The Indicator from Planet Money

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300 episodes

Bonus episode: The Indicator plays... movie business trivia!

15 min

To cap off our weeklong series on all things Hollywood, we're going to have a little fun! Tune in to hear Adrian, Darian and Wailin battle it out as they try to name movies based on cryptic descriptions of the businesses featured in them. You can play along! Related episodes: When is cosplay a crime? (https://www.npr.org/2025/07/17/1255812242/star-wars-lucasfilm-cosplay-dc-marvel-disney) The story of China and Hollywood's big-screen romance (https://www.npr.org/2025/07/16/1255755400/china-hollywood-box-office-film-business-trump) Why aren't filmmakers shooting in LA? (https://www.npr.org/2025/07/15/1255699454/los-angeles-tax-credits-film-newsom-hollywood) Before La La Land there was Fort Lee, New Jersey (https://www.npr.org/2025/07/14/1255667298/hollywood-new-jersey-los-angeles-filmmaking) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

GhostbustersMonsters IncWilly Wonka

Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media

2 min

Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

CongressFederal FundingPublic Media

Are you not entertained ... by our movie-related indicators?

9 min

The movies come to Indicators of the Week. We dig into why one film is letting you reserve tickets a whole year in advance, what ticket prices might tell us about tariffs and inflation, and how Los Angeles might be cutting back on the red tape when it comes to making movies there. Related episodes: Why aren't filmmakers shooting in LA? (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000717211557) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/67jE1vNxoS2J6AEGMqdV6l?si=7b1e99eb9c01479f)) The story of China and Hollywood's big-screen romance (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000717411556) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HnjgZM1ZbHsB0dt9oJoAq?si=3a20f54272ed4aa6)) When is cosplay a crime? (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000717592960) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/2yTvPt22jgzZyGnv5it2NP?si=253af2640593475a)) Before La La Land, there was Fort Lee, New Jersey (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000716879749) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qkfwCRFpLvzWpth409jsL?si=1b7bac9c3bc54037)) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Julia Ritchey. Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

Movie TicketsTicket PricesInflation

When is cosplay a crime?

9 min

Cosplay—or dressing up as your favorite character from pop culture—is fun! But it can fall into a legal gray area when it comes to companies' intellectual property. Today on the show: a group of cosplayers, Lucasfilm(!), a lawyer, and finding economic symbiosis in order to express yourself. Related episodes: Before La La Land there was Fort Lee, New Jersey (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-la-la-land-there-was-fort-lee-new-jersey/id1320118593?i=1000716879749) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qkfwCRFpLvzWpth409jsL)) Why aren't filmmakers shooting in LA? (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-arent-filmmakers-shooting-in-la/id1320118593?i=1000717211557) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/67jE1vNxoS2J6AEGMqdV6l)) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

CosplayStar WarsLucasfilm

The story of China and Hollywood's big-screen romance

10 min

No country can come close to the amount of money Americans spend at the box office each year ... that is, until China came along. The US and Chinese film industries have a long intertwined history, with shifting power dynamics. Today on the show, we continue our week-long look at the movie business as we explore the on-and-off romance between Hollywood and China's film industries. Related episodes: Why aren't filmmakers shooting in LA? (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-arent-filmmakers-shooting-in-la/id1320118593?i=1000717211557) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/67jE1vNxoS2J6AEGMqdV6l?si=QMZPFgz8TYqCWP9iHdGtqw)) Before La La Land there was Fort Lee, New Jersey (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-la-la-land-there-was-fort-lee-new-jersey/id1320118593?i=1000716879749) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qkfwCRFpLvzWpth409jsL?si=HvhkhXY1RNKDSuXN8qrkbw)) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

HollywoodChina Film IndustryBox Office Revenue

Why aren't filmmakers shooting in LA?

