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
Episodes
June 7, 2024 • 9 mins
Today's jobs report shows a slight rise in unemployment to 4%. And some frustrated job seekers are growing tired of applying for job after job with no replies, sometimes asking whether the listings are even real. And this isn't just vexing for applicants. It's also haunting economists when trying to figure out how much slack there is in the labor market, and whether interest rates should be raised or lowered. Today on the show: the...
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June 6, 2024 • 9 mins
99.5 percent of megaprojects are either over time, over budget or have lower benefits than expected. What's going wrong? Today, we look at case studies from California's high speed rail project to the Sydney Opera House to consider the do's and don'ts of ambitious projects.
Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner's book on megaprojects is How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors that Determine the Fate of Every Project, fro...
Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner's book on megaprojects is How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors that Determine the Fate of Every Project, fro...
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June 5, 2024 • 8 mins
The United States has been a supporter of Israel since the nation's establishment in 1948. With the civilian death toll rising in the Israel-Hamas war, growing scrutiny is mounting over just how much the U.S. should support Israel's military. Today, a historical explanation for why the United States tied itself so closely to support for Israel.
Related episodes:
Protesters want schools to divest from Israel. How would ...
Related episodes:
Protesters want schools to divest from Israel. How would ...
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June 4, 2024 • 9 mins
Maybe you've heard these things on social media, in the news, and take them as fact: More than half of the adults in the US live paycheck to paycheck, the trade deficit is always bad, and making the super wealthy pay their fair share will fix everything.
Well, the truth isn't so simple. Today on the show: economic mythbusting. We take three factoids about the American economy and run them through the fact checkers.
Related e...
Well, the truth isn't so simple. Today on the show: economic mythbusting. We take three factoids about the American economy and run them through the fact checkers.
Related e...
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June 3, 2024 • 9 mins
MERCH! You asked for it. We got it. After rebranding our podcast earlier this year, we decided it was time to create our own merch. On today's show, a brief oral history of early merch, how to score an Indicator t-shirt, and the winning name of our new mascot.
• Preorder the t-shirt now at shopnpr.org/indicator
• Sign up for Planet Money+ to access more Indicator merch
Related episodes:
Name our mascot. ...
• Preorder the t-shirt now at shopnpr.org/indicator
• Sign up for Planet Money+ to access more Indicator merch
Related episodes:
Name our mascot. ...
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May 31, 2024 • 9 mins
Indicators of the Week is back, where we dig into three economic snapshots from the global economy. This week, we are exploring consumers' ever so slightly improved perception of the economy, what's going on with carbon offsets, and why China is sending some pandas to U.S. zoos.
Related Episodes:
Actors back. Pandas gone. WeBankrupt. (Apple / Spotify)
How Red Lobster got cooked and other indicators (Apple / Spotify...
Related Episodes:
Actors back. Pandas gone. WeBankrupt. (Apple / Spotify)
How Red Lobster got cooked and other indicators (Apple / Spotify...
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May 30, 2024 • 9 mins
It's time for The Indicator Quiz!
We test you, dear listener, on your knowledge of topics that we've covered on The Indicator!
Today's quiz focuses on ch-ch-changes. (That's a David Bowie reference, kids!) We're covering changes in the economy, the environment, the rental market, you get the picture. We're even tossing in a question about an AI-resurrected rapper.
Play along with us and see how you do!
We test you, dear listener, on your knowledge of topics that we've covered on The Indicator!
Today's quiz focuses on ch-ch-changes. (That's a David Bowie reference, kids!) We're covering changes in the economy, the environment, the rental market, you get the picture. We're even tossing in a question about an AI-resurrected rapper.
Play along with us and see how you do!
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May 29, 2024 • 9 mins
Eight times a year, we award regional Federal Reserve Banks with our coveted Beigie Award. While the anecdotes within the Beige Book offer us fascinating looks into the economy, to others, it can be difficult to make anything of the stories they tell. That's why we're giving out a special Beigie award today to some economists who found a way to use anecdotes to peer into our economic future.
Regional Economic Sentiment: Co...
Regional Economic Sentiment: Co...
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May 28, 2024 • 9 mins
Dental therapists have been practicing in other parts of the world for decades, but in the U.S. they are relatively few and far between. Like a hygienist, dental therapists can do cleanings as well as some procedures usually reserved for dentists, like simple extractions. They could also be the solution to getting underserved, rural communities better oral care. Today on the show, new momentum for dental therapy and why the America...
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May 24, 2024 • 9 mins
Indicators of the Week is back! On today's episode, we discuss Red Lobster's bankruptcy, the rancid vibes of the U.S. economy, and a surprising shift in vices among Americans.
Related episodes:
Endless shrimp and other indicators (Apple / Spotify)
Is the financial media making us miserable about the economy? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Plan...
Related episodes:
Endless shrimp and other indicators (Apple / Spotify)
Is the financial media making us miserable about the economy? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Plan...
