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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s … Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news. On today’s episode: A big goshDRAM memory problem, a holiday spending mystery, and apartment rental prices … decline?! Related episodes:  The highs and lows of US rents https://www.npr.org/2024/05/15/1197964634/cpi-inflation-rental-market-matthew-mcconaughey  Taking the temperature of the US consumer https://www.npr.org/2023/10/12/1197955810/the-indicator-from-planet-money-consumer-sentiment-survey  We Buy A Lot Of Christmas Trees https://www.npr.org/2020/12/11/945606413/we-buy-a-lot-of-christmas-trees 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 05

It is a special edition of the Beigies Awards where one regional Federal Reserve Bank will receive lifetime achievement recognition. Today on the show, we speak to its President about the value of economic anecdotes.Related episodes:  What keeps a Fed president up at night https://www.npr.org/2025/04/10/1243870154/what-keeps-a-fed-president-up-at-night Using anecdotes to predict recessions https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/using-anecdotes-to-predict-recessions/id1320118593?i=1000657214485For 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 Tyler Jones. 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 04

Sanae Takaichi was sworn in as Japan’s first female prime minister a little over a month ago, and she’s already making waves in the East and West. The first priority for the people of Japan is if her government can fix the country’s cost-of-living problem. Today on the show, we break down what Sanaeonomics could mean for the Land of the Rising Sun. RELATED EPISODES How Japan is trying to solve the problem of shrinking villages https://www.npr.org/2024/09/04/1197972437/population-shrinking-japan-oldest-village Japan had a vibrant economy. Then it fell into a slump for 30 years https://www.npr.org/2024/04/03/1197958583/japan-lost-decade The Indicator from Planet Money 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 03

Tariffs are bringing in some serious cash into the US Treasury’s pocket. The problem with that money is that it may need to be refunded. A case in front of the Supreme Court could declare several of Trump’s tariffs illegal, which would prompt a return of billions of dollars. Today on the show, we look at how that would work and why the process will likely not be easy. Related episodes:  Three ways companies are getting around tariffs https://www.npr.org/2025/08/26/nx-s1-5515756/three-ways-companies-are-getting-around-tariffs Days of our tariffs https://www.npr.org/2025/11/19/nx-s1-5608384/tariffs-consumers-shipping-shopping-pricesFor 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 02

Why can't the US be like Europe, Japan or India—countries that all have extensive passenger train systems? On today's show, why the US chose not to. We learn why, despite this, US railroads could still be worth bragging about.Related episodes:  What happens when railroads get hitched https://www.npr.org/2025/08/21/nx-s1-5508248/what-happens-when-railroads-get-hitched How three letters reinvented the railroad business https://www.npr.org/2023/03/09/1162333378/how-three-letters-reinvented-the-railroad-business 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 01

Public sector economics is a fundamental piece of the discipline. So we wanted to give our hosts an opportunity to put their knowledge to the test in a game we’re calling Indicator Quizbowl. Today on the show, Wailin and Darian go head to head to see who the bigger public policy nerd is.Related episodes:  Could cash payments ease recessions? https://www.npr.org/2024/02/05/1197961671/could-cash-payments-ease-recessions A trap-loving DJ takes on economics https://www.npr.org/2025/04/21/1246202698/bad-bunny-wto-vat-trump 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

Nov 26

In a rural pocket of northeastern Louisiana, Meta is building a $30 billion data center called Hyperion. But it’s not being completely financed with Meta’s own money. Today on the show, the opaque system of AI data center financing and why it’s fueling fears of a bubble.  Related episodes:  OpenAI’s deals are looking a little frothy https://www.npr.org/2025/10/16/nx-s1-5575729/openais-deals-are-looking-a-little-frothy  No AI data centers in my backyard! https://www.npr.org/2025/10/22/nx-s1-5581445/no-ai-data-centers-in-my-backyard  What $10B in data centers actually gets you https://www.npr.org/2025/04/02/1242229718/ai-mississippi-jobs-data-centers-virginia  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

Nov 25

President Trump has said he’d try to get more Argentine beef into the U.S. So who would actually do the buying? That’s a general theme with a lot of these trade deals — big numbers but vague details. When China says it’ll buy more soybeans, is it the government or companies that does the buying? When South Korea promises to invest in American shipyards, who’s actually doing that?  Today on the show, we dig into two questions from listeners and hear directly from an Argentine butcher. Related episodes:  Why beef prices are so high https://www.npr.org/2025/09/15/nx-s1-5539846/why-beef-prices-are-so-high How the South is trying to win the EV race https://www.npr.org/2023/11/02/1197956548/evs-automakers-incentives-southeast 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

