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. Sign up for our newsletter . Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including bonus episodes for Planet Money and sponsor-free listening for The Indicator.
This episode explores the funding of NPR and the impact of a recent executive order by President Trump to defund NPR and PBS. Against the backdrop of the executive order, the podcast traces the history of public radio in the US, from its early beginnings in educational college stations to the creation of NPR and its i...
This episode explores the current state of AI in robotics, moving beyond online applications into the physical world. It begins with the exploration of AI-powered robots, such as the Optimus robot by Tesla, and the challenges of implementing AI in real-world tasks. Against the backdrop of the limitations of traditional...
This episode explores three economic indicators: China's interest rate cut, the ideal emergency fund size for US households, and the rising prices of used cars. Against the backdrop of trade tensions with the U.S., China's central bank has lowered its benchmark interest rate to 1.4% to stimulate its economy and gain le...
This episode explores the escalating tension between President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, focusing on the implications for the Fed's independence. Against the backdrop of Trump's repeated criticisms of Powell's interest rate policies, the discussion delves into the historical context of presidential...
This episode explores the economic challenges faced by American shrimpers due to competition from cheaper imported shrimp, focusing on the debate around tariffs as a solution. Against the backdrop of declining numbers of U.S. shrimpers, the discussion highlights the perspective of Louisiana shrimper A.C. Cooper, who su...
This episode explores the impact of the US-China trade war on American soybean farmers. Against the backdrop of President Trump's executive order threatening NPR funding, the podcast features interviews with two soybean farmers, Anthony Bland and Brad Smith, who detail the economic hardships they face due to increased ...
This episode explores the state of the US economy as reflected in the Federal Reserve's Beige Book, using a humorous award show format called "The Beigey Awards." Against the backdrop of fluctuating stock markets and tariff debates, the hosts highlight the concerning trend of hiring freezes across various sectors, sign...
This episode explores the impact of federal spending cuts on the US scientific community, specifically focusing on the "brain drain" of scientists leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. Against the backdrop of reduced NIH funding and government layoffs, the podcast highlights a 32% increase in US-based sc...
This episode explores the economic impact of the Trump administration's crackdown on international students in the U.S. Against the backdrop of visa revocations targeting students with perceived political or minor legal infractions, the podcast highlights the resulting panic and exodus of foreign students, exemplified...
This episode explores the burgeoning world of stablecoins, digital currencies pegged to the value of a traditional currency like the US dollar. Against the backdrop of the Stable Act's passage through the House and Senate committees, the podcast delves into how stablecoins function, comparing them to casino chips as a...
This episode explores Pakistan's delicate balancing act between its economic relationships with the United States and China. Against the backdrop of US aid cuts and tariffs, the discussion centers on Pakistan's Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and his perspective on navigating these complex geopolitical dynamics. ...
This episode explores the impact of boycotts on businesses, specifically focusing on Target's recent experience following the rollback of its DEI policies. Against the backdrop of a 40-day boycott led by Pastor Jamal Bryant, Target has seen decreased foot traffic and a drop in share price. More significantly, the pod...
This episode explores several key indicators in business, tech, and finance. Against the backdrop of a relatively stable number of Easter weekend air passengers, the hosts discuss a significant drop in international travel to the U.S., potentially linked to increased border scrutiny and resulting advisories from unive...
This episode explores the conflicting viewpoints within the Trump administration regarding trade policy, specifically focusing on the advisors' influence on the president's decisions on tariffs. Against the backdrop of fluctuating markets and uncertainty surrounding trade deals, the podcast analyzes two prominent schoo...
This episode explores the multifaceted nature of President Donald Trump's approach to tariffs, questioning whether they are a strategic bargaining tool or a permanent policy. Against the backdrop of global market reactions to Trump's tariff announcements, the interview delves into two contrasting archetypes: "Dealmake...
This episode explores the impact of the US-China trade war, specifically focusing on its effects within China and the strategic considerations of President Xi Jinping. Against the backdrop of escalating tariffs and retaliatory measures, the discussion highlights the uncertainty and anxiety among Chinese manufacturers,...
This episode explores the knowledge of a DJ, Melvin, regarding economics topics covered in previous episodes of The Indicator podcast. The format is a quiz, featuring segments like "Alphabet Soup" (identifying acronyms like WTO and VAT), "Test Your Terms" (filling in the blanks related to economic concepts and events)...
This episode explores the current economic climate and its reflection in the search trends on Investopedia, a financial website. Against the backdrop of recent market volatility and trade tensions, the hosts discuss three trending topics: the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, serving as a historical cautionary tale; th...
This episode explores the question of whether President Trump's social media posts regarding a potential tariff pause constituted insider trading. Against the backdrop of April's stock market volatility triggered by Trump's initial tariff announcement, followed by a subsequent 90-day pause, the discussion centers on th...
This episode explores the Trump administration's controversial stance on the value-added tax (VAT), a consumption tax used in most countries but not the US. Against the backdrop of President Trump's declaration of a national emergency due to trade practices, the discussion centers on the administration's unusual class...
Follow this podcast in Podwise
Sign in to get AI summaries, transcripts and mind maps for any episode, including new ones.
