoin's bullrun? Mar 12, 2024

    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)
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    Is the financial media making us miserable about the economy? Mar 11, 2024

    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.
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    Why wind techs are so in demand Mar 08, 2024

    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.
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    A Man, a plan, wind power, Uruguay (Apple / Spotify)
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    How to get Russia to pay Ukraine Mar 07, 2024

    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:
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    Russia's sanctions, graded (Apple)
    Why Israel uses diaspora bonds (Apple / Spotify)
    Economic warfare vs. Fortress Russia
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    What would it take to fix retirement? Mar 06, 2024

    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.
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    How the SEC's new rule could reveal more about a company's emissions Mar 05, 2024

    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)
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    The growing industry of green burials Mar 04, 2024

    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.
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    Wendy's pricing mind trick and other indicators of the week Mar 02, 2024

    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:
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    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
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    Why Israel uses diaspora bonds Feb 29, 2024

    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)
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    What the data reveal about U.S. labor unrest Feb 28, 2024

    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.
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    The never-ending strike (Apple / Spotify)
    The strike that changed U.S. labor
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    How to make an ad memorable Feb 27, 2024

    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.
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    Reddit's public Wall Street bet Feb 26, 2024

    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)
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    An oil boom, a property slump and dental deflation Feb 23, 2024

    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.
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    How an empty office becomes a home
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    A Supreme Court case that could reshape social media Feb 23, 2024

    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.
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    Why Capital One wants Discover Feb 21, 2024

    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
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    Could fake horns end illegal rhino poaching? Feb 20, 2024

    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
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    Chocolate, Lyft's typo and India's election bonds Feb 16, 2024

    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
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    Why banks are fighting changes to an anti-redlining program Feb 15, 2024

    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.
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    How Egypt's military is dragging down its economy Feb 15, 2024

    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)

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    How's your defense industry knowledge? Feb 13, 2024

    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.
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    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)
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    What's really happening with the Evergrande liquidation Feb 12, 2024

    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.
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    A Swiftie Super Bowl, a stumbling bank, and other indicators Feb 10, 2024

    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.
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    Why Saudi Arabia is building a new city in the desert Feb 08, 2024

    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.
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    Is Wall Street's hottest trend finally over? Feb 08, 2024

    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
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    Did pandemic business support work? Feb 06, 2024

    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.
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    The big small business rescue
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    Could cash payments ease recessions? Feb 05, 2024

    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?
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    How local government is propping up the U.S. labor market Feb 02, 2024

    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.
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    Why the FTC is cracking down on location data brokers Feb 01, 2024

    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.
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    How to transform a war economy for peacetime Jan 31, 2024

    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.
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    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)
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    Can Just-In-Time handle a new era of war? Jan 30, 2024

    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.
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    Toyota Camry, supply-chain hero
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    Are we overpaying for military equipment? Jan 29, 2024

    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)
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    Tumbling Chinese stocks and rapid Chipotle hiring Jan 26, 2024

    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.
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    How niche brands got into your local supermarket Jan 25, 2024

    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:
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    How grocery shelves get stacked
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    A manifesto for feeding 8 billion people Jan 25, 2024

    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?
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    Are we counting jobs right? We answer your listener questions Jan 23, 2024

    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.
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    The tensions behind the sale of U.S. Steel Jan 22, 2024

    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
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    Walmart scams, expensive recycling, and overdraft fees Jan 19, 2024

    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 episodes
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    The problem with banning plastic bags
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    Five tips for understanding political polls this election season Jan 18, 2024

    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.
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    Planet Money tries election polling
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    The surprising leader in EVs Jan 18, 2024

    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.
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    How the South is trying to win the EV race (Apple / Spotify)
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    How the world economy could react to escalation in the Middle East Jan 17, 2024

    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.
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    Oil prices and the Israel-Hamas war (Apple / Spotify)
    What could convince Egypt to take in Gaza's refugees (Apple / Spotify)
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    Offloading EVs, vacating offices and reaping windfalls Jan 12, 2024

