The Indicator from Planet Money 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

The Indicator from Planet Money

From 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

Most Recent Episodes

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How are moving companies faring with high mortgage rates?

HOOAH! It's our first Beigie Award for 2024! The Beigie Award is back to recognize the regional Federal Reserve Bank with the best Beige Book entry. This edition's winner took us to the City of Brotherly Love, detailing how high home interest rates and low existing home sales in the area are financially affecting our buff brethren in arms: movers.

How are moving companies fairing with high mortgage rates?

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As of February 7, 2024, the hospital's computer network had been offline for eight days following what appears to be a ransomware attack Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

Are data breaches putting patients at risk?

Cyberattacks are plaguing the healthcare industry. It's an expensive and dangerous trend that's on the rise. Today, we consider why hacking is surging right now, why healthcare companies are being targeted and what hackers want from them.

Are data breaches putting patients at risk?

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What's behind Bitcoin's bullrun?

The introduction of brand new spot bitcoin ETFs has put bitcoin on a bit of a hot streak. Just this week, the price of bitcoin reached a record high of about $72,000 which is about 70% higher than it was a couple of months ago. So why exactly have these ETFs changed the perception around bitcoin so quickly?

What's behind Bitcoin's bullrun?

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SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Is the financial media making us miserable about the economy?

There's been a disconnect between how the US economy is doing and how people actually feel about it. Maybe people are still burnt from when inflation was high, maybe it's the expensive cost of borrowing for a car or a mortgage, or maybe it's ... wait, are WE the problem?! Today we look in the mirror and find out if financial media contributes to negative economic sentiment.

Is the financial media making us miserable about the economy?

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Reporter Darian Woods and wind turbine technician Konnor Therriault at the base of a Vestas wind turbine in Bingham, Maine. (Photo by Matthew Copeman) Matthew Copeman/Matthew Copeman hide caption

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Matthew Copeman/Matthew Copeman

Why wind techs are so in demand

The job that's projected to be the fastest-growing in the U.S. is wind turbine service technician. So we wanted to learn what they actually do. Today on the show, reporter Darian Woods travels to a windy corner of Maine for a day in the life of one of these green-collar jobs.

Why wind techs are so in demand

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Two Ukrainian citizens hold up posters against Russia's military intervention. Emilio Morenatti/AP hide caption

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Emilio Morenatti/AP

How to get Russia to pay Ukraine

Ukraine desperately needs money. And there's a tempting solution sitting in a Belgian financial institution: nearly $200 billion in frozen Russian assets. In today's episode, we learn about this unique depository where most of the Russian assets are stored and two proposals to get some of this money to Ukraine.

How to get Russia to pay Ukraine

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What would it take to fix retirement?

The rising cost of living and longer life expectancy is making it harder for Americans to retire comfortably. Millions of Americans are behind on saving for retirement and face the possibility of working in their old age.

What would it take to fix retirement?

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Drew Angerer/Getty Images

How the SEC's new rule could reveal more about a company's emissions

The Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to issue new rules this week on how companies disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. This is part of a broader movement for more environmentally and socially conscious financial options, known as ESG investing. Today on the show, what the proposed climate disclosure rule says, why it's so controversial, and if it passes, what that'll mean for investors and the stock market.

How the SEC's new rule could reveal more about a company's emissions

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Recompose

The growing industry of green burials

One estimate says 2.4 million people die in the U.S. each year, and burying them is expensive: a typical burial can cost about $10,000. That's a lot of money, caskets, and plots filling up cemeteries. But ... what if there was a cost-effective option to bury people, one that was good for the Earth and your pocket book? Today, we look at the prices and features of sustainable burials.

The growing industry of green burials

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FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

Wendy's pricing mind trick and other indicators of the week

It's Indicators of the Week, our weekly look under the hood of the global economy! Today on the show: Tyler Perry halts his film studio expansion plans because of AI, Wendy's communications about a new pricing board goes haywire and a key inflation measure falls.

Wendy's pricing mind trick and other indicators of the week

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