Nov 24

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 effects of pay transparency https://www.nber.org/papers/w34480, Meta’s big win, and freaky flies and beef.  RELATED EPISODES:  Are we entering a new dawn for antitrust enforcement? https://www.npr.org/2022/06/08/1103836051/are-we-entering-a-new-dawn-for-antitrust-enforcement  Why beef prices are so high https://www.npr.org/2025/09/18/nx-s1-5534424/beef-prices-record-high-cost  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

Nov 21

When people lose their homes to wildfire, hurricanes or flooding, they're eager to rebuild. But scammers are also ready to take advantage. On today’s show, the lucrative business of contractor fraud and advice on how to avoid them. Related episodes: An indicator lost: Big disaster costs https://www.npr.org/2025/06/04/1253616079/an-indicator-lost-big-disaster-costs  When insurers can’t get insurance https://www.npr.org/2023/06/22/1183854206/when-insurers-cant-get-insurance  Selling safety in the fight against wildfires https://www.npr.org/2023/09/21/1197954265/selling-safety-in-the-fight-against-wildfires  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

Nov 19

Foreign automakers already have huge assembly plants in the U.S., but lots of parts and materials come from overseas.  To avoid costly tariffs, they gotta buy American. But … How does one meet those suppliers? How do you build a new relationship with them? The answer: Speed dating.  RELATED EPISODES:  The old trade war that brought foreign carmakers to the U.S. https://www.npr.org/2025/05/21/1252663606/the-old-trade-war-that-brought-foreign-carmakers-to-the-us Tariffs: What are they good for? https://www.npr.org/2025/04/02/1242229719/planet-money-the-case-for-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

8m

Nov 19

The U.S. labor market is stagnant right now, with little hiring and lots of people holding onto their jobs for dear life. In Denmark, there’s a different kind of labor system where it’s easy for employers to hire and fire, but at the same time people have a strong safety net in-between jobs. Today on the show, we learn how “flexicurity” works through the story of a Danish woman who left her job, and we ask how the model could work in the U.S. Related episodes: Why do we live in unusually innovative times? How Marxism went from philosophy to cudgel Ozempic's biggest side effect: Turning Denmark into a 'pharmastate'? https://www.npr.org/sections/planet-money/2024/07/26/g-s1-13534/ozempic-biggest-side-effect-denmark-pharmastate 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 Tyler Jones. Translation from Jasmine Lolila. 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

Nov 18

Ever put in the winning bid for something on an auction site only to realize you significantly overpaid? Yeah, there’s a phrase for that. On today’s show: the winner’s curse. Richard Thaler’s new book with Alex O. Imas is The Winner’s Curse: Behavioral Economics Anomalies, Then and Now https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Winners-Curse/Richard-H-Thaler/9781982165116.Read Planet Money’s newsletter on the winner’s curse https://www.npr.org/sections/planet-money/2025/11/11/g-s1-96954/how-to-avoid-the-winners-curse.  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

Nov 17

It’s … Indicators of the Week! We look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news and bring them to you. On today’s episode: The cost of living is outstripping wage growth https://institute.bankofamerica.com/content/dam/economic-insights/paycheck-to-paycheck.pdf for most of us, the math https://apnews.com/article/home-prices-50-year-mortgage-trump-56a931881ca6f6efeccf2de0333a83bd behind the Trump administration’s proposed 50-year mortgages, and how we’re just giving Uber and Lyft free money https://www.nber.org/papers/w34441.  RELATED EPISODES:  Trump's plans for the housing market https://www.npr.org/2024/11/26/1215240061/indicator-trump-plan-housing-market  The Money Illusion: Have Americans really gotten a raise? https://www.npr.org/2021/11/10/1054451446/the-money-illusion-have-americans-really-gotten-a-raise  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

Nov 14

The U.S. is committed to bailing out Argentina to the tune of $20 billion using a little known mechanism called the Exchange Stabilization Fund. On today’s show, what is this fund, why was it created and does Argentina have any hope of paying it back? Related episodes:  Dollarizing Argentina https://www.npr.org/2023/12/20/1197956140/javier-milei-argentina-dollarize-economy-inflation   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

Nov 13