Planet Money

Planet Money has been NPR's flagship economics podcast since 2008, and at this point it's basically an institution. The premise is simple: take any topic -- literally any topic -- and show how economics explains it. They've bought a toxic asset, followed a t-shirt around the world from cotton field to factory floor, and even started their own oil futures trading operation, all in the name of explaining how money moves through systems. The show uses a rotating cast of hosts and reporters including Kenny Malone, Mary Childs, Jeff Guo, and several others. That rotation keeps things fresh because each person brings a slightly different storytelling sensibility. Episodes typically run 20 to 30 minutes, which is just long enough to tell a complete story without padding. They publish multiple times per week. What separates Planet Money from other economics shows is the storytelling craft. These are NPR journalists who happen to cover economics, not economists who happen to have microphones. They find human characters, build narrative tension, and use sound design in ways that make you forget you're learning about supply chains or monetary policy. The archive is massive -- over 600 episodes -- and the older stuff holds up remarkably well. An episode about the invention of the index fund from 2019 is just as listenable today as when it dropped. They also spin off seasonal projects like Planet Money Summer School, which offers a structured course on a topic like investing or macroeconomics. It's the rare show that works equally well for someone with an MBA and someone who just wants to understand why eggs cost so much.