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

The Economy Explained
Is AI overrated?
Getty Images

The Indicator

Is AI overrated?

Are the promises made by AI boosters mostly hype, or are we actually underappreciating the transformative potential of AI?

Is AI overrated?

Listen · 9:28
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967800/1256251905" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
What Kamala Harris' economic agenda might look like
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Planet Money

What Kamala Harris' economic agenda might look like

Last weekend we were all thrown for a loop when President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Kamala Harris for the nomination. Just like everyone else, we are trying to quickly wrap our heads around what it means now that Harris is almost certainly going to be the Democratic nominee for president.

What Kamala Harris' economic agenda might look like

Listen · 18:10
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197961127/1256194132" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Is AI underrated?
Getty Images

The Indicator

Is AI underrated?

Are the promises made by AI boosters all hype, or are we actually underappreciating the transformative potential of AI?

Is AI underrated?

Listen · 9:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967794/1256190995" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The curious rise of novelty popcorn buckets

A screenshot of the "Deadpool & Wolverine" popcorn bucket shared by Ryan Reynolds. (Ryan Reynolds/YouTube) Ryan Reynolds/YouTube hide caption

toggle caption
Ryan Reynolds/YouTube

The Indicator

The curious rise of novelty popcorn buckets

Even before the Dune: Part 2 popcorn bucket went viral this year, movie theaters have been trying all types of ways to lure customers back. There's reclining seats, expanded menu options and even more merchandise. Today on the show, we track the rise of the popcorn bucket and its afterlife on eBay.

The curious rise of novelty popcorn buckets

Listen · 9:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967756/1256111877" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Three Kamala Harris Indicators
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The Indicator

Three Kamala Harris Indicators

You may have heard some big news this past weekend: Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential election. This leaves Kamala Harris as the favorite to be the Democratic nominee.

Three Kamala Harris Indicators

Listen · 9:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967750/1256082755" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The company that owns colors
BlueRed/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Planet Money

The company that owns colors

In 2022, artist Stuart Semple opened up his laptop to find that all his designs had turned black overnight. All the colors, across files on Adobe products like Photoshop and Illustrator, were gone. Who had taken the colors away? The story of what happened begins with one company, Pantone.

The company that owns colors

Listen · 22:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197961103/1255972748" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Bankruptcy, basketball, and bringing the dollar down
Getty Images

The Indicator

Bankruptcy, basketball, and bringing the dollar down

It's Indicators of the Week! We cover the numbers in the news that you should know about. This week, we cover climbing corporate bankruptcies, J.D. Vance's potential to bring the dollar down, and the NBA's new super serious salary cap.

Bankruptcy, basketball, and bringing the dollar down

Listen · 9:35
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967743/1255970762" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Goodbye, Chevron. Hello, lawsuits!

The Supreme Court's decision to effectively end Chevron deference will have far-reaching implications for agency regulations, including from the Environmental Protection Agency. NurPhoto/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Indicator

Goodbye, Chevron. Hello, lawsuits!

The Supreme Court's decision to quash Chevron deference means countless agency regulations are now more vulnerable to being challenged and struck down. Think the Environmental Protection Agency's plan to boost electric vehicle sales, discrimination protections against transgender people, and rules that expand eligibility for overtime.

Goodbye, Chevron. Hello, lawsuits!

Listen · 9:23
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967734/1255913799" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The conservative roots behind the Chevron doctrine

One of the boats named in the Loper Bright case prepares to dock in New Jersey. Rachel Wisniewski/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Rachel Wisniewski/Getty Images

The Indicator

The conservative roots behind the Chevron doctrine

When the Supreme Court decided Chevron U.S.A., Inc v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. 40 years ago, it didn't turn many heads. But eventually, it became the most widely cited case in all of administrative law. It set a legal precedent to give federal agencies the benefit of the doubt when the law is ambiguous, known as Chevron deference.

The conservative roots behind the Chevron doctrine

Listen · 9:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967701/1255853449" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Summer School 2: The golden ages of labor and looms

NPR NPR hide caption

toggle caption
NPR

Planet Money

Summer School 2: The golden ages of labor and looms

by , , Audrey Dilling

Who has the power? Workers or bosses? It changes through the ages, though it's usually the bosses. Today, we look at two key moments when the power of labor shifted, for better and worse, and we ask why then? What does history have to say about labor power right now?

Summer School 2: The golden ages of labor and looms

Listen · 32:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197961085/1255847603" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Why the EU can regulate big tech faster
Getty Images

The Indicator

Why the EU can regulate big tech faster

The Digital Markets Act is a new piece of European legislation aimed at making markets in the digital sector "fairer and more contestable." It's essentially antitrust regulation—rules to ensure that no one company or group of companies makes an area of business uncompetitive. And these rules are making some big companies sweat, not because they're afraid of monetary penalties, but because they could have an effect on antitrust regulations around the world.

