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
July 4, 2025 • 20 mins
This episode was first published as a bonus episode for our Planet Money+ listeners. Today, we're making it available for everyone!
U.S. aid helped Eswatini and Lesotho, two small countries in southern Africa, in their efforts to treat and curb the spread of HIV. Will President Trump's "America First" foreign policy threaten years of progress there against the virus?
In this bonus episode, we're featuring an exte...
U.S. aid helped Eswatini and Lesotho, two small countries in southern Africa, in their efforts to treat and curb the spread of HIV. Will President Trump's "America First" foreign policy threaten years of progress there against the virus?
In this bonus episode, we're featuring an exte...
Mark as Played
July 3, 2025 • 9 mins
The Trump administration's crackdown on immigrants might be the most profound change in the American labor market right now. Industries that rely on immigrant labor are especially vulnerable, as ICE continues to raid businesses believed to have unauthorized workers.
Today on the show, we talk to representatives from the agriculture, construction and long-term care industries to ask: Are people still showing up to work? <...
Today on the show, we talk to representatives from the agriculture, construction and long-term care industries to ask: Are people still showing up to work? <...
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July 2, 2025 • 8 mins
We are back with another edition of listener questions! In this round, we tackle recession pop, why the job market feels so crummy for IT grads, and whether President Trump saying that Walmart "eat the tariffs" is a form of price control.
Related episodes:
Hits of the Dips: Songs of recessions past (Apple / Spotify)
The beef over price controls
Price Controls, Black Markets, and Skimpflation: The WWII Battle Agai...
Related episodes:
Hits of the Dips: Songs of recessions past (Apple / Spotify)
The beef over price controls
Price Controls, Black Markets, and Skimpflation: The WWII Battle Agai...
Mark as Played
July 1, 2025 • 9 mins
Over the past century, the world's human population has exploded from around 2 billion to 8 billion. Meanwhile, the average fertility rate has gradually declined. And if that trend continues as it has, we may soon see a crash in the population rate, which some argue could have disastrous effects.
Today on the show, we talk to co-authors Michael Geruso and Dean Spears about their forthcoming book After the Spike: Population...
Today on the show, we talk to co-authors Michael Geruso and Dean Spears about their forthcoming book After the Spike: Population...
Mark as Played
June 30, 2025 • 9 mins
Whether you're watching Love Island in an RV or streaming a playlist in a remote California campground, if you're using satellite internet, odds are you're using Elon Musk's Starlink.
Today on the show, we learn how Starlink got such a big lead in the satellite market and if it can stay ahead of the European Union, China, and, of course, Jeff Bezos.
Related episodes:
Elon's giant rocket
Why I joined DOGE ...
Today on the show, we learn how Starlink got such a big lead in the satellite market and if it can stay ahead of the European Union, China, and, of course, Jeff Bezos.
Related episodes:
Elon's giant rocket
Why I joined DOGE ...
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June 27, 2025 • 9 mins
It's ... Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.
On today's episode: Could more babies change the climate in a big way? Why did a U.S. judge side with AI company Anthropic? And why is the bond market so chill these days?
Related episodes:
Artists vs. AI
You told us how tariffs are affecting you (Apple/Spotify)
For sponsor-free episod...
On today's episode: Could more babies change the climate in a big way? Why did a U.S. judge side with AI company Anthropic? And why is the bond market so chill these days?
Related episodes:
Artists vs. AI
You told us how tariffs are affecting you (Apple/Spotify)
For sponsor-free episod...
Mark as Played
June 26, 2025 • 8 mins
During World War II, the U.S. shipbuilding industry flourished. Now, it's nearly non-existent. China is the dominant shipbuilder in the world economy. On today's show, we look at what happened to American shipbuilding and the protectionist impulses that could stifle a revival.
Related episodes:
Will Iran block the Strait of Hormuz?
The great turnaround in shipping
The wide open possibility of the high seas
Related episodes:
Will Iran block the Strait of Hormuz?
The great turnaround in shipping
The wide open possibility of the high seas
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June 25, 2025 • 9 mins
What's the price to save a human life? We examine the monumental legacy of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with journalist Jon Cohen, who traveled to Eswatini and Lesotho to learn how cuts under the Trump Administration are hitting people at the clinic door.
Related episodes:
The gutting of USAID
How USAID cuts hurts farmers
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Pla...
Related episodes:
The gutting of USAID
How USAID cuts hurts farmers
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Pla...
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June 24, 2025 • 9 mins
The world has held a close eye on the Strait of Hormuz lately with Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran. Nearly a quarter of the world's seaborne oil passes through the narrow waterway, and many are worried Iran could shut the strait down. Today on the show, we explore what it would mean for Iran to close off the strait, and what insurance could tell us about tensions in the Middle East.
Related episodes:
Oil prices and the...
Related episodes:
Oil prices and the...
Mark as Played
June 23, 2025 • 9 mins
Americans like to spend money. In fact, we spend more per person than almost any other country in the world. So, we wanted to know how an uncertain economy is affecting that. Today on the show, we hear from consumers directly on how their spending habits have changed the past few months.
