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.
Episodes
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Economic decisions aren’t only driven by hard data. A compelling story can change economic behavior and outcomes. In today’s episode, we explore real-world examples of “narrative economics” like how the Suez Canal ended up getting built. And we ask: why do narratives sometimes matter more than truth or data?
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This indicator hasn’t flashed this red since the dot-com bubble
Tariffs. ...
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Lisa Cook and the fight for the Fed
Trump's unp...
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Why tech bros are trying to give away all their money (kind of)
For sponsor...
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How much is AI actually affecting the workforce?
AI creates, transforms and destroys... jobs
When does youth employment become child labor?
For sponsor-...
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Venezuela’s economic descent (Update)
Venezuela’s recent economic history (Update)
Wh...
But what if that data meant a grocer could charge you a different price than another shopper?
On today's show, the evolving price tag.
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Should 's...
Today on the show, tracing cocaine’s journey from the Andes to the streets of U.S. cit...
Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi made waves last fall after saying her country might intervene if China invaded Taiwan. In response, China launched state-organized boycotts against Japan — canceling concerts, restricting seafood imports, and even recalling pandas. Today on the show, what does it look like for a state to organize a boycott, and does it work?
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How Japan’s new pr...
On today’s show, we’re revisiting our episode about Venezuela’s economy, and hear from our contact in Caracas.
Send us...
We had bad consumer sentiment vibes, tariffs, and a seemingly ascendant stock market. And those are just a few indicators from last year!
As we enter 2026, what indicators should we keep an eye on … in the future? On today’s episode, our top indicator predictions for the new year.
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What AI data centers are doing to your electric bill
Tariffs. Consumer s...
This episode originally aired Oct. 3, 2025.
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Why moms are leaving their paid jobs
How the end of Roe is reshaping the medical workforce
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe...
This episode originally aired June 5, 2025.
Related: Trump's tariff role model
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, su...
This piece originally aired Jan. 25, 2025.
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The young trolls of Wall Street are growing up
Invest like a Congress member
Many men in the U.S. feel like they're not doing as well as their fathers. But what does the data say? This episode, we're sharing an extended conversation between Darian Woods and Richard Reeves, the president of the American Institute for Boys and Men. They discuss what's really going on with men's wages. Richard also argues economic and cultural changes are needed to address the struggles unique to working-cl...
For the next week, we're running some of our favorite shows from this year. On today's show, a brief history of Nintendo and how a small playing card company in Japan became a gaming juggernaut.
This piece originally aired June 16, 2025.
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Inside video game economics
Forever games: the economics of the live service model
The boom and bust of esports
Read more
Happy Holidays from The Indicator! For the next week, we're running some of our favorite shows from this year. On today's show, why celebrities are increasingly investing in their own brands.
This piece originally aired August 14, 2025.Related episodes:
The celebrity crypto nexus
The Olympian to influencer pipeline (Apple / Spotify)
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Planet Money Summer School 2: Index Funds & The Bet
Brilliant vs. Boring
With an unprecedented decades-long run of success, Warren Buffett is retiring on December 31, 2025. Buffett’s turning point began with the acquisition of a failing textile mill called Berkshire Hathaway. What began as a “terrible mistake” became the foundation for his empire. Today on the show, how did Buffett become this legendary figure?
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Our hosts from Planet Money and The Indicator duke it out during our annual … Family Feud!
Tell us who you think has THE indicator of the year by emailing us at indica...
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