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Govt 7: Trade blocks and blockages (Trade Policy)

Planet Money

Govt 7: Trade blocks and blockages (Trade Policy)

by  Robert Smith ,  Eric Mennel ,  Alex Goldmark

Tariffs are the favorite tool of our current president, but there are lots of other ways that governments insert themselves into the free exchange of goods and services. Some of these trade barriers are so insidious and have been going on for so long that it may surprise you that they even exist. 

Govt 7: Trade blocks and blockages (Trade Policy)

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Summer School 7: Trade blocks and blockages

Planet Money

Summer School 7: Trade blocks and blockages

by  Robert Smith ,  Alex Goldmark ,  Eric Mennel

Tariffs are the favorite tool of our current president, but there are lots of other ways that governments insert themselves into the free exchange of goods and services. Some of these trade barriers are so insidious and have been going on for so long that it may surprise you that they even exist. 

Summer School 7: Trade blocks and blockages

Listen · 39:21
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OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images

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The Indicator

How algorithms are changing the way we speak

by  ,  Kate Concannon ,  Julia Ritchey

Social media has birthed an entire lexicon replicated by millions online — even if these words don’t actually mean skibidi. On today’s show, we talk to author Adam Aleksic about how TikTok and Instagram's engagement metrics, and viral memes, are rewiring our brains and transforming language at warp speed.

How algorithms are changing the way we speak

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Elias Sayour and his team, who are working on a cancer vaccine.

Elias Sayour and his team, who are working on a cancer vaccine. Nate Guidry/UF Health hide caption

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The Indicator

Three innovations pushing the medical field forward

by  ,  ,  ,  Kate Concannon

Innovation is crucial for long-term economic prosperity. One area where that’s happening aplenty: medical technology. From a cancer vaccine to an Alzheimer’s blood test to a life-changing exoskeleton, we take you on a tour of the economics of health technology. 

Three innovations pushing the medical field forward

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When our inflation infeelings don’t match the CPI
Oliver Douliery/Getty

Planet Money

When our inflation infeelings don’t match the CPI

by  ,  ,  , 

For most Americans, we just lived through the highest period of inflation in our lives. And we are reminded of this every time we go grocery shopping. All over TikTok, tons of people have posted videos of how little they got for… $20. $40. $100. Most upsetting to us: an $8 box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

When our inflation infeelings don’t match the CPI

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People take their seats for an Apple presentation at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.

People take their seats for an Apple presentation at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. GABRIELLE LURIE/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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The Indicator

The nepo baby premium, frothing markets, and Apple vs. Apples

by  ,  ,  ,  , 

It’s … Indicators of the Week! Our rapid run through the numbers you need to know.  

The nepo baby premium, frothing markets, and Apple v. Apples

Listen · 9:29
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Why every A-lister also has a side hustle

The Indicator

Why every A-lister also has a side hustle

by  ,  ,  , 

Seemingly every celebrity has their own brand these days, whether it’s booze (Cameron Diaz, Matthew McConaughey) or cosmetics (Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga) or squeezy food pouches (Jennifer Garner). Today on the show, what is fueling the celebrity business bonanza? We hear from two legendary singers, Lisa Loeb AND John Legend, who are pursuing ventures outside of show business.

Why every A-lister also has a side hustle

Listen · 9:23
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Wright’s Market owner Jimmy Wright stands inside his story in Opelika, Alabama on July 17, 2025. Wright worries cuts to SNAP will cause smaller grocers to shut down.

Wright's Market owner Jimmy Wright stands inside his story in Opelika, Alabama on July 17, 2025. Wright worries cuts to SNAP will cause smaller grocers to shut down. Stephan Bisaha/NPR hide caption

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The Indicator

Why Trump's spending bill could close your grocery store

by  ,  ,  , 

Trump’s tax and spending law makes the largest cut in history to one of the nation’s biggest safety net programs. Today on the show, we explore how cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, impacts families and grocery stores alike. 

Why Trump's spending bill could close your grocery store

Listen · 9:04
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Govt 6: When the markets need fixing (Market Design)

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Planet Money

Govt 6: When the markets need fixing (Market Design)

by  ,  ,  Eric Mennel ,  Emily Crawford

In economics, a market is a place (even virtual) where buyers and sellers interact to exchange goods or services. Economists love markets. It's like all of our supply and demand graphs have come to life. Everything you buy goes through some sort of marketplace—your cup of coffee came from trading in the bean markets. Your spouse might have come from the dating marketplace on the apps. Even kids will tell you one Snickers is worth at least two Twix.

