The Indicator from Planet Money

It’s Indicators of the Week, our weekly look at some of the most fascinating numbers from the news. (Now on YouTube!) On today’s episode: Is the middle class actually hollowing out? Are more e-ships powered by batteries on the horizon? And how much are the first batch of L.A. Olympics tickets going for??? Related episodes: Why the Olympics cost so much The Indicator Takes On Batteries Are the Simpsons still middle class? 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, Julia Ritchey and Vito Emanuel. 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.NPR Privacy Policy

Philip Krein, a University of Illinois power systems professor, and J.J. Jaisouria, a Houston utilities consultant, dig into why electricity prices are rising near AI data centers. They debate whether data centers are scapegoats or real strain on an aging grid. They also explore self-powered facilities, spreading fixed costs, and why transmission buildout is the big hurdle.

Come see Planet Money live on stage! 12 cities. Details and tix here: planetmoneybook.com If you’re a commuter, gas prices may not be your friend right now. The average cost of a gallon is more than $4 across the country. California’s average is close to $6. So how are drivers around the country responding? Today on the show, we hear how they’re adapting to higher prices and how much this gas price increase could cost Americans over the year. Related episodes: Will Trump’s shipping insurance plan work?Breaking down the price of gasolineFor 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.NPR Privacy Policy

Aza Raskin, entrepreneur and designer who created infinite scroll, reflects on its harms and his change of heart. He explains how incentives turned a simple UI into an attention trap. He recounts testifying in court, points to internal evidence, and suggests concrete design fixes to restore user control.

Beth Hammack, President of the Cleveland Fed, brings regional Fed perspective. Austan Goolsbee, former academic and Chicago Fed president, tackles inflation, jobs and financial risks. They rate the economy with a color scorecard. Conversation jumps from persistent inflation and low labor churn to regional hiring gaps and frothy asset valuations.

A look at a weak jobs market described as 'low hire, low fire' and what that means for new college grads. Reporting from Howard University captures students' frantic job searches and anxiety. Data from job platforms shows majors matter: tech and data roles are softer while engineering, healthcare, and trades hold up. The show explores bots, ghost listings, and strategies like networking and flexibility.

Alex Mayyasi, author and Planet Money contributor, offers a whimsical postcard tour of public goods. He spotlights the Large Hadron Collider, GPS satellites, hurricane-hunter planes, safe international shipping, and the Great Green Wall. Short, vivid stops that celebrate the large-scale projects that quietly shape modern life.

A look at why Pokémon cards have surged in value, including grading premiums that turn tiny flaws into huge price gaps. Coverage of high-profile sales and media hype that fuel speculative buying. Discussion of vintage scarcity versus modern oversupply and how generational distrust pushes people toward alternative assets. Notes on market manipulation risks and the social side of collecting.

Natasha Sarin, economist and president of Yale's Budget Lab, explains the rise of private credit and why a $3 trillion opaque market worries investors. Short takes cover how private loans work, who pours money into them, why withdrawals can be blocked, and how ties to banks, insurers, and AI projects amplify systemic risk.

Reporters walk a school lunch line to show what children actually choose to eat. They break down how federal menu rules and reimbursements shape menus and budgets. Nutrition debates focus on more meat and scratch cooking versus costs, staffing, and kitchen limits. Local creativity and strategies for getting kids to try healthier options are explored.