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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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How Trump is making coin from $TRUMP coin
Getty Images

How Trump is making coin from $TRUMP coin

Just before Trump began his second administration in January, he and his business partners launched the $TRUMP coin. It's a meme coin that quickly raked in hundreds of millions of dollars. And there's a lot of earning potential still left on the table. Is any of this legal?

How Trump is making coin from $TRUMP coin

Listen · 9:23
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The old trade war that brought foreign carmakers to the U.S.
AP Images

The old trade war that brought foreign carmakers to the U.S.

President Donald Trump wants more products made in America, and he's not afraid of a few trade wars to make it happen. Back in the 80s, a different trade dispute brought new manufacturing to the U.S. Today on the show, how former President Ronald Reagan used the threat of trade protectionism to bring car-making stateside, and why the same strategy might not work today.

The old trade war that brought foreign carmakers to the U.S.

Listen · 8:58
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The rise of the credit card airport lounge

At least ten new airport lounges are set to open this year in the US, many backed by credit cards Getty Images hide caption

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Getty Images

The rise of the credit card airport lounge

We are back to answer your questions, listeners. Today on the show, we tackle three big questions: Are airport lounges worth it for credit card companies? How effective have carbon taxes been for Canada? Why is gasoline getting more expensive over the last few months as the price of crude oil has sunk?

The rise of the credit card airport lounge

Listen · 9:28
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The Art of the Deal ft. Beyoncé
Michael Crabtree/PA Images via Getty Images

The Art of the Deal ft. Beyoncé

All of us negotiate — whether it's accepting a job offer, buying a house or working out who does the dishes. Economist Daryl Fairweather has a new book out: Hate the Game: Economic Cheat Codes for Life, Love, and Work. It's all about the negotiation lessons she's learned through the research, her own career and Destiny's Child.

The Art of the Deal ft. Beyonce

Listen · 8:22
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Brain-controlled iPhones, a Japanese asset buy-a-thon, and Trump tax cut debt
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Brain-controlled iPhones, a Japanese asset buy-a-thon, and Trump tax cut debt

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

Brain-controlled iPhones, a Japanese asset buy-a-thon, and Trump tax cut debt

Listen · 8:59
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Bond market nightmares
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Bond market nightmares

In early April, the bond market gave people a scare. Investors began selling off their historically secure U.S. Treasuries in large quantities. It reportedly encouraged President Trump to pause his flurry of liberation day tariffs. These jitters offered a glimpse into what could go wrong for U.S. Treasuries if economic uncertainty gets worse. On today's show, we take a peek at some nightmare scenarios for the bond market.

Bond market nightmares

Listen · 9:29
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What we misunderstand about gun violence
Rob Dobi/Getty Images

What we misunderstand about gun violence

The U.S. is known around the world for its problem with gun violence. The vast majority of murders in the U.S. are committed using guns. But what leads one person to shoot another? The "conventional wisdom" says gun violence is usually the act of calculated criminals or people acting out of desperate economic circumstances. But economist Jens Ludwig believes the conventional wisdom is wrong. Today on the show, he explains why he believes many of us fundamentally misunderstand the problem of gun violence and how behavioral economics reveals some potential solutions.

What we misunderstand about gun violence

Listen · 9:29
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A brief history of NPR funding

(Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty) Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

A brief history of NPR funding

Where does NPR get its funding? Today on the show, we open our books and share a brief history of public radio. And we learn what's at stake with President Trump's executive order to cut off federal funding to NPR.

A brief history of NPR funding

Listen · 9:32
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