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The Indicator from Planet Money A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less.
The Indicator from Planet Money

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The Indicator from Planet Money

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A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less.

Most Recent Episodes

The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!
Freakonomics

The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!

Today, we're sharing an episode of a podcast that we've enjoyed, and think you will, too! It's called The Economics of Everyday Things. It's made by the Freakonomics Radio Network and on each of its episodes, host Zachary Crockett uncovers the hidden stories behind ordinary things! Stock photos, girl scout cookies, and cashmere sweaters, you name it.

The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!

Listen · 15:40
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Why the US economy is still the envy of the world

Workers on scaffolding lay blocks on one of the larger buildings at a development site where various residential units and commercial sites are under construction. Keith Srakocic/AP hide caption

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Keith Srakocic/AP

Why the US economy is still the envy of the world

The Economist's Simon Rabinovitch argues the U.S. economy has a set of structural advantages that have allowed it to perform remarkably well in the last couple of years compared to other developed countries. But could President-elect Donald Trump's second term in office put that edge at risk? Adrian Ma spoke with Rabinovitch for a recent episode of The Indicator. This episode is an extended cut of their conversation, previously released for Planet Money+ supporters.

Why the US economy is still the envy of the world

Listen · 17:11
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Overly Friendly Emails and other marketing pet peeves
Darian Woods

Overly Friendly Emails and other marketing pet peeves

Brands trying to be your best bud. Generational labels. Gendered double standards.

Overly Friendly Emails and other marketing pet peeves

Listen · 9:22
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Missing taxes, spiking copper and Napster's re-re-rebirth
Thomas Lohnes/DDP/AFP via Getty Images

Missing taxes, spiking copper and Napster's re-re-rebirth

On Indicators of the Week, we look at a huge projected tax shortfall, the price of copper and the afterlife of Napster, the peer-to-peer file-sharing service that refuses to die.

Missing taxes, spiking copper and Napster's re-re-rebirth

Listen · 9:31
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How nonprofits get cash from your clunker
Sean Saldana

How nonprofits get cash from your clunker

Many nonprofits accept your used cars as a way to donate. This happens from Make-A-Wish America to Habitat for Humanity to ... public radio stations!

How nonprofits get cash from your clunker

Listen · 8:47
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Can Europe stand without the US?

A convoy of Bundeswehr vehicles and heavily armed soldiers drives along a road in the north of Hanover. Julian Stratenschulte/Getty Images hide caption

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Julian Stratenschulte/Getty Images

Can Europe stand without the US?

As relations between the US and Europe continue to sour, European countries are working to lower their reliance on the U.S. for weapons and security. Today on the show, we ask what Europe needs to do to become independent militarily and what potential barriers could stand in the way.

Can Europe stand without the US?

Listen · 9:05
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How's ... everybody doing?

Indicator host Darian Woods. (Angel Carreras / NPR) Angel Carreras/NPR hide caption

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Angel Carreras/NPR

How's ... everybody doing?

What's one word you'd use to describe the 2025 economy? That's the question we fanned out across the U.S. with microphones and open ears. From street parties in the South to an L.A. bookstore to a boardroom in Denver, we listen for financial signals in today's economy.

How's ... everybody doing?

Listen · 9:30
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How specialization can lead to burn-out

Workers assembling control units for tanks and aircrafts in 1943. Hulton Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Hulton Archives/Getty Images

How specialization can lead to burn-out

Half of all workers are showing signs of burnout according to a survey of international workers. Burnout can come from feeling detached from your work's purpose, having too much work, or ... from specialization. Today on the show, we speak with Shigehiro Oishi, author of Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life.

How specialization can lead to burn-out

Listen · 9:28
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A new-ish gold rush and other indicators
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

A new-ish gold rush and other indicators

It's Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at interesting numbers from the news.

A new-ish gold rush and other indicators

Listen · 9:29
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What's this about a crypto reserve?
Leung Man Hei/Bloomberg via Getty Images

What's this about a crypto reserve?

In 2009, Bitcoin launched as the first cryptocurrency. Just under two decades, President Trump has signed an executive order to create the "Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and United States Digital Asset Stockpile." On today's show, we look at what the U.S. government plans for this new strategy, plus who benefits from a crypto reserve.

What's this about a crypto reserve?

Listen · 9:29
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