About Planet Money
Planet Money is a podcast and radio programme from NPR that explains the economy in an accessible and entertaining way. It was launched in 2008, during the global financial crisis, to help listeners understand what was happening to the economy and why. Since then it has become one of the best-known economics shows, known for clear explanations and lively storytelling.
Stories and Explanations
Episodes explore how money moves through the world, covering markets, trade, jobs, inflation, housing, business and government policy. The show often tells the story of a single person, product or company to explain a larger economic idea. It also investigates the hidden economics of everyday things, from the price of groceries to the rules that shape how industries operate.
Hands-On Projects
Planet Money is known for ambitious reporting projects that let listeners follow economic ideas in practice. The team has followed a T-shirt through the global supply chain, bought a toxic asset, launched a small satellite and made its own products to see how industries really work. These projects turn abstract concepts into memorable stories, and the show has also produced books and video.
Listening and Related Shows
Planet Money is available on major podcast platforms and on NPR stations, with a large archive of episodes. Its sister show, The Indicator from Planet Money, offers short daily explainers on economic news. Planet Money suits listeners who want to understand the economy without jargon, including students, professionals and anyone curious about how money shapes everyday life.