It’s  Indicators of the Week (now on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@planetmoney!), our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.  On today’s episode: How big is this gas crisis  and could releasing oil reserves help? Also, Live Nation gets a deal from the government.   RELATED EPISODES:  Are concert tickets UNDER priced? https://www.npr.org/2025/10/23/nx-s1-5582775/are-concert-tickets-under-priced  Will Trump’s shipping insurance plan work? https://www.npr.org/2026/03/10/nx-s1-5742757/will-trumps-shipping-insurance-plan-work  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  To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Mar 13

At a dinner in 2010, physicist Sean Carroll is handed a phone. On the other end: A wealthy patron looking to potentially fund his research. Months later came an invite to a conference. It would take place on an island. The caller was Jeffrey Epstein. Sean declined. Many others didn’t. On today’s show, why did so many academics say yes to Epstein’s invites and money? And what Epstein’s ability to ingratiate himself with them reveals about how science research is funded.   COME SEE PLANET MONEY LIVE ON STAGE IN APRIL! TWELVE CITIES. DETAILS AND TIX HERE: HTTPS://TIX.TO/PM-BOOK-TOUR https://tix.to/pm-book-tour.  RELATED EPISODES:  What an Epstein recording reveals about how elites get jobs https://www.npr.org/2026/02/25/nx-s1-5725005/what-an-epstein-recording-reveals-about-how-elites-get-jobs American science brain drain https://www.npr.org/2025/05/02/1248664717/american-science-brain-drain 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  To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Mar 12

During the pandemic, mostly unregulated lenders went after struggling restaurants and music venues, charging at times sky high rates. Now, they’ve found a new market: small businesses that desperately need cash to pay tariffs. Today on the show, the story of a financial lifeline that can turn into a financial choke hold. COME SEE PLANET MONEY LIVE ON STAGE IN APRIL! 12 CITIES. DETAILS AND TIX HERE: HTTPS://TIX.TO/PM-BOOK-TOUR https://tix.to/pm-book-tour.  RELATED EPISODES:  Can I get my tariff money back now? https://www.npr.org/2026/02/21/nx-s1-5721268/can-i-get-my-tariff-money-back-now  Three ways companies are getting around tariffs https://www.npr.org/2025/08/26/nx-s1-5515756/three-ways-companies-are-getting-around-tariffs  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  To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Mar 11

More than a thousand ships are stranded outside the Strait of Hormuz, bobbing in the water. A big reason? Insurance. War insurance premiums have skyrocketed since the war with Iran began. It’s an add-on that covers things regular insurance doesn’t, like missile strikes. And shippers don’t want to foot the bill or put their crews at risk. Cue the traffic jam.  On today’s show, how a critical trade chokepoint became the parking lot of the sea. And taking stock of President Trump’s plan to offer reinsurance to get these ships sailing again. RELATED EPISODES:  How the 'shadow fleet' helps Russia skirt sanctions https://www.npr.org/2024/04/04/1197963562/the-indicator-from-planet-money-russia-shadow-fleet-sanctions-04-04-2024 Will Iran block the Strait of Hormuz? https://www.npr.org/2025/06/24/1254640146/will-iran-block-the-strait-of-hormuz  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  To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Mar 10

It turns out healthcare in America CAN be cheaper. If your employer wants it to be. Today on the show, we speak with a Canadian-founded startup that has unusually generous benefits for their employees.  Come see Planet Money live on stage in April! 12 cities. Details and tix here: https://tix.to/pm-book-tour.  RELATED EPISODES: Health insurance premiums are going up next year — unless you work at these companies Health care costs are soaring. Blame insurers, drug companies — and your employer https://www.npr.org/2025/09/12/nx-s1-5534416/health-care-costs-soaring-blame-your-employer The hidden costs of healthcare churn https://www.npr.org/2025/06/12/1254056490/healthcare-churn-insurance-medicaid-america 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  To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Mar 09

The night shift isn’t for everyone, but it often means a boost in pay and a foot in the door. Yet a smaller share of Americans are working the graveyard shift than in decades past. Today on the show, where did all the third shift workers go?  Come see Planet Money live on stage in April! 12 cities. Details and tix here: HTTPS://TIX.TO/PM-BOOK-TOUR https://tix.to/pm-book-tour.  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  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  To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Mar 06

