The Indicator from Planet Money

The Indicator is Planet Money's daily spinoff, and it's built for people who want their economics fast. Hosted by Wailin Wong, Darian Woods, and Adrian Ma, each episode runs about ten minutes and tackles a single economic idea, trend, or data point from the day's news. The show launched in 2017 and has racked up over 670 episodes since then, airing every weekday without fail. Recent topics have ranged from gold and silver price swings to how grocery shoppers adapt when food costs keep climbing, plus a briefing on what Kevin Warsh might face as the next Federal Reserve chair. The three hosts rotate and bring distinct strengths to the mic. Wong has a background in business journalism and zeroes in on consumer stories. Woods, originally from New Zealand, gravitates toward international trade and labor data. Ma covers tech and policy angles with a reporter's instinct for the telling detail. Their Friday "Indicators of the Week" segment has become a fan favorite, rounding up the most interesting economic numbers from the past five days. What makes the show work is its discipline. Ten minutes means no padding, no meandering, no filler segments. The hosts pick one thread, pull it tight, and let you go. Production quality is top-notch -- you'd expect nothing less from NPR's Planet Money team. It pairs well with the flagship Planet Money show if you want longer storytelling, but The Indicator stands perfectly well on its own as a sharp, reliable daily economics briefing.