Super Bowl ads this year relied heavily on nostalgia and surprise –– a few tricks that turn out to embed information into our brains. Today, neuroscientist Charan Ranganath joins the show to dissect the world of marketing to its biological fundamentals and reveal advertisers' bag of tricks. Charan Ranganath's new book is Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold On to What Matters . For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcast...
Feb 27, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Any day now, social media platform Reddit is expected to launch an initial public offering (IPO), earmarking shares for its most dedicated users. On today's show, our friends at WBUR podcast Endless Thread help us unpack why Reddit is making this move, and what it might mean for Reddit's stock. Related episodes: r/boxes, r/Reddit, r/AIregs ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Music by ...
Feb 26, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Indicators of the week is back! This time, we explore why oil and gas companies are pulling in record profits, whether bad commercial property debt is likely to spark a financial crisis and how much a lost tooth goes for in this economy. Related Episodes What could break next? ( Apple / Spotify ) What's really happening with the Evergrande liquidation ( Apple / Spotify ) How an empty office becomes a home For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ vi...
Feb 23, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Next week, the US Supreme Court will hear a case that pits the Attorneys General of Texas and Florida against a trade group representing some of the biggest social media companies in the world. Today, how we got here, and now the case could upend our online experience. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Feb 23, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Capital One Financial Corporation plans to acquire Discover Financial Services in a $35 billion deal that would combine two of the largest U.S. credit card companies. Today on the show, five big questions about the deal, and the opaque system behind every swipe, tap or insertion of your credit card. Related: Planet Money's TikTok on the secret behind credit card rewards For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org ...
Feb 21, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In business, the million-dollar question is how to get people to buy stuff. But in wildlife conservation, the challenge is: how do we get people to not buy stuff? How do we bring down demand for fur, ivory and rhino horns? Today on the show, the story of a business trying to make lab-grown rhino horns and the backlash that followed. Check out more of Juliana Kim's reporting for NPR here . Related: Supply, demand, extinction ( Apple / Spotify ) Rhino Bonds Shooting Bambi to Save Mother Nature For...
Feb 20, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's Indicators of the Week — our weekly look under the hood of our global economy. Today we look at why cocoa prices are soaring, whether India's electoral bonds are bad for democracy and how a typo sent Lyft shares (briefly) soaring. Related: Cocoa prices hit a 47-year high before Valentine's Day Can India become the next high-tech hub? ( Apple / Spotify ) Lyft going public: The dual-class share dilemma Big donors and pay-to-play politics For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet ...
Feb 16, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In 2023, The Federal Reserve and other banking regulators announced they were making changes to how they grade banks on servicing local communities. This all stems from a 1977 law called the Community Reinvestment Act, which was designed to encourage banks to better meet the needs of moderate and low-income borrowers. However, major banking trade groups weren't too excited about the new rules and filed a lawsuit against the banking regulators last week. Today on the show, we explain the history ...
Feb 15, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Egypt's economy is facing its worst crisis in decades. The situation could further destabilize the Middle East if it goes unresolved. Now, the International Monetary Fund is working with Egyptian leadership to figure out another deal for a multi-billion dollar loan ... but will it be enough? Today, we look at how Egypt has fallen into economic crisis and whether its economy is too big to fail. Related episodes: What could convince Egypt to take in Gaza's refugees? ( Apple / Spotify ) Red Sea ten...
Feb 15, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Roses are red. Violets are blue. We have another Indicator Quiz for you! Today's episode tests one loyal listener on their econ knowledge about our recent defense series, and they give us their best Valentine's Day cocktail recommendation. Play along with us and see how you do! Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Email us your name, city and phone number to indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line. Related episodes: Can Just-In-Time handle a...
Feb 13, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast China is in the economic doldrums in part due to its slumping real estate market. And one of the largest property developers in mainland China is a huge part of the story. Evergrande is drowning in about $300 billion of debt. And after months of attempting to restructure, one of its entities is now being forced to liquidate. We look at what that means and how the Chinese economy will be affected. Related episodes: China's weakening economy in two Indicators ( Apple / Spotify ) Tumbling Chinese s...
