Accessibility links
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.
Planet Money

Planet Money

The Economy Explained
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

toggle caption
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

Listen · 28:20
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1058039161/1059140324" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Indicators-giving! How Much Does Thanksgiving Cost This Year?
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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?

Listen · 9:33
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1059074418/1059116161" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Ticket scalpers: The real ticket masters
Rich Fury/Getty Images for LA Pride

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

Listen · 8:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1058704237/1058713142" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Jeromonomics 2.0
Alex Wong/Getty Images

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

Listen · 9:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1058161193/1058174190" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
A trunk full of truffles (Update)

Truffles on a scale Dan Pashman/The Sporkful hide caption

toggle caption
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)

Listen · 25:59
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1057292186/1057453710" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
An exuberant bid for the Constitution
Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

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

Listen · 9:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1057461646/1057518999" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Rumor has it Adele broke the vinyl supply chain
Paul Kane/Getty Images

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

Listen · 9:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1057040150/1057053802" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Should Americans buy less stuff?
Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

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?

Listen · 8:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1056696045/1056713884" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Of boats and boxes

Photo of Chassis at the Port of Hueneme. Erika Beras/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Erika Beras/NPR

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

Listen · 23:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1056299014/1056631387" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
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

Listen · 9:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1056278180/1056320851" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
'The China Shock' and the downsides of globalization
Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

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

Listen · 9:39
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1055954861/1055994066" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Auction fever (Classic)

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

toggle caption
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)

Listen · 15:35
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1055421103/1055423700" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Why quitting got so cool
Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images

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

Listen · 9:43
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1055412277/1055413817" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Indicators of the Week: Broadband, bonds, and break-ups
Sebastien Salom-Gomis/AFP via Getty Images

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

Listen · 9:57
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1054929180/1054968797" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Planes, trains and bad bridges

Photo of the Brent Spence Bridge connecting Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky. (Photo by JEFF DEAN/AFP via Getty Images) JEFF DEAN/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
JEFF DEAN/AFP via Getty Images

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

Listen · 21:32
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1054402540/1054560055" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The Money Illusion: Have Americans really gotten a raise?
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

The Money Illusion: Have Americans really gotten a raise?

by , Julia Ritchey

Although workers across the country have seen an increase in wages, the cost of things like gas and food have also been increasing. This leaves workers wondering whether these raises are real or just an illusion.

The Money Illusion: Have Americans really gotten a raise?

Listen · 9:50
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1054451446/1054543385" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Global food, local sauces
Manjunath Kiran /AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

Global food, local sauces

Adnan Durrani loved sourcing ingredients from all over the world for his food company Saffron Road. Then the pandemic hit. Now Adnan is totally reconsidering the benefits of globalization.

Global food, local sauces

Listen · 8:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1054091162/1054105871" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
iBuyers, Zillow, and 'the lemons problem'
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

iBuyers, Zillow, and 'the lemons problem'

With troves of data at their disposal, iBuyers like Opendoor, Redfin and Zillow have been trying to make money buying homes online and selling them — quickly. Armed with high-tech algorithms, what could go wrong? Lemons, for one thing.

iBuyers, Zillow, and 'the lemons problem'

Listen · 8:42
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1053689886/1053718924" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Moonshot in the arm

Photo of Dr. Robert Kadlec in front of the whiteboard where he wrote "Manhattan Project." Brendan Borrell /https://www.thefirstshots.com/ hide caption

toggle caption
Brendan Borrell /https://www.thefirstshots.com/

Planet Money

Moonshot in the arm

COVID-19 prompted the quickest vaccine development in history. An inside look at how the government and pharmaceutical companies joined forces to make it happen.

Moonshot in the arm

Listen · 27:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1053003777/1053067746" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The Great Hesitation: a Jobs Friday rom-com
Hector Vivas/Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

The Great Hesitation: a Jobs Friday rom-com

It's Jobs Friday, and we blow our first air horn in months! Albeit, a slightly muted one. Last month, the economy added more jobs than expected. But there are still millions of people staying out of the workforce. Why?

The Great Hesitation: a Jobs Friday rom-com

Listen · 9:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1053000563/1053066027" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Landlords need help too
Jessica Ruiz for NPR

The Indicator from Planet Money

Landlords need help too

For renters to receive emergency rental assistance, they usually need cooperation from their landlords. This is also true vice versa. On today's show, we hear about the struggles of two mom-and-pop landlords with renters who left them holding the bag.

Landlords need help too

Listen · 9:59
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1052505729/1052549718" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org