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.
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
The proper etiquette of the Venmo nudge
#2 trending · Business
How do you ask your friends to pay you back in a timely way? We’ve got an etiquette coach to help with that.
Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.
Your Next Listen
— Is thi
Oct 5 9 min
Can we make Social Security better for blue-collar workers?
Most workers can’t start collecting full Social Security benefits until age 67. But a new proposal from Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens would allow workers in “physi
Oct 2 9 min
New college degrees designed to job-proof graduates
What do influencing, AI and health sciences have in common? They’re all degree programs colleges have launched in the last few years to attract students looking for a new
Oct 1 8 min
Is investing in sports worth it for universities?
Universities spend millions of dollars every year on their athletics programs. But does that investment pay off? Today, we interrogate the “Doug Flutie Effect.”
Fact ch
Sep 30 9 min
What does every business need but not every industry has?
What rhymes with "snakes" and helps the government classify economic activity? NAICS — or the North American Industry Classification System. These codes categorize every
Sep 29 9 min
How the rich make money by losing money
Decades ago, rich Americans used to pay taxes as high as 40% on their investments. Nowadays, an obscure investment strategy is helping them slash that figure toward … 0%.
Sep 28 9 min
Unaffordability index: Rent, GLP-1s, Obamacare
This week’s indicators: Rent is squeezing middle-income earners, the Trump admin is squeezing ACA enrollees, and GLP-1s are squeezing employers.
Fact checking by Julia R
Sep 25 9 min
What Doordash, Dell and Palantir all have in common
President Trump and his money managers made more stock trades since his second term started than all members of Congress combined. The White House says there is no confli
Sep 24 7 min
Why are used cars priced like new cars?
The used car market is out of control and there doesn’t seem to be an easy fix for high prices. Today, three reasons why finding an affordable car is so difficult.
Fact
Sep 23 9 min
How will the US refill its dwindling oil reserves?
Whether it’s oil from Venezuela or somewhere else, the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve needs to be refilled. The SPR is widely considered critical for energy security.
Sep 22 9 min
How Hemp-THC businesses are bracing for a near total ban
Follow us to Tennessee where hemp farmers are already pivoting in the face of a state ban and soon, a looming federal ban on basically all THC-derived hemp products. Will
Sep 21 8 min
OpenAI's waiting game, gas pump pain, and severe sulfur strain!
This week’s indicators: Tracking your pain at the gas pump in real-time; OpenAI’s IPO hard-launch tug-of-war; one unexpected ingredient is making fertilizer—and potential
Sep 18 9 min
Strait talk: Why the oil crisis is getting worse
A vital artery for Saudi oil exports is under siege and it’s not the Strait of Hormuz. Today on the show, we explain what’s going on in the Bab el-Mandeb shipping lane co
Sep 17 8 min
How the bond market is handling AI risks
Big tech companies are borrowing billions of dollars to finance the build-out of AI data centers, and your 401(k) might be helping to fuel that. Today on the show, what A
Sep 16 9 min
How much safer do Flock cameras make us?
Flock cameras promise to reduce crimes like car theft. But these automated license plate readers come with a trade-off: a wide-reaching surveillance network. Today on the
Sep 15 9 min
A beautiful bill, Mamdani's market, and stock subscriptions
It’s time for another Indicator Quiz! For today’s quiz, we’re testing the Indicator knowledge of a brilliant mathematician. Will we stump his theoretician brain? Tune in
Sep 14 9 min
Bessent's yen bet, cold Argentine data centers set, and the summer box office net
This week’s indicators: Is The U.S. Treasury Department futzing with financial markets?; Is Patagonia’s pretty picturesque setting … for data centers?; Was the summer box
Sep 11 9 min
Are small town colleges going extinct?
Our favorite entry on the regional economy from the latest Beige Book reveals a troubling development in higher education.
Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.
Your Next Li
Sep 10 8 min
Let's play ... Who Wants To Be a Bank!
Why do so many fintech companies — like Square and Mercury — want to be banks? And what does it take to get there? Find out today when we play our fake game show … Who Wa
Sep 9 8 min
Canada fights tariffs with tariffs
The era of friendly diplomacy has fallen to the wayside once again as the U.S. - Canada trade war enters a new phase. This time, Canada is countering the latest round of
Sep 8 9 min
Chart trend
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Chart positions
Where The Indicator from Planet Money ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 5, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I don't know who could ever rate this podcast lower than 5 stars. The Indicator (and Planet Money) never miss. Their hosts are so likable and do an amazing job and presenting economic topics in a relatable and interesting way.
I also enjoy the laughter and playfulness the hosts have when discussing otherwise dense economic subjects.
Anyone who complains about ads should sub to + or research and learn that it costs money to produce high-quality podcasts.
The_Clooney · Oct 2024
This used to be lively and informative podcast that didn’t sacrifice depth and accuracy for humor. That’s not the case anymore. Now the focus seems to be more on frivolity than depth. Take the recent episode about NCAA athletes. The hosts spent more time discussing Crocs styles than explaining how NIL developed. They didn’t mention the name of the case, the O’Bannon case, that forced the NCAA to change their rules. Instead they just said there was a court case and the NCAA changed their rules. If I wanted this level of fluff I’d listen to Fox.
Dusty Baker Street Irregulars · Aug 2024
Something about the hosts (especially Wailin) just makes me relaxed and happy. I love the laughter and the lighthearted approach to serious topics. Please keep it up!
Sarah at Indie Practices · Aug 2024
I have enjoyed listening to the podcast for several years including while I lived in Taiwan. I enjoy the bite-sized daily economic news peppered with the wit and humor of the crew. I have gained a better appreciation of economics through this podcast and its parent, Planet Money. This podcast helps keep one informed of current affairs. It’s well worth the listen for those who may not have a degree in economics.
prion_lover · Jun 2024
Sadly today marked the day I decided to unfollow this podcast that I’ve followed and listened to since it began. They have forgotten the premise of this show - take an interesting indicator of the day and discuss the topic, often shading light on something surprising and fun that other news of the day headlines are not covering (interesting and surprising are key words here). But instead, now they skim through headline news topics that I can get in any other show and without much interesting nor surprising insight. The non-stop giggling over unfunny things makes this not listenable even as background noise. I’m sure the show will get a new generation of listeners and fans, but sadly, not for others who loved the original show.
Long time OG · Sep 2024
I was excited to listen because I thought it would be an efficient way to get some basic familiarity with these Econ topics, but the ads (which make up most of the runtime) and the very intrusive giggling make it hard to even catch what they’re addressing. What I have been able to parse has not been substantive.
Stern_Nun · Aug 2024
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About The Indicator from Planet Money on Reason.fm
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Indicator from Planet Money, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
