The Indicator from Planet Money

by NPR

A little show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money , The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening today. It's a quick hit of insight into work, business, the economy, and everything else. Listen weekday afternoons.
Try Planet Money+! a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. You'll also get access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions. sign up at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

Episodes

Do I need a four-year degree?

9m · Published 05 Apr 22:31

The U.S. labor market continues its hot streak, adding 303,000 jobs last month — more than expected. Many of these jobs will require a four-year degree despite a push among some employers to eliminate these requirements. On today's show, we look at the state of the job market for people without a four-year college degree.
Related episodes:
The lopsided market for higher ed
Enough with bachelor's degrees
The cost of student debt
Failing college
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org .

Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter .
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy

How the 'shadow fleet' helps Russia skirt sanctions

9m · Published 04 Apr 23:47

"Shadow fleet" refers to the collective of ships used by countries that have sanctions against them, like Russia, to transport commodities around the world. These ships pose threats to global and environmental security because they skirt international maritime law. So what can be done about them?
Today on the show, we explain what exactly makes the shadow fleet so dangerous and why there are surprisingly limited options for how to deal with these problem ships.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org .

Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter .
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy

Can an old law bring down grocery prices?

9m · Published 03 Apr 22:16

Since 2020, grocery prices have shot up. If you're looking to save a buck, it's often more affordable to shop for groceries at a big retailer like Walmart. But some smaller grocers say those low prices are the result of an unfair playing field—and they're looking to a little-used antitrust law from the 1930s as a solution. Today, we consider the Robinson-Patman Act and whether reviving it could bring consumers some relief.
Related episodes:
Grocery delivery wars (Apple / Spotify)
Feeling inflation in the grocery store (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org .

Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter .
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy

The Indicator Quiz: Labor Edition

9m · Published 02 Apr 23:53

The sun is shining, birds are singing, and...our allergies are going NUTS. That can only mean one thing: It's time for The Indicator Quiz! The show where we bring a lucky listener on to test their econ knowledge. Today's quiz focuses on questions related to labor. Play along with us and see how you do! Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Email us your name and phone number at [email protected] and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy

Can breaking the law be good for business?

9m · Published 01 Apr 20:15

Does breaking the law ... make financial sense? Paying future fines and settlements at the risk of harm to people and the environment? Some legal scholars argue that's just the cost of doing business.Today, we ask whether a company's duty is to the law ... or to its shareholders.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy

Three ways consumers are feeling the pinch

8m · Published 28 Mar 21:39

Many broad economic indicators are positive, but consumer sentiment is negative. Even with cooling inflation and low unemployment, consumers are still feeling the economic strain. In today's episode, we look at three ways the US consumer is feeling the pinch.
Related episodes:
Dollar stores vs. lettuce Factory boom, credit card debt defaults and housing (Apple / Spotify)
Are we counting jobs right? We answer your listener questions (Apple Podcasts / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org .

Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter .
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy

Should schools be paying their college athletes?

9m · Published 27 Mar 22:16

March Madness is in full swing as Men's and Women's college basketball teams across the country compete for the NCAA championship. However, the Dartmouth Men's Basketball team made headlines just before the tournament for its successful unionization vote.
Today, we break down why the Dartmouth men are pushing to unionize and what a college athletics union could mean for the future of college sports.
Related episodes:
The monetization of college sports (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org .

Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter .
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy

Help Wanted at Boeing

9m · Published 26 Mar 22:37

Boeing's CEO Dave Calhoun has resigned and will step down at the end of the year. It comes after a series of mishaps with the aviation company including a door plug blowing off a 737 MAX 9 mid-flight. In today's episode, we turn to a head-hunter to explore what Boeing might look for in a new CEO.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org .

Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter .
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy

Name our mascot. No, really.

9m · Published 25 Mar 22:19

You might notice we're looking a little refreshed thanks to our new podcast logo. Today on the show, we ask some marketing experts what goes into building a strong brand, and whether our own makeover hits the mark.
Listeners, help us name our new Indi-Gator mascot! Email your suggestion to [email protected] with "Indi-gator" in the subject line.
Related episodes:
How to make an ad memorable (Apple / Spotify)
BRAND new friends
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org .

Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter .
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy

The interest-ing world of interest rates

9m · Published 22 Mar 22:45

Countries all over the world are making big moves in monetary policies. From unexpected cuts to long-awaited hikes to a cautious cling to the status quo, this edition of Indicators of the Week has it all. Today, we explain the motivations for these drastically different approaches.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org .

Music by Drop Electric . Find us: TikTok , Instagram , Facebook , Newsletter .
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy

The Indicator from Planet Money has 644 episodes in total of non- explicit content. Total playtime is 100:19:41. The language of the podcast is English. This podcast has been added on February 22nd 2023. It might contain more episodes than the ones shown here. It was last updated on May 20th, 2024 14:40.