The Indicator from Planet Money A little show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening today. It's a quick hit of insight into work, business, the economy, and everything else. Listen weekday afternoons.

Try Planet Money+! a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. You'll also get access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions. sign up at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

The Indicator from Planet Money

From NPR

A little show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening today. It's a quick hit of insight into work, business, the economy, and everything else. Listen weekday afternoons.

Try Planet Money+! a new way to support the show you love, get a sponsor-free feed of the podcast, *and* get access to bonus content. You'll also get access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School, both without interruptions. sign up at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

Most Recent Episodes

Adam Gray/Getty Images

Should schools be paying their college athletes?

March Madness is in full swing as Men's and Women's college basketball teams across the country compete for the NCAA championship. However, the Dartmouth Men's Basketball team made headlines just before the tournament for its successful unionization vote.

Should schools be paying their college athletes?

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197963366/1241286635" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

David Calhoun stepped down as CEO of Boeing and will remain until the end of 2024. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Help Wanted at Boeing

Boeing's CEO Dave Calhoun has resigned and will step down at the end of the year. It comes after a series of mishaps with the aviation company including a door plug blowing off a 737 MAX 9 mid-flight. In today's episode, we turn to a head-hunter to explore what Boeing might look for in a new CEO.

Help Wanted at Boeing

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197963353/1241073509" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Send us naming suggestions for The Indicator's new mascot: Indi-Gator! NPR/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
NPR/NPR

Name our mascot. No, really.

You might notice we're looking a little refreshed thanks to our new podcast logo. Today on the show, we ask some marketing experts what goes into building a strong brand, and whether our own makeover hits the mark.

Name our mascot. No, really.

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197963291/1240815904" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Three Lions/Getty Images

The interest-ing world of interest rates

Countries all over the world are making big moves in monetary policies. From unexpected cuts to long-awaited hikes to a cautious cling to the status quo, this edition of Indicators of the Week has it all. Today, we explain the motivations for these drastically different approaches.

The interest-ing world of interest rates

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197963284/1240447786" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Cooper Katz McKim/Cooper Katz McKim

How ski resorts are (economically) adjusting to climate change

Snowmaking has helped cover up the effects of climate change for a long time. But by the turn of the century, that started to change. A recent report shows US resorts are opening later, closing earlier, and taking a financial hit. For an industry that relies on snow, the threat is existential. Can ski resorts survive?

How ski resorts are (economically) adjusting to climate change

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197963273/1240062286" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

When does youth employment become child labor?

The number of teenagers in the workforce today is at its highest level in about 20 years. At the same time, child labor violations are up and states are relaxing some protections for their youngest workers. On today's show, we examine the state of the Gen Z labor force, and the distinction between youth employment and child labor.

When does youth employment become child labor?

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197963204/1239772090" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

Tick tock for TikTok?

The political pressure on TikTok continues to ratchet up. This week Biden administration officials are throwing their support behind legislation that would essentially give an ultimatum to TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance. Sell TikTok to another owner not controlled by a "foreign adversary" or be banned from US app stores.

Tick tock for TikTok?

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197963194/1239560497" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

An Italian Air Force fighter jet flies during a NATO exercise in Poland. Dominika Zarzycka/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) hide caption

toggle caption
Dominika Zarzycka/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Can Europe fund its defense ambitions?

The majority of European members of NATO are not spending as much on defense as they agreed to. But that may change as the European Union considers a move to a "war economy." Today, we examine what that means and what barriers to a "war economy" look like.

Can Europe fund its defense ambitions?

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197963085/1239251609" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Biden's economic pitch for a second term

It's Indicators of the Week, our up close and personal examination of economic headlines. Today we have three indicators from President Joe Biden's economic agenda. His budget proposals include fixes for childcare, home buying and hiking corporate taxes.

Biden's economic pitch for a second term

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197963044/1238944159" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

How are moving companies faring with high mortgage rates?

HOOAH! It's our first Beigie Award for 2024! The Beigie Award is back to recognize the regional Federal Reserve Bank with the best Beige Book entry. This edition's winner took us to the City of Brotherly Love, detailing how high home interest rates and low existing home sales in the area are financially affecting our buff brethren in arms: movers.

How are moving companies fairing with high mortgage rates?

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197963035/1238685755" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
or search npr.org