Welcome back to Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.  On today’s episode: Influencers for ICE https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/12/31/ice-wartime-recruitment-push/, China’s tremendous trade surplus, and America heads back to the moon.  RELATED EPISODES:  We resolve to watch these 2026 indicators  https://www.npr.org/2026/01/02/nx-s1-5662709/we-resolve-to-watch-these-2026-indicators China's trade war perspective https://www.npr.org/2025/04/22/1246322286/chinas-trade-war-perspective  Who owns the moon? https://www.npr.org/2021/08/18/1029084078/who-owns-the-moon http://plus.npr.org/ https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Jan 16

203 years ago, President James Monroe declared the Western Hemisphere off limits to powerful countries in Europe. Fast forward, and President Trump is reviving the Monroe Doctrine to justify intervening in places like Venezuela https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115879509461234235, and threatening further action in other parts of Latin America and Greenland. On today’s show, how is Trump redefining the Monroe Doctrine and what does it mean for the world?RELATED EPISODES: Add to cart: Greenland Is the Panama Canal a rip-off? https://www.npr.org/2025/03/05/1235939386/us-panama-canal-shipping-fees- Venezuela didn’t steal U.S. oil. Here’s what happened https://www.npr.org/2026/01/08/nx-s1-5670419/venezuela-didnt-steal-u-s-oil-heres-what-happened   Can Europe stand without the U.S. https://www.npr.org/2025/03/26/1240892104/can-europe-stand-without-the-us For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org http://plus.npr.org/. Fact-checking by Vito Emanuel. Music by Drop Electric https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/. Find us: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, Newsletter https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money.   Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Jan 15

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? Related episodes:  This indicator hasn’t flashed this red since the dot-com bubble https://www.npr.org/2025/11/06/nx-s1-5600041/this-indicator-hasnt-flashed-this-red-since-the-dot-com-bubble  Tariffs. Consumer sentiment. Cape Ratio. Pick The Indicator of The Year! https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5648809/tariffs-consumer-sentiment-cape-ratio-pick-the-indicator-of-the-year  The Beigie Awards: Manufacturing takes center stage https://www.npr.org/2023/09/19/1197954171/the-indicator-from-planet-money-09-19-2023 For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org http://plus.npr.org/. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez. Music by Drop Electric https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/. Find us: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, Newsletter https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money.   Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

8m

Jan 14

Over the weekend, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the Department of Justice served the Fed with grand jury subpoenas. Powell says it’s all a sham. But the stakes are unprecedented: A potential criminal indictment. Central bank independence. Today on the show, the administration’s case against the Fed. How did we get here? And what comes next? RELATED EPISODES:  Lisa Cook and the fight for the Fed https://www.npr.org/2025/08/29/nx-s1-5522330/lisa-cook-trump-lawsuit-federal-reserve-independence Trump's unprecedented attack on the Fed   https://www.npr.org/2025/08/26/nx-s1-5518335/trumps-unprecedented-attack-on-the-fed A primer on the Federal Reserve's independence https://www.npr.org/2025/04/23/1246593555/federal-reserve-independence Why Is The Fed So Boring? https://www.npr.org/2021/06/15/1006953751/why-is-the-fed-so-boring http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

8m

Jan 13

While Americans are known for their generosity, the U.S. government, increasingly, is not. The Trump administration’s cuts to SNAP benefits among other aid programs have forced states, foundations and donors to fill the gaps. But can they? On today’s show, the limits of philanthropic efforts to supplant federal aid.  RELATED EPISODES:  Why tech bros are trying to give away all their money (kind of) https://www.npr.org/2023/03/24/1165958666/why-tech-bros-are-trying-to-give-away-all-their-money-kind-of  http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

