Episodes

  • How big is the US housing shortage?

    How big is the US housing shortage?
    Nov 25 2024
    Housing affordability is a top concern for Americans and a hot political topic. Estimates for the number of needed homes stretch into the millions, but how is this actually counted? Today on the show, we explain the tricky business of quantifying the US housing shortage.

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    8 mins
  • The most expensive banana in the world and other indicators

    The most expensive banana in the world and other indicators
    Nov 22 2024
    We are back with a pricey Indicators of the Week. Today, we're digging into why it's so hard to get price information from funeral providers, how much a single banana could possibly cost, and just how much richer Elon Musk has become since Donald Trump's election win.

    Related episodes:
    Why is everyone talking about Musk's money? (Apple / Spotify)
    Artists vs. AI (Apple / Spotify)

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    9 mins
  • Bond vigilantes. Who they are, what they want, and how you'll know they're coming

    Bond vigilantes. Who they are, what they want, and how you'll know they're coming
    Nov 21 2024
    As Wall Street investors divine what a second Trump administration might mean for markets, there's talk of a new gang in town: the bond vigilantes. On today's show, where they came from, what they want, and how to tell when they're about to spring into action.

    Related episodes:
    Trying to solve the mystery of big bond yields
    What the 'bonkers' bond market means for you

    For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

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    8 mins
  • Third space jam: How Magic Johnson and Starbucks boosted entrepreneurship

    Third space jam: How Magic Johnson and Starbucks boosted entrepreneurship
    Nov 20 2024
    There's been a lot of research showing how third spaces — a place that isn't the home nor the workplace — have brought communities together, even catalyzed revolutions. New research shows that coffee shops in particular could be key to sparking new businesses, too.

    Today on the show, caffeine-fueled entrepreneurship. We go back a few decades for the story of how Magic Johnson partnered to build Starbucks cafes in Black and Latino neighborhoods, and how new research has shed light on how Magic's plan changed entrepreneurship in those communities.

    Related Episodes:
    Oil gluts, Russian bucks, and Starbucks
    Magic Johnson on basketball, business, and being the face of HIV

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    9 mins
  • How to shop during a crisis

    How to shop during a crisis
    Nov 19 2024
    Events like the recent dock worker's strike and hurricanes sparked panic buying among American shoppers. Today, a logistics expert helps us craft a shopper's guide for how to navigate a supply chain crisis.

    For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

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    9 mins
  • A fraught climate change conference, how are US home builders doing, and more

    A fraught climate change conference, how are US home builders doing, and more
    Nov 18 2024
    There is a LOT of economic news happening at the moment (it all happens, so very much of it, all the time), so we wanted to give you an idea of what we here at The Indicator are keeping tabs on.

    Today on the show, we look ahead to: countries coughing up money for climate change at COP29, how confident are home builders feeling right now, and ... is US manufacturing REALLY in decline?

    Related Episodes:
    A countdown to climate action
    Why aren't more people taking on the trades?
    Do polluters pay, or do they get paid?

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

    The Economics of Everyday Things: Pizza (Box) Time!
    Nov 17 2024
    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.

    In this episode, you're about to hear Zachary crack the lid open on ... the humble pizza box.

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    16 mins
  • 23andMe's financial troubles, Paul vs. Tyson and Bitcoin to the moon

    23andMe's financial troubles, Paul vs. Tyson and Bitcoin to the moon
    Nov 15 2024
    On Indicators of the Week, we cover our favorite numbers in the news. On this week's edition we cover Netflix's foray into live sports, the possible psychology behind the post-election cryptocurrency rally, and a struggling DNA company's fight for survival.

    For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

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    9 mins