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Planet Money The economy, explained, with stories and surprises. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, "Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy." Now imagine that's actually a fun evening. That's what we're going for at Planet Money. People seem to like it.
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Planet Money

The Economy Explained
Jobs Friday: The case for better wages
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The Indicator

Jobs Friday: The case for better wages

Today's jobs report found that workers received a small raise last month. And, yes, higher pay is great for attracting workers and boosting morale, but sometimes it can even pay for itself.

Jobs Friday: The case for better wages

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2021: A year in indicators
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The Indicator

2021: A year in indicators

by , Cardiff Garcia

After a tumultuous 2020, we welcomed the new year by picking three indicators to watch for economic recovery. As 2021 wraps up, we revisit those indicators to see how they've fared. Our old friend Cardiff Garcia returns for this walk down indicator memory lane.

2021: A year in indicators

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Falling down the "junk insurance" rabbit hole
Karen Bleier /AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator

Falling down the "junk insurance" rabbit hole

by Dan Weissmann ,

If you Google "Obamacare signup," good luck finding healthcare.gov. It'll be buried under several ads trying to lure you to something less healthy. Today's show looks at a classic bait and switch.

Falling down the "junk insurance" rabbit hole

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Women, career and family: A conversation with Claudia Goldin
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The Indicator

Women, career and family: A conversation with Claudia Goldin

Caregiving responsibilities for women have drastically increased since the start of the pandemic. And with new demands at home and at work, many women have struggled to find a balance between work and family. On today's show, economist Claudia Goldin joins us to talk about that and other issues in her new book, "Career and Family: Women's Century Long Journey Towards Equity."

Women, career and family: A conversation with Claudia Goldin

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The rise and fall (and rise?) of organized labor
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The Indicator

The rise and fall (and rise?) of organized labor

In the wake of the "great resignation", organized labor may be having a moment in the U.S. Tens of thousands of workers have protested working conditions at companies like John Deere and Kellogg's and, in recent months, workers across the country have chosen or threatened strike action. Today on the show, author Erik Loomis shares how the history of America's unions explains today's labor movement.

The rise and fall (and rise?) of organized labor

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Day of the debt

Planet Money's Treasury Bill Kenny Malone hide caption

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Kenny Malone

Planet Money

Day of the debt

We make a loan to the U.S. government, and it does not go the way we thought it would. Plus: the story of that one time the U.S. defaulted. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Day of the debt

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You asked for real raises, free shipping, and a special delivery

(Photo credit should read ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images) ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images

Planet Money

You asked for real raises, free shipping, and a special delivery

It's listener question time. We've got answers about "free" shipping, full employment, when a raise isn't a raise, Taylor Swift, crypto seizures and our very own Micro-Face comic. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

You asked for real raises, free shipping, and a special delivery

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Indicators-giving! How much does Thanksgiving cost this year?
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The Indicator

Indicators-giving! How much does Thanksgiving cost this year?

How much will Thanksgiving dinner cost compared to last year? Today on the show, the Indicator team gathers around the virtual Thanksgiving table to let you know how much prices have changed for each holiday favorite.

Indicators-giving! How Much Does Thanksgiving Cost This Year?

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Ticket scalpers: The real ticket masters
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The Indicator

Ticket scalpers: The real ticket masters

Ticket scalpers. They're the bane of every fan's existence because they manage to snag concert tickets before fans can even get their webpages to load. An economist would tell you the story is more complicated than that.

Ticket scalpers: The real ticket masters

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Jeromonomics 2.0
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The Indicator

Jeromonomics 2.0

Today President Biden reappointed Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve. So we revisit a recent episode about Jay Powell's first term and his approach to steering the economy — Jeromonomics.

Jeromonomics 2.0

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A trunk full of truffles (Update)

Truffles on a scale Dan Pashman/The Sporkful hide caption

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Dan Pashman/The Sporkful

Planet Money

A trunk full of truffles (Update)

by , Dan Pashman

Truffles are one of the most expensive and sought after ingredients in the world. Today, we look back at our NYC adventure with a truffle smuggler and how the market has changed since we last talked to him. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

A trunk full of truffles (Update)

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An exuberant bid for the Constitution
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The Indicator

An exuberant bid for the Constitution

It's that time again! A crypto group fails to buy an original copy of the U.S. Constitution, Crypto.com succeeds in renaming LA's Staples Center, and warnings the economy might be too exuberant.

An exuberant bid for the Constitution

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Rumor has it Adele broke the vinyl supply chain
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The Indicator

Rumor has it Adele broke the vinyl supply chain

We're in the midst of a vinyl boom and chains like Walmart have been cashing in. But so have stars like Adele, who reportedly pressed over 500,000 records for her new album, "30." Today on the show, has Adele really clogged the fragile vinyl supply chain, or should we go easy on her?

Rumor has it Adele broke the vinyl supply chain

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Should Americans buy less stuff?
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The Indicator

Should Americans buy less stuff?

Americans love to shop, and consumer spending has only increased since the start of the pandemic. Even the supply chains are tired. That's why one Bloomberg columnist believes it's time for an intervention.

Should Americans buy less stuff?

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Of boats and boxes

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Planet Money

Of boats and boxes

We take a trip to ports on the east and west coasts to ask what's on everyone's mind: why are they so clogged? And how can we fix it? | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Of boats and boxes

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Toyota Camry, supply-chain hero
Francois Lo Presti/AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator

Toyota Camry, supply-chain hero

Toyota pioneered just-in-time production. But this lean method is dangerous when car parts are in short supply, like in a pandemic. Today: How Toyota invented and reformed just-in-time production.

Toyota Camry, supply-chain hero

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'The China Shock' and the downsides of globalization
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The Indicator from Planet Money

'The China Shock' and the downsides of globalization

Trade with China made American goods cheaper and lifted millions of Chinese people out of poverty. At the same time, it devastated communities across America's heartland. What have we learned from the "China Shock"? And what can we do to prevent something like it from happening again?

'The China Shock' and the downsides of globalization

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Auction fever (Classic)

A Cat 345C L Excavator, aka a big digging machine Keith Romer/NPR hide caption

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Keith Romer/NPR

Planet Money

Auction fever (Classic)

Today, we go on a Planet Money roadtrip to learn the secrets of the auction world. We find some amazing bargains, some shady strategies and a giant big digger. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Auction fever (Classic)

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Why quitting got so cool
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Why quitting got so cool

This episode is all about quitters! Over 4 million people quit their jobs in September. That's a record high following another record quits rate in August. What does this trend say about America's evolving workforce, and when did so many people start saving "rest eggs?"

Why quitting got so cool

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Indicators of the Week: Broadband, bonds, and break-ups
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Indicators of the Week: Broadband, bonds, and break-ups

by , , Wailin Wong

It's Indicators of the Week! General Electric splits into three separate companies, the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill promises faster internet speeds, and interest rates for government debt inched up.

Indicators of the Week: Broadband, bonds, and break-ups

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Planes, trains and bad bridges

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Planet Money

Planes, trains and bad bridges

The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill has passed Congress, but what exactly is in it? Today, the important, surprising, delightful line items. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Planes, trains and bad bridges

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