Related episodes:
How's ... everybody doing? (Apple / Spotify)
Three ways consumers are feeling the pinch (Apple / Spotify)
Related episodes:
How's ... everybody doing? (Apple / Spotify)
Three ways consumers are feeling the pinch (Apple / Spotify)
Mark as Played
June 20, 2025 • 8 mins
It's ... Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.
On today's episode: the Senate passes the GENIUS Act, the SALT cap might be DOA in the OBBB, and a gender split on the state of the economy.
Related episodes:
How stable is Stablecoin? (Apple / Spotify)
Feeling inflation in the grocery store
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator f...
On today's episode: the Senate passes the GENIUS Act, the SALT cap might be DOA in the OBBB, and a gender split on the state of the economy.
Related episodes:
How stable is Stablecoin? (Apple / Spotify)
Feeling inflation in the grocery store
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator f...
Mark as Played
June 18, 2025 • 9 mins
Last week, the U.S. Treasury held an auction for 30-year bonds. Some were worried no one would show up to buy these things! That didn't happen, but the 'long bond' isn't exactly thriving at the moment. Today on the show, we look back at why we have such a long maturity bond and why it might be a good idea to start paying attention to it going forward.
Related episodes:
Bond market nightmares (Apple / Spotify)
Bond vi...
Related episodes:
Bond market nightmares (Apple / Spotify)
Bond vi...
Mark as Played
June 17, 2025 • 8 mins
Last month, Eric Trump, executive vice president at The Trump Organization, attended a ceremony in Vietnam to break ground on a $1.5 billion residential development and golf course. This comes as Vietnam's government is in trade talks with the administration of Eric's father, President Donald Trump.
Today on the show, we look at how the Trump family's business projects in Vietnam are raising red flags when it comes to gov...
Today on the show, we look at how the Trump family's business projects in Vietnam are raising red flags when it comes to gov...
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June 16, 2025 • 9 mins
Nintendo has been a titan in the video game industry for decades, but that wasn't always the case. At its very core, Nintendo sees itself as a toy company which is evident in its products from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) to the Nintendo Switch 2.
Today on the show, we explore Nintendo's history and examine how a small playing card company in Japan became a multimedia giant.
Related episodes:
Foreve...
Today on the show, we explore Nintendo's history and examine how a small playing card company in Japan became a multimedia giant.
Related episodes:
Foreve...
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June 13, 2025 • 8 mins
It's ... Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.
On today's episode: the monetary cost of Trump's military parade, looks like FEMA could be phased out, and another change to Warner Bros. Discovery.
Related episodes:
Coyote vs. Warner Bros. Discovery (Apple / Spotify)
Gilded Age 2.0? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The ...
On today's episode: the monetary cost of Trump's military parade, looks like FEMA could be phased out, and another change to Warner Bros. Discovery.
Related episodes:
Coyote vs. Warner Bros. Discovery (Apple / Spotify)
Gilded Age 2.0? (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The ...
Mark as Played
June 12, 2025 • 8 mins
Healthcare churn—when people switch insurance plans—is particularly bad in the US.
In today's episode, why Americans switch healthcare plans so much, and how that can cost a lot in money ... and in health.
Related episode:
How doctors helped tank universal health care (Apple / Spotify)
Healthcare And Economic Despair
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet...
In today's episode, why Americans switch healthcare plans so much, and how that can cost a lot in money ... and in health.
Related episode:
How doctors helped tank universal health care (Apple / Spotify)
Healthcare And Economic Despair
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet...
Mark as Played
June 11, 2025 • 9 mins
There's something interesting happening at the Port of Baltimore. On today's show, we explore the hidden world of bonded warehouses, where you can stash your imported Latvian vodka or Dutch beer tariff free (for a while).
Related episodes:
Tariffied! We check in on businesses (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at p...
Related episodes:
Tariffied! We check in on businesses (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at p...
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June 10, 2025 • 9 mins
For four decades, the US has maintained a consistent policy position: money should be fairly free to come and go in and out of the country. That's changing.
Two sections in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would add friction. First is a 3.5% tax on immigrants sending money home, commonly known as remittances. Second is what's known as Section 899 or, colloquially, the 'revenge tax'. This one is making Wall Street wary. It w...
Two sections in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would add friction. First is a 3.5% tax on immigrants sending money home, commonly known as remittances. Second is what's known as Section 899 or, colloquially, the 'revenge tax'. This one is making Wall Street wary. It w...
Mark as Played
June 9, 2025 • 9 mins
A debate has been raging over universal health care in the U.S. since the 1940s. Back then, a formidable opponent emerged to dump a lot of money into ensuring it wouldn't happen. That opponent was doctors. Today on the show, Sally Helm, a Planet Money reporter, comes to us in her capacity as the host of HISTORY This Week to detail how doctors helped tank single pay healthcare back then and the role communism played in the fight.
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June 6, 2025 • 9 mins
For the last couple of years, U.S. labor productivity has been on the rise. And economists don't know exactly why. So today on the show, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago plays economic detective and helps us investigate some different theories about why U.S. workers seem to be more productive than in prior decades.
Related episodes:
What keeps a Fed president up at night (Apple / Spotify)
Product...
Related episodes:
What keeps a Fed president up at night (Apple / Spotify)
Product...
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