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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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Summer School 7: Trade blocks and blockages

20 Aug 2025
39m
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This episode of Planet Money Summer School delves into the complexities of trade policy, specifically focusing on protectionism and its various forms, such as tariffs, quotas, and regulations. The podcast features Dean Carolyn Freund from UC San Diego, who provides expert insights and case studies on the impacts of pro...

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When our inflation infeelings don’t match the CPI

15 Aug 2025
31m
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This episode of Planet Money delves into the disparity between official inflation data and people's perceptions of rising costs, or "infeel-tions." Hosts Kenny Malone and Jeff Guo explore how personal experiences, particularly with frequently purchased items like groceries and gas, and generational exposure to inflatio...

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What happens when governments cook the books

09 Aug 2025
34m
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Planet Money discusses the potential dangers of political manipulation of economic statistics, drawing on historical examples from Argentina and Greece. The podcast begins with the firing of the BLS commissioner and the concerns that arise from it. In Argentina, the government manipulated inflation numbers, leading to ...

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Summer School 6: When the markets need a designer

06 Aug 2025
42m
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This episode of Planet Money Summer School, Government Edition, delves into the concept of market design, exploring how governments can intervene to improve market efficiency and fairness. Featuring an interview with market designer Alex Tittleboim, the episode examines potential pitfalls in markets, such as informatio...

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Summer School 5: The many ways governments influence industry

06 Aug 2025
36m
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This episode of Planet Money Summer School, titled "Industrial Policy," explores the role of government intervention in shaping economies. The hosts, along with Professor Joan Ricard-Huguette, discuss the concept of industrial policy, contrasting a cautionary tale from Argentina's attempt to manufacture BlackBerry phon...

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Would you trust an economist with your economy?

02 Aug 2025
32m
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This episode of Planet Money explores the growing distrust in economists and economic data. Amanda Aronczyk discusses how economists, once influential in policymaking, are facing increasing skepticism from the public and politicians. The episode features interviews with several economists, including Diane Swonk, Aaron ...

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Summer School 4: Who are all these regulations protecting?

30 Jul 2025
35m
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This episode of Planet Money Summer School examines the government's role as an economic referee, focusing on intellectual property and safety regulations. The episode features Joanne Ricard-Huguette, a political science professor, who discusses why governments intervene in business, particularly regarding patents and ...

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The President's Golden Share in U.S. Steel

25 Jul 2025
28m
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This Planet Money episode investigates the implications of the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, focusing on the U.S. government's involvement through CFIUS and a "golden share" agreement. It explores how the government's intervention, driven by national and economic security concerns, affects foreign investment and ...

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Summer School 3: How government decides what to spend our money on

23 Jul 2025
36m
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This episode of Planet Money Summer School, titled "You Are What You Pay For," delves into the complexities of the U.S. federal budget, exploring how the government decides to allocate its resources and the implications of the national debt. Robert Smith introduces Aviva Aaron Dime from the Brookings Institution to dis...

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Why are we so obsessed with manufacturing?

18 Jul 2025
22m
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In this episode of Planet Money, Greg Rosalsky and Sarah Gonzalez delve into the economic implications of manufacturing in the United States, exploring why politicians prioritize this sector and whether it genuinely offers good jobs. They discuss the "manufacturing premium," the pay advantage workers may receive when s...

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Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media

18 Jul 2025
2m
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Catherine Marr, CEO of NPR, announces that Congress has eliminated all federal funding for public media at the White House's request. She emphasizes the impact this will have on local news coverage, access to information, and community connection, particularly in rural areas. Marr highlights public media's commitment...

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Summer School 2: How taxes change behavior and the economy

16 Jul 2025
37m
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This episode of Planet Money Summer School, titled "Taxing Our Way to a Brighter Tomorrow," delves into the role of taxes in shaping the economy and society. Robert Smith, along with economics professor Darrick Hamilton, explores how taxes can be used not only to raise revenue but also to redistribute income, stimulate...

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Made in America

11 Jul 2025
30m
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This Planet Money episode explores the garment industry in the U.S., focusing on the experiences of Maria, a garment worker in Los Angeles. The episode investigates why the industry still exists in the U.S., its current state, and its potential for growth, highlighting the low wages and piece-rate pay system prevalent ...

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Summer School 1: A government's role in the economy is to make us all richer

09 Jul 2025
35m
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This episode of Planet Money Summer School, hosted by Robert Smith, introduces the concept of political economy, exploring the interplay between government, economics, and wealth distribution. Featuring guest professor Simon Johnson from MIT, the episode delves into how government institutions, whether inclusive or ext...

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The simple math of the big bill

04 Jul 2025
32m
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This Planet Money episode analyzes the economic implications of a recently passed bill, focusing on its tax cuts and spending reductions. The bill makes permanent some of the Trump administration's tax cuts, adds spending on areas like immigration and defense, and reduces spending on programs such as Medicaid, food sta...

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A thought experiment on how to fix the national debt problem

02 Jul 2025
25m
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Planet Money discusses the US national debt and explores potential solutions beyond the typical approaches of raising taxes or cutting spending. The hosts, Jeff Guo and Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi, consult with a "Budget Geek Squad"—economists Glenn Hubbard, Doug Elmendorf, and Zach Liskow—to investigate how government polici...

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When Trump met crypto

27 Jun 2025
31m
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This Planet Money episode explores the intersection of Donald Trump and cryptocurrency, focusing on the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. The episode details Trump's evolving relationship with crypto, from initial skepticism to embracing it as a campaign issue and business opportunity. It covers the enthusiasm of t...

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Econ Battle Zone: Budget Showdown

25 Jun 2025
38m
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In a special episode of Econ Battle Zone, Planet Money reporters Mary, Kenny, and defending champion Erika compete for the Econ Battle Zone belt by tackling complex economic questions related to the federal budget. Mary explores the effects of extending the 2017 tax cuts, incorporating rhyme into her explanation with t...

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The U.S. is the world's bribery cop. Is that about to change?

20 Jun 2025
28m
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This Planet Money episode investigates the history of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a U.S. law prohibiting American companies from bribing foreign officials. The episode traces the origins of the FCPA to the Watergate scandal and Senator Frank Church's investigation into corporate bribery. It details how th...

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Jay & Shai's debt ceiling adventure (Update)

19 Jun 2025
30m
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This Planet Money episode discusses the history and potential future of the U.S. debt ceiling, also known as the X-Date, the point at which the U.S. government risks defaulting on its obligations. The episode revisits the 2011 debt ceiling crisis, highlighting the efforts of Shai Akabas and Jay Powell (current chair of...

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