Feb 12, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast It is Friday, and Indicators of the Week is back — SUPER Edition. Today, what one New York bank's shakiness means for the wider economy, why Mexican imports in the US are super surging, and the T. Swift effect on the Super Bowl. Related Episodes: Economics, boosternomics and Swiftnomics ( Apple / Spotify ) Does the U.S. have too many banks? ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Music by...
Feb 10, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast For decades, Saudi Arabia's economy has been defined by its abundant oil reserves. Its ability to influence global oil supply propelled Saudi Arabia to one of the richest countries in the world. The Saudi royal family became important players on the world stage. However, waning dominance in the oil market is forcing the Saudi government to think differently about its reliance on the commodity. Today on the show, we explain Saudi Arabia's fantastical vision for its future and how the government i...
Feb 08, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast WeWork, DraftKings, Lucid Motors. These are a few companies that have taken an untraditional route to go public through something called SPACs or special purpose acquisition companies. The obscure investment vehicle took off during the pandemic, but has since fallen back to earth. Today, we consider the rise and fall of SPACs and how recent rule changes will affect these deals. Related episodes: The SPAC is back For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Mo...
Feb 08, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast The U.S. launched the Paycheck Protection Program in April 2020 to save jobs and businesses from the worst effects of the pandemic. Today on the show, a post-mortem on the controversial program and whether it fulfilled its objective. Also, we hear from one company that voluntarily paid back its PPP loan — with interest — even though it could have qualified for forgiveness. Related episodes: Could cash payments ease recessions? ( Apple / Spotify ) Small banks' corona crunch The big small business...
Feb 06, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Although we have dodged the bullet for now, the threat of a recession is always a concern for policy makers. The question is: will we be prepared next time? In this episode, we consider an alternative approach to stabilizing the economy during a recession through automatic monthly cash payments. The hope: faster relief, a reduced racial wealth gap and predictable income. Can it work? Related episodes: The Sahm Rule with the eponymous economist Hear us out: We ban left turns and other big ideas (...
Feb 05, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast The most recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the United States economy exceeded expectations by adding 353,000 jobs in January. This continues the labor market's years-long trend of resilience in the face of the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes. However, digging deeper into the numbers reveals figures that economists are keeping a close eye on. Today, we explain why it's not necessarily ideal for local government jobs to lift up a booming labor market. For sponsor-f...
Feb 02, 2024•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's no secret — your phone knows where you are, and if that data exists, someone else might have it. Back in 2022 , we covered the murky market for smartphone location data. Now, the Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on this multi-billion dollar industry. In today's episode, we explain why the agency is trying to ban a data broker from selling information tied to sensitive places like medical facilities. Related episodes: Ad targeting gets into your medical file ( Apple / Spotify ) For ...
Feb 01, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the 1980s, California was the heart of the aerospace industry. But when the Cold War ended, military spending cuts put those defense jobs in jeopardy. This week, we're bringing you a three-part series on the defense industry. In this episode: how the state redirected some of those defense dollars to another economic opportunity provides an example of how the "peace dividend" can be used effectively. Related episodes: Are we overpaying for military equipment? ( Apple / Spotify ) Can Just-In-Ti...
Jan 31, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Just-in-time manufacturing began as a way to save space, remove costs and improve efficiency ... for Toyota. The U.S. defense industry has since incorporated this approach. Now, leaders in the defense industry question whether it's to blame for weapons and ammunition shortages. This week, we're bringing you a three-part series on the defense industry. Today on the show, we look at how a just-in-time mindset filtered through the military contracting system, and we ask whether bare-bones manufactu...