    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.
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    The lawsuit that could shake up the rental market Jan 12, 2024

    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.
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    Why oil in Guyana could be a curse Jan 10, 2024

    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.
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    Ad targeting gets into your medical file Jan 10, 2024

    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.
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    This ad's for you
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    Five reasons why Americans and economists can't agree on the economy Jan 08, 2024

    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.
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    Higher wages, fewer temp workers and indicators of the year results Jan 06, 2024

    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.
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    Predicting next year's economic storylines (Apple / Spotify)
    The money illusion
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    WTF is a bitcoin ETF? Jan 04, 2024

    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?
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    The rise and fall of FTX
    The aftermath of the cryptocurrency crash
    The promise and peril of crypto for Black investors
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    What a pot of gumbo can teach us about disinflation Jan 03, 2024

    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.
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    Red Sea tensions spell trouble for global supply chains Jan 03, 2024

    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.
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    Chasing the American Dream at Outback Steakhouse (Classic) Dec 29, 2023

    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
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    'Let's Get It On' ... in court (Update) Dec 28, 2023

    *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.
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    A lesson in Barbie labor economics (Classic) Dec 27, 2023

    *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.
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    The echo of the bison (Classic) Dec 26, 2023

    *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.
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    Predicting next year's economic storylines Dec 22, 2023

    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.
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    Industrial policy, the debate! (Apple / Spotify)
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    The 'Yellowstone' effect on Montana Dec 21, 2023
    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.
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    How economics can help you stick to your New Year's resolution Dec 20, 2023

    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
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    Coyote vs. Warner Bros. Discovery Dec 20, 2023

    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.
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    Would-be weed merchants hit a 'grass ceiling' Dec 19, 2023

    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'.
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    The Indicator of the Year Dec 15, 2023

    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.
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    Which economic indicator defined 2022?
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    What women want (to invest in) Dec 15, 2023

    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.
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    The 'physics' behind potential interest rate cuts Dec 13, 2023

    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.
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    The fed decides to wait and see (Apple / Spotify)
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    Are the products in your shopping cart real? Dec 12, 2023

    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.
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    A countdown to climate action Dec 12, 2023

    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.
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    AI creates, transforms and destroys... jobs Dec 08, 2023

    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.
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    The wheel's many reinventions Dec 07, 2023

    "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.
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    What can we learn from the year's most popular econ terms? Dec 07, 2023

    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.
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    Americans don't like higher prices but they LOVE buying new things Dec 05, 2023

    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.
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    Who can and cannot get weight-loss drugs Dec 04, 2023

    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.
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    Endless shrimp and other indicators Dec 01, 2023

    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.
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    Could SCOTUS outlaw wealth taxes? Dec 01, 2023

    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.
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    Putting the 80/20 rule to the test Nov 29, 2023

    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.
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    Oil prices and the Israel-Hamas war Nov 28, 2023

    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.
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    Texas' new power grid problem Nov 27, 2023

    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.
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    A salary to be grateful for, and other Thanksgiving indicators Nov 22, 2023

    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.
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    How "dark defaults" could cost you Nov 22, 2023

    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
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    The messy human drama behind OpenAI Nov 21, 2023

    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:
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    Prices fall, unemployment rises and Boomers have all the houses Nov 17, 2023

    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.
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    How do cheap cell phone plans make money? And other questions Nov 17, 2023

    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.
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    The evidence on school vouchers that'll please nobody Nov 16, 2023

    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.
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    Xi and him Nov 15, 2023

    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.
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    When a staple becomes a luxury Nov 14, 2023

    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.
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    Actors back. Pandas gone. WeBankrupt. Nov 11, 2023

    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.
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    A radical plan to fix Argentina's inflation Nov 09, 2023

    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.
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    Bond. World's oldest living bond. Nov 08, 2023

    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.
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    A bad economy can be good for your health Nov 07, 2023

    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.
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    The spectacle of Sam Bankman-Fried's trial Nov 07, 2023

    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.
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    Why everyone in the labor market is being picky Nov 03, 2023

