Planet Money

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Episodes

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Planet Money

Wanna see a trick? Give us any topic and we can tie it back to the economy. At Planet Money, we explore the forces that shape our lives and bring you along for the ride. Don't just understand the economy – understand the world.

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Episodes

Patent racism (classic)

Economist Lisa Cook has been nominated to serve on the Federal Reserve board. In 2020, she talked to us about proving that racism stifles innovation. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jan 19, 2022•26 min•Ep 1502•Transcript available on Metacast

The rapid testing show

The Planet Money team fans out across the nation with one goal: to get a Covid test in 24 hours. It is easier said than done. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jan 15, 2022•21 min•Ep 1501•Transcript available on Metacast

No such thing as a free return

Lenient policies have shoppers making more returns than ever — around half a trillion dollars worth of products. Today, we find out the fate of some of those returned goods. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jan 13, 2022•22 min•Ep 1500•Transcript available on Metacast

HBO 2.0

What happens when the iconic symbol of your brand no longer makes sense? Today, HBO tries to evolve their sonic brand. This episode was adapted from the podcast Twenty Thousand Hertz . | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 08, 2022•19 min•Ep 1499•Transcript available on Metacast

The rest of the story, 2021

On protests, pasta and forgiven payments. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jan 05, 2022•29 min•Ep 1498•Transcript available on Metacast

The holiday industrial complex (Classic)

Where do holidays like National Potato Chip Day and Argyle Day come from? We trace the roots of one made-up holiday until we find out who is running the global holiday machine. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Dec 31, 2021•18 min•Ep 1497•Transcript available on Metacast

The economic indicator of the year

Will it be inflation? Striketober? The supply chain? Our hosts make their case, and the choice is up to you. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 30, 2021•16 min•Ep 1496•Transcript available on Metacast

Bell wars (Classic)

The two biggest handbell companies in the world have been locked in a feud for decades. Why? | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 24, 2021•19 min•Ep 1495•Transcript available on Metacast

Planet Money's Supply Chain Holiday Extravaganza

Planet Money's Supply Chain Holiday Extravaganza Did the supply chain wreck your holiday shopping? Planet Money comes to the rescue. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Dec 23, 2021•27 min•Ep 1494•Transcript available on Metacast

No shortages of labor stories

We asked for your dispatches from the labor market, and boy did we hear back. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 18, 2021•26 min•Ep 1493•Transcript available on Metacast

We buy a lot of Christmas trees (Classic)

Nick and Robert head to the world's largest Christmas tree auction with $1,000 and a truck. And get schooled in the tree market. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Dec 15, 2021•29 min•Ep 1492•Transcript available on Metacast

Two music indicators

Ticket scalping frustrates fans, but it fascinates economists. It's been a favorite topic of ours in the past. This time, Darian turns to friends and experts to navigate the world of concert tickets like an economist who is also a music fan. Then we find out just how big Adele is on vinyl. So big her latest album disrupted the whole market for vinyl, the material itself. | These stories come from our daily podcast The Indicator . Go subscribe if you haven't already. Learn more about sponsor mess...

Dec 11, 2021•18 min•Ep 1491•Transcript available on Metacast

Is a Stradivarius just a violin? (Classic)

Many music aficionados will tell you that violins and violas made by legendary craftsman Antonio Stradivari represent the pinnacle of the instruments. But what if it's all just an example of really good branding? | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Dec 08, 2021•19 min•Ep 1490•Transcript available on Metacast

Consider the lobstermen

A tense conflict between Indigenous fishermen and commercial lobstermen flared up in Nova Scotia in the fall of 2020. Today, how it all got started and how the Canadian government added fuel to the fire. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Dec 04, 2021•24 min•Ep 1489•Transcript available on Metacast

A locked door, a secret meeting and the birth of the Fed (Classic)

The story of the back-room dealings that created America's central bank. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 02, 2021•15 min•Ep 1488•Transcript available on Metacast

Day of the Debt

We make a loan to the U.S. government, and it does not go the way we thought it would. Plus: the story of that one time the U.S. defaulted. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 26, 2021•21 min•Ep 1487•Transcript available on Metacast

You asked for real raises, free shipping, and a special delivery

It's listener question time. We've got answers about "free" shipping, full employment, when a raise isn't a raise, Taylor Swift, crypto seizures and our very own Micro-Face comic . | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 25, 2021•28 min•Ep 1486•Transcript available on Metacast

A trunk full of truffles (Update)

Truffles are one of the most expensive and sought after ingredients in the world. Today, we look back at our NYC adventure with a truffle smuggler and how the market has changed since we last talked to him. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 20, 2021•25 min•Ep 1485•Transcript available on Metacast

Of boats and boxes

We take a trip to ports on the east and west coasts to ask what's on everyone's mind: why are they so clogged? And how can we fix it? | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 17, 2021•22 min•Ep 1484•Transcript available on Metacast

Auction fever (Classic)

Today, we go on a Planet Money roadtrip to learn the secrets of the auction world. We find some amazing bargains, some shady strategies and a giant big digger. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 12, 2021•15 min•Ep 1483•Transcript available on Metacast

Planes, trains and bad bridges

The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill has passed Congress, but what exactly is in it? Today, the important, surprising, delightful line items. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Nov 11, 2021•21 min•Ep 1482•Transcript available on Metacast

Moonshot in the arm

COVID-19 prompted the quickest vaccine development in history. An inside look at how the government and pharmaceutical companies joined forces to make it happen. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 05, 2021•27 min•Ep 1481•Transcript available on Metacast

The Wheat Whisperer

Southeast Asia is one of the biggest growth markets for American wheat. Where did this taste for wheat come from and who is responsible? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 03, 2021•20 min•Ep 1480•Transcript available on Metacast

Night of the living inflation

We look at a hidden form of inflation affecting our economy — we're calling it "skimpflation." The Indicator tells a spooky tale about the inflation demon. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Oct 29, 2021•13 min•Ep 1479•Transcript available on Metacast

Nice work week, if you can get it

The 40 hour work week has been the standard for 80 years. What will it take to lower that? | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 28, 2021•21 min•Ep 1478•Transcript available on Metacast

Two indicators: Congressional Game Theory and the Debt Ceiling

We bring you two stories from The Indicator on the recent battles being fought in Congress. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Oct 22, 2021•16 min•Ep 1477•Transcript available on Metacast

Burnout (Classic)

All types of companies are struggling with burnout. Many try to fix it. Most of them fail. One exception: A 26-year-old call center manager, with stress balls and costumes in her arsenal. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Oct 21, 2021•17 min•Ep 1476•Transcript available on Metacast