How did political campaigns get so expensive?
The 2026 midterm elections are fast approaching, and it’s gearing up to be the most expensive election in American history.
Today’s indicator
Recent episodes
02 Latest episodes
A rebate runaround, a car rental rip-off and … roaches?!
A labyrinthine rebate process. Shrinking cereal boxes. Mystery rental car charges. Cockroaches?!
How did we get a Nobel Prize in economics?
This year's Nobel Prize for Economics went to American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford! Their research focused on macroeconomic models and economic shocks.
03 What is The Indicator?
One number. Ten minutes. Every weekday.
The Indicator is the daily show from the people who make Planet Money. Each weekday we take one number — a price, a rate, a headcount, a strange line in a government spreadsheet — and follow it until it explains something about money, work, or business. No economics degree required, and you’ll be out the door in ten minutes.
- 5 days a week
Monday to Friday, every week of the year.
- 10 minutes or less
Median running time across this feed: 9:13.
- 1 indicator
Every episode starts with a single number and follows it wherever it goes.
Ten-minute mark
Latest 8:12
04 The hosts
The Indicator is hosted by Wailin Wong, Adrian Ma and Darian Woods, with reporting and production from the Planet Money team.
Wailin Wong
Host
Adrian Ma
Host
Darian Woods
Host