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NPR · Business

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. 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.

Episodes

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Could you live without GPS? It's OK, the economy can't, either

23 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode explores the critical vulnerabilities of the U.S. dependence on GPS, detailing the dire implications of a potential GPS outage, the looming threat of satellite sabotage, particularly from Russia, and the troubling absence of a robust backup navigation system. Guests highlight the chaos that could a...

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The Fed cut rates ... now what? (featuring: Sasquatch)

20 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode delves into the complexities of the current housing market and monetary policy, focusing on how lower mortgage rates impact homeowners and the economy at large. The hosts explore the concept of the "neutral rate," or "R-star," which serves as a benchmark for economic stimulation, and the ongoing de...

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What are Harris' economic plans?

19 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode addresses critical economic issues, focusing on Kamala Harris’s proposals for housing affordability and grocery price gouging, while also highlighting the alarming absence of conversation around the national debt in the economic platforms of both Harris and Donald Trump. The discussion critiques th...

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What are Trump's economic plans?

18 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode examines the complex economic ramifications of Donald Trump's immigration policies, challenging the notion that mass deportation would benefit American workers by arguing that current research points towards deportation having detrimental long-term effects on economic growth. Kass articulates a nua...

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Behind the Tiny Desk and other listener questions

17 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode delves into the economics behind NPR's beloved Tiny Desk concert series, highlighting its organic growth and pivotal moments like T-Pain's viral performance, which solidified its cultural impact despite lacking direct monetization through YouTube. Additionally, it addresses workplace dynamics by ex...

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Bad economics, smart politics

16 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode analyzes how political dynamics shape economic decisions, particularly through the lens of the U.S. Steel deal, revealing the critical role of the economy in voter preference and the way protectionism and populism have increasingly distorted economic principles, leading to unproductive policies tha...

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The return of Fyre Festival and other indicators

13 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode delves into the scrutiny surrounding Keurig's misleading recycling claims related to K-Cups, who face a $1.5 million penalty from the SEC, illustrating the critical need for transparent financial reporting and honest marketing practices, while also humorously exploring the audacity of the Fyre Fest...

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The DOJ's case against Apple

12 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode delves into Apple's robust defense against the Department of Justice's claims of monopoly power, highlighting the intense debate surrounding its substantial market share in the competitive smartphone landscape. Apple contends that its practices are essential for ensuring product quality and securit...

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Overtourism ho! The Barcelona cruise dilemma

11 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode analyzes the complex dynamics of cruise tourism in Barcelona, illustrating both its significant economic contributions and the local community's growing frustrations due to overcrowding. While highlighting the substantial revenue and job creation linked to cruise stops, it also brings attention to ...

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I will PAY YOU to take my natural gas

10 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode highlights significant economic trends, focusing on the increasing enrollment in community colleges and the unexpected phenomenon of negative natural gas prices in Texas. With community colleges showcasing a recovery path through their pivotal role in providing affordable education and skills train...

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How Medicare fraud became Miami's vice

09 Sep 2024
8m
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This podcast episode uncovers the tumultuous history of Miami through the lens of significant events in 1979 and 1980, specifically focusing on a race riot, the cocaine trade surge, and the Mariel Boatlift, which fostered a pervasive atmosphere of corruption and lawlessness, ultimately linking the rise of Medicare frau...

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Why aren't more people taking on the trades?

06 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode chronicles Darnell's transformative journey from law school to vocational training as he seeks to bridge the gap in the manufacturing workforce, highlighting the increasing demand for skilled trades amidst macroeconomic shifts. Through his creation of Thurgood Industries and its innovative app, Dar...

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How Pitbull got his name on a college football stadium

05 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode delves into the innovative naming rights deal between FIU and Pitbull, showcasing a strategic partnership aimed at generating significant media exposure and buzz, shifting from traditional sponsorships to a dynamic collaboration highlighting both Pitbull's underdog spirit and the multidimensional b...

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How Japan is trying to solve the problem of shrinking villages

04 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode examines Japan's aging crisis, particularly in the village of Nanmoku, where an alarming decline in population poses significant challenges for the economy and social welfare. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, it reveals ongoing government initiatives aimed at attracting young familie...

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Want to get ahead in youth sports? Try staying back a year.

03 Sep 2024
9m
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This podcast episode examines the controversial trend of "reclassing" among student-athletes, using individual stories to illustrate its potential benefits and drawbacks as they seek competitive advantages in sports, while addressing the harsh realities of college recruitment and the social implications of such decisio...

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Let's party like it's NVIDIA earnings report day!

30 Aug 2024
9m
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This podcast episode investigates significant cultural and financial shifts, including the legal battle between the Big Five publishers and Florida's book ban law, which challenges vague restrictions on educational material, and the NFL's groundbreaking move to embrace private equity investment in teams, signaling a po...

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The Olympian to influencer pipeline

29 Aug 2024
9m
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This podcast episode explores the transformative impact of the NCAA's new rules that empower college athletes, like Frederick Richard, to profit from their name, image, and likeness, illustrating how these changes not only enable athletes to build personal brands but also to inspire future generations while tackling ge...

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How mortgage interest rates work (and why they're currently out of whack)

28 Aug 2024
9m
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This podcast episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of mortgage interest rates, likening the process to the gasoline market, where the interplay of Treasury bonds, wholesale market pricing, and retail bank strategies affect borrowers. Expert Bill Emmons sheds light on the heightened risk aversion ste...

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How China became solar royalty

27 Aug 2024
9m
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This podcast episode chronicles the rise of Shi Zhengrong, the "Sun King," who transformed the Chinese solar industry through innovative strategies, government collaboration, and the establishment of a robust local supply chain. As Suntech Power Holdings emerged as a leader, China capitalized on its advantages to not o...

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A food fight over free school lunch

26 Aug 2024
9m
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This podcast episode presents a critical examination of the ongoing debate over school meals in the United States, contrasting the merits of universal free meals against targeted programs for low-income individuals. While discussing the financial implications and personal stories of families impacted by school meal pol...

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