The Indicator from Planet Money 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.

The Indicator from Planet Money

From NPR

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.

Most Recent Episodes

Freakonomics

The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!

Today, we're sharing an episode of a podcast that we've enjoyed, and think you will, too! It's called The Economics of Everyday Things. It's made by the Freakonomics Radio Network and on each of its episodes, host Zachary Crockett uncovers the hidden stories behind ordinary things! Stock photos, girl scout cookies, and cashmere sweaters, you name it.

The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!

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Workers on scaffolding lay blocks on one of the larger buildings at a development site where various residential units and commercial sites are under construction. Keith Srakocic/AP hide caption

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Keith Srakocic/AP

Why the US economy is still the envy of the world

The Economist's Simon Rabinovitch argues the U.S. economy has a set of structural advantages that have allowed it to perform remarkably well in the last couple of years compared to other developed countries. But could President-elect Donald Trump's second term in office put that edge at risk? Adrian Ma spoke with Rabinovitch for a recent episode of The Indicator. This episode is an extended cut of their conversation, previously released for Planet Money+ supporters.

Why the US economy is still the envy of the world

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Frederic J. BROWN /Getty Images

Why aren't filmmakers shooting in LA?

Despite being, ya know, Hollywood, more and more movies and TV shows are shooting outside of Tinseltown.

Why aren't filmmakers shooting in LA?

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Bettmann / Contributor/Getty Images

Before La La Land, there was Fort Lee, New Jersey

Hollywood, baby! The glitz! The glamour! The ever-changing business models! This week, The Indicator is going to the movies. Starting today with the history of Hollywood and where it began ... New Jersey!

Before La La Land, there was Fort Lee, New Jersey

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The FTC's 'click to cancel' rule was meant to make unsubscribing easier. A court has now blocked it from taking effect. Jenny Kane/AP hide caption

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Jenny Kane/AP

Red tape indicators: sports betting, R&D and click-to-cancel

We are back with Indicators of the Week! Today, we'll be digging into why U.S. professional gamblers are worried about their future, why businesses might start investing more in research and development, and why cancelling your subscriptions is going to remain difficult.

Red tape indicators: sports betting, R&D and click-to-cancel

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Hillary Hanning stands behind her bar, The Little House, in New Orleans, La. She lost $10,000 after fraudsters took over her social media accounts. Stephan Bisaha/Gulf States Newsroom hide caption

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Stephan Bisaha/Gulf States Newsroom

Could Meta do more to protect us from cyber scams?

Many small businesses are online now, but so are cyber criminals trying to take advantage. On today's show, how one bar owner fell victim to a Facebook scam and if big tech could do more to protect small business owners from increasing cyber attacks. Read Stephan's original piece.

Could Meta do more to protect us from cyber scams?

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Getty Images

Can you afford to evacuate ahead of a disaster?

We are just at the start of hurricane season, and we're already seeing the danger and tragedy brought on by storms. There's another cost that gets much less attention, but it's a gamble everyone in the path of a storm has to make.

Can you afford to evacuate ahead of a disaster?

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President Trump signed the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, which extends tax cuts from 2017 and adds new ones. The White House/AP Newsroom hide caption

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The White House/AP Newsroom

Will the tax cuts pay for themselves?

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is now law. It's expected to cost the government a pretty penny. The Congressional Budget Office predicts a $3.4 trillion increase in the deficit over ten years. This is driven by significant tax cuts, including extensions of those made in 2017.

Will the tax cuts pay for themselves?

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Ellie Katz/NPR

Why can't we insure trees?

In the U.S., we insure most everything we sell. So why not trees? Today on the show why trees aren't insured like other crops, and what it would take to get that insurance with extreme weather events on the rise.

Why can't we insure trees?

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Alim Yakubov/Getty Images Plus

One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away (EXTENDED VERSION)

This episode was first published as a bonus episode for our Planet Money+ listeners. Today, we're making it available for everyone!

One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away (EXTENDED VERSION)

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