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The Indicator from Planet Money A little show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening today. It's a quick hit of insight into work, business, the economy, and everything else. Listen weekday afternoons.

Try Planet Money+! a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. You'll also get access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions. sign up at plus.npr.org/planetmoney
The Indicator from Planet Money

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The Indicator from Planet Money

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A little show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening today. It's a quick hit of insight into work, business, the economy, and everything else. Listen weekday afternoons.

Try Planet Money+! a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. You'll also get access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions. sign up at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

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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Southwest surprises, tariff guac shock, and fraud flourishes
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Southwest surprises, tariff guac shock, and fraud flourishes

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

Southwest surprises, tariff guac shock, and fraud flourishes

Listen · 9:25
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How many times can you say uncertainty in one economic report?
Scott Olson/Getty Images

How many times can you say uncertainty in one economic report?

Uncertainty. That's the word-of-the-moment with tariffs, market swings and lots of economic volatility. It's also showing up in the Federal Reserve's latest Beige Book, featuring anecdotes across the U.S. economy. On our latest edition of the Beigies, what can a farmer from the Mississippi Delta tell us about uncertainty?

How many times can you say uncertainty in one economic report?

Listen · 8:56
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The stock market is down, but you don't need to be

Traders working on the NYSE floor following the worst day for markets in 2025. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The stock market is down, but you don't need to be

Government cuts. Tariff uncertainty. Sticky interest rates. These are not helping the tumbling stock market. There's a sinking feeling among some Americans that a crash is imminent.

The stock market is down, but you don't need to be

Listen · 8:12
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Can you take government spending out of GDP?

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 13: Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick (R) speaks alongside U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Can you take government spending out of GDP?

The Trump administration has some nits to pick with government spending: They don't think it should be counted as part of the country's GDP, that it should be counted separately.

Can you take government spending out of GDP?

Listen · 8:29
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What Bad Bunny teaches us about Puerto Rican tax law

Bad Bunny performs live on stage in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 10, 2021. (Photo by RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images) RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP via Getty Images

What Bad Bunny teaches us about Puerto Rican tax law

Bad Bunny's new album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS laments how Puerto Rico is changing. We look at whether tax breaks to newcomers contributed.

What Bad Bunny teaches us about Puerto Rican tax law

Listen · 9:29
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Can ... we still trust the monthly jobs report?
ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Can ... we still trust the monthly jobs report?

Between the Trump administration wanting to change how GDP is calculated and DOGE accessing sensitive government information, statistical agencies are under the microscope. Can we still trust official numbers like the monthly jobs report? A former Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner shares her worries about the future integrity of government data.

Can ... we still trust the monthly jobs report?

Listen · 8:45
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What to make of the Ukraine minerals deal

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London on March 2, 2025 Getty Images hide caption

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Getty Images

What to make of the Ukraine minerals deal

Even after Monday's pause on military aid to Ukraine following the Oval Office blow-up, it looks like a minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine is back on the table. We dive into what this potential deal would actually look like and whether Ukraine's minerals really live up to the hype.

What to make of the Ukraine minerals deal

Listen · 9:21
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Is the Panama Canal a rip-off?
MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images

Is the Panama Canal a rip-off?

Who pays to use the Panama Canal and how much? These questions are part of the tensions between the U.S. and Panama after President Trump threatened to take over the canal. We look at the global shipping lane's fee structure in light of the president's claim that the U.S. is getting ripped off.

Is the Panama Canal a rip-off?

Listen · 9:23
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