8m

Jan 12

Karissa Tang is a 17-year-old in California who got curious about the impact of AI on typical teen jobs like cashiers and fast food counter workers. She embarked on an ambitious economic research project and shares her findings with us. RELATED EPISODES:  How much is AI actually affecting the workforce? https://www.npr.org/2025/09/04/nx-s1-5527315/how-much-is-ai-actually-affecting-the-workforce AI creates, transforms and destroys... jobs https://www.npr.org/2023/12/08/1197958787/ai-jobs-friday When does youth employment become child labor? https://www.npr.org/2024/03/20/1197963204/youth-employment-child-labor-workforce http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Jan 09

President Trump claims Venezuela stole American oil. Is that true? We trace Venezuela's oil industry from its 1920s birth through nationalization and then collapse. Today on the show, how did the Venezuelan oil industry get to a point where it’s barely pulling from its reserves? And will anything change now? Related episodes:  Venezuela’s economic descent (Updated) https://www.npr.org/2026/01/03/nx-s1-5665743/venezuelas-economic-descent-updated  Venezuela’s recent economic history (Update) https://www.npr.org/2026/01/04/nx-s1-5666322/venezuela-hyperinflation-maduro-gonzalez  Why oil in Guyana could be a curse https://www.npr.org/2024/01/10/1197960933/why-oil-in-guyana-could-be-a-curse For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org http://plus.npr.org/. Fact-checking by Julia Ritchey. Music by Drop Electric https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/. Find us: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, Newsletter https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money.   Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Jan 08

When you're in a grocery store nowadays, chances are your data is being collected. From a swipe of the loyalty card to the purchase of an ice cream pint, your data tells stores what you like, how much they should stock, and more.  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.   RELATED EPISODES: Should 'surveillance pricing' be banned?  https://www.npr.org/2025/09/23/nx-s1-5550264/should-surveillance-pricing-be-banned How Grocery Shelves Get Stacked https://www.npr.org/2019/04/30/718711109/how-grocery-shelves-get-stacked  How niche brands got into your local supermarket https://www.npr.org/2024/01/25/1197961375/battle-grocery-shelf-space-niche-brands http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Jan 07

Former Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, appeared in a New York court yesterday. He’s facing drug-trafficking and weapons charges after the U.S. abducted him and his wife in an explosive operation over the weekend. But is there any credibility to the drug-trafficking accusations? And what does the cocaine supply chain look like in 2026? Today on the show, tracing cocaine’s journey from the Andes to the streets of U.S. cities. FURTHER READING:  Ioan Grillo – El Narco https://www.ioangrillo.com/books/ RELATED EPISODES:  Venezuela’s economic descent (Updated) https://www.npr.org/2026/01/03/nx-s1-5665743/venezuelas-economic-descent-updated Why Are Venezuelans Starving? https://www.npr.org/2019/03/20/705259623/why-are-venezuelans-starving Lessons from a former drug dealer https://www.npr.org/2022/05/16/1099240553/lessons-from-a-former-drug-dealer http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1200794832/cooper-katz-mckim https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Jan 06

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? RELATED EPISODES: How Japan’s new prime minister is jolting markets https://www.npr.org/2025/12/03/nx-s1-5629205/how-japans-new-prime-minister-is-jolting-markets When do boycotts work? https://www.npr.org/2025/04/28/1247707503/when-do-boycotts-work  Forging Taiwan's Silicon Shield https://www.npr.org/2022/10/07/1127595393/taiwan-miracle-semiconductor-silicon-shield-china For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org http://plus.npr.org/. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez. Music by Drop Electric https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/. Find us: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, Newsletter https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money.   Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Jan 05

At The Indicator, we’ve been following the conditions in Venezuela over the years. In 2024 we covered how Venezuela’s economy went into freefall, and have been checking in with an economist there frequently — including after the U.S. attacked over the weekend, deposing its leader Nicolás Maduro. On today’s show, we’re revisiting our episode about Venezuela’s economy, and hear from our contact in Caracas.  Send us questions you’d like The Indicator to answer on future episodes about Venezuela: indicator@npr.org. RELATED EPISODES: The Measure of a Tragedy https://www.npr.org/transcripts/621563128 Why are Venezuelans starving? https://www.npr.org/2019/03/20/705259623/why-are-venezuelans-starving An Economist in Caracas: Day In The Life https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2019/03/27/707396339/an-economist-in-caracas-day-in-the-life  http://plus.npr.org/ https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