    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.
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    How the South is trying to win the EV race Nov 02, 2023

    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.
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    Trying to solve the mystery of big bond yields Nov 01, 2023

    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.
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    Are real estate agent fees a racket? Nov 01, 2023

    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.
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    A finance fright fest Oct 30, 2023

    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?
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    Europe vs. US economies... and a dime heist Oct 27, 2023

    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.
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    What happened to the internet without net neutrality? Oct 26, 2023

    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.
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    The Beigie Awards: Why banks are going on a "loan diet" Oct 25, 2023

    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."
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    Why offshore wind is facing headwinds Oct 24, 2023

    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.
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    How IBM's gamble ushered in the computer age Oct 23, 2023

    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.
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    More fraud, higher bond yields, and faster airline boarding Oct 20, 2023

    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.
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    What could convince Egypt to take in Gaza's refugees? Oct 19, 2023

    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.
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    There's one business like show business Oct 19, 2023

    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.
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    How a consumer watchdog's power became a liability Oct 17, 2023

    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.
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    The Indicator Quiz: Climate Edition Oct 16, 2023

    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.
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    A drought, a jam, a canal — Panama!
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    Junk fees, unfilled jobs, jackpot Oct 13, 2023

    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.
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    Taking the temperature of the US consumer Oct 12, 2023

    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.
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    A treacherous descent? What will the Fed do next? Oct 11, 2023

    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.
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    A conversation with Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin (Update) Oct 10, 2023

    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.
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    Wanted: Social workers Oct 06, 2023

    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.
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    Body Electric: What digital jobs are doing to our bodies Oct 05, 2023

    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
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    You tell us how to fix mortgages, and more Oct 04, 2023

    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.
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    EVs killed the AM radio star Oct 03, 2023

    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?
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    When Uncle Sam stops paying the childcare bill Oct 02, 2023

    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.
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    Twerking, tote bags, and the top of the charts Sep 29, 2023

    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.
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    The walking dead NFTs Sep 28, 2023

    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.
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    How EV batteries tore apart Michigan (Update) Sep 27, 2023

    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.
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    Chasing the American Dream at Outback Steakhouse Sep 27, 2023

    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
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    Is the Canada, Meta news standoff coming to the US? Sep 25, 2023

    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?
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    A million-dollar fossil, and other indicators Sep 22, 2023

    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.
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    Selling safety in the fight against wildfires Sep 21, 2023

    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.
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    The rat under the Fed's hat Sep 20, 2023

    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.
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    The Beigie Awards: Manufacturing takes center stage Sep 19, 2023

    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.
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    Coca Cola v. Coca Pola Sep 18, 2023

    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.
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    Economics, boosternomics and Swiftnomics Sep 15, 2023

    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.
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    Wait — did we really need to raise rates? Sep 15, 2023

    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.
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    Giant vacuums and other government climate bets Sep 14, 2023

    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.
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    Industrial policy, the debate! Sep 12, 2023

    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.
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    Is retail theft getting worse? Sep 11, 2023

    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.
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    Apple, drugs, Grindr Sep 08, 2023

    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.
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    'Welcome to the USA! Now get to work.' Sep 07, 2023

    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.
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    The dementia tax Sep 06, 2023

    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.
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    The Beigie Awards: China Edition Sep 05, 2023

    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.
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    Jobs Friday: More jobs and more unemployment Sep 01, 2023

    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.
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    A drought, a jam, a canal — Panama! Aug 31, 2023

    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:
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    Young, "spoiled and miserable" in China Aug 30, 2023

    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.
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    The problems with the US's farm worker program Aug 29, 2023

    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.
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    The Indicator Quiz: The Internet Aug 28, 2023

    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.

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    AI chips, shared trips, and a shorter work week Aug 25, 2023

    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.
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    Why a weak ruble is good for Russia's budget but not Putin's image Aug 24, 2023

    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)
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    How fed up farmers started the only government-run bank in the US Aug 23, 2023

    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.
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    Why pizza costs more in Iceland and other listener questions Aug 22, 2023

    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.
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