9 min

Despite being, ya know, Hollywood, more and more movies and TV shows are shooting outside of Tinseltown. Dozens of U.S. states and many countries offer subsidies for film production. This has drawn filmmakers away from L.A. and led to historically low levels of shooting activity in recent years in the city. After the COVID shutdowns, labor strikes, and January's devastating wildfires ... what can bring back LA's film industry? Related episodes: Before La La Land there was Fort Lee, New Jersey (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-la-la-land-there-was-fort-lee-new-jersey/id1320118593?i=1000716879749) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qkfwCRFpLvzWpth409jsL?si=45c8ebcc0db44393)) Why residuals are taking center stage in actors' strike (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-residuals-are-taking-center-stage-in-actors-strike/id1320118593?i=1000622583855) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5oj2YUVyMCqPjCwHzaWZo2)) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

Los AngelesHollywoodFilm Incentives

Before La La Land, there was Fort Lee, New Jersey

9 min

Hollywood, baby! The glitz! The glamour! The ever-changing business models! This week, The Indicator is going to the movies. Starting today with the history of Hollywood and where it began ... New Jersey! Related episode: The Origin Of The Oscars (https://www.npr.org/2021/04/23/990329880/the-origin-of-the-oscars) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

Fort LeeHollywoodThomas Edison

Red tape indicators: sports betting, R&D and click-to-cancel

9 min

We are back with Indicators of the Week! Today, we'll be digging into why U.S. professional gamblers are worried about their future, why businesses might start investing more in research and development, and why cancelling your subscriptions is going to remain difficult. Related episodes: How sports gambling blew up (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?i=1000680755648) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/51RxhTAW58sRYRCoZaJj8g?si=73c091a0c80e42df)) The cautionary tale of a recovering day trading addict (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000686210451) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5mH331cqbEpencgyA5XKKM?si=d0dfa0290e8e4078)) The 'Planet Money' team examines the subscription trap (https://www.npr.org/2024/10/25/nx-s1-5164465/the-planet-money-team-examines-the-subscription-trap) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

Sports BettingGambling LossesTax Deduction

Could Meta do more to protect us from cyber scams?

9 min

Many small businesses are online now, but so are cyber criminals trying to take advantage. On today's show, how one bar owner fell victim to a Facebook scam and if big tech could do more to protect small business owners from increasing cyber attacks. Read Stephan's original piece (https://www.wwno.org/business/2025-06-04/a-new-orleans-restaurant-owners-facebook-was-hacked-it-put-her-business-in-jeopardy). Related: The secret world of those scammy text messages (https://www.npr.org/2025/05/23/1253043749/pig-butchering-scam-crypto-tether) After being scammed, one woman tries to get her money back (https://www.npr.org/2024/07/04/nx-s1-4995557/after-being-scammed-one-woman-tries-to-get-her-money-back) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

Facebook ScamMetaCybersecurity

Can you afford to evacuate ahead of a disaster?

9 min

We are just at the start of hurricane season, and we're already seeing the danger and tragedy brought on by storms. There's another cost that gets much less attention, but it's a gamble everyone in the path of a storm has to make. Today on the show, we examine the decision on whether or not to evacuate from an oncoming disaster. Based on the digital story: 1 reason people don't evacuate for hurricanes? Rising costs, and they're getting pricier (https://www.wwno.org/coastal-desk/2024-10-18/1-reason-people-dont-evacuate-for-hurricanes-rising-costs-and-theyre-getting-pricier) Related episodes: Hazard maps: The curse of knowledge (https://www.npr.org/2024/05/07/1197964461/hazard-maps-climate-change-home-ownership) Unintended Consequences, Hidden Deaths (https://www.npr.org/2020/07/06/887914002/unintended-consequences-hidden-deaths) The brewing recovery in Western North Carolina (https://www.npr.org/2024/12/11/1218506697/beigie-awards-hurricane-helene-wnc-asheville) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

Hurricane EvacuationHurricane FrancineHurricane Helene

Will the tax cuts pay for themselves?