10m

Jan 03

2025 is over.  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. RELATED: What AI data centers are doing to your electric bill https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649814/ai-data-center-electricity-bill Tariffs. Consumer sentiment. Cape ratio. Pick the Indicator of the Year! https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5648809/tariffs-consumer-sentiment-cape-ratio-pick-the-indicator-of-the-year What indicators will 2025 bring? https://www.npr.org/2024/12/23/1221439465/indicators-of-the-year-economy-tariffs-inflation-soft-landing  http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

8m

Jan 02

Americans are moving at record lows for work. What’s driving people to, well, not drive cross-country for jobs? On today’s episode, we explore the rising homebody economy.  RELATED EPISODES:  Why moms are leaving their paid jobs https://www.npr.org/2025/09/05/nx-s1-5529259/why-moms-are-leaving-their-paid-jobs  How the end of Roe is reshaping the medical workforce https://www.npr.org/2024/07/01/1197967379/obgyn-students-leaving-states-strict-abortion-bans  http://plus.npr.org/ https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

10m

Dec 31, 2025

To hear President Trump tell it, the late 1800s, i.e. the Gilded Age, were a period of unparalleled wealth and prosperity in the U.S. But this era was also marked by corruption and wealth inequality. Sound familiar? On today's show, is history repeating itself?This episode originally aired June 5, 2025.  Related: Trump's tariff role model https://www.npr.org/2025/02/05/1229167003/mckinley-trump-tin-tariffs  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 30, 2025

Seasons greetings from the The Indicator! On today's show, the story of a man who started buying and selling stocks as a hobby — and got seriously addicted. We also speak with a neuroeconomist about the human brain on day trading.  Related episodes:  The young trolls of Wall Street are growing up https://www.npr.org/2024/07/18/nx-s1-5043657/the-indicator-from-planet-money-the-young-trolls-of-wall-street-are-growing-up  Invest like a Congress member https://www.npr.org/2024/06/18/1197965254/stock-trading-congress-etfs-unusual-whales  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 29, 2025

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-class men. This interview was included in one of our bonus episodes for NPR+ supporters. Today we're sharing it with everyone. Learn more about NPR+ and sign up at plus.npr.org.  Find us: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, Newsletter https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money.   Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

24m

Dec 27, 2025

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. Related episodes:   Inside video game economics https://www.npr.org/2024/05/08/1197958978/two-indicators-gaming-industry   Forever games: the economics of the live service model https://www.npr.org/2024/04/22/1197963994/indicator-from-planet-money-live-service-games-warframe  The boom and bust of esports https://www.npr.org/2024/04/24/1197964043/the-boom-and-bust-of-esports  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

10m

Dec 26, 2025

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 https://www.npr.org/2022/06/27/1108033471/the-celebrity-crypto-nexus The Olympian to influencer pipeline (Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000667202033 / Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0AwikY1q07AQDkQxaiYpZL?si=41baac77d0e24287) http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 24, 2025

As Warren Buffett aged, he became a different sort of figure. He transformed from short-term investor into long-term builder. He used Berkshire Hathaway to start buying companies and build an empire. Today on the show, how did Buffett’s fame become an investment tool and hHow did he handle the biggest crisis of his career? Related episodes:  Planet Money Summer School 2: Index Funds & The Bet https://www.npr.org/2021/07/29/1022440582/planet-money-summer-school-2-index-funds-the-bet Brilliant vs. Boring https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/03/04/469247400/episode-688-brilliant-vs-boring For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org http://plus.npr.org/. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez. Music by Drop Electric https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/. Find us: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, Newsletter https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money.   Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

