Accessibility links
Planet Money The economy, explained, with stories and surprises. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, "Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy." Now imagine that's actually a fun evening. That's what we're going for at Planet Money. People seem to like it.

Planet MoneyPlanet Money

The Economy Explained
Trump's cuts come for food banks
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The Indicator

Trump's cuts come for food banks

by  ,  ,  , 

The Beigie Awards are back to recognize the regional Federal Reserve Bank with the best Beige Book entry. On today's episode, we shine a spotlight on a Midwest food bank.

Trump's cuts come for food banks

Listen · 9:06
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1249236680/1269250794" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Why it's so hard to find a public toilet

A T-shirt with a logo for CEPTIA. Michael Gessel/Stephen Froikin hide caption

toggle caption
Michael Gessel/Stephen Froikin

Planet Money

Why it's so hard to find a public toilet

by  ,  , 

Why is it so hard to find a bathroom when you need one?

Why it's so hard to find a public toilet

Listen · 24:07
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1248664709/1269247904" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
American science brain drain
Scott Olson/Getty Images

The Indicator

American science brain drain

by  ,  ,  , 

President Trump's federal cuts and scrutiny of academic institutions are forcing some U.S. scientists to head for the border. On today's show, an entomologist keeping America's farms safe from pests reconsiders America. And a CEO of a Canadian hospital explains how they are benefiting from the exodus.

American science brain drain

Listen · 9:31
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1248664717/1269247731" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
How much international students matter to the economy

Many international students reconsider higher ed in the United States. NYU hosts the most. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Seth Wenig/AP

The Indicator

How much international students matter to the economy

by  Talib Visram ,  ,  , 

Many international students are rethinking their education in the United States as the federal government revokes visas, often over minor infractions. A shift away could carry a heavy economic toll, as international students contributed $44 billion to the U.S. economy last school year. So what happens when a generation of bright-eyed scholars decide to forgo school in the U.S. and take their dollars elsewhere?

How much international students matter to the economy

Listen · 9:29
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1248444373/1269235326" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Planet Money complains. To learn.

Screenshot of Sarah Gonzalez' Inbox Sarah Gonzalez hide caption

toggle caption
Sarah Gonzalez

Planet Money

Planet Money complains. To learn.

by  ,  , 

On today's show: we're ... venting.

Planet Money complains. To learn.

Listen · 25:51
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1248091506/1269229788" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
How stable is Stablecoin?

Stablecoins are becoming increasingly popular including Circle and Tether Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Indicator

How stable is Stablecoin?

by  Paddy Hirsch ,  ,  ,  , 

Stablecoins are the latest digital asset to grab headlines. Congress is considering legislation around the cryptocurrency, and a Trump family-affiliated company is preparing to launch its own Stablecoin. But does this digital currency live up to its own name?

How stable is Stablecoin?

Listen · 9:28
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1248091552/1269230106" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Federal Reserve Bank Chair Jerome Powell announces that interest rates will remain unchanged during a news conference at the Federal Reserve's William McChesney Martin building on June 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Federal Reserve Bank Chair Jerome Powell announces that interest rates will remain unchanged during a news conference at the Federal Reserve's William McChesney Martin building on June 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Newsletter

A weird partisan pattern of trust in the Fed

by 

A new study shows how partisan politics has long influenced whether Americans trust the Fed. And how, with Trump's second term, an old pattern may have changed.

Is the US pushing countries towards China?
Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images

The Indicator

Is the US pushing countries towards China?

by  ,  ,  , 

As the U.S. goes head-to-head with the rest of the world on tariffs, those countries are trying to figure out their best diplomatic strategy. One dilemma countries have is how close they get with another global superpower: China. On today's show, we hear from Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb about how the country is balancing trade relations with both countries.

Is the US pushing countries towards China?

Listen · 8:53
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1247777247/1269224005" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
When do boycotts work?

Traffic at Target has been down for 11 consecutive weeks. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator

When do boycotts work?

by  ,  ,  , 

For weeks, Target has been the subject of a boycott after its decision to pull back on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. And early data shows it's taken a toll on the company. But in other instances, boycotts haven't made much of a splash. Today on the show, when does a boycott actually make a difference?

When do boycotts work?

Listen · 9:14
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1247707503/1269217042" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
How 23andMe's bankruptcy led to a run on the gene bank

This illustration picture shows a saliva collection kit for DNA testing displayed in Washington DC on December 19, 2018. Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images

Planet Money

How 23andMe's bankruptcy led to a run on the gene bank

by  ,  ,  , 

Reporter Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi's Aunt Vovi signed up for 23andMe back in 2017, hoping to learn more about the genetic makeup of her ancestors. Vovi was one of over 15 million 23andMe customers who sent their saliva off to be analyzed by the company.

