Planet Money
Work
Wanna see a trick? Give us any topic and we can tie it back to the economy. At <em>Planet Money</em>, we explore the forces that shape our lives and bring you along for the ride. Don't just understand the economy – understand the world.<br><br><em> Support public media by joining NPR+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org</em></a><em>. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Planet Money.</em>
7 episodes featuring Planet Money
The Indicator from Planet Money
Colleges redesign degrees around jobs and AI
The episode examines what higher education should prioritize as students, employers, and institutions weigh career preparation against the liberal arts.
Oct 1, 2026 · 8 min
The Indicator from Planet Money
College sports can boost applications—but not always value
As colleges compete for fewer prospective students, athletic success may attract attention without delivering a reliable return on expensive sports investments.
Sep 30, 2026 · 9 min
The Indicator from Planet Money
Missing industry codes leave businesses invisible and mispriced
The classification system behind economic data can shape whether an industry is measured accurately, recognized by agencies, and charged appropriate insurance rates.
Sep 29, 2026 · 9 min
The Indicator from Planet Money
Rising costs squeeze renters, insurers, and employers
The episode connects housing strain, ACA coverage losses, and GLP-1 costs as separate pressures converging on households and institutions.
Sep 25, 2026 · 9 min
The Indicator from Planet Money
Used cars inherit a broken new-car market
The episode shows why buying used no longer reliably means buying affordable, especially once financing and ownership costs enter the calculation.
Sep 23, 2026 · 9 min
The Indicator from Planet Money
America’s oil reserve faces a costly refill
The reserve’s depleted and aging system may be less able to cushion Americans from future supply disruptions and higher prices.
Sep 22, 2026 · 9 min
The Indicator from Planet Money
War, sulfur and AI reshape the cost of living
The episode connects geopolitical disruption to higher fuel and fertilizer costs while examining why OpenAI may hesitate before pursuing a public listing.
Sep 18, 2026 · 9 min