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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
Crypto crashed, stocks dropped, and Apple surpassed
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Crypto crashed, stocks dropped, and Apple surpassed

On today's edition of Indicators of the Week, we bring you the top numbers to know in the stock market, cryptocurrency, and the world's second most valuable company.

Crypto crashed, stocks dropped, and Apple surpassed

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Beating the bond market: Luck or skill?
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Beating the bond market: Luck or skill?

Bill Gross is a retired investor known for creating and dominating the bond market. But what exactly made him so successful? Today, we talk to Aaron Brown, who created a mock portfolio to unpack the success of the Bond King.

Beating the bond market: Luck or skill?

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Can inflation ... inflate away debt?
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Can inflation ... inflate away debt?

We often talk about inflation as a bad thing. But for countries in a lot of debt, inflation has an upside. But can a country try to inflate its way out of debt?

Can inflation ... inflate away debt?

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A 12-year-old girl takes on the video game industry (UPDATE)
Imangi Studios

Planet Money

A 12-year-old girl takes on the video game industry (UPDATE)

by , Steve Henn

When Maddie Messer was 12 years old, she noticed an unfair dynamic in the video games she loved: playing as a man was often free, but she had to pay to play as a woman. So ... she decided to take on the video game industry. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

A 12-year-old girl takes on the video game industry (UPDATE)

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The graying of America

Lay Guzman stands behind a partial protective plastic screen and wears a mask and gloves as she works as a cashier at the Presidente Supermarket on April 13, 2020 in Miami, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

The graying of America

by Alana Semuels ,

America is getting older which is bad news for the state of the labor market. Today, we learn how lower fertility rates and retiring seniors are contributing to shortages in the labor force.

The graying of America

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EU leads the way on controlling big tech
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

EU leads the way on controlling big tech

The European Union is poised to pass its latest big tech legislation package. The Digital Services Act could reshape how we interact with big online platforms. Today, we go through some of the highlights of the regulation.

EU leads the way on controlling big tech

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The day Russia adopted the free market
ANATOLY SAPRONENKOV/AFP via Getty Images

Planet Money

The day Russia adopted the free market

In the early 90s, American economist Jeffrey Sachs was a part of a team that tried to transform Russia's economy. It did not go as planned. He tells us what he thinks went so wrong. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

The day Russia adopted the free market

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What the Beveridge curve tells us about jobs
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The Indicator from Planet Money

What the Beveridge curve tells us about jobs

Unemployment is low and job listings are at a record high: This shows up in a chart called the Beveridge curve. What's driving this? We talk to a former brewery manager to find out.

What the Beveridge curve tells us about jobs

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The palm oil price mystery

People line up to buy cooking oil in Palembang in February 2022, following the shortage of crude palm oil in the country. Abdul Qodir/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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The Indicator

The palm oil price mystery

by Paddy Hirsch ,

Prices for cooking oil have spiked around the world. You can point to drought and, more recently, the war in Ukraine for reasons why. But palm oil prices were on the rise before those production shocks. Today, we look into the palm oil price mystery.

The palm oil price mystery

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Quantitative easing, meet quantitative tightening
Alex Brandon/AP

The Indicator from Planet Money

Quantitative easing, meet quantitative tightening

To try and slow inflation, the Federal Reserve is going beyond its typical tool of raising interest rates, and adopting a policy of "quantitative tightening." So ... what is that, exactly?

Quantitative easing, meet quantitative tightening

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Escheat show (Classic)
CafeCredit/"Empty pocket"

Planet Money

Escheat show (Classic)

by Audrey Quinn ,

If you're looking for money you've forgotten about, there's a chance the government might have it. The good news is that you can get it back. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Escheat show (Classic)

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A secret weapon to fight inflation

Education bonds, Series I, United States. lauradyoung/Getty Images hide caption

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The Indicator from Planet Money

A secret weapon to fight inflation

Savings bonds are known for their low yields and relative safety. However, the recent inflation spike is creating a heightened demand for the Series I Bond. Today, we learn the mechanics of the I Bond and why it might be the hottest investment of 2022.

A secret weapon to fight inflation

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The market for on demand trucking
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The Indicator from Planet Money

The market for on demand trucking

by Paddy Hirsch , Wailin Wong

The trucking industry saw a boom in the early months of the pandemic as consumer demand for goods surged. This caused a key trucking indicator known as the spot market rate to hit historic highs. Today, we learn what the recent decline in the spot rate could mean for the economy.

The market for on demand trucking

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Econ Exploder: GDP
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The Indicator

Econ Exploder: GDP

The Bureau of Economic Analysis released their quarterly gross domestic product report this week. It showed GDP shrank at an annualized rate of 1.4%. Not good. But there's a mix of stories in the details. We explain with the help of a bit of music.

Econ Exploder: GDP

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Planet Money book club
Erika Beras /NPR

Planet Money

Planet Money book club

Behind every Planet Money episode is a ton of reading. Today, we share some of our favorite books from along the way.

Planet Money book club

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The rising tides of global food prices
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The Indicator from Planet Money

The rising tides of global food prices

Global food prices were rising even before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but the war in Eastern Europe is putting more pressure on supply. Today, the global impact of rising food prices and how countries are attempting to make up for missing supply.

The rising tide of global food prices

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Shanghai's lockdown economy
Kelly Wang/Kelly Wang

The Indicator from Planet Money

Shanghai's lockdown economy

Shanghai is enduring a strict COVID lockdown that has left many without many basic necessities, including food. So ordinary people have banded together to build their own group-buying and barter economy.

Shanghai's lockdown economy

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Risky business
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Planet Money

Risky business

by Sally Herships , , Paddy Hirsch

Two stories on how businesses are using insurance to navigate new kinds of risks. First, how music venues are handling pandemic-related risks. And how Russia's invasion of Ukraine is affecting cyber insurance. | Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

Risky business

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Sri Lanka's foreign exchange problem
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The Indicator from Planet Money

Sri Lanka's foreign exchange problem

A series of policy missteps combined with a global pandemic is putting heavy economic pressure on Sri Lanka. Today, the events that led to surging prices, power outages and violent protests in the island nation.

Sri Lanka's foreign exchange problem

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You should probably get your plane tickets soon
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The Indicator from Planet Money

You should probably get your plane tickets soon

by Paddy Hirsch ,

The pandemic crushed the airline industry, causing a wave of layoffs. While increased consumer demand in 2022 has analysts forecasting a profitable year for the major airlines, lingering issues are likely to make summertime travel more expensive.

You should probably get your plane tickets soon

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