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. Got money on your mind? 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. A subscription also gets you access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions.
Episodes
July 5, 2022 • 9 min
Amid daunting gas prices, President Biden's proposed federal gas tax holiday sounds like a sweet relief. But the economics behind this tax break reveals the push and pull between consumers and oil companies, and an unexpected outcome.
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July 1, 2022 • 9 min
After the G7 talks, we're turning our attention back to Russia. But in typical The Indicator fashion, we're zooming in on three global commodities affected by the ongoing war: gold, oil, and wheat.
Planet Money and The Indicator are looking for our intern for fall through winter. Come work with us! We would love to have you. And it's paid! Go to npr.org/internships to apply. Deadline is Sunday, July 10th.
Planet Money and The Indicator are looking for our intern for fall through winter. Come work with us! We would love to have you. And it's paid! Go to npr.org/internships to apply. Deadline is Sunday, July 10th.
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June 30, 2022 • 9 min
Have you ever wondered where the terms 'bull' and 'bear' markets originated from? Today on the show, we're journeying back to the 1700s to find out how a particular financial event popularized these animal terms.
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June 29, 2022 • 9 min
On a scale of 1 to 10, how effective are the sanctions on Russia? Today on the show, we're grading the hodgepodge of sanctions aimed at persuading Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
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June 28, 2022 • 9 min
Black consumers are more likely to own crypto than white consumers and crypto enthusiasts laud the crypto world as a driver for racial equity. In today's show we explore that premise. If you're interested in learning more, listen to the episode and check out Terri Bradford's article on Black crypto ownership.
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June 27, 2022 • 9 min
From Jimmy Fallon to Reese Witherspoon, why are so many celebrities promoting crypto? We untangle the web of connections between Hollywood A-listers, Bored Apes, and one influential talent agency, with journalist Max Read. He wrote about this in his Substack newsletter, Read Max.
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June 24, 2022 • 9 min
This Friday, we're looking at fast-food companies who are still hanging on in Russia. Juul getting banned. And as a cherry on top, THE Ohio State University deciding to patent you guessed it, "the."
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June 23, 2022 • 9 min
The crypto market has taken a beating lately, and even though Bitcoin and other crypto assets are risky, they're becoming more mainstream. How concerned do we need to be about the recent crypto collapse?
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June 22, 2022 • 9 min
What took the Fed so long to address high inflation? Today on the show, we're exploring six reasons behind the Fed's hesitancy to hike interest rates, according to Bill Nelson, who spent two decades working for the Federal Reserve. For more background, check out our episode last week, Jerome Powell's ghosts.
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June 21, 2022 • 9 min
Everyone's a stock trader these days. With a press of a button, companies like Robinhood allow everyday people to buy and sell shares with no fee. But, this practice is just a tad bit controversial.
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June 17, 2022 • 9 min
With rising interest rates, this economy has got us scratching our heads. To rent, or not to rent? To borrow money, or not to borrow? To qualify for a mortgage...or maybe not. Maybe our three indicators on the housing market will give clues.
Hey, we're off for Juneteenth but The Indicator will be back on Tuesday!
Hey, we're off for Juneteenth but The Indicator will be back on Tuesday!
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June 16, 2022 • 9 min
School's out, and so are pandemic-era relief measures for families with children. But when universal free lunches and expanded child tax credits roll to a halt, what are the consequences?
Take NPR's annual podcast survey – especially if you're a new listener! It's short, anonymous, and will help us serve you better!
Take NPR's annual podcast survey – especially if you're a new listener! It's short, anonymous, and will help us serve you better!
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June 15, 2022 • 9 min
The Fed hiked interest rates by 0.75 percentage points. But why the sudden jump now? Why not earlier? To understand the psyche of the Fed and its chair, Jerome Powell, we're turning back the clock to the 2013 Taper Tantrum, and a 2019 road trip.
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June 14, 2022 • 9 min
3... 2... 1... GONE? Already? The Telfar Shopping Bag's been considered the "it" bag the last few years, if you can get your hands on one. It's also making big fashion statements by redefining luxury and accessibility in the fashion world.
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June 13, 2022 • 9 min
For the corporate engagement of Elon Musk and Twitter, the road to the chapel has been unusually rocky. So how are these deals supposed to go, anyway?
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June 10, 2022 • 9 min
Welcome to the macroeconomic bar fight. Today, fists are being thrown over the causes of high inflation. But off to the corner stands John Cochrane, an economist with a core explanation for rising prices: government borrowing and spending.
Check out some of our earlier episodes on inflation:
- Why some economists last year were concerned about low interest rates and high government borrowing and spending
- Why the term 'transit...
Check out some of our earlier episodes on inflation:
- Why some economists last year were concerned about low interest rates and high government borrowing and spending
- Why the term 'transit...
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June 9, 2022 • 9 min
June. School's out, the sun is shining and most importantly, the Beige Book is here again! Among the Federal Reserve Banks, which gave the best anecdote about how the economy is doing?
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June 8, 2022 • 8 min
For decades, antitrust agencies focused on the harm to consumers. But lately, the federal government has started paying more attention to anticompetitive behavior when it comes to workers. Could this be a major turning point for antitrust enforcement?
For more on monopsony, check out the paper referenced in the show: Monopsony in Labor Markets: A Meta-Analysis.
Take NPR's annual podcast survey – especially if you're a new li...
For more on monopsony, check out the paper referenced in the show: Monopsony in Labor Markets: A Meta-Analysis.
Take NPR's annual podcast survey – especially if you're a new li...
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June 7, 2022 • 9 min
What happens to the flow of venture capital when the market drops? We look at each player – from limited partners to venture capitalists to startups – and the choices they face when turbulent times are ahead.
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June 6, 2022 • 9 min
Ah, college... the classes, the parties, the debt. Is it still worth it? While most schools are seeing their enrollment decline, 'elite' schools are receiving a jump in applications.
Take NPR's annual podcast survey – especially if you're a new listener! It's short, anonymous, and will help us serve you better!
Take NPR's annual podcast survey – especially if you're a new listener! It's short, anonymous, and will help us serve you better!
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