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May 23, 2024 • 9 mins
Last week, President Biden placed tariffs on a slew of Chinese goods. When Donald Trump was president, he did the same. Regardless of who wins the election, the US is gearing up for heavy tariffs on imports in 2024. But this is far from the first time the economic tool has been in style.
Today, a brief history of US tariffs: how they came into fashion, fell out of fashion, are now back again and why economists aren't too...
Today, a brief history of US tariffs: how they came into fashion, fell out of fashion, are now back again and why economists aren't too...
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May 22, 2024 • 8 mins
In August 2020, Epic Games launched a legal assault against both Google and Apple, alleging that their mobile app stores are illegal monopolies. Almost four years later, Epic could be close to forcing Google to make major changes to its Play Store.
Today, we explain the legal battle behind Epic v. Google and why the outcome could have major implications for where consumers get their apps and how they pay for them.
Today, we explain the legal battle behind Epic v. Google and why the outcome could have major implications for where consumers get their apps and how they pay for them.
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May 21, 2024 • 9 mins
With a few clicks of AI software, anyone can conjure the voice or visual likeness of a dead celebrity — or really anyone. This new world has opened up a bunch of new legal questions about the rights of people and their heirs to control digital replicas of themselves. Today on the show, how a Drake diss track featuring the voice of Tupac made it into the Congressional record, and how it may lead to more regulation of AI.
T...
T...
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May 20, 2024 • 9 mins
Homes are not just where we eat and sleep, but one of the primary ways people build generational wealth in the U.S. But with home shortages and harsh climates, rural America's path to building that wealth looks a little different than other parts of the country. Today on the show, we focus in on housing challenges in Alabama's Black Belt and one innovative solution to preserving generational wealth.
Related:
There is g...
Related:
There is g...
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May 17, 2024 • 9 mins
Indicators of the Week is back. This time, an in-depth look at what Biden's massive tariffs on Chinese imports might mean for inflation and jobs. After that, why it may soon become easier to become a certified public accountant, addressing that nagging CPA shortage.
Related Episodes:
If the world had no accountants (Apple / Spotify)
The surprising leader in EVs (Apple / Spotify)
How electric vehicles got their ...
Related Episodes:
If the world had no accountants (Apple / Spotify)
The surprising leader in EVs (Apple / Spotify)
How electric vehicles got their ...
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May 16, 2024 • 8 mins
For decades, the Dominican Republic's economy has been growing at a remarkably steady pace. The Caribbean nation of 11 million people is today considered a middle-income nation, but the International Monetary Fund projects it could become an advanced economy within the next 40 years.
Today on the show, we uncover the reasons behind the Dominican Republic's economic success and whether or not these benefits are being felt w...
Today on the show, we uncover the reasons behind the Dominican Republic's economic success and whether or not these benefits are being felt w...
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May 15, 2024 • 9 mins
The latest inflation numbers are in. This month's Consumer Price Index, or the CPI, is ... well, good and bad news for renters.
Shelter prices went up over the last year, but at a slower pace. Shelter makes up nearly a third of the CPI.
Today's episode: Rent. Where is it high? Where is it low? What exactly is "coffee milk"? The Indicator tours the U.S. to bring you the answers.
Related Episodes:
Wh...
Shelter prices went up over the last year, but at a slower pace. Shelter makes up nearly a third of the CPI.
Today's episode: Rent. Where is it high? Where is it low? What exactly is "coffee milk"? The Indicator tours the U.S. to bring you the answers.
Related Episodes:
Wh...
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May 14, 2024 • 9 mins
When June Carbone, Naomi Cahn and Nancy Levit set out to write a book about women in the workforce, they initially thought it would be a story all about women's march towards workplace equality. But when they looked at the data, they found something more disturbing: of the ways in which women's push toward workplace equality has actually been stalled for years.
In today's episode, law professor June Carbone argues that t...
In today's episode, law professor June Carbone argues that t...
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May 13, 2024 • 9 mins
Advancements in cryptocurrency networks are sparking conversations about the potential for Central Bank Digital Currencies, or CBDCs for short. Advocates for CBDCs think they would provide security and unlock more efficient fiscal policy actions. However, opponents believe they would provide a shortcut for government interference and the erosion of privacy.
Today on the show, we'll dive deep into the world of CBDCs and po...
Today on the show, we'll dive deep into the world of CBDCs and po...
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May 10, 2024 • 9 mins
Indicators of the Week is back! This time, we dig into why gold prices are spiking, why the Biden administration has only spent a small portion of money pledged to infrastructure projects, and what the spurt of streaming consolidations means for you.
Related episodes:
Gold Rush 2.0
The semiconductor shortage (still) (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
The secret entrance that sidesteps Hollywood picket lines (Apple Podc...
Related episodes:
Gold Rush 2.0
The semiconductor shortage (still) (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
The secret entrance that sidesteps Hollywood picket lines (Apple Podc...
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