Remember those juicy mortgage rates from back in 2021? You don’t actually need a time machine to get one today. You just need to find someone willing to sell their house AND their mortgage to you. Called ‘assumable mortgages,’ they take a long time to get,, and you’ll probably need a fat wad of cash. On today’s show, how to buy your way into a cheap mortgage rate. RELATED EPISODES:  How mortgage rates get made https://www.npr.org/2022/03/16/1087086300/how-mortgage-rates-get-made How mortgage interest rates work (and why they're currently out of whack) https://www.npr.org/2024/08/28/1197972299/mortgage-interest-rates-treasury-bond 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 To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Mar 05

China will soon unveil its economic blueprint for the next five years, including a target for economic growth. This comes as consumption is down, wages aren’t rising, and property prices continue to drop. So what’s the plan? Today, we hear from NPR’s China correspondent Jennifer Pak about the challenges facing China’s economic policymakers.FYI, we are going on a book tour! Planet Money’s first ever book comes out in April. We’ll be celebrating in about a dozen cities. There’s a limited edition tote bag included with your ticket, while supplies last. Details, dates and how to get your ticket at planetmoneybook.com http://planetmoneybook.com.Related episodes:  What might save China’s economy https://www.npr.org/2025/03/18/1239156785/what-might-save-chinas-economy China’s luxury liquor indicator https://www.npr.org/2024/07/15/1197967654/china-economy-baijiu-kissingerFor 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.   To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Mar 04

Paramount Skydance is making a $110 billion play for Warner Bros. Discovery, and with it intellectual property like Harry Potter, Batman, and subsidiaries HBO and CNN. On today’s show, who is the man behind the deal? Does he really want to make movies? Will any regulators try to stop it? FYI, we are going on a book tour! Planet Money’s first ever book comes out in April. We’ll be celebrating in about a dozen cities. There’s a limited edition tote bag included with your ticket, while supplies last. Details, dates and how to get your ticket at planetmoneybook.com http://planetmoneybook.com.Related:  The Warner Bros. curse (newsletter) https://www.npr.org/sections/planet-money/2025/12/16/g-s1-102314/the-warner-bros-curse  Coyote vs. Warner Bros. https://www.npr.org/2023/12/19/1197959098/coyote-vs-acme-warner-bros-discovery-will-forte-john-cena-amazon-paramount  To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Mar 03

Two economists get into the business—and stakes—of organ donation, and they argue why the government should financially compensate their families.FYI, we are going on a book tour! Planet Money’s first ever book comes out in April. We’ll be celebrating in about a dozen cities. There’s a limited edition tote bag included with your ticket, while supplies last. Details, dates and how to get your ticket at planetmoneybook.com http://planetmoneybook.com.RELATED EPISODES:  Too many subscriptions, not enough organs https://www.npr.org/2023/03/24/1165947234/too-many-subscriptions-not-enough-organs  Your Organs, Please https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/10/28/452655987/episode-518-your-organs-please  To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Mar 02

It’s … Indicators of the Week (now on YouTube!), our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.  On today’s episode: How Minnesota workers were affected by Operation Metro Surge, why coffee’s getting more expensive, and what happens when a sci-fi AI scenario meets the stock market https://www.citriniresearch.com/p/2028gic.  RELATED EPISODES: How ICE crackdowns are affecting the workforce https://www.npr.org/2025/07/03/1255164459/ice-crackdown-jobs-friday-report Why this rural town wants an ICE facility https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5718368/why-this-rural-town-wants-an-ice-facility  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 To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. 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

Feb 27

Russia exports billions of dollars worth of fish a year across the world. But after the invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. banned imports of Russian fish. It turns out those bans are only so effective. Today on the show, how Russia has dodged import bans to keep selling billions of dollars worth of seafood every year, and how the U.S. has struggled to stop it.  FYI, we are going on a book tour! Planet Money’s first ever book comes out in April. We’ll be celebrating in about a dozen cities. There’s a limited edition tote bag included with your ticket, while supplies last. Details, dates and how to get your ticket at planetmoneybook.com http://planetmoneybook.com.Related episodes:  What’s propping up Russian oil? https://www.npr.org/2025/11/05/nx-s1-5596398/whos-propping-up-russian-oil How Russia’s shadow fleet is sailing around oil sanctions https://www.npr.org/2025/10/17/nx-s1-5577076/shadow-fleet-russian-oil-tanker-sanctions-boracayFor 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

