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The Indicator from Planet Money 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.
The Indicator from Planet Money

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The Indicator from Planet Money

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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.

Most Recent Episodes

The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!
Freakonomics

The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!

Today, we're sharing an episode of a podcast that we've enjoyed, and think you will, too! It's called The Economics of Everyday Things. It's made by the Freakonomics Radio Network and on each of its episodes, host Zachary Crockett uncovers the hidden stories behind ordinary things! Stock photos, girl scout cookies, and cashmere sweaters, you name it.

The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!

Listen · 15:40
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Why the US economy is still the envy of the world

Workers on scaffolding lay blocks on one of the larger buildings at a development site where various residential units and commercial sites are under construction. Keith Srakocic/AP hide caption

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Keith Srakocic/AP

Why the US economy is still the envy of the world

The Economist's Simon Rabinovitch argues the U.S. economy has a set of structural advantages that have allowed it to perform remarkably well in the last couple of years compared to other developed countries. But could President-elect Donald Trump's second term in office put that edge at risk? Adrian Ma spoke with Rabinovitch for a recent episode of The Indicator. This episode is an extended cut of their conversation, previously released for Planet Money+ supporters.

Why the US economy is still the envy of the world

Listen · 17:11
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Trump's parade, FEMA phase out, and Warner Bros. Discovery divorces ... itself?
Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images

Trump's parade, FEMA phase out, and Warner Bros. Discovery divorces ... itself?

It's ... Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.

Trump's parade, FEMA phase out, and Warner Bros. Discovery divorces ... itself?

Listen · 8:46
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The hidden costs of healthcare churn
Getty Images

The hidden costs of healthcare churn

Healthcare churn—when people switch insurance plans—is particularly bad in the US.

The hidden costs of healthcare churn

Listen · 8:48
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The secret tariff-free zone

STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

The secret tariff-free zone

There's something interesting happening at the Port of Baltimore. On today's show, we explore the hidden world of bonded warehouses, where you can stash your imported Latvian vodka or Dutch beer tariff free (for a while).

The secret tariff-free zone

Listen · 9:19
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What's a revenge tax?

Several proposed taxes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would shift how money flows from the U.S. to other countries Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images

What's a revenge tax?

For four decades, the US has maintained a consistent policy position: money should be fairly free to come and go in and out of the country. That's changing.

What's a revenge tax?

Listen · 9:28
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How doctors helped tank universal health care

When Harry Truman became U.S. President in 1948, he was a proponent for government-sponsored health insurance for all. AP Newsroom hide caption

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AP Newsroom

How doctors helped tank universal health care

A debate has been raging over universal health care in the U.S. since the 1940s. Back then, a formidable opponent emerged to dump a lot of money into ensuring it wouldn't happen. That opponent was doctors. Today on the show, Sally Helm, a Planet Money reporter, comes to us in her capacity as the host of HISTORY This Week to detail how doctors helped tank single pay healthcare back then and the role communism played in the fight.

How doctors helped tank universal health care

Listen · 9:26
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Why U.S. workers keep getting more productive

Workers construct a Model-T engine on an assembly line. Getty Images hide caption

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Getty Images

Why U.S. workers keep getting more productive

For the last couple of years, U.S. labor productivity has been on the rise. And economists don't know exactly why. So today on the show, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago plays economic detective and helps us investigate some different theories about why U.S. workers seem to be more productive than in prior decades.

Why U.S. workers keep getting more productive

Listen · 9:29
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Gilded Age 2.0?
Saul Loeb/Getty Images

Gilded Age 2.0?

To hear President Trump tell it, the late 1800s, i.e. the Gilded Age, were a period of unparalleled wealth and prosperity in the U.S. But this era was also marked by corruption and wealth inequality. Sound familiar? On today's show, is history repeating itself?

Gilded Age 2.0

Listen · 9:30
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An indicator lost: big disaster costs

This restaurant that was destroyed by Hurricane Helene would have likely been counted in NOAA's tabulation of economic damages. AP hide caption

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AP

An indicator lost: big disaster costs

The U.S. government has tallied the economic impact of major natural disasters going back to 1980. State and local governments used this data for budgeting and planning. But last month, the administration retired its Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters disaster database. Today on the show, we speak to Adam Smith, the architect of the program, on the work he did and what might be next.

An indicator lost: big disaster costs

Listen · 9:26
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