8 min

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is now law. It's expected to cost the government a pretty penny. The Congressional Budget Office predicts a $3.4 trillion increase in the deficit over ten years. This is driven by significant tax cuts, including extensions of those made in 2017. Trump's advisors argue the tax cuts will pay for themselves. Today on the show, we speak with the guru on that school of thought, Arthur Laffer, and dig into some of those claims with a tax economist. Related episodes: The simple math of the big bill (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?i=1000715758959) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5WZHL4JrbmfU1Ou83NblZN?si=09bcd7fb97fd4dd8)) What's going to happen to the Trump tax cuts? (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000660370476) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/4k3httlD5YZ7HLsghrOr0O)) So, how's this No Tax On Tips thing gonna go? (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000666048337) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6WQbLynIJrS3PGcqQ0PdU6?si=591fa4b893f34740)) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Corey Bridges. Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

One Big Beautiful Bill ActArthur LafferLaffer Curve

Why can't we insure trees?

9 min

In the U.S., we insure most everything we sell. So why not trees? Today on the show why trees aren't insured like other crops, and what it would take to get that insurance with extreme weather events on the rise. Related episodes: When insurers can't get insurance (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000618021426) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DX8I6eXgwkDJUrhixrZOI?si=51c4e22d846d4463)) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Tyler Jones. Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

Tree InsuranceMaple SyrupIce Storm

One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away (EXTENDED VERSION)

21 min

This episode was first published as a bonus episode for our Planet Money+ listeners. Today, we're making it available for everyone! U.S. aid helped Eswatini and Lesotho, two small countries in southern Africa, in their efforts to treat and curb the spread of HIV. Will President Trump's "America First" foreign policy threaten years of progress there against the virus? In this bonus episode, we're featuring an extended conversation between Darian Woods and Jon Cohen, senior correspondent with Science magazine. They talk about Jon's reporting trip to Eswatini and Lesotho in May and the early impacts he saw of the Trump administration's foreign aid cuts. We also hear about the critical role of PEPFAR (the U.S. President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) in the global response to HIV/AIDS and some other things we couldn't fit into the original episode. You can read Jon's recent article in Science magazine here (https://www.science.org/content/article/u-s-aid-helped-two-african-countries-rein-hiv-then-came-trump). To hear more bonus episodes like this, and get Planet Money and The Indicator without sponsor messages, support the show by signing up for Planet Money+. This summer, we're also giving Planet Money+ supporters early access to new episodes. Another reason to join! Sign up via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

PEPFARHIV/AIDSEswatini

How ICE crackdowns are affecting the workforce

9 min

The Trump administration's crackdown on immigrants might be the most profound change in the American labor market right now. Industries that rely on immigrant labor are especially vulnerable, as ICE continues to raid businesses believed to have unauthorized workers. Today on the show, we talk to representatives from the agriculture, construction and long-term care industries to ask: Are people still showing up to work? Related episodes: What's missing in the immigration debate (https://www.npr.org/2024/10/30/1211597499/indicator-immigration-investment-us-economy) Is the 'border crisis' actually a 'labor market crisis?' (https://www.npr.org/2024/06/11/1197965139/immigration-border-us-customs-and-protection-surge) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Translation help by Ella Feldman. Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

ICE crackdownsTrump administrationimmigrant labor

Tech layoffs, recession pop and more listener questions answered

9 min

We are back with another edition of listener questions! In this round, we tackle recession pop, why the job market feels so crummy for IT grads, and whether President Trump saying that Walmart "eat the tariffs" is a form of price control. Related episodes: Hits of the Dips: Songs of recessions past (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-indicator-from-planet-money/id1320118593?i=1000578088806) / Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0iIuSTgN5xiHygcePkYVYZ?si=caa261e8b0e64fe5)) The beef over price controls (https://www.npr.org/2022/01/12/1072558469/the-beef-over-price-controls) Price Controls, Black Markets, and Skimpflation: The WWII Battle Against Inflation (https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2022/02/08/1078035048/price-controls-black-markets-and-skimpflation-the-wwii-battle-against-inflation) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