8m

Feb 26

What do the latest batch of documents tell us about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and elite networking? Quite a bit. Today on the show, we analyze one exchange between Epstein and a former world leader to find out how the revolving door works for the rich and powerful. FYI, we are going on a book tour! Planet Money’s first ever book comes out in April. We’ll be celebrating in about a dozen cities. There’s a limited-edition tote bag included with your ticket, while supplies last. Details, dates and how to get your ticket at planetmoneybook.com http://planetmoneybook.com. Related episodes:  Gilded Age 2.0? https://www.npr.org/2025/06/05/1253689629/trump-second-term-echoes-gilded-age   How close is the US to crony capitalism? https://www.npr.org/2025/10/02/nx-s1-5559759/how-close-is-the-us-to-crony-capitalism  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

Feb 25

We’re going whale watching today. No, not orcas or great blues, but financial traders that place big bets on something called options. On today’s show, who are these option whales and do their bets always pay off?  FYI, we are going on a book tour! Planet Money’s first ever book comes out in April. We’ll be celebrating in about a dozen cities. There’s a limited edition tote bag included with your ticket, while supplies last. Details, dates and how to get your ticket at planetmoneybook.com http://planetmoneybook.com.  RELATED EPISODES: Invest like a Congress member https://www.npr.org/2024/06/18/1197965254/stock-trading-congress-etfs-unusual-whales  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

Feb 24

You asked, we answered. On today’s show, we tackle questions from our dear listeners on whether AI interviewers are biased, what the heck M2 money supply is, and what’s up with the frenzied mobs fighting for rotisserie chickens at the grocery store. RELATED EPISODES: When AI is your job interviewer https://www.npr.org/2025/11/03/nx-s1-5593168/when-ai-is-your-job-interviewer How beef climbed to the top of the food pyramid https://www.npr.org/2026/01/22/nx-s1-5684348/how-beef-climbed-to-the-top-of-the-food-pyramid Retirement luck, Hassett hassles the Fed, and boneless chicken in ... court? https://www.npr.org/2026/02/20/nx-s1-5720184/retirement-luck-hassett-hassles-the-fed-and-boneless-chicken-in-court  Behind the Tiny Desk and other listener questions https://www.npr.org/2024/09/17/1200034664/behind-the-tiny-desk-and-other-listener-questions 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

Feb 23

The Supreme Court struck down a bunch of President Trump’s tariffs yesterday. The Trump administration originally used an emergency economic powers law to justify the tariffs. And the court said: No! You can’t do that! Bad Trump, bad! This is despite the U.S. having raked in over a hundred billion dollars in import taxes already. On today’s show, unpacking the Supreme Court’s blockbuster tariffs decision. What’s next for tariffs? And … are we getting tariff refunds? Asking for a friend. RELATED EPISODES:  Trump's backup options for tariffs https://www.npr.org/2025/11/12/nx-s1-5605545/trumps-backup-options-for-tariffs Tariffied! We check in on businesses https://www.npr.org/2025/04/07/1243303429/tariffied-we-check-in-on-businesses Are Trump's tariffs legal? https://www.npr.org/2025/06/11/1253992700/tariffs-ieepa-trump-legal-emergencies-law Worst. Tariffs. Ever.  https://www.npr.org/2024/12/11/1218506684/worst-tariffs-ever-update http://plus.npr.org/ https://www.npr.org/people/1268825622/sierra-juarez https://www.npr.org/people/nx-s1-63544/vito-emanuel 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

Feb 21

It’s … Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.  On today’s episode: Why you better hope you retire at juuuust the right time https://x.com/JesusFerna7026/status/2023742455204520249?s=20, why the researchers at the Federal Reserve https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2025/06/are-businesses-absorbing-the-tariffs-or-passing-them-on-to-their-customers/are being scolded by a White House economic advisor, and taking boneless chicken to court.  RELATED EPISODES:  Chicken meat, Gulf of Mexico lawsuit and Social Security beyond the grave https://www.npr.org/2025/02/21/1232862545/chicken-meat-mexico-gulf-of-america-lawsuit-social-security  Davos drama, credit card caps and tariff truths https://www.npr.org/2026/01/23/nx-s1-5685413/davos-drama-credit-card-caps-and-tariff-truths  What would it take to fix retirement? https://www.npr.org/2024/03/06/1197962836/the-indicator-from-planet-money-retirement-social-security-pension-03-06-2024  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

