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
- Aug 19, 2026 · 9 minScience finds better signals for choosing managersCompanies often promote managers using familiarity and frontline performance, even though those signals may miss the abilities that improve employee and business outcomes.
- Aug 18, 2026 · 9 minBanks weigh suspicion against politics when closing accountsThe Capital One dispute shows how ordinary anti-money-laundering controls can collide with claims that banks are punishing customers for political or reputational reasons.
- Aug 17, 2026 · 9 minDelaware town lets companies vote alongside residentsFenwick Island’s unusual system tests whether paying local taxes justifies political representation for entities without human residency or direct personal stakes.
- Aug 14, 2026 · 9 minConsumer strain hits benefits, debt and dating appsThe episode connects inflation and lingering pandemic-era debt to pressure on household finances, while Bumble confronts a sharp business decline.
- Aug 13, 2026 · 9 minAlphabet labels obscure America’s deeper wealth divideThe episode tests whether K-shaped and C-shaped metaphors explain current economic conditions or distract from persistent inequality and a cooling labor market.
- Aug 12, 2026 · 9 minConsumer complaints hit record levels as companies make help harder to reachRising frustration reflects not only higher expectations but also deteriorating service, opaque fees, complex products, and fewer competitive alternatives.
- Aug 11, 2026 · 9 minLeverage can turn a market dip into a forced-selling spiralRecord U.S. margin debt and rising use of leveraged ETFs raise risks that ordinary declines could become self-reinforcing losses.
- Aug 10, 2026 · 9 minTrump pays billions to unwind offshore windCanceling offshore wind leases could raise future electricity costs, slow renewable-energy growth, and narrow the options for expanding energy supply.