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

Al Seib/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images

Bonus episode: The Indicator plays... movie business trivia!

To cap off our weeklong series on all things Hollywood, we're going to have a little fun! Tune in to hear Adrian, Darian and Wailin battle it out as they try to name movies based on cryptic descriptions of the businesses featured in them. You can play along!

Bonus episode: The Indicator plays... movie business trivia!

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198001432/1269665383" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
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!

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198001375/1262402143" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

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

toggle caption
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

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198001428/1263571066" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Why the Fed could lose $1.5 trillion

The Fed is on the hook for an estimated one-and-a-half trillion dollars. Despite the recent headlines, that's not because of building renovations. It's a much larger cost blowout caused by big actions taken during the pandemic to help the economy: quantitative easing.

Why the Fed could lose $1.5 trillion

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1256500290/1269724942" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

401(k)s have typically only invested in highly regulated publicly traded securities. What happens when private equity is thrown in the mix? Dan Grossi/AP Newsroom hide caption

toggle caption
Dan Grossi/AP Newsroom

The risk of private equity in your 401(k)

Private equity is a risky business. There are high-highs and low-lows. A retirement plan, on the other hand, is meant to be a reliable beast. But President Trump believes your 401(k) can handle it! On today's show, the president's expected executive order could help offer some legal cover for fund managers who include private equity in your retirement portfolio. What are the risks and benefits?

The risk of private equity in your 401(k)

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1256429500/1269721384" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Getty Images

The hottest multilateral club doesn't include the US

BRICS is an economic alliance of countries that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and several other nations. They met earlier this month to discuss everything from international law to global health. President Trump, however, is not a fan of BRICS and threatened members with increased tariffs.

The hottest multilateral club doesn't include the US

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1256371477/1269707733" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Hartford HealthCare/Hartford HealthCare

A baby bonds bonanza

Baby bond fever is catching on. In recent years, states like Connecticut have been experimenting with giving newborns government-seeded accounts that grow tax-free until they are 18. Now, President Trump's signature tax and spending bill will give a thousand dollars to every U.S.-born baby through 2028. On today's show, what are baby bonds and could they help tackle wealth inequality?

Baby bonds bonanza

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1256346019/1269701831" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Gordon Chibroski/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

Nigeria notches new highs, Magic gathers millions, and crypto climbs

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

Nigeria notches new highs, Magic gathers millions, and crypto climbs

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1256217324/1269697821" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Getty Images

How to beach on a budget

It's the Beigie Awards, our eight times a year salute to the art and science of telling stories about the economy. The most recent Beige Book shows that Americans are finding ways to spend less money ... including on their vacations. On today's show, we find out what Benjamin Franklin and Jersey Beach goers have in common.

How to beach on a budget

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1256157822/1269689305" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Amidst the Great Depression, President Herbert Hoover created a bank-like institution called the Reconstruction Finance Corporation AP Photo hide caption

toggle caption
AP Photo

When Uncle Sam owned banks and factories

The quintessential American economic myth is that the free market picks winners and losers. But the federal government has long had a role in this equation, from the current administration all the way back to the Great Depression. Today on the show, we uncover the history of the country's national investment bank, which shaped the relationship between the government and the market in ways that are still felt today.

When Uncle Sam owned banks and factories

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1256100360/1269681892" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
or search npr.org