A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money , The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less. Sign up for our newsletter . Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including bonus episodes for Planet Money and sponsor-free listening for The Indicator.
This podcast episode discusses the importance of monitoring the average hourly wage as an indicator in jobs reports. While the current increase in wages is small, it can be viewed as a positive sign for the overall economy. The tight labor market has led to employers raising wages to attract more workers, contributing ...
This podcast episode explores the concept of endowments and the effectiveness of divestment campaigns and shareholder activism. It discusses the challenges of divesting from companies with ties to Israel and highlights the example of Engine No. 1, an activist investment firm. The section also discusses the impact of di...
This podcast episode explores the recent decision by the Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady and the impact it has on businesses and various sectors of the economy. It discusses the understanding that businesses have about the tools available to the Federal Reserve to regulate the economy and the complexities...
This podcast episode explores the topic of the growing US federal debt, discussing its current levels, the arguments for and against it, and the fairness of passing on the debt to future generations. The hosts and guests examine the reasons for taking on debt, the impact of government spending and borrowing, and the po...
This podcast episode discusses the ongoing debate surrounding whether commercial space companies should be required to pay into the trust fund that supports the National Airspace System. The Biden administration has proposed updating the trust fund's sources to account for actual usage of the system. Some argue that th...
This podcast episode discusses the Federal Trade Commission's ban on noncompete contracts in the United States, specifically focusing on the impact it will have on the gaming industry. It also explores the increase in gaming among young men and its potential negative impact on work hours. Additionally, the episode exam...
This podcast episode explores the concept of "passion tax" in the video game industry, where employees may accept lower pay or poor working conditions due to their love for the work. It discusses the economic and structural factors that contribute to the exploitation of workers, and the efforts of video game workers to...
This podcast episode explores the potential financial rewards of becoming a professional competitive video gamer, using the example of Sonic Fox as a successful gamer. It discusses the rise of esports, the evolution of the industry, and the challenges it faces in terms of monetization. The episode highlights the contra...
This podcast episode explores the importance of accessibility in video games, focusing on the impact of The Last of Us Part II in setting a new standard for accessibility. Emilia Schatz, a lead designer at Naughty Dog, shares her personal motivation for making games more accessible and discusses the various accessibili...
This podcast episode explores the world of Warframe, a sci-fi action game that utilizes a live service model. It delves into the importance of player feedback in game development, the challenges facing the gaming industry, and the scrutiny of predatory monetization practices, with a specific focus on the Federal Trade ...
This podcast episode explores Ticketmaster's dominance in the concert and live event ticketing business, as well as the recent news of the U.S. Department of Justice planning an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster. It also delves into the pay disparity between the WNB...
This podcast episode delves into the topic of increasing capital requirements for banks in order to prevent financial crises. It discusses the potential risks faced by depositors when banks make risky lending decisions and argues that well-capitalized banks are less likely to default on their debts. The episode explore...
This podcast episode explores the topic of reinsurance and its role in the insurance industry. The hosts discuss the shortage of capital in the reinsurance market, leading to increased costs for insurance companies and policyholders. They highlight the rising cost of home insurance in the United States, which is attrib...
This podcast episode delves into the failure of cryptocurrency as a viable financial solution, citing its inconvenience and traceability as key factors. It also explores the emergence of right-leaning financial companies, such as GabPay and GiveSendGo, which cater to individuals and businesses banned from mainstream pl...
This podcast episode explores the topics of reverse mortgages, insurance costs, and charitable donations. It highlights the risks and challenges associated with reverse mortgages, including high fees and the targeting of financially vulnerable individuals. The episode also discusses the factors driving up insurance cos...
This podcast episode covers a range of topics including the introduction of prize money in track and field at the Olympics, the challenges and progress of India's manufacturing ambitions, and the controversy surrounding Subway's new foot-long cookie. The introduction of prize money reflects the commercialization of the...
This podcast episode explores the challenges faced by low- and middle-income families in completing their tax returns, such as the fear of making mistakes and the high cost of tax preparation services. It discusses the IRS's Direct File program as a potential solution, which offers simple instructions and avoids upsell...
This podcast episode explores the concerns raised by the European Union about China's subsidies in the clean energy sector and their impact on fair competition. The EU is worried that China is using these subsidies to gain access to European technology while closing its markets to foreign businesses. The speakers highl...
This podcast episode explores various aspects of the British monarchy, including the roles of working royals, the measurement of their productivity through the court circular, the financial aspects of the monarchy, and the current staffing crisis within the royal family. It discusses the responsibilities of working roy...
This podcast episode explores the concept of spin-offs, where a parent company divests part of its business to create a new independent company. Spin-offs can be valuable investment opportunities, offering benefits such as improved focus on core business, enhanced tax efficiency, and strategic realignment. However, the...
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