The Indicator from Planet Money A little show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening today. It's a quick hit of insight into work, business, the economy, and everything else. Listen weekday afternoons.

Try Planet Money+! a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. You'll also get access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions. sign up at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

The Indicator from Planet Money

From NPR

A little show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening today. It's a quick hit of insight into work, business, the economy, and everything else. Listen weekday afternoons.

Try Planet Money+! a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. You'll also get access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions. sign up at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

Most Recent Episodes

Freakonomics

The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!

Today, we're sharing an episode of a podcast that we've enjoyed, and think you will, too! It's called The Economics of Everyday Things. It's made by the Freakonomics Radio Network and on each of its episodes, host Zachary Crockett uncovers the hidden stories behind ordinary things! Stock photos, girl scout cookies, and cashmere sweaters, you name it.

The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!

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Workers on scaffolding lay blocks on one of the larger buildings at a development site where various residential units and commercial sites are under construction. Keith Srakocic/AP hide caption

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Keith Srakocic/AP

Why the US economy is still the envy of the world

The Economist's Simon Rabinovitch argues the U.S. economy has a set of structural advantages that have allowed it to perform remarkably well in the last couple of years compared to other developed countries. But could President-elect Donald Trump's second term in office put that edge at risk? Adrian Ma spoke with Rabinovitch for a recent episode of The Indicator. This episode is an extended cut of their conversation, previously released for Planet Money+ supporters.

Why the US economy is still the envy of the world

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The United States and Canada face off at center ice during the second period of the 4 Nations Face-Off game Vitor Munhoz/4NFO /Getty Images hide caption

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Vitor Munhoz/4NFO /Getty Images

A polite message from Canada to the U.S.

President Donald Trump has said that Canada should be the 51st state... and Canadians? Well, they're furious about it. The nation's former finance minister is calling Trump the biggest threat Canada has faced since World War 2. So today on the show, we dig into what lessons Canada can teach the US, and how the two North American nations are already deeply intertwined.

A polite message from Canada to the U.S.

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Demonstrators protest against President Trump's anticipated plan to close the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Washington, DC, February 10, 2025. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption

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Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

What's the long-term cost of federal layoffs?

The personal story of how an energetic lawyer got knocked off from her dream career and what she thinks that might mean for whether the government can attract talented people in the future.

What's the long-term cost of federal layoffs?

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Bananas are particularly cheap and price resilient in part due to their supply chain. Tom Kelley/Getty Images hide caption

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Tom Kelley/Getty Images

What if our income was taxed ... totally differently?

We are back to answer YOUR listener questions. This time, we answer why bananas can be considered the 'unbothered fruit', what a flat income tax would actually look like, and how extended-hours stock trading works. If you have your own question about the economy, please email us at indicator@npr.org.

What if our income was taxed ... totally differently?

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Getty Images

Chicken meat, Gulf of Mexico lawsuit and Social Security beyond the grave

Surprisingly stable chicken meat prices, a lawsuit threat against the Gulf of Mexico's name change, and the Trump administration's false claims about Social Security beyond the grave are all under the microscope on this edition of Indicators of the Week.

Chicken meat, Gulf of Mexico lawsuit and Social Security beyond the grave

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The NIH has helped transform American cities like Birmingham, Alabama. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

What happens when billions of dollars in research funding goes away

Federal funding from the National Institutes of Health has driven the biomedical research industry in cities across America including Birmingham, Alabama. It's helped support research into life-saving treatments for cancers, strokes and Parkinson's. But, the Trump Administration says the NIH is getting ripped off in how those grants are calculated. We take a look.

What happens when billions of dollars in research funding goes away

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Jemal Countess/Getty Images Jemal Countess/Getty Images hide caption

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Jemal Countess/Getty Images

How USAID cuts hurt American farmers

The ties between U.S. foreign aid and American agriculture run deep — or at least used to. The U.S. International Agency for Development, or USAID, is the largest provider of humanitarian food aid in the world. Much of that aid comes from U.S. farmers, whose corn, wheat and rice is sold in bulk to the government for USAID's programs. What happens now if those programs end?

How USAID cuts hurt American farmers

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Darian Woods

What the cluck is happening with egg prices?

We visit a local egg farm and talk to an industry analyst to get to the bottom of why the prices of eggs are soaring so quickly and when they might come back to earth.

What the cluck is happening with egg prices?

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WWE superstar Cody Rhodes attends the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's "WWE Monday Night Raw" at Intuit Dome on January 06, 2025 in Inglewood, California. JC Olivera/Getty Images hide caption

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JC Olivera/Getty Images

WWE, a very expensive banana, and a quiz contestant

It's time for The Indicator Quiz! We test you, dear listener, on your knowledge of topics that we've covered on The Indicator.

WWE, a very expensive banana, and a quiz contestant

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