The Indicator from Planet Money
Business & Finance
About
A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less.LIVE TOUR & BOOK INFO: planetmoneybook.com
Episodes
- Which jobs are future-proofed?
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money examines job future-proofing in the age of AI. It delves into the Occupational Outlook Handbook to answer questions about the future of work.
- Trump crypto, Trump ballroom and Trump drones
This episode examines potential conflicts of interest surrounding business deals involving President Trump, his family, and his associates since his return to office. The discussion focuses on a drone company, a crypto investment, and a st…
- When will the Iran war hit food prices?
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money discusses the potential impact of the US-Israel war in Iran on American food prices. A food economist provides a forecast on how much grocery bills could rise and identifies which items will…
- How your bank account might predict dementia
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money discusses how financial behaviors, such as missed bill payments and erratic investments, might predict the early onset of dementia. It examines the link between finances and dementia and high…
- How taxing the wealthy could work
This episode discusses a bill aimed at eliminating federal income tax for many workers and increasing taxes for high earners. It features Senator Chris Van Hollen explaining his bill and includes commentary from a tax policy expert.
- Polymarket bots, lithium found: lots!, marathon shoe thoughts
This episode explores the economics of Polymarket bets and lightweight running shoes, alongside the discovery of a new lithium source in America. It covers a range of economic topics in a weekly review.
- The UAE wants a dollar lifeline
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money discusses why the United Arab Emirates is seeking a currency swap line from the U.S. The UAE wants to ensure economic stability and prevent investors from pulling foreign-held deposits amidst…
- The new economic arms race
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money discusses the weaponization of economic choke points in modern warfare. Author Edward Fishman explains how the U.S. innovated a new kind of economic warfare, sparking a new economic arms race.
- Jan. 6ers already got pardoned. Will they get their money back too?
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money discusses whether Jan. 6 rioters, who were pardoned, are entitled to have their fines refunded. These fines were paid for damages to the U.S. Capitol after the 2020 election.
- Premium and affordable products are having a moment
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money announces the Beigie awards, focusing on a consumer trend impacting retailers. Kevin Dancy from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta provides insights into this trend.
- The Devil Wears Prada Index, SNAP, and flight cancellations
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money discusses the "Devil Wears Prada Index," a dramatic decrease in SNAP benefits, and the reasons behind recent flight cancellations, all part of their weekly look at fascinating numbers from th…
- How to get your tariff cash back
This episode discusses a new federal government process for businesses to apply for tariff refunds. It features three business owners sharing their experiences with this refund process.
- The Iran war puts the petrodollar regime to the test
This episode examines the history and current stability of the petrodollar regime, specifically in light of recent reports that Iran is collecting oil payments in yuan. It discusses the origins of the U.S. dollar's role in the global oil m…
- Corporate landlords aren't the real villain
The Indicator from Planet Money examines the connection between corporate ownership of single-family homes and housing affordability. The episode discusses a recent Senate bill aiming to restrict institutional investors in the housing mark…
- Is anyone gonna do anything about these Iran War trades?
This episode explores the suspicious timing of stock trades betting on potential conflict with Iran, which occurred immediately before announcements from President Trump. The show discusses the potential for insider trading and whether fed…
- Fed chair, health care, and AI shoe repair
This weekly episode examines economic news, including the finances surrounding the Federal Reserve Chair nominee, the shift of Allbirds toward AI technology, and a decline in Affordable Care Act enrollment payments.
- Fixing the oil crisis might not fix the Persian Gulf
This episode examines the long-term economic impact of the oil crisis on Persian Gulf countries. The discussion covers how reopening the Strait of Hormuz may not fully restore their economies, including the effects on tourism and the prope…
- Think the oil shock is bad in the US? Look here
This episode examines how New Zealand, Zimbabwe, and China are navigating global oil supply disruptions and rising prices resulting from shipping issues in the Strait of Hormuz. Each country faces unique challenges and outcomes as they man…
- How the workplace helps you win Survivor
Former Survivor winners discuss how professional skills like game theory and social engineering helped them succeed on the show. They explain how career experiences assisted them in navigating the social dynamics of the competition.
- Can you really do what you love?
This episode examines the feasibility of pursuing a career based on passion. Featuring insights from a tech investor and an economist, the discussion covers the factors involved in making passion profitable and the role of luck in professi…
- Class myths, an influx of e-ships, and pricey Olympics tix!
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money examines the state of the middle class, the potential rise in battery-powered e-ships, and the pricing of initial tickets for the L.A. Olympics.
- Where AI data centers are reducing power bills
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money examines the impact of AI data centers on wholesale electricity prices and the U.S. power grid. Experts discuss whether these facilities are driving up costs or if they are being blamed for p…
- How are drivers riding out the gas crisis?
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money examines how commuters are adapting to rising gas prices across the United States. The hosts discuss the potential annual financial impact of these price increases on American drivers.
- Why infinite scroll's inventor wants to kill his creation
Aza Raskin, the inventor of infinite scroll, discusses his role in developing the feature and his current efforts to advocate for changes to platform design to reduce digital addiction. He also touches on his testimony regarding social med…
- Is the economy red, orange, yellow or green?