Jan 30, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast If the proposed defense budget is passed, it will account for roughly 3.5 % of U.S. GDP. The military buys everything from pens and paper clips to fighter jets and submarines. But the market for military equipment is very different from the commercial market. And sometimes the system results in the Pentagon, and taxpayers, overpaying. This week, we're bringing you a three-part series on the defense industry. Today, we unpack how defense costs are getting so high and why it's happening. Related: ...
Jan 29, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's Indicators of the Week, that time each Friday when we look at the most fascinating numbers from the news. Today, we explain the different directions of the Chinese and American economies ... and how a burrito can be a bellwether. Related Episodes: Young, "spoiled and miserable" in China ( Apple / Spotify ) The mess at the heart of China's economy ( Apple / Spotify ) China's Big Tech Crackdown For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple ...
Jan 26, 2024•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast From salsas to barbecue sauces to refrigerated beverages, small artisanal brands are infiltrating grocery shelves everywhere. How did this happen? Today on the show, we team up with Dan Pashman of The Sporkful food podcast to follow the rise of niche soda maker Olipop, and share the hidden incentives that have grocers making shelf space for these products. Listen to The Sporkful on Apple or Spotify . Related episodes: Grocery delivery wars How grocery shelves get stacked For sponsor-free episode...
Jan 25, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In her new book , Our World In Data 's Head of Research Hannah Ritchie investigates how to meet the needs of people without destroying the planet. Today we ask Hannah: Can we feed the world, sustainably? Related episodes The Amazon, the Colorado River and a price on nature ( Apple Podcasts / Spotify ) The Problem with the US's Farm Worker Program ( Apple Podcasts / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr...
Jan 25, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Listener questions are back! On today's show, we answer whether universities are banks, how — or if — 401(k) contributions affect the stock market, and whether jobs report numbers account for people holding down multiple jobs. If you have a question you'd like us to answer, email us at indicator@npr.org. Related Episodes: Higher wages, fewer temp workers and indicators of the year results ( Apple / Spotify ) Why pizza costs more in Iceland and other Listener Questions ( Apple / Spotify ) For spo...
Jan 23, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the 1980s, economic tensions between the U.S. and Japan permeated American politics and pop culture. Similar tensions are resurfacing as Japan's Nippon Steel tries to buy U.S. Steel. Today on the show, the history of U.S.-Japan trade friction and why a new round of anxieties is complicating the sale of U.S. Steel. Related episodes: How one small change in Japan could sway U.S. markets ( Apple / Spotify) What Japan's lost decade teaches us about recessions For sponsor-free episodes of The Indi...
Jan 22, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast It is Friday. And Indicators of the Week is back — Plastics Edition. Today, we dig into how fraudsters have used Walmart gift cards to scam consumers out of more than $1 billion. We also find out why recycled plastic is actually more expensive now than newly produced plastic. And we learn how overdraft fees might be going way down. Related Articles ProPublica - How Walmart's Financial Services Became a Fraud Magnet Financial Times - Petrochemical glut makes new plastic cheaper than recycled Rela...
Jan 19, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Election season is upon us, and so is the barrage of election polls. What differentiates a good poll from a bad one? How can we be smarter poll consumers? Today on the show, a couple of polling experts give us their top tips. Related episodes: Planet Money tries election polling For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter . Learn more a...
Jan 18, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast The number one producer of electric vehicles in the world is ... BYD? On today's show, we look at how the Chinese EV manufacturer rose from a battery company to global dominance. It took a mix of obsessive attention to detail, scale, government support and ... guitar-string-related quirks. Plus, we consider whether BYD can crack the U.S. market. Related Episodes: How electric vehicles got their juice ( Apple / Spotify ) How the South is trying to win the EV race ( Apple / Spotify ) For sponsor-f...
Jan 18, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been going on for more than three months, and is now beginning to spill into other parts of the Middle East. That includes attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, rocket attacks by Hezbollah and U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. On today's show, we'll consider what escalation could mean for global trade and the region's most important export: oil. Related episodes: Red Sea tensions spell trouble for global supply chains ( Apple / Spotify ) Oil prices and the...
Jan 17, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
