The Indicator from Planet Money

It’s Indicators of the Week. Our weekly look at some of the most fascinating economic numbers from the news. 

On today’s episode: the drama behind the Fed Chair nominee’s wealth; the shoe company Allbirds is becoming an AI firm; and a drop in how many people are paying for their Affordable Care Act plans.

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Related episodes: 
One Fed battle after another
The ghosts of Obamacare past, present and future
Allbirds: Tim Brown & Joey Zwillinger

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.


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If the Strait of Hormuz completely reopens, it still might not be enough to restart the economies in the Persian Gulf. Many countries there have been hammered by the oil crisis. And although allowing ships through would stanch the immediate bloodletting in the energy sector, other sectors might not spring back so quickly. Tourists are visiting less. Property markets are at risk. 

On today’s show, we survey the economic damage to countries in the Gulf. And try to get a sense of the long-term economic implications. 

The Indicator is launching a newsletter! The very first email goes out this Friday. Be among the first and sign-up now: npr.org/newsletter/indicator 

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Related episodes: 
Think the oil shock is bad in the US? Look here
How are drivers riding out the gas crisis? 
Will Trump’s shipping insurance plan work?

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.

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Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is pretty slow right now. A once steady stream of global oil has been severed, and oil prices have shot into the stratosphere. Countries across the world are trying to stop the bleeding. One is counting down the days until it runs out of oil. Another is … just fine.

On today’s show, we take stock of how three countries, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, and China, are navigating the oil crisis.

The Indicator is launching a newsletter! The very first email goes out this Friday. Be among the first and sign-up now: npr.org/indicatornewsletter 

Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com/#tour

Related episodes: 
How are drivers riding out the gas crisis?
Will Trump’s shipping insurance plan work?

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  

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With the 50th season of Survivor underway, three former Survivor winners tell us how some of the skills they learned in their careers helped them win the show. 

There’s game theory, social engineering, and learning how to get along with a group of castaways who have a $1 million incentive to vote you off the island. 

Come see Planet Money live on stage! Twelve cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com/#tour

Related episodes: 
Teamwork actually does make the dream work 
The game theory that led to nuclear standoffs

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  


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They say do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. But c’mon. Is that possible in this day and age? On today’s show, we speak to a tech investor who tells us the ingredients he believes are needed to make passion pay. And we hear from an economist who’s run the numbers on luck. 

Bill Gurley’s book is Runnin’ Down a Dream: How to Thrive in a Career You Actually Love.  

Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com/#tour 

Related episodes: 
Teamwork actually does make the dream work  
Why women make great bosses  

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  

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It’s Indicators of the Week, our weekly look at some of the most fascinating numbers from the news. (Now on YouTube!) 

On today’s episode: Is the middle class actually hollowing out? Are more e-ships powered by batteries on the horizon? And how much are the first batch of L.A. Olympics tickets going for??? 

Related episodes: 
Why the Olympics cost so much 
The Indicator Takes On Batteries 
Are the Simpsons still middle class? 
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez, Julia Ritchey and Vito Emanuel. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  

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Over the last half decade, wholesale electricity prices have increased 267% in places close to data centers. That’s contributed to a backlash against new ones. 

But some experts believe data centers are a scapegoat for long-term issues with an aging U.S. grid. Today on the show, we ask who is responsible for rising electricity prices and whether the U.S. can handle a new era of grid growth. 

Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com/#tour

Related episodes:
All these data centers are gonna fry my electric bill … right?
What AI data centers are doing to your electric bill 

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  


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Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com 

If you’re a commuter, gas prices may not be your friend right now. The average cost of a gallon is more than $4 across the country. California’s average is close to $6. So how are drivers around the country responding? Today on the show, we hear how they’re adapting to higher prices and how much this gas price increase could cost Americans over the year. 

Related episodes: 
Will Trump’s shipping insurance plan work?
Breaking down the price of gasoline

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  

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We practically live on our phones these days. Scrolling and scrolling, endlessly. Entrepreneur Aza Raskin is responsible for creating this infinite scroll. He also testified against Meta, who have been under fire — and in court — charged with making their apps addictive to children.  

On today’s show: Raskin tells us about the changes he thinks platforms should make to help people take their attention back. 

Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com 

Related episodes: The Social Media Crisis 
How algorithms are changing the way we speak 

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Cooper Katz McKim. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  

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Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com 

It’s not often you get to talk to a regional Fed president, let alone two at the same time!

Today on the show, we take the temperature of the economy with regional Fed presidents Austan Goolsbee and Beth Hammack.

Related episodes: 
One Fed battle after another
America's next top Fed Chair

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.

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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