Feb 20

The Trump administration is planning to pour more than $38 billion into warehouses for mass immigrant detention. While some communities are starting to push back, one rural town has agreed to expand its detention facility. On today’s show, we visit a small town in Georgia to learn about the trade-offs of becoming a detention town.  Related episodes:  How well are ICE’s 12,000 new officers being trained? https://www.npr.org/2026/02/18/nx-s1-5717052/how-well-are-ices-12-000-new-officers-being-trained How ICE crackdowns are affecting the workforce https://www.npr.org/2025/07/03/1255164459/ice-crackdown-jobs-friday-report  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

Feb 19

The Department of Homeland Security says it has more than doubled the workforce of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Trump. Yet videos of immigration officers killing two U.S. citizens and using aggressive arrest tactics have left some politicians and community leaders rethinking the agency’s approach. On today’s show, law enforcement experts assess the training and culture at DHS.   Related episodes: How ICE crackdowns are affecting the workforce https://www.npr.org/2025/07/03/1255164459/ice-crackdown-jobs-friday-report   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

Feb 18

According to activists, Iran has killed over 7,000 people as part of a crackdown on protesters. Why did protests engulf Iran in the first place? A big contributor: Its flagging economy, which has been in a tailspin for years. It’s a tinderbox. RELATED EPISODES:  Iran, protests, and sanctions https://www.npr.org/2026/02/06/nx-s1-5704815/iran-protests-us-sanctions The Lost Plane https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2019/02/06/692155923/episode-892-the-lost-plane 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

Feb 17

It’s time for … Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.  On today’s episode: Analyzing the new jobs numbers, how letting in more immigrants could reduce elder mortality https://www.nber.org/papers/w34791, and betting https://www.nber.org/papers/w34702 on the return of … Jesus Christ.  RELATED EPISODES:  Just how bad are these job numbers? https://www.npr.org/2026/02/06/nx-s1-5702772/just-how-bad-are-these-job-numbers  A market to bet on the future https://www.npr.org/2022/08/16/1117780172/a-market-to-bet-on-the-future  Who's gonna take care of grandma? https://www.npr.org/2022/02/28/1083589726/whos-going-to-take-care-of-grandma 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

Feb 13

Behind every Ilia Malinin or Alysa Liu, there is an army of elite figure skating coaches and choreographers who have been with them from the beginning. On today’s show, how much does it cost to achieve Olympic glory and why is it so expensive? Related episodes:  How college sports juiced Olympic development https://www.npr.org/2026/02/05/nx-s1-5701399/how-college-sports-juiced-olympic-development  Why the Olympics cost so much https://www.npr.org/2024/08/01/1197967951/paris-2024-olympics-hosting-costs  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

Feb 12

The prices of gold and silver are on rollercoaster rides; Gold has been rising over the last few years, silver shot up like a skyrocket in January … but then both plunged in price and sputtered around the end of the month.  It raises the question: What is going on?  Today on the show, we talk with some traders about what this volatility of gold and silver is saying about the state of the world.  RELATED EPISODES:  Why is everyone buying gold? https://www.npr.org/2025/10/01/nx-s1-5558443/why-is-everyone-buying-gold  A new-ish gold rush and other indicators https://www.npr.org/2025/03/21/1239865425/gold-germany-tariffs-trump-mergers-acquisitions  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

Feb 11

Food keeps getting more expensive, so how do shoppers respond? They change what they buy, right? It’s not just that cheaper foods get more popular. Shoppers are more nuanced than that. So, today on the show, we choose one classic meal that is tailor-made for this anxious economic moment. Why Hamburger Helper is poised to win 2026. RELATED EPISODES:  How niche brands got into your local supermarket https://www.npr.org/2024/01/25/1197961375/battle-grocery-shelf-space-niche-brands Can you trust you're getting the same grocery prices as someone else? https://www.npr.org/2026/01/07/nx-s1-5668494/can-you-trust-youre-getting-the-same-grocery-prices-as-someone-else Hits of the Dips: Songs of recessions past https://www.npr.org/2022/09/01/1120622740/hits-of-the-dips-songs-of-recessions-past 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

