The Indicator from Planet Money

Podcasts · Business

The Indicator from Planet Money

420 episodes · 14 with AI analysis

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.

AI Intelligence · across all analyzed episodes

Topics · top 10

Federal Reserve independence and political pressureJerome Powell replacement by Kevin WarshInflation rates and monetary policy (3.8% CPI)Presidential influence on central bank leadershipArthur Burns and Nixon-era inflation precedentFederal Open Market Committee structure and votingCriminal probe into Fed Chair conductLisa Cook mortgage fraud allegations and Supreme Court caseInterest rate policy and economic stimulusStagflation and 1970s-1980s economic history

Analyzed Episodes

May 14, 2026

How Trump's central bank beef could hurt the economy

Federal Reserve independence and political pressureJerome Powell replacement by Kevin WarshInflation rates and monetary policy (3.8% CPI)
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May 13, 2026

Should NATO be pay-to-protect?

NATO Defense Spending CommitmentsU.S.-European Alliance RelationsTransactional vs. Strategic Security Models
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May 8, 2026

Which jobs are future-proofed?

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook HandbookJob growth forecasting methodology and accuracyInformation security analyst career prospects
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May 6, 2026

When will the Iran war hit food prices?

Diesel fuel price impacts on food transportationFertilizer market disruption and supply chain effectsGrocery price inflation forecasting and timing
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Apr 29, 2026

The new economic arms race

Economic Choke Points and GeoeconomicsU.S.-China Trade and Technology CompetitionRare Earth Elements Supply Chain
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Apr 30, 2026

The UAE wants a dollar lifeline

Currency Swap LinesUAE Financial StabilityCapital Outflows
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Apr 27, 2026

Premium and affordable products are having a moment

Barbell effect in consumer marketsE-commerce impact on retail pricing strategyMid-market retail brand decline
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Apr 24, 2026

The Devil Wears Prada Index, SNAP, and flight cancellations

Airline Flight Cancellations and Fuel CostsDemand Destruction EconomicsSNAP Food Stamp Program Eligibility Changes
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Apr 23, 2026

How to get your tariff cash back

Tariff refund claims and processingU.S. Customs and Border Protection systemsSmall business tariff impact and recovery
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Apr 22, 2026

The Iran war puts the petrodollar regime to the test

Petrodollar System and Reserve Currency StatusU.S.-Saudi Arabia Strategic Economic PartnershipOil Embargo and 1973 Yom Kippur War Economic Consequences
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Jan 6, 2026

How cocaine smuggling through Latin America really works

Cocaine Supply Chain EconomicsVenezuelan Government Drug Trafficking InvolvementU.S.-Mexico Border Smuggling Routes
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Jan 7, 2026

Can you trust you're getting the same grocery prices as someone else?

AI-Powered Price Testing and OptimizationDynamic Pricing in Grocery E-CommercePrice Discrimination vs. Price Testing
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Jan 8, 2026

Venezuela didn't steal U.S. oil. Here's what happened

Venezuelan Oil Industry Nationalization HistoryHeavy Sour Crude Processing and RefiningOil Company Expropriation and Arbitration Awards
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Jan 9, 2026

How AI is shrinking the job market for teens

AI Job Displacement in Teen EmploymentCashier and Retail AutomationFood Service Industry Automation
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