What's spicier than a pumpkin spice latte in the fall? The Indicator Quiz! The show where we bring a lucky listener on to test their econ knowledge. Today's quiz focuses on questions related to climate change. 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 and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line. Related Episodes: Giant vacuums and other government climate bets Industrial po...
Oct 16, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this edition of Indicators of the Week: the FTC wants to ban hidden fees on what feels like every transaction. Down with junk fees! Germany has a possible fix for its struggling economy and unfilled jobs: immigrants. And we explore why the Powerball jackpots keep getting so big. Related Episodes: 10 11 51 52 62 18 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...
Oct 13, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Economic indicators like the Consumer Price Index can tell us a lot about the past, but what about the future? For close to 80 years, policymakers have relied on the Surveys of Consumers to give them an idea of what the economy might do next. Today on the show, we go behind the curtain at the University of Michigan to meet the people in charge of checking the vibes of the U.S. consumer. Related Episodes: How do you measure inflation? For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, ...
Oct 12, 2023•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the world of summiting mountains, more accidents happen on the way down than on the climb up. Today on the show, why that could be a bad omen for interest rates. 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 about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Oct 11, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was originally published on November 30, 2021 Earlier this week, Harvard economist Claudia Goldin won the economics Nobel for her research into the gender pay gap. Today, our 2021 interview with Claudia about her work, with an update from her after she learned about her award. Related episodes: When Uncle Sam stops paying the childcare bill ( Apple Podcasts / Spotify ) Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter . Learn more about sponsor message cho...
Oct 10, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast U.S. job growth just surged way past expectations. But one area of employment continues to need more hands on deck: social workers. The evolving occupation is getting new attention from schools all the way up to corporations. Today, we try to understand where this need is coming from and whether it can actually be met. 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 , Instagr...
Oct 06, 2023•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast TED Radio Hour's Manoush Zamorodi joins us today to talk about her new series Body Electric. It's looking at how the information age is affecting our bodies in negative ways. Manoush spoke to researchers who say they've found simple solutions that offset the harms of sitting all day. But do those fixes work in the real world – outside of a lab? For this six-part limited series, NPR is partnering with researchers from Columbia University and maybe... you... to answer that question. Read more on h...
Oct 05, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast We love getting listener mail! Especially when it makes us think about a topic differently. Today on the show, we hear from listeners about host-free Airbnbs, a Danish solution to mortgage lock-in and a laughable policy for industrial policy. Have something to add to the conversation? Send us your letters to the editor: indicator@npr.org. Related Episodes: AI chips, shared trips, and a shorter work week ( Apple Podcasts / Spotify ) When mortgage rates are too low to give up ( Apple Podcasts / Sp...
Oct 04, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast When some automakers confirmed this year that they were phasing out AM radio in their electric vehicles, the political backlash was immediate and remarkably bipartisan. Today on the show, what's all the fuss about AM radio? And why does the government want to keep AM radio in your car? 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...
Oct 03, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast During the Covid-19 pandemic, the United States took dramatic action to invest in child care. Now in 2023, the majority of those investments are coming to an end. Today, we talk to childcare providers about what those funds meant—and where the end of the pandemic-era programs leaves an essential but strained system. 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 ...
Oct 02, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast On this musical edition of Indicators of the Week: Live Nation stops taking a cut of small artists' merchandise sales. Meanwhile, some fans are using the Billboard charts formula to boost their favorite artists to the top. And a Jamaican duo is staking a claim to the famous rhythm that defines Reggaeton. 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 , Ne...
Sep 29, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast The NFT mania may have finally run its course. Not too long ago, these pieces of digital art exploded in value with the help of celebrities like Justin Bieber and Paris Hilton. But even the most successful digital artists knew it was a bubble. Today, we consider whether this multi-million dollar fad has truly come to an end or if it's still on its last legs and due for a reimagining. Related Episodes: The $69 Million JPEG ( Apple Podcasts / Spotify ) and The Celebrity Crypto Nexus ( Apple Podcas...
Sep 28, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was originally published on November 14, 2022 This week, Ford announced it was pausing work on a new $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan. President of the United Auto Workers, Shawn Fain, viewed this as a "thinly veiled threat" to cut jobs. But this is a factory that's had controversy surrounding it even before this decision. And it all centers around a company called Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited, or CATL. Today, a classic Indicator on the history behind one of the mos...
Sep 27, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast How often do you hang out with people in a different socioeconomic bracket than you? And where do you meet and congregate? Economist Maxim Massenkoff, and his co-author Nathan Wilmers, looked at cell phone location data to figure out where people with vastly different incomes commune together. Today on the show, Maxim discusses his research , and Darian and Alexi head to a restaurant to try and witness some of this class mixing in action. Related Episode: The Secret to Upward Mobility: Friends F...
Sep 27, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Canadians are in a bit of a pickle when it comes to getting timely news updates through Facebook. The Canadian government passed a law requiring Meta and Google pay media outlets when news content is posted on social media platforms. Meta's reaction, to block all news from its Canadian users, left many citizens and its government frustrated. Today on the show, what are tech companies' public service obligations in an era of declining news outlets? For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from ...