How 23andMe's bankruptcy led to a run on the gene bank

Listen · 30:58
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1247139353/1269217727" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Student loans are back, U.S. travel is whack, and AI — please, step back
KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/Getty Images

The Indicator

Student loans are back, U.S. travel is whack, and AI — please, step back

by  ,  ,  ,  , 

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

Student loans are back, US travel is whack, and, AI, please, step back

Listen · 9:25
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1247139368/1269212484" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Who's advising Trump on trade?
Ken Ilio/Getty Images

The Indicator

Who's advising Trump on trade?

by  ,  ,  , 

President Trump has not been afraid to tack on tariffs over and over again. Allies and foes alike are anxiously wondering if the tariffs will stick or whether a trade deal will be made. On today's episode, we take a look behind the curtains of the White House administration and examine the advisors whispering into Trump's ear.

Who's advising Trump on trade?

Listen · 9:29
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246832496/1269206080" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
A primer on the Federal Reserve's independence

US Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell arrives to testify during a House Committee on Financial Services hearing on "The Federal Reserve's Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report," on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, February 12, 2025. ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
ALEX WROBLEWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Planet Money

A primer on the Federal Reserve's independence

by  ,  ,  ,  Brittany Cronin ,  , 

President Donald Trump has been loudly critical of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for years now. Since January, the President has accused him of playing politics by keeping interest rates high. Trump has also threatened to oust Powell — which would mark an extraordinary shift away from the independence of the central bank.

A primer on the Federal Reserve's independence

Listen · 19:52
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246593555/1269203355" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Dealmaker Don v. Tariff Man Trump
David Cantor/Associated Press

The Indicator

Dealmaker Don v. Tariff Man Trump

by  ,  ,  , 

Donald Trump grew up learning to make deals. He's also loved tariffs since the 1970s.

Dealmaker Don v. Tariff Man Trump

Listen · 9:23
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246593582/1269195792" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
China's trade war perspective
Pedro Pardo/AFP

The Indicator

China's trade war perspective

by  ,  ,  , 

By now, you've heard a lot about how the U.S.-China trade war is affecting American consumers, businesses and the stock market. But how is the trade war being felt in China? Today on the show, two of NPR's in-house China experts, Emily Feng and John Ruwitch, explain the view from China.

China's trade war perspective

Listen · 9:31
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246322286/1269188436" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
A trap-loving DJ takes on economics
Getty Images

The Indicator

A trap-loving DJ takes on economics

by  ,  ,  ,  , 

It's time for The Indicator Quiz! We test you, dear listener, on your knowledge of topics that we've covered on The Indicator.

A trap-loving DJ takes on economics

Listen · 9:29
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1246202698/1269184991" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
How much for that egg

Sam Mertens checks on his chickens. Sam Mertens/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Sam Mertens/NPR

Planet Money

How much for that egg

by  ,  ,  , 

Recently, one of our NPR colleagues wrote a message to all of NPR saying he had extra eggs to sell for cheap, but needed a fair way to distribute them during a shortage. What is Planet Money here for if not to get OVERLY involved in this kind of situation?

How much for that egg

Listen · 31:22
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1245530783/1269183733" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Economic lessons learned from Investopedia (and Ferris Bueller)

Ben Stein as an economics teacher in the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" CBS via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
CBS via Getty Images

The Indicator

Economic lessons learned from Investopedia (and Ferris Bueller)

by  ,  ,  ,  , 

The current economic upheaval has lots of us scrambling for our glossaries and history books.

Economic lessons learned from Investopedia (and Ferris Bueller)

Listen · 9:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1245273497/1269168238" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
OIRA: The tiny office that's about to remake the federal government

Career staff of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs work in the New Executive Office Building. Keith Romer/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Keith Romer/NPR

Planet Money

OIRA: The tiny office that's about to remake the federal government

by  ,  ,  ,  , 

OIRA — the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs — is an obscure, but powerful federal office around the corner from the White House. President Trump has decided that it should get even more powerful.

OIRA: The tiny office that's about to remake the federal government

Listen · 26:57
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1245044458/1269157484" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Did Trump enable insider trading?

On April 9, President Trump posted on Truth Social, "THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT." Jennie Sohn/AP Illustration hide caption

toggle caption
Jennie Sohn/AP Illustration

The Indicator

Did Trump enable insider trading?

by  ,  ,  , 

On the morning of April 9, President Trump posted on Truth Social "THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT." Around four hours later, he announced a pause on some new tariffs, causing a stock market spike. Now, Democrats are demanding an investigation into possible insider trading. But were Trump's posts actually insider trading?

Did Trump enable insider trading?

Listen · 9:15
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1245044457/1269155221" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The spat over VAT
Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images

The Indicator

The spat over VAT

by  Paddy Hirsch ,  ,  ,  , 

If you've ever passed through airport customs overseas and been refunded a VAT — or value added tax — for souvenirs, you've benefited from the VAT system. But President Trump says VAT is unfair to the U.S. On today's episode, we learn what VAT is and what it isn't.

The spat over VAT

Listen · 9:29
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1244802141/1269136829" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org

Planet MoneyPlanet Money

The Economy Explained

About

Subscribe