10m

Dec 23, 2025

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? Related episodes:  Planet Money Summer School 2: Index Funds & The Bet https://www.npr.org/2021/07/29/1022440582/planet-money-summer-school-2-index-funds-the-bet Brilliant vs. Boring https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/03/04/469247400/episode-688-brilliant-vs-boring For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org http://plus.npr.org/. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez. Music by Drop Electric https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/. Find us: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, Newsletter https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money.   Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 22, 2025

2025 was a wild year for the U.S. economy. Tariffs transformed the global economy, consumer sentiment hit near-historic lows, and the stock market hit scary, spooky, blood-curdling new heights! So … which of these economic stories defined the year?  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 indicator@npr.org. Put “Family Feud” in the subject line.  RELATED EPISODES: The Indicators of this year and next https://www.npr.org/2024/12/25/1221512103/indicator-of-the-year-family-feud  This indicator hasn’t flashed this red since the dot-com bubble https://www.npr.org/2025/11/06/nx-s1-5600041/this-indicator-hasnt-flashed-this-red-since-the-dot-com-bubble  What would it mean to actually refund the tariffs? https://www.npr.org/2025/12/02/nx-s1-5627159/what-would-it-mean-to-actually-refund-the-tariffs http://plus.npr.org/ https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 19, 2025

After a firehose of economic news in 2025, we wanted to check back on some of the people we’ve heard from on our show. Today, we check in with a former federal employee caught in the Trump administration's wood chipper, a Louisiana shrimper on Trump’s tariffs and an update on a financial aid scam. Related episodes:  Why do shrimpers like tariffs? https://www.npr.org/2025/05/07/1249592910/us-shrimping-industry-applauds-tariffs  What’s the long-term cost of federal layoffs? https://www.npr.org/2025/02/25/1233779222/opm-cfpb-musk-trump-federal-employees-layoffs  A big bank’s mistake, explained https://www.npr.org/2023/01/20/1150479114/a-big-banks-big-mistake-explained  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

10m

Dec 18, 2025

Absent a holiday miracle, premium subsidies for the Affordable Care Act are set to expire at the end of this year. This will greatly increase the cost of health insurance for many who rely on the marketplace for their coverage. Today on the show, we are visited by the ghosts of Obamacare past, present and future to learn what’s next for this landmark healthcare legislation. RELATED EPISODES:  Is Obamacare doomed without extended subsidies? https://www.npr.org/2025/10/29/nx-s1-5588653/is-obamacare-doomed-without-extended-subsidies The hidden costs of healthcare churn https://www.npr.org/2025/06/12/1254056490/healthcare-churn-insurance-medicaid-america How doctors helped tank universal healthcare https://www.npr.org/2025/06/09/1253891564/how-doctors-helped-tank-universal-health-care http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

8m

Dec 17, 2025

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act made a lot of changes to the federal student loan system. One of those changes put a new cap on the amount of loans students in graduate school can take on. Today on the show, we explain the theory behind this change and how it could impact the broader labor market going forward. RELATED EPISODES:  The Market For Student Loans https://www.npr.org/2020/07/01/886346296/the-market-for-student-loans Here's why Black students are defaulting https://www.npr.org/2022/07/18/1112145621/heres-why-black-students-are-defaulting Student loans are back, U.S. travel is whack, and AI — please, step back http://npr.org/2025/04/25/1247139368/student-loans-ai-artificial-intelligence-tourism-economy http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 16, 2025

