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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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It's giving ... Valentines

15 Feb 2024
26m
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This podcast episode explores the nature of efficiency and its applications across various fields. It discusses how grocery stores in California offer a wider selection and higher quality of produce due to the state's favorable climate and agricultural industry. It examines how companies like FastCap improve efficiency...

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A lawsuit for your broken heart

09 Feb 2024
22m
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This podcast episode delves into Keith King's journey as a BMX rider and business owner, his tumultuous marriage that ended in divorce due to infidelity, and his subsequent alienation of affection lawsuit against the other man involved, shedding light on the complexities of heart balm torts and their varying legal impl...

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Morally questionable, economically efficient

07 Feb 2024
24m
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This podcast episode explores controversial markets, where people often have moral objections to putting a price on certain things, such as kidneys and inside information. It discusses the challenges of creating a kidney market, the drawbacks of prohibition and economic consequences, and the ethics of retaliation and i...

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Groundhog Day 2024: Trademark, bankruptcy, and the dollar that failed

02 Feb 2024
26m
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This podcast episode delves into various topics including the Groundhog Day curse on the Planet Money podcast, trademarks filed on February 2nd throughout history, the history and cultural significance of Mug-O-Lunch, the intricacies of bankruptcy with a focus on Chapter 7 and Chapter 11, the failed US dollar coin, and...

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The Chicken Tax (Classic)

31 Jan 2024
15m
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This podcast episode explores the history, impact, and implications of the Chicken Tax, a 25% tariff imposed by the US on imported light trucks and commercial vans. Originally intended to protect American truck manufacturers, the tax resulted in stifled innovation, leading to a lack of competition in the American truck...

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Bonus: Janet Yellen on Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!

29 Jan 2024
10m
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This podcast episode presents insightful interviews with Janet Yellen, the 78th Treasury Secretary of the United States, and explores diverse topics such as her role in signing dollar bills, her experience consuming psychedelic mushrooms during a state dinner in China, and her love for mobile games like Candy Crush. Ye...

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Rescues at sea, and how to make a fortune

27 Jan 2024
26m
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This podcast episode tells the story of Skip, a captain who daringly rescued a tugboat and its crew caught in a storm, subsequently facing a peculiar court battle over the valuation of his heroic act.

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Hear us out: We ban left turns and other big ideas

24 Jan 2024
23m
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This podcast episode explores innovative ideas to address societal challenges, including eliminating congressional districts to enhance proportional representation, creating trust funds for all babies to tackle wealth inequality, and banning left turns to improve traffic safety and reduce congestion.

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Econ Battle Zone: Disinflation Confrontation

20 Jan 2024
31m
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This podcast episode focuses on the Econ Battle Zone competition, where contestants attempt to explain economic concepts creatively. The judges select Erica as the winner for her ability to explain labor hoarding to children in an engaging and accessible manner.

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Mid-East conflict escalation, two indicators

17 Jan 2024
16m
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This podcast episode highlights the strategic importance of the Red Sea, escalating tensions due to Houthi attacks, impact on global shipping, potential economic repercussions, including disruptions in oil and gas, and explores the phenomenon of "dominoes" in the Middle East, linking events such as shipping disruptions...

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The Maine Potato War of 1976

13 Jan 2024
24m
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This podcast episode explores the infamous 1976 Maine Potato War, a remarkable conflict that reshaped the balance of power in the national potato market. We delve into the intricacies of potato futures trading, highlighting the key roles of commodities markets and the use of hedging as a risk management strategy for fa...

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The Universal Basic Income experiment in Kenya

10 Jan 2024
24m
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This podcast episode explores various approaches to alleviating poverty, emphasizing the effectiveness of providing unconditional cash transfers to individuals and families. It delves into the experiences of recipients, highlighting the transformative impact of financial assistance on their livelihoods and communities....

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The case of the serial sinking Spanish ships

05 Jan 2024
26m
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This podcast episode unravels the mystery of the frequent shipwrecks that plagued the Manila-Acapulco trade route in the 1500s, highlighting the role of economic factors, perilous natural conditions, and misaligned incentives, such as bribery and protectionist policies, in this historical maritime debacle. Takeaways •...

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The Rest of the Story, 2023

29 Dec 2023
25m
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This podcast episode introduces "The Rest of the Story Show," a revisit of previous episodes to see how things have progressed. It dives deep into the Hollywood strike, including the strategic use of pickets, neutral gates, and the pursuit of perfection. Afterward, the episode discusses Bill Walkoff's return to work, l...

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The Indicators of this year and next

27 Dec 2023
15m
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This podcast episode explores the economic journey of 2023, discussing the Fed's pursuit of a soft landing, the disconnect between economic data and consumer sentiment, the potential impact of interest rate cuts, the concept of Bidenomics and industrial policy, the focus on junk fees by the Biden administration, and va...

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We buy a lot of Christmas trees (Update)

22 Dec 2023
31m
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This podcast episode delves into the world of the Christmas tree industry, exploring the challenges and triumphs faced by tree farmers and sellers during the holiday season. It focuses on the annual Christmas tree auction, highlighting the strategies and techniques employed by auctioneers to create a vibrant and compet...

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Dollarizing Argentina

21 Dec 2023
24m
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This podcast episode discusses Argentina's consideration of dollarization as a solution to its economic problems. Dollarization involves adopting the US dollar as the official currency to address the country's high inflation rate and bring stability to the economy. The episode explores the challenges and potential bene...

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How to be better at hybrid work, according to research

19 Dec 2023
15m
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This podcast episode discusses the challenges and dynamics of remote work, focusing on fully remote settings and hybrid work. The evidence suggests that working from home can have a negative impact on productivity due to communication and collaboration frictions. However, firms can offset these costs through savings in...

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What econ says in the shadows

16 Dec 2023
26m
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This podcast episode explores the tension surrounding anonymity on the internet, focusing on the Econ Job Market Rumors website as a case study. It delves into the negative consequences of online anonymity, such as toxicity and unprofessional behavior. The episode highlights the groundbreaking findings of Florian Edere...

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Why '90s ads are unforgettable

14 Dec 2023
26m
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This podcast episode explores the evolution of advertising from the early 1900s to the present day. It highlights the significance of product differentiation, the transition from radio to television advertising, and the rise of brand and image marketing in the 90s. The episode discusses the impact of iconic advertising...

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