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NPR · Business

Planet Money

Wanna see a trick? Give us any topic and we can tie it back to the economy. At Planet Money , we explore the forces that shape our lives and bring you along for the ride. Don't just understand the economy – understand the world. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org . You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Planet Money.

Episodes

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How unions are stopped before they start (Update)

24 Apr 2024
32m
AI processed

This podcast episode explores the challenges and triumphs of the United Auto Workers (UAW) in their attempts to establish a union at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Despite facing opposition from politicians, legal complexities, and a corruption scandal, the UAW ultimately succeeded in unionizing the pl...

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FTX and the Serengeti of bankruptcy

19 Apr 2024
25m
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This podcast episode explores the world of bankruptcy claims trading and the role of vulture investors in the FTX bankruptcy case. It highlights the experiences of individuals like Begumshi, who were able to sell their toxic assets and recover some of their losses. The episode delves into the financial ecosystem create...

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Grocery prices, credit card debt, and your 401K (Two Indicators)

17 Apr 2024
17m
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This podcast episode discusses various signs and indicators of consumer financial distress, including rising credit card delinquency rates, falling sales at discount stores, and an increase in hardship withdrawals from retirement accounts. These indicators suggest that many consumers, especially those at the margins, a...

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TikTok made me deduct it

12 Apr 2024
20m
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This podcast episode explores various aspects of tax-related advice on TikTok. The hosts caution against following misleading advice and stress the importance of consulting tax professionals for personalized guidance. The episode covers topics such as gambling losses, tax breaks for service animals, the standard deduct...

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How much does this cow weigh? (Classic)

10 Apr 2024
17m
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This podcast episode explores the concept of the "wisdom of the crowd" through experiments involving guessing the weight of a cow named Penelope. The results show that while individuals may struggle to accurately estimate the weight of large objects, the collective knowledge of a large group of people can be surprising...

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Japan's Lost Decades

05 Apr 2024
22m
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This podcast episode explores the causes and consequences of Japan's lost decades, a period of economic stagnation that began in the early 1990s. It discusses the factors that led to Japan's economic downturn, including the collapse of the asset bubble, the banking crisis, and the government's response. It also examine...

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The real estate industry on trial

03 Apr 2024
28m
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This podcast episode delves into the investigation led by personal injury lawyer Mike into the widespread practice of inflated commission fees paid by homebuyers in Missouri. Mike uncovers a price-setting conspiracy involving large realtor franchises and the National Association of Realtors (NAR). He takes the case to ...

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How much of your tax dollars are going to Israel and Ukraine

29 Mar 2024
23m
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This podcast episode explores the complexities of US foreign military financing and the financial aid provided to countries like Ukraine and Israel. It discusses the different types of foreign assistance, such as foreign military financing, and provides a detailed comparison of military aid to Ukraine and Israel. The e...

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The trouble with Table 101 (Update)

27 Mar 2024
24m
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This podcast episode explores the challenges of running a restaurant and the importance of design in creating a pleasant dining experience. The episode follows Stephanie Robson, a consultant specializing in how design affects consumer spending, as she analyzes the layout and environment of a restaurant called Table 101...

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What is Temu?

22 Mar 2024
25m
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This podcast episode explores the rise of Temu, an e-commerce company that has gained popularity in the U.S. The episode discusses Temu's origins and its parent company, Pinduoduo (PDD), highlighting their unique business models and impressive growth. It also delves into Temu's approach to solving inventory problems, t...

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How Big Steel in the U.S. fell

20 Mar 2024
22m
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This podcast episode explores the rise and decline of the steel industry in the United States. It discusses the factors that contributed to the industry's downfall, including rising labor costs, foreign competition, and a failure to adopt new technologies. The episode also highlights the emergence of mini mills as a mo...

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The billion dollar war behind U.S. rum

15 Mar 2024
23m
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This podcast episode examines the "rum wars" between the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, sparked by the Virgin Islands government's move to lure Captain Morgan away from Puerto Rico in 2008. The rivalry stems from a congressional scheme to aid the territories with tax incentives, which has inadvertently benefited large...

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Wind boom, wind bust (Two Windicators)

13 Mar 2024
16m
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This podcast episode delves into the challenges and opportunities surrounding offshore wind energy development in the Gulf of Mexico. While there are potential benefits, such as job creation and reducing carbon emissions, the region also faces obstacles including competition from cheaper energy sources and hurricane ri...

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On the Oscars campaign trail

08 Mar 2024
25m
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This podcast episode delves into the secretive and competitive world of Oscar campaigns, which involve strategic and expensive political-like maneuvers that span over eight to ten months. The race has evolved from a flattering gesture to a highly competitive circus, with streaming companies like Netflix playing a signi...

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Is dynamic pricing coming to a supermarket near you?

06 Mar 2024
25m
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This podcast delves into the intricate world of supermarket pricing, exploring its history, current practices, and the advent of dynamic pricing. From the advent of price tags to today's use of electronic shelf labels, the episode unveils the challenges of inventory management, the potential benefits of AI and data in ...

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Shopping for parental benefits around the world

01 Mar 2024
29m
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This podcast episode delves into the complex issue of declining birth rates and the various policy measures implemented by different countries to address this challenge. The discussion covers Singapore's generous incentives to encourage more babies, Sweden's extensive parental benefits and efforts towards gender equali...

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The secret world behind school fundraisers

29 Feb 2024
27m
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This podcast episode explores the significance of fundraising in schools, particularly focusing on the esfuerzos of Villacorta Elementary in California. Maria Lares, a dedicated teacher and PTA treasurer, shares insights into the importance of field trips and other enriching activities for students and the challenges s...

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A controversial idea at the heart of Bidenomics

23 Feb 2024
25m
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This podcast episode delves into the intricate world of industrial policy, exploring government interventions designed to shape the composition of the economy for long-term purposes. The discussion covers various aspects, including justifications for government intervention, contrasting examples from Asia and Latin Ame...

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Two Indicators: Economics of the defense industry

21 Feb 2024
19m
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This podcast delves into the U.S. defense industry's characteristics and its impact on military spending. It covers key events like "The Last Supper" consolidation, which aimed to streamline the industry but resulted in reduced competition and increased pricing power for defense contractors. It examines challenges such...

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How the Navy came to protect cargo ships

16 Feb 2024
19m
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This podcast episode gives a comprehensive overview of the history, principles, and geopolitical complexities of freedom of navigation on the open seas. It highlights the origins of America's defense of seafaring rights, the audacious plan to end tribute payments to Barbary pirates, and the ongoing challenges posed by ...

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