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The Indicator from Planet Money

NPR
The Indicator from Planet Money
Latest episode

576 episodes

  • The Indicator from Planet Money

    How stock options made him an overnight millionaire

    06/24/2026 | 9 mins.
    In 2019, Juan Hernandez was laid off from SpaceX. Luckily, he still had the opportunity to buy $50K - $60K of the company’s stock and, years later, it’s safe to say the risk was worth it. Today on the show, how stock options built California as a tech hub.

    Fact-checking by Emma Ferrara. 

    Your Next Listen 
    — Do traders who make big bets make big money?

    Connect with The Indicator
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    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

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  • The Indicator from Planet Money

    Why the $250 bill would be good … For criminals!

    06/23/2026 | 8 mins.
    A plan to create a new $250—with President Donald Trump’s face on it—has created a lot of pushback. Who probably won’t be pushing back, though? Criminals. On today’s show, we explain why.

    Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.

    Your Next Listen 
    — Trump crypto, Trump ballroom and Trump drones

    Connect with The Indicator
    — Sign up for The Indicator’s brand new newsletter
    — Buy the Planet Money book
    — Find our socials, YouTube and more!
    — For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
  • The Indicator from Planet Money

    An urban planner, infinite scroll, and … what is a public good?

    06/22/2026 | 9 mins.
    It’s time for The Indicator Quiz! We test you, dear listener, on your knowledge of topics that we’ve covered on The Indicator. For today's quiz show, we are putting an urban planner from Nevada to the test. Play along with us and see how you do!

    Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Email us your name and phone number at indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line.

    Fact checking by Sierra Juarez.

    Your Next Listen 
    — A trap-loving DJ takes on economics

    Connect with The Indicator
    — Sign up for The Indicator’s brand new newsletter
    — Buy the Planet Money book
    — Find our socials, YouTube and more!
    — For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
  • The Indicator from Planet Money

    How your phone keeps you scrolling ... even when you want to stop

    06/19/2026 | 9 mins.
    You pick up your phone to do one quick task, and suddenly 20 minutes have flown by without you even noticing. How do apps do that to you? Today on the show, we bring you an episode of Short Wave that explains how your phone is designed specifically to hold your attention.

    Fact checking by Tyler Jones.

    Connect with The Indicator
    — Sign up for The Indicator’s brand new newsletter
    — Buy the Planet Money book
    — Find our socials, YouTube and more!
    — For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
  • The Indicator from Planet Money

    Are we in a new era of permanently higher prices?

    06/18/2026 | 9 mins.
    Inflation is at a three-year high. That’s a problem for the Fed. Yet, under the leadership of new chair Kevin Warsh, it opted yesterday not to hike interest rates. So today on the show, who are the winners and who are the losers amidst higher inflation? 

    Mark Blyth’s book, co-authored with Nicolò Fraccaroli is Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers. 

    Fact checking by Sierra Juarez. 

    Your Next Listen 
    — Why big banks aren’t interested in your savings account

    Connect with The Indicator
    — Sign up for The Indicator’s brand new newsletter 
    — Buy the Planet Money book 
    — Find our socials, YouTube and more!
    — For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+ 

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
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About 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. Sign up for our newsletter.
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