Govt 6: When the markets need fixing (Market Design)

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Summer School 6: When the markets need a designer
NPR

Planet Money

Summer School 6: When the markets need a designer

by  ,  Eric Mennel ,  ,  Emily Crawford

In economics, a market is a place (even virtual) where buyers and sellers meet to exchange goods or services. Economists love markets. It's like all of our supply and demand graphs have come to life. Almost everything you buy goes through some sort of marketplace—your cup of coffee came from trading in the bean markets. Your spouse might have come from the dating marketplace on the apps. Even kids will tell you one Snickers is worth at least two Twix.

Summer School 6: When the markets need a designer

Listen · 36:10
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Displaced Palestinian children gather to receive food at a government school in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on February 19, 2024. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images)

Displaced Palestinian children gather to receive food at a government school in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on February 19, 2024. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED/AFP via Getty Images) Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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The Indicator

The arduous system for getting aid into Gaza

by  ,  , 

Insulin needles. Sleeping bags. Nutella. These are items Arwa Damon’s charity — International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance — has tried to send to Gaza and Israel has rejected. It’s a glimpse into the harsh reality of a humanitarian crisis with no end in sight. Today on the show, we talk to Damon about the economics of running a humanitarian nonprofit and what’s stopping more aid from reaching Gaza. 

The arduous system for getting aid into Gaza

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What we're reading on the beach this summer

We bring you summer reading recs! IAKOVOS HATZISTAVROU/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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IAKOVOS HATZISTAVROU/AFP via Getty Images

Planet Money

What we're reading on the beach this summer

by  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

It's time for our annual beach reading recs. Today we bring you three books, with a little economic learning to boot. Our recs:

What we're reading on the beach this summer

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What happens when governments cook the books
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Planet Money

What happens when governments cook the books

by  ,  ,  , 

After President Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, economists and statisticians across the board were horrified. Because the firing raises the spectre of potential manipulation – and it raises the worry that, in the future, the numbers won't be as trustworthy.

What happens when governments cook the books

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More for Palantir, less for mRNA, and a disaster database redemption arc
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Indicator

More for Palantir, less for mRNA, and a disaster database redemption arc

by  ,  ,  ,  , 

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

More for Palantir, less for mRNA, and a disaster database redemption arc

Listen · 9:26
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The legal case for — and against — Trump's tariffs

President Donald Trump's latest round of tariffs took effect today. But are they legal? Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

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The Indicator

The legal case for — and against — Trump's tariffs

by  ,  ,  ,  , 

President Trump's new round of tariffs took effect today. It will bring in billions of dollars to the government, in part paid for by U.S. importers who can decide whether to pass that cost onto American families. But are these tariffs legal?

The legal case for — and against — Trump's tariffs

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What you need to know about the jobs report revisions
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The Indicator

What you need to know about the jobs report revisions

by  ,  ,  , 

Why do revisions to the jobs report happen? Today on the show, we speak with a former Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics about why revisions occur and how we should interpret the monthly report's actual message.

What you need to know about the jobs report revisions

Listen · 9:11
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Govt 5: The many ways governments influence industry (Industrial Policy)
NPR

Planet Money

Govt 5: The many ways governments influence industry (Industrial Policy)

by  ,  ,  Eric Mennel ,  Emily Crawford

LIVE SHOW: August 18th in Brooklyn. Tickets here.

Govt 5: The many ways governments influence industry (Industrial Policy)

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Summer School 5: The many ways governments influence industry
NPR

Planet Money

Summer School 5: The many ways governments influence industry

by  ,  ,  Eric Mennel ,  Emily Crawford

LIVE SHOW: August 18th in Brooklyn. Tickets here.

Summer School 5: The many ways governments influence industry

Listen · 36:21
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Can we still trust the monthly jobs report? (Update)
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The Indicator

Can we still trust the monthly jobs report? (Update)

by  ,  ,  ,  , 

Since his return to office, President Trump has waged something of a pressure campaign on economic data and the people in charge of delivering it. His firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner following a weak jobs report now has some wondering: can we still trust the official numbers? Today on the show, we're resharing our conversation with former BLS commissioner, Erica Groshen on her current fears for the integrity of government data. The original version of this story aired March 7, 2025.

Can we still trust the monthly jobs report? (Update)

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What really goes on at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Update)

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption

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Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The Indicator

What really goes on at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Update)

by  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

On Friday, we reported on the latest jobs numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which showed weaker than expected growth. On Friday afternoon, President Trump fired the person in charge of those numbers.

What really goes on at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Update)

Listen · 9:29
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