The Indicator from Planet Money
Hosted by Adrian Ma, Darian Woods & Wailin Wong · 44 decoded episodes · newest Oct 8, 2026
A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make <em>Planet Money</em>, <em>The Indicator</em> 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. <br>Sign up for our <a href="https://www.npr.org/newsletter/indicator"target="_blank" >newsletter</a>.<br><br><em> 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.</em>
Episodes 44
- Sep 4, 2026 · 9 minJob hopping can build adaptability—until expertise suffersThe episode examines when changing workplaces strengthens performance and resilience, and when it prevents workers from developing deeper expertise.
- Sep 3, 2026 · 10 minA board game confronts the brutal logic of the retail shelfThe episode shows how simple store tests can expose packaging failures before launch, while offering no guarantee that a product will succeed.
- Sep 2, 2026 · 9 minGen Z treats sports betting like a high-risk investmentThe episode examines how economic anxiety, sportsbook promotions, and overconfidence blur gambling with financial decision-making—and how policymakers are responding.
- Sep 1, 2026 · 10 minTreasury buybacks test the bond market’s trustThe plan could improve trading conditions and borrowing costs, but investors fear it may undermine fiscal discipline and clash with the Federal Reserve.
- Aug 31, 2026 · 8 minICE enforcement drains spending beyond immigrant communitiesThe episode examines how immigration enforcement can create lasting economic damage by suppressing commerce, work, population growth, and neighborhood investment.
- Aug 28, 2026 · 9 minThree economic pressures reshape schools, tech and sneaker retailThe episode connects teacher compensation, social-media regulation and changing consumer tastes to broader pressures on institutions and companies.
- Aug 27, 2026 · 10 minHollywood’s debt turns finished films into financial write-offsThe episode shows how mergers, debt, tax strategy and marketing costs can determine a movie’s fate after production is complete.
- Aug 26, 2026 · 9 minMedicare for All faces a transparency testThe debate turns on whether projected savings are credible and whether hospitals, doctors, and policymakers can adapt to lower, clearer prices.
- Aug 25, 2026 · 9 minMedicare for All reshapes costs, jobs, and drug researchThe proposal could reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs and tie coverage less closely to employment, but it would demand major new spending and disrupt health care.
- Aug 24, 2026 · 9 minCities fear politics could pull federal grants mid-projectThe proposed rules could make local governments hesitate to pursue ambitious projects if federal support becomes vulnerable to shifting political priorities.
- Aug 21, 2026 · 9 minEV demand cools as debt and AI reshape investmentThe episode links weaker North American EV incentives, expensive government borrowing, and viral attention to broader shifts in where capital and consumer interest flow.
- Aug 20, 2026 · 9 minBankruptcy offers relief—but reveals little about the economyPersonal bankruptcy can stop creditor pressure and reset unmanageable debt, yet filing trends are a delayed and imperfect measure of household financial distress.