Why the EU can regulate big tech faster

Listen · 9:08
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967690/1255782638" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
China's luxury liquor indicator

LIU JIN/AFP via Getty Images LIU JIN/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
LIU JIN/Getty Images

The Indicator

China's luxury liquor indicator

If you regularly listen to The Indicator, you know China's economy is not doing great. Over the last few years, indicators like unemployment and local debt are up, and consumption and property sales are down.

China's luxury liquor indicator

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967654/1255735278" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Rooftop solar's dark side
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Planet Money

Rooftop solar's dark side

by Alana Semuels , , Jenny Lawton ,

4.5 million households in the U.S. have solar panels on their homes. Most of those customers are happy with it - their electricity bills have just about disappeared, and it's great for the planet. But thousands and thousands of people are really disappointed with what they've been sold. Their panels are more expensive than they should be, and they say it is hard to get someone to come fix them when they break.

Rooftop solar's dark side

Listen · 27:22
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197961036/1255625942" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Greece allows a 6-day work week and other indicators
Getty Images

The Indicator

Greece allows a 6-day work week and other indicators

On Indicators of the Week, we cover the numbers in the news that you should know about. This week, we cover an encouraging trend for global wealth, closing Mexico's tariff loophole and the European nation bucking the trend of shorter work weeks.

Greece allows a 6-day work week and other indicators

Listen · 7:34
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967647/1255624775" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
An asylum seeker's long road to a work permit
Darian Woods/NPR

The Indicator

An asylum seeker's long road to a work permit

There are currently just under 65,000 migrants in New York City's shelter system, stretching the city's outworn social service systems. Today on the show, we follow one asylum seeker's journey from Venezuela to New York and explore why the process is lengthy and complicated.

An asylum seeker's long road to a work permit

Listen · 9:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967640/1255567277" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
How much do presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy?

President Joe Biden receiving updates on economic conditions in 2022. Susan Walsh hide caption

toggle caption
Susan Walsh

The Indicator

How much do presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy?

Voters have a bleak outlook on the economy right now, and many are pointing the finger at President Biden. At the same time, many voters have a rosy view of the economy when Donald Trump was president. But how much credit or blame should a president get for the economy? And how do partisan politics play into our perception of the economy's performance?

How much do presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy?

Listen · 9:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967547/1255502019" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Summer School 1: An Economic History of the World
NPR

Planet Money

Summer School 1: An Economic History of the World

by , , Audrey Dilling

Planet Money Summer School is back for eight weeks. Join as we travel back in time to find the origins of our economic way of life. Today we ask surprisingly hard question: What is money? And where did it come from? We travel to a remote island in the Pacific Ocean for the answer. Then we'll visit France in the year 1714, where a man on the lam tries to revolutionize the country's entire monetary system, and comes impressively close to the modern economy we have today, before it all falls apart. Check out our Summer School video cheat sheet on the origins of money at the Planet Money TikTok.

Summer School 1: An Economic History of the World

Listen · 34:05
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197960937/1255499134" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
What military brats tell us about social mobility
NPR

The Indicator

What military brats tell us about social mobility

Children of U.S. military families, a.k.a. brats, are known for their adaptability when relocating to new neighborhoods and schools every few years. This migratory population became the basis for brand new research on how the neighborhood you grew up in affects your economic success later in life. Today on the show, how a place influences your financial destiny.

What military brats tell us about social mobility

Listen · 9:22
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967537/1255414511" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The young trolls of Wall Street are growing up

(Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

The Indicator

The young trolls of Wall Street are growing up

Back in 2021, the meme stock frenzy was at its peak: Roaring Kitty AKA Keith Gill, and young day traders gleefully upended financial markets. Roaring Kitty disappeared for a bit before returning just a couple months ago.

The young trolls of Wall Street are growing up

Listen · 9:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967531/1255347060" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
How flying got so bad (or did it?)
Fox Photos/Getty Images

Planet Money

How flying got so bad (or did it?)

We often hear that air travel is worse than it's ever been. Gone are the days when airplanes touted piano bars and meat carving stations — or even free meals. Instead we're crammed into tiny seats and fighting for overhead space.

How flying got so bad (or did it?)

Listen · 25:15
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197960905/1255268451" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The two companies driving the modern economy

A closeup of a silicon wafer on display at Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institution on September 16, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Annabelle Chih/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Annabelle Chih/Getty Images

Planet Money

The two companies driving the modern economy

At the core of most of the electronics we use today are some very tiny, very powerful chips. Semiconductor chips. And they are mighty: they help power our phones, laptops, and cars. They enable advances in healthcare, military systems, transportation, and clean energy. And they're also critical for artificial intelligence, providing the hardware needed to train complex machine learning.

The two companies driving the modern economy

Listen · 20:15
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197960891/1255204930" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The game theory that led to nuclear standoffs
Unknown/Wikimedia

The Indicator

The game theory that led to nuclear standoffs

Last week, Vladimir Putin vowed to make new nuclear weapons and consider placing them close to NATO countries. Meanwhile, here in the US, the government boosted its nuclear weapon spending by 18% between 2022 and 2023.

The game theory that led to nuclear standoffs

Listen · 9:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197967395/1255201364" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org