The Indicator from Planet Money is a daily business podcast produced by NPR, offering concise, insightful episodes (typically 10 minutes or less) that break down complex economic concepts and current events. Created by the team behind Planet Money, it covers topics like work, business, and the global economy, making them accessible through engaging storytelling. Hosted by Adrian Ma, Darian Woods, and Wailin Wong, the show features episodes on issues like tariffs, jobs reports, AI in the workplace, and wealth inequality. It’s available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music, with a subscription option (Planet Money+) for sponsor-free episodes and bonus content. As of June 2025, it has over 1,841 episodes.
The Indicator from Planet Money in 2025: Unraveling Economic Trends
The Indicator from Planet Money, NPR’s bite-sized podcast that distills complex economic stories into digestible insights, has continued to be a vital resource for understanding the economic landscape in 2025. With its signature blend of sharp analysis, engaging storytelling, and a touch of humor, the show—helmed by hosts Adrian Ma, Darian Woods, and Wailin Wong—delivers daily episodes that unpack the forces shaping work, business, and the global economy. As we navigate a year marked by shifting economic policies, technological disruptions, and global uncertainties, The Indicator has proven adept at spotlighting the economic indicators that matter most. This article explores the podcast’s key themes in 2025, drawing from its coverage of critical issues like data integrity, inflation expectations, and the human stories behind economic trends, while weaving in insights from its episodes and broader economic context.
The Role of The Indicator in 2025
In a world where economic data influences everything from policy decisions to personal finances, The Indicator from Planet Money serves as a bridge between dense statistics and everyday life. With over 1,841 episodes by mid-2025, the podcast remains a Monday-through-Friday staple, offering 10-minute dives into topics that range from the implications of a volatile bond market to the societal impacts of AI-driven mechanization. Its ability to humanize economics—through interviews, anecdotes, and relatable analogies—makes it a standout in a crowded media landscape. In 2025, the show has tackled pressing issues like trust in economic data, the trajectory of inflation, and the interplay of global markets, all while amplifying the voices of ordinary people affected by these trends.
Data Integrity: A Crisis in Confidence
One of the most compelling narratives The Indicator explored in 2025 is the erosion of trust in economic data, a theme that resonates deeply in an era of political polarization. In an episode revisiting a conversation with Erica Groshen, former commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the podcast delved into the fallout from the abrupt dismissal of the BLS commissioner following a disappointing jobs report. Groshen’s insights underscored a critical issue: when political pressures compromise the independence of statistical agencies, the ripple effects are profound. Economic data isn’t just numbers—it’s the foundation of policy, investment, and public confidence. The firing raised alarms about potential bias in official statistics, prompting questions about whether reported figures align with reality or serve political agendas.
The episode highlighted how this crisis affects more than just economists. When trust in data erodes, businesses hesitate to invest, consumers alter spending habits, and policymakers struggle to craft effective strategies. The Indicator emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, urging listeners to scrutinize data sources and seek multiple perspectives. This theme of data integrity has been a recurring thread in 2025, as global events—from trade disputes to currency fluctuations—demand reliable metrics to navigate uncertainty. The podcast’s ability to frame this complex issue in relatable terms, such as comparing data manipulation to a “rigged game,” helps listeners grasp its stakes.
Economic Indicators to Watch in 2025
In a December 2024 episode titled “What Indicators Will 2025 Bring?,” hosts Adrian Ma, Kenny Malone, and contributor Jeff Guo offered a forward-looking analysis of the economic metrics likely to define 2025. The episode, released just before the new year, reflected on 2024’s economic rollercoaster—marked by volatile consumer sentiment, a Bitcoin boom, and a possible “soft landing” for the U.S. economy—and set the stage for the year ahead. Key indicators highlighted included:
- Inflation Expectations: Adrian Ma stressed the importance of tracking how consumers anticipate price changes. Inflation expectations can become self-fulfilling, as people adjust spending and wage demands based on their predictions. In 2025, with global supply chains still adjusting to geopolitical shifts, this metric is a bellwether for economic stability.
- The “Star” Interest Rate: Jeff Guo introduced the concept of the “star” rate—the ideal long-term interest rate that balances growth and inflation. Its unpredictability in a post-pandemic world makes it a critical indicator for investors and policymakers. The episode used a playful analogy of a “mysterious glowing orb” to illustrate the elusive nature of this rate, making a dry topic accessible and engaging.
- Bond Market Volatility: Another episode explored the bond market’s abrupt shifts, framing them as a “cautionary tale” for what lies ahead if economic conditions worsen. With rising interest rates and global uncertainties, the bond market’s movements in 2025 are a key signal for investors, signaling potential risks to economic recovery.
These discussions reflect The Indicator’s knack for distilling complex economic signals into actionable insights. By focusing on indicators that shape both macroeconomic policy and individual decision-making, the podcast empowers listeners to navigate an uncertain economic landscape.
Human Stories at the Core of Economics
Beyond numbers and trends, The Indicator excels at highlighting the human side of economics. A 2025 episode featuring economists Michael Geruso and Dean Spears, authors of After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People, explored how population dynamics influence economic progress. The discussion underscored that economics is fundamentally about people—their choices, struggles, and aspirations. By weaving in personal stories, such as those of workers affected by automation or families grappling with rising costs, the podcast grounds abstract concepts in lived experiences.
This human-centric approach was also evident in an episode on summer reading recommendations, which tied economic themes to broader societal issues. Books like Michael Lewis’s Who is Government? and Megan Abbott’s El Dorado Drive were highlighted for their insights into public service and the ethical dilemmas of wealth pursuit. These recommendations reflect The Indicator’s commitment to making economics relatable, showing how it intersects with culture, morality, and technology.
Navigating a Changing Economic Landscape
In 2025, The Indicator has also addressed the broader context shaping economic trends. Posts on X highlight the global economic shifts influencing the podcast’s coverage, such as institutional interest in digital assets and central banks’ dovish policies. While these posts are not definitive, they reflect the sentiment of a world grappling with rapid change—be it through cryptocurrency adoption or AI’s impact on jobs. The Indicator has tackled these topics head-on, with episodes on AI’s role in the economy and the risks of over-relying on traditional investment strategies in a decade that defies historical norms.
The podcast’s coverage of global markets, such as Nigeria’s foreign exchange dynamics or revised economic loss projections due to climate change, shows its ability to connect local stories to global trends. By addressing both micro and macro perspectives, The Indicator helps listeners understand how interconnected the global economy is, from Lagos to Wall Street.
Why The Indicator Matters in 2025
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