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 explores the story of the world's oldest living bond, issued in 1624 to fund the repair of a dike in the Netherlands. These bonds, which functioned similarly to modern bonds, were purchased by individuals and institutions, and the water authority that issued the bond agreed to pay interest to the b...
This podcast episode explores the relationship between economic conditions and mortality rates. The research of Chris Ruhm, a professor of public policy and economics, challenges the conventional belief that economic downturns lead to increased death rates. Ruhm's findings show that deaths actually decrease during rece...
This podcast episode delves into the spectacle of the FTX trial, where celebrities and crypto influencers joined regular attendees. The prosecution presented a simplified version of the fraud, showcasing how easy it was for Alameda Research to skim money from FTX customers and highlighting the deliberate nature of the ...
This podcast episode explores the current state of the labor market, highlighting the shortage of workers and intense competition for talent. Despite the challenges it has created for companies, job seekers now have more opportunities and can be more selective about the kind of work they want to do. The increase in opp...
This podcast episode explores the reasons why the South has become an attractive location for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. The South offers cheaper labor costs, a lack of unions, and generous government incentives, making it appealing for foreign automakers to build EV plants. Additionally, the South has develo...
This podcast episode explores the recent increase in the 10-year Treasury yield and its implications for investors and businesses. The hosts introduce the concept of the yield curve and explain that the 10-year Treasury bond yield has been climbing to levels not seen in years, making bonds more attractive to investors....
This podcast episode explores the history and controversy surrounding real estate agent commissions. The practice of agents working on commission has been in place for over a hundred years since the creation of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which encourages cooperation among agents. However, critics argue that th...
This podcast episode explores various financial terms that may sound intimidating but are actually not as scary as they seem. The hosts discuss terms like "triple witching day," "dark pools," shadow banking, zombie companies, and the example of WeWork. They highlight that these terms may be unfamiliar and may create a ...
This podcast episode discusses the recent GDP growth numbers in the US and Europe, the complexities facing the European Central Bank (ECB) in managing the eurozone economy, and the peculiar theft of a truckload of dimes from the US Mint in Philadelphia. It highlights concerns about the sustainability of GDP growth, the...
This podcast episode provides a historical overview of net neutrality, from its origins in the early 1990s to its repeal in 2017. It discusses the key points regarding the open internet, the debate around ISP interference, the establishment of the Open Internet Order, and its subsequent repeal. It also examines the way...
This podcast episode explores the Beige Book, a publication by the Federal Reserve that collects economic anecdotes from 12 regional banks. The hosts discuss the latest issue's focus on river flows and bank lending in a volatile economy, highlighting the impact of logistical issues on the economy. They also discuss the...
This podcast episode explores the lack of interest and failure of an offshore wind energy auction in the Gulf of Mexico. The potential advantages of the region, such as shallow water, warm temperatures, and existing oil and gas infrastructure, were not enough to attract bids for two sites. Experts attribute this lack o...
This podcast episode explores the journey of IBM in the world of electronic computing, led by Thomas Watson Jr. despite initial resistance from his father. Watson Jr. pushed the company to develop a universal computer, leading to the success of the System 360 and IBM's dominance in the computer industry. However, IBM's...
This podcast episode discusses various topics including the prevalence of scams targeting the elderly, the rise in the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note, the impact of interest rate hikes and economic uncertainty on the Treasury market, and United Airlines' adoption of the Wilma boarding method. It highlights the...
This podcast episode explores the crucial role of Egypt in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Egypt's closed border with Gaza is leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians with limited options as they flee the attacks in the northern part of the territory. Egypt's strained relationship with Hamas and its own economic str...
This podcast episode explores the parallels between the business of Broadway and the world of tech investing. The guests, including Broadway producer Hunter Arnold and performer/creative producer Mara Jill Herman, discuss the economics of Broadway and how it resembles betting on a tech start-up. They highlight the conc...
This podcast episode explores the origins, structure, and powers of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from predatory financial practices. The CFPB was designed to be more effective and independent than other regulatory agencies, with features such as ...
This podcast episode explores various topics including economics, business, climate change, and personal experiences. The hosts engage in a trivia game called The Indicator Quiz, discussing questions about technology, economies of scale, a critical shipping lane affected by a drought, landmark trials, home hardening ag...
This podcast episode discusses various topics, including the issue of junk fees, the Federal Trade Commission's proposed rule to ban these fees, Germany's shortage of skilled workers and the government's proposed immigration reform, and the trend of increasing Powerball jackpots. It explores how junk fees are hidden ch...
This podcast episode follows Betsy Kirchner, an interviewer for the University of Michigan's Survey of Consumers, as she faces challenges in conducting phone interviews for economic surveys. Despite encountering hurdles such as language barriers and resistance from participants, researchers persevere in gathering valua...
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