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The Indicator from Planet Money

The Indicator from Planet Money

By: NPR
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A bite-sized show about big ideas. From the people who make Planet Money, The Indicator helps you make sense of what's happening in today's economy. It's a quick hit of insight into money, work, and business. Monday through Friday, in 10 minutes or less.Copyright 2015-2021 NPR - For Personal Use Only Economics
Episodes
  • Tracing the tax that's supposed to fund TSA

    Tracing the tax that's supposed to fund TSA
    Mar 26 2026
    Every time you buy a ticket that leaves a U.S. airport, you pay a fee that’s supposed to help fund the TSA. So why have TSA workers been working without pay? Today on the show, we explore the history behind an earmarked tax and its very personal impacts.

    Come see Planet Money live on stage in April! 12 cities. Details and tix here: https://tix.to/pm-book-tour.

    Related episodes:
    Your next flight doesn't have to be so expensive. Here's why
    How flying got so bad (or did it?)

    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.


    To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:

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    8 mins
  • Your next flight doesn't have to be so expensive. Here's why

    Your next flight doesn't have to be so expensive. Here's why
    Mar 25 2026
    Why are flight tickets so expensive right now? Increased oil prices seems like it’d be the obvious answer. That’s mostly right. Airlines used to do some financial magic to help keep airfare down as oil prices increased, a strategy called “fuel hedging.” But they stopped. And now fliers are on the hook for a lot of the difference.

    On today’s show, the lost art of fuel hedging. How it worked, plus why airlines stopped doing it.

    Come see Planet Money live on stage in April! 12 cities. Details and tix here: https://tix.to/pm-book-tour.

    Related episodes:
    A lot of gas trapped, oil reserves tapped, and Live Nation gets a (tiny) cap
    Will Trump’s shipping insurance plan work?

    Listener Questions: Airline tickets, grocery pricing and the Fed
    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.

    To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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    9 mins
  • Why hasn't the Russian economy collapsed?

    Why hasn't the Russian economy collapsed?
    Mar 24 2026
    How has Russia’s economy not completely collapsed after four years of war, sanctions and billions in debt? One economist says it is the war that has been propping up Russia's economy, not the other way around. He calls it smertonomika or death economics.

    On today’s show, six reasons why Russia’s economy is still chugging along despite burning money by the billions waging war on Ukraine.

    Come see Planet Money live on stage in April! 12 cities. Details and tix here: https://tix.to/pm-book-tour.

    Related episodes:
    How your favorite fish sticks might be funding Russia's war
    Who’s propping up Russian oil?

    The economic war against Russia, a year later
    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.

    To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    NPR Privacy Policy
    Show more Show less
    10 mins

Featured Article: Stay Up to Date and Informed with the Best News Podcasts of All Time


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Featured Article Stay Up to Date and Informed with the Best News Podcasts of All Time
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This podcast is fantastic, a fun bit of current events news programming. I highly recommend it as a shower timer. 10 mins every time!

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