The Indicator from Planet Money 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

The Indicator from Planet Money

From 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

Most Recent Episodes

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What are Harris' economic plans?

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.

What are Harris' economic plans?

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

What are Trump's economic plans?

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.

What are Trump's economic plans?

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More than 5000 brick and mortar stores have closed just this year. Keith Krakocic/Associated Press hide caption

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Keith Krakocic/Associated Press

Behind the Tiny Desk and other listener questions

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.

Behind the Tiny Desk and other listener questions

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The Nippon/US Steel deal is on centerstage as U.S. presidential candidates fight over the battleground state. Gene J. Puskar/AP hide caption

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Gene J. Puskar/AP

Bad economics, smart politics

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.

Bad economics, smart politics

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Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

The return of Fyre Festival and other indicators

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.

The return of Fyre Festival and other indicators

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As Apple nears its iPhone 16 release date, a legal cloud hangs over the company Juliana Yamada/FR172114 AP hide caption

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Juliana Yamada/FR172114 AP

The DOJ's case against Apple

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.

The DOJ's case against Apple

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Josep Lago, AFP/Getty Images

Overtourism ho! The Barcelona cruise dilemma

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.

Overtourism ho! The Barcelona cruise dilemma

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Spencer Platt/Getty Image News

I will PAY YOU to take my natural gas

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!

I will PAY YOU to take my natural gas

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(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

How Medicare fraud became Miami's vice

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.

How Medicare fraud became Miami's vice

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Ted Shaffrey/AP

Why aren't more people taking on the trades?

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.

Why aren't more people taking on the trades?

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