Tech LayoffsRecession PopPrice Controls

We're nearing 'peak population.' These economists are worried

9 min

Over the past century, the world's human population has exploded from around 2 billion to 8 billion. Meanwhile, the average fertility rate has gradually declined. And if that trend continues as it has, we may soon see a crash in the population rate, which some argue could have disastrous effects. Today on the show, we talk to co-authors Michael Geruso and Dean Spears about their forthcoming book After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/After-the-Spike/Dean-Spears/9781668057339). Together, they explain why you should care about declining fertility rates. Related episodes: Babies v climate change; AI v IP; bonds v world (https://www.npr.org/2025/06/27/1254874806/climate-change-anthropic-ai-llm-bond-market-san-francisco) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

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Can Starlink stay ahead in satellite internet?

10 min

Whether you're watching Love Island in an RV or streaming a playlist in a remote California campground, if you're using satellite internet, odds are you're using Elon Musk's Starlink. Today on the show, we learn how Starlink got such a big lead in the satellite market and if it can stay ahead of the European Union, China, and, of course, Jeff Bezos. Related episodes: Elon's giant rocket (https://www.npr.org/2023/05/30/1178958051/elons-giant-rocket) Why I joined DOGE (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-i-joined-doge/id290783428?i=1000712821405)/Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YdH6PZm33w40uqTiGI0qQ?si=_49QjadAQIyq72oVeZpoNQ)) To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

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Babies v climate change; AI v IP; bonds v world

9 min

It's ... Indicators of the Week! Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news. On today's episode: Could more babies change the climate in a big way (https://www.nber.org/papers/w33932)? Why did a U.S. judge side with AI company Anthropic? And why is the bond market so chill these days? Related episodes: Artists vs. AI (https://www.npr.org/2023/01/30/1152653269/artists-vs-ai#:~:text=Artificial%20intelligence%20has%20advanced%20enough,joined%20a%20class%2Daction%20lawsuit.) You told us how tariffs are affecting you (Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-told-us-how-tariffs-are-affecting-you/id1320118593?i=1000713871520)/Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3T7QbvkjxF56v1tHrLNCfR)) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

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We're gonna need a bigger boat-building industry

9 min

During World War II, the U.S. shipbuilding industry flourished. Now, it's nearly non-existent. China is the dominant shipbuilder in the world economy. On today's show, we look at what happened to American shipbuilding and the protectionist impulses that could stifle a revival. Related episodes: Will Iran block the Strait of Hormuz? (https://www.npr.org/2025/06/24/1254640146/will-iran-block-the-strait-of-hormuz) The great turnaround in shipping (https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1150847969) The wide open possibility of the high seas (https://www.npr.org/2023/03/23/1165688010/the-wide-open-possibility-of-the-high-seas) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Tyler Jones. Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). Correction: A previous version of this episode incorrectly said that there are 80 U.S.-flagged ships operating in global shipping. As of March, there were at least 95. The episode also incorrectly said that being U.S.-flagged means a ship was built in an American shipyard and has an American crew. There is no requirement that the ship be built in a U.S. shipyard, and citizenship requirements vary. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

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One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away

10 min

What's the price to save a human life? We examine the monumental legacy of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with journalist Jon Cohen, who traveled to Eswatini and Lesotho to learn how cuts under the Trump Administration are hitting people at the clinic door. Related episodes: The gutting of USAID (https://www.npr.org/2025/02/13/1231104432/trump-dismantling-usaid-humanitarian-aid) How USAID cuts hurts farmers (https://www.npr.org/2025/02/19/1232435535/how-usaid-cuts-hurt-american-farmers) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/). Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez (https://www.npr.org/people/g-s1-26724/sierra-juarez). Music by Drop Electric (https://dropelectric.bandcamp.com/). Find us: TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@planetmoney), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/planetmoney/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/planetmoney), Newsletter (https://www.npr.org/newsletter/money). To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices (https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices) NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)

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