Sep 25, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today on the show, we cover this week's top indicators in new work permits for Venezuelan migrants, behind-the-scenes climate meetings and a million-dollar dinosaur skeleton sale. 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 about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Sep 22, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Wildfires are becoming more frequent and serious due to human-caused climate change. This is prompting a new industry focused on residential wildfire preparedness. Today, we consider the new technology addressing wildfire risk and the cost of protecting yourself. Related Episodes: Gambling, literally, on climate change ( Apple Podcasts / 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 Drop Electri...
Sep 21, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Federal Reserve said today it wasn't raising interest rates, but left the door open to keep hiking later. But there's more to this decision than meets the eye. Today on the show, we use Disney's Ratatouille to explain the Fed's recipe for monetary policy — and take off the chef's hat to reveal the two interest rates that really matter when the Fed is hiking rates. Related Episodes: AP Macro gets a makeover ( Apple Podcasts / Spotify ) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Mo...
Sep 20, 2023•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Beigies roll around once again to recognize the regional Federal Reserve Bank with the best Beige Book entry. This edition's winner put a spotlight on a company increasing their efforts to recruit young people for an important piece of the manufacturing puzzle. Related Episodes: The Beigie Awards: China Edition ( Apple Podcasts / 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 Drop Electric . F...
Sep 19, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast The coca leaf has been an important part of Andean culture for thousands of years. But when one indigenous woman decided to use the plant in a drink she calls Coca Pola, she awoke a sleeping giant. Today on the show, a small business goes head to head with Coca-Cola over a trademark dispute. 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 ....
Sep 18, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast For this week's Indicators of the Week, Darian is joined by NPR colleagues Jeff Guo and Sydney Lupkin. We get into the latest numbers on child poverty in the U.S. and what it tells us about effective policy intervention. Sydney brings an update on the new covid booster and who's paying for it. And Jeff talks about Taylor Swift...again. He promises it has to do with economics. For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.np...
Sep 15, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Inflation remains stubbornly high as the Federal Open Markets Committee weighs whether they will raise interest rates again. However, new research suggests that elevated interest rates weren't the primary driver for the decline in inflation. Today, we take a look at the debate surrounding disinflation and what comes next for the Federal Reserve. 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 ...
Sep 15, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Yesterday we brought you a debate over whether the government should subsidize industries in the name of economic growth and societal benefits. Today on the show, we zero in on the climate industrial policy of the Biden administration, which is funneling billions into experimental projects that promise to remove, capture and store carbon. It's an effort by the U.S. to meet its ambitious climate goals, but it's not without its skeptics. Related Episodes: Industrial policy, the debate! ( Apple Pod...
Sep 14, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast There is a lot of taxpayer money going into propping up industry in the U.S. From semiconductor chip fabrication in Arizona to green hydrogen plants in California. Is this smart policy? Today on the Indicator, our guests debate! We're joined by Réka Juhász, economist at the University of British Columbia and Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. After the debate, tell us what you thought! Did anything you heard change your mind or make you think differently...
Sep 12, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lately, retailers have been complaining to their investors about thieves coming to their stores and stealing stuff and blaming them for falling profits. It's the biggest part of a well-known industry problem called "shrink," but is this trend as pervasive as stores are making it out to be? Today on the show, retail theft and what stores are doing about it. For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Music by Dro...
Sep 11, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today on Indicators of the Week: government iPhone restrictions in China that walloped Apple's market value. Plus plans emerge over how the US government plans to negotiate drug prices. Also, a mass exodus of employees from a top dating app that sheds some light on where the whole working from home debate is. 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 , Faceb...
Sep 08, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast When refugees arrive in the U.S. the clock starts ticking. They usually have up to 90 days to get a job and become 'self-sufficient'. Researcher Blair Sackett says that that's simply not enough time for refugees to acclimate to a totally new country and culture and find work. She argues that current policy essentially resettles refugees into poverty. Today on the show we explore that 90-day policy and potential solutions to help refugees find their financial footing. For sponsor-free episodes of...
Sep 07, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast More than 7 million Americans are living with dementia. To take care of this population, family members must often make the difficult choice of giving up work or paying for a costly facility. Today on the show, the rising cost of memory care in an aging population. Related Episodes: Who's gonna take care of grandma? 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 ...
Sep 06, 2023•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Beigies are back, with a twist! In China, data on the economy is sometimes difficult to come by, so we thought we'd take a leaf out of the US Federal Reserve's Beige Book instead. Today, we bring you some colorful anecdotes about China's economy, on inbound tourism and revenge spending, neither of which is fueling an economic comeback. Related Episodes: Boats, bikes and the Beigies ( Apple Podcasts / Spotify ) Young, 'spoiled and miserable' in China Two Indicators shaking China's economy For...
Sep 05, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast The jobs report is in! And both the rate of employment AND unemployment went up in August. How does that happen? Plus, how disabled people are doing in the labor market. 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 about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Sep 01, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
