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

From NPR

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

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!

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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

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Back in 1918, a Chaplin film featuring the Liberty Bond. Associated Press hide caption

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Associated Press

Why the 30-year bond matters

Last week, the U.S. Treasury held an auction for 30-year bonds. Some were worried no one would show up to buy these things! That didn't happen, but the 'long bond' isn't exactly thriving at the moment. Today on the show, we look back at why we have such a long maturity bond and why it might be a good idea to start paying attention to it going forward.

Why the 30-year bond matters

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Getty Images

Mixing family business with US trade policy in Vietnam

Last month, Eric Trump, executive vice president at The Trump Organization, attended a ceremony in Vietnam to break ground on a $1.5 billion residential development and golf course. This comes as Vietnam's government is in trade talks with the administration of Eric's father, President Donald Trump.

Mixing family business with US trade policy in Vietnam

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Getty Images

The secret to Nintendo's success

Nintendo has been a titan in the video game industry for decades, but that wasn't always the case. At its very core, Nintendo sees itself as a toy company which is evident in its products from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) to the Nintendo Switch 2.

The secret to Nintendo's success

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Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images

Trump's parade, FEMA phase out, and Warner Bros. Discovery divorces ... itself?

It's ... Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news.

Trump's parade, FEMA phase out, and Warner Bros. Discovery divorces ... itself?

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Getty Images

The hidden costs of healthcare churn

Healthcare churn—when people switch insurance plans—is particularly bad in the US.

The hidden costs of healthcare churn

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STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

The secret tariff-free zone

There's something interesting happening at the Port of Baltimore. On today's show, we explore the hidden world of bonded warehouses, where you can stash your imported Latvian vodka or Dutch beer tariff free (for a while).

The secret tariff-free zone

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Several proposed taxes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would shift how money flows from the U.S. to other countries Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images

What's a revenge tax?

For four decades, the US has maintained a consistent policy position: money should be fairly free to come and go in and out of the country. That's changing.

What's a revenge tax?

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When Harry Truman became U.S. President in 1948, he was a proponent for government-sponsored health insurance for all. AP Newsroom hide caption

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AP Newsroom

How doctors helped tank universal health care

A debate has been raging over universal health care in the U.S. since the 1940s. Back then, a formidable opponent emerged to dump a lot of money into ensuring it wouldn't happen. That opponent was doctors. Today on the show, Sally Helm, a Planet Money reporter, comes to us in her capacity as the host of HISTORY This Week to detail how doctors helped tank single pay healthcare back then and the role communism played in the fight.

How doctors helped tank universal health care

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