Cities like Austin and Atlanta used to top lists of places people moved to looking for relatively affordable places to live. Until, one day, they weren’t that affordable. On today’s show, how a low cost of living is threatened by growth, and how one sunbelt city in Alabama is planning ahead.  RELATED EPISODES:  Why Americans don’t want to move for jobs anymore https://www.npr.org/2025/10/03/nx-s1-5561049/why-americans-dont-want-to-move-for-jobs-anymore  How to build abundantly https://www.npr.org/2025/05/27/1253209947/how-to-build-abundantly  How big is the US housing shortage? https://www.npr.org/2024/11/25/1215189230/how-trump-tariffs-imports  The highs and lows of US rents https://www.google.com/search?q=rent+price+npr+indicator&oq=rent+price+npr+indicator&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHjIICAkQABgWGB7SAQgzNDIyajBqNKgCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8  http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 15, 2025

It’s … Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.  On today’s episode: Nvidia chips OK’d for China, a sticky frozen Russian asset situation, and a lot of you seem to be stealing from self-checkout.  RELATED EPISODES: The tower of NVIDIA  https://www.npr.org/2024/06/24/1197965414/how-nvidia-jensen-huang-fueled-aiHow to get Russia to pay Ukraine https://www.npr.org/2024/03/07/1197962873/how-to-get-russia-to-pay-ukraine Why the U.S. cut China off from advanced chips https://www.npr.org/2022/10/19/1129990818/why-the-u-s-cut-china-off-from-advanced-chips http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 12, 2025

You may be familiar with the AI-fueled stock market boom. Well, former International Monetary Fund Chief Economist Gita Gopinath warns it could mirror the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. But worse. She calculates a similar crash could erase $35 trillion in global wealth https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2025/10/15/gita-gopinath-on-the-crash-that-could-torch-35trn-of-wealth. Today on the show, what would that mean for the US and global economies? Related episodes:  This indicator hasn’t flashed this red since the dot-com bubble https://www.npr.org/2025/11/06/nx-s1-5600041/this-indicator-hasnt-flashed-this-red-since-the-dot-com-bubble  Open AI’s deals are looking a little frothy https://www.npr.org/2025/10/16/nx-s1-5575729/openais-deals-are-looking-a-little-frothyFor sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org http://plus.npr.org/. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez. Music by Drop Electric https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/. Find us: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, Newsletter https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

10m

Dec 11, 2025

If you want to make Bitcoin, you need powerful computers and a lot of energy. Well, it turns out the same infrastructure needed for Bitcoin mining is pretty valuable in the era of AI. Today on the show, why some miners are starting to throw in the towel on crypto in favor of supporting AI infrastructure. Related episodes:  Whose financing Meta’s massive AI Data Center? https://www.npr.org/2025/11/25/nx-s1-5619276/whos-financing-metas-massive-ai-data-center This indicator hasn’t flashed this red since the dot-com bubble https://www.npr.org/2025/11/06/nx-s1-5600041/this-indicator-hasnt-flashed-this-red-since-the-dot-com-bubble For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org http://plus.npr.org/. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez. Music by Drop Electric https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/. Find us: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, Newsletter https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 10, 2025

Federal Reserve is meeting to make its interest rate decision after the government shutdown delayed key economic data. Today on the show, we talk to the former Vice Chair of the Fed, Lael Brainard, about what she would do with interest rates in this critical yet foggy economic moment. RELATED EPISODES:  A little doomsday feeling is weighing on the economy https://www.npr.org/2025/12/04/nx-s1-5630924/a-little-doomsday-feeling-is-weighing-on-the-economy Can ... we still trust the monthly jobs report? https://www.npr.org/2025/03/07/1236538089/doge-gdp-bls-department-of-labor-jobs-report http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney, https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/, https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney, https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 09, 2025

In November, the U.S. stopped production of the humble penny after 232 years in circulation. On today’s show, a former U.S. Mint director shares the fiscal math that doomed the penny, and an artist pay tribute to this American icon.  View more of Robert Wechsler’s artwork here https://robertwechsler.com/. RELATED EPISODES:  What’s the deal with the platinum coin? https://www.npr.org/2023/01/26/1151831868/whats-the-deal-with-the-platinum-coin   http://plus.npr.org/ https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/ https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

9m

Dec 08, 2025