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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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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
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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
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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

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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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It's actually really hard to make a robot, guys

The Tesla robot is one of the many iterations looking to make headway as AI accelerates robotic development. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite hide caption

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AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

It's actually really hard to make a robot, guys

Robots have been a thing for a long time, but they've never quite met expectations. While AI has changed the game for chatbots, it's not quite so clear for robots. NPR science desk correspondent Geoff Brumfiel spoke to our colleagues over on our science podcast Short Wave on how humanoid robots are actually developing with the help of artificial intelligence. It was a fascinating discussion and so we are sharing that conversation with you today on the Indicator.

It's actually really hard to make a robot, guys

Listen · 9:26
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What's in YOUR wallet?
Anastasiia Yanishevska/Getty Images

What's in YOUR wallet?

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

Prepping for a rainy day and higher used car prices

Listen · 10:04
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It's hard out there for a Fed chair
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It's hard out there for a Fed chair

President Trump has flirted with firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell since returning to office, but can he legally do that? Not without good cause. Today on the show, the danger of Trump's amped up attacks on Powell and the Fed's independence.

It's hard out there for a Fed chair

Listen · 9:04
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Why do shrimpers like tariffs?

Acy Cooper, a Louisiana shrimper, on his fishing boat "The Lacy Kay." Drew Hawkins/Gulf States Newsroom hide caption

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Drew Hawkins/Gulf States Newsroom

Why do shrimpers like tariffs?

Many businesses are scared of what President Trump's tariffs will mean for their industry. However, the shrimping industry is one that doesn't seem to be worried. In fact, shrimpers say they welcome them. On today's episode, why shrimpers are embracing the tariffs and whether economists agree that this tariff is good for Americans.

Why do shrimpers like tariffs?

Listen · 9:54
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