Regional Federal Reserve presidents Austan Goolsbee and Beth Hammack join The Indicator to discuss the current state of the economy.
- Jobs that new college grads are and are not landing
In this episode, the team explores the current job market for new college graduates, characterized by a "low hire, low fire" climate, by visiting Howard University. They examine how the current economic landscape is affecting the career pr…
- Greetings from: Our favorite public goods
In this episode of The Indicator from Planet Money, author Alex Mayyasi discusses various public goods, including GPS and the Large Hadron Collider. The discussion explores their importance to society and connects to illustrations found in…
- Why Pokémon cards are growing faster than your retirement account
This episode examines the factors driving the rapid increase in the market value of rare Pokémon cards, which have seen significant growth over the past year. It analyzes the elements contributing to the popularity of this media franchise'…
- Who's afraid of private credit?
This episode examines the $3 trillion private credit market, focusing on the risks, lack of transparency, and investor concerns that have raised questions about potential financial instability.
- Do school lunches really need an overhaul?
This episode examines potential changes to school lunch menus under the Trump administration's "Make America Healthy Again" agenda. The program explores whether schools can afford or need further menu adjustments by visiting a school lunch…
- The US loses tech hires, sayonora to Sora, and Afroman's win
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money examines weekly economic news, covering the decline in US attraction of European tech workers, OpenAI's changes to its Sora video generator, and a legal development involving musician Afroman.
- Tracing the tax that's supposed to fund TSA
This episode examines the history and function of the tax earmarked to fund the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It explores the reasons behind why TSA workers have faced situations of working without pay.
- Your next flight doesn't have to be so expensive. Here's why
This episode explores why airfares remain high, focusing on the decline of fuel hedging strategies previously used by airlines to manage oil price volatility. The discussion covers how these financial tools once functioned and why airlines…
- Why hasn't the Russian economy collapsed?
This episode investigates why Russia's economy has remained functional despite ongoing war and sanctions. An economist discusses the concept of "death economics," whereby war spending serves to support, rather than hinder, Russia's economi…
- The multimillion dollar Saturday Night Live UK gamble
This episode explores Saturday Night Live's debut in the United Kingdom following a major promotional campaign and examines the financial implications of this attempt to adapt the American sketch show for a British audience.
- Trump and truckers, Poland prospers, and a booming ant biz
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money examines weekly economic news, including Trump administration regulations on immigrant truck drivers, Poland's economic growth, and the ant smuggling trade.
- How Iran is wasting American resources
This episode examines how Iran's use of inexpensive drones to combat costly U.S. missiles creates a resource imbalance. The discussion covers why the U.S. spends significant amounts on munitions and the lessons being learned from this conf…
- How much is the Iran war costing us?
This episode examines the challenges of calculating the financial costs of the Iran war, including immediate expenses for munitions and potential long-term impacts like healthcare, disability benefits, and interest.
- A trucker, a farmer, and an entrepreneur walk into a global supply shock
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money examines how the U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran is impacting the global supply chain, specifically affecting gas, diesel, and fertilizer costs. The show interviews a truck driver, an Io…
- Can anything save the news biz?
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money examines the current economic challenges facing journalism and explores how two specific startups are attempting to find success in the industry.
- A lot of gas trapped, oil reserves tapped, and Live Nation gets a (tiny) cap
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money reviews economic news regarding the gas crisis, the release of oil reserves, and government action concerning Live Nation. This is part of the weekly Indicators of the Week segment.
- Should colleges accept money from bad people?
This episode explores why many academics accepted funding and event invitations from Jeffrey Epstein, using his case to examine the broader landscape of scientific research funding.
- The shadowy world of merchant cash advances
This episode examines the risks of merchant cash advances, focusing on how unregulated lenders target small businesses struggling with tariffs. It explores how these financial products can become predatory for companies seeking immediate c…
- Will Trump’s shipping insurance plan work?
This episode examines the backlog of ships near the Strait of Hormuz caused by high war insurance premiums and explores the potential impact of President Trump’s plan to offer reinsurance to address this maritime traffic issue.
- No healthcare premiums? In this economy?! Here's how.
The Indicator from Planet Money examines how some employers are managing to offer cheaper healthcare benefits for their staff. The episode features a Canadian-founded startup with generous employee benefits as a case study.
- Why are fewer Americans working the night shift?
This episode explores why a smaller share of Americans are working the night shift compared to previous decades. The hosts discuss the decline of the graveyard shift and its implications for the labor market.
- Want a 2.5% mortgage? Buy it.
This episode of The Indicator from Planet Money explains how buyers can take over a seller's existing mortgage, a practice known as an assumable mortgage. The show discusses the benefits and the significant financial requirements involved…
- The anxiety rattling China’s youth
NPR correspondent Jennifer Pak discusses the economic challenges facing China, including declining consumption, stagnant wages, and dropping property prices, ahead of the government's upcoming five-year economic plan.
- Why Paramount went looney tunes for Warner Bros.
This episode examines the $110 billion merger proposal between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, exploring the motivations behind the deal and potential regulatory oversight. The hosts also announce an upcoming book tour for P…
- Should the families of organ donors be compensated?
Two economists discuss the case for government financial compensation for the families of organ donors. The episode also includes information regarding the Planet Money book tour.