Feb 10

Trade wars. Financial panics. Inflation. How come it feels like it’s all bad news in the global economy these days? Economist Eswar Prasad’s answer: something he calls the ‘doom loop.’ That’s where massive geopolitical and economic forces feed off each other and send us careening into disorder. Sounds dire. But it’s not hopeless. On today’s show, are we in a doom loop? And if we are … how do we get out of one? Eswar Prasad’s new book is called “The Doom Loop: Why the World Economic Order Is Spiraling into Disorder” https://thedoomloopbook.com/. RELATED EPISODES:  Is the financial media making us miserable about the economy? https://www.npr.org/2024/03/11/1197962938/negative-consumer-sentiment-npr-indicator-media-economy Why are some nations richer? https://www.npr.org/2024/10/15/1211165443/the-indicator-from-planet-money-nobel-economics-prize-institutions-10-15-2024 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

Feb 09

It’s a weird time for jobs numbers. Another month, another jobs report pushed back by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Averaging two private sources, ADP and Revelio Labs: an estimated 4,500 jobs were added in January. Sounds like … not many. And, yet, the unemployment rate hasn’t seemed to have risen. This might be, in part, due to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. We’ll explain through the story of one Angeleno.On today’s show, how bad are these job numbers? Or are they not bad at all? And what does immigration have to do with it? Related episodes:  Can we still trust the monthly jobs report? (Update) https://www.npr.org/2025/08/05/1256758542/bls-firing-economic-data-integrity-update  What you need to know about the jobs report revisions https://www.npr.org/2025/08/06/1256812323/bureau-of-labor-statistics-revisions-explained  What really goes on at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Update) https://www.npr.org/2025/08/04/1256727558/trump-fires-bls-director-jobs-report 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

Feb 06

How did the U.S. become the Olympic powerhouse it is today? Cold War competition. The Soviet Union sponsored their athletes. But America wanted its athletes to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. It birthed an unexpected accelerator of Olympic development: College football. Stay with us now. On today’s show, how college football became an Olympic development engine. And how that engine might not be running as smoothly as it once did. RELATED EPISODES:  Why the Olympics cost so much https://www.npr.org/2024/08/01/1197967951/paris-2024-olympics-hosting-costs You can't spell Olympics without IP https://www.npr.org/2024/08/08/1197968045/paris-olympics-trademarks-enforcement-intellectual-property A huge EU-India deal, Heated Rivalry, and a hefty $200k to Olympians https://www.npr.org/2026/01/30/nx-s1-5693173/a-huge-eu-india-deal-heated-rivalry-and-a-hefty-200k-to-olympians Why Host The Olympics? https://www.npr.org/2021/08/05/1025310133/why-host-the-olympics The monetization of college sports https://www.npr.org/2022/07/19/1112316993/the-monetization-of-college-sports 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

Feb 05

People wanting to purchase heat pumps might soon face sticker shock. Many consumers have sought out energy credits to find a greener and more affordable alternative to heating oil, but the tax credit to help make them cheaper has expired. Today on the show: how homeowners, the renewables industry, and its critics all feel about it.RELATED EPISODES: Metals, government debt, and a climate lawsuit All these data centers are gonna fry my electric bill … right? Cold-o-nomics https://www.npr.org/2019/02/04/691359678/cold-o-nomicsFor 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

Feb 04

Data centers are getting a lot of heat right now. There’s neighborhood pushback against them for water usage and environmental concerns, and some politicians on both sides of the aisle aren’t fans for the same reasons. There’s also fear that they could drive up the cost of electricity bills. But that last bit isn’t set in stone. Data center electric bill upcharge is not a guarantee. In fact, it is even possible for data centers to cause power bills to go down. Today on the show: the future of your power bill.Related episodes:  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 AI data centers are doing to your electric bill https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649814/ai-data-center-electricity-bill 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

Feb 03

Kevin Warsh has been tapped as the next chair of the Federal Reserve. We’re sure that he’ll have a lot of questions about how to run the Fed if confirmed. So we put together this briefing. On today’s show, three Fed watchers give their advice for the next chair. On politics, interest rate cuts and dealing with the Fed’s repeated trading scandals. Oh, and can someone please forward this episode to Kevin Warsh? RELATED EPISODES:  One Fed battle after another https://www.npr.org/2026/01/13/nx-s1-5675867/one-fed-battle-after-another 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 A primer on the Federal Reserve's independence https://www.npr.org/2025/04/23/1246593555/federal-reserve-independence It's hard out there for a Fed chair https://www.npr.org/2025/05/08/1249919772/jerome-powell-fed-reserve-job-security 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

Feb 02