NPR: Planet Money

More than 70 percent of American fathers return to work less than two weeks after having a baby. Here is why I'm not one of them.

A blockbuster new study finds that America's elite private colleges are systematically giving huge advantages to rich kids over their equally bright, yet less privileged peers.

Over the last century, we've seen a huge improvement in the accuracy of weather forecasts. A new study suggests these better forecasts have tremendous value for our lives and our economy.

Over the last few decades, states and counties across America have liberalized the use of fireworks. It's just one reason why sales of fireworks have exploded.

Like an increasing number of national parks in the United States, Mount Vesuvius has begun rationing access with a quota system. The system has had some problems.

Financial stress. It feels personal, but it has big implications for the economy.

A new Netflix docuseries provides a fascinating picture of humanity's closest living relatives.

Financial literacy programs have been called useless in the past. But a new study suggests that's due to the way the subject is taught, rather than the subject itself.

We spoke with MIT's David Autor, one of the top labor economists in the world, about how AI could revolutionize the job market.

A group of economists conducted one of the first empirical studies of "generative AI" at a real-world company. They found it had big effects.

The answer could matter for your home value, stock portfolio, and the future of the economy.

Sanctions backfire. So why do we keep using them?

A new study finds that women are excelling in the book business. Yet, they still lag in other creative industries. We search for an explanation why.

What the HBO show 'Succession' can teach us about family companies

A new book argues the consulting industry is weakening businesses, harming the government, and distorting the economy.

A major bank in Silicon Valley experienced a bank run and failed. Fearing a cascading catastrophe in tech and banking, the government stepped in to prevent contagion.

Is that review real or fake? Most of us can't tell

Despite a stream of headlines last year about unionization drives throughout the nation, the share of American workers in unions fell to its lowest level on record. What's going on?

What your commute can do for you

A growing hospital movement aims to improve health outcomes of homeless patients with what might be considered the ultimate preventive care: providing them with a home.

A new book says the Great Resignation was really the Great Reshuffle.

A college kid's mission to prevent misuse of artificial intelligence.

In a fascinating new study, a group of economists measures the impact of immigrants on American innovation.

There are many more drinking options this Dry January if you like the taste of alcoholic drinks but don't like the effects of alcohol.

Germans are on a mission to transform their energy economy and reduce their consumption, including by — apparently — using lots of candles.

Santa's services are more in demand than ever — and he and his helpers are having a hard time keeping up.

When sanctions were enacted against Russia in February of this year, many forecasts were of an imminent collapse in the Russian economy. A new report looks at why that hasn't happened.

Could a shorter work week be the answer to the UK's productivity problem?

A scientific discovery could forever change China and the U.S. industrial balance.

Almost 50 years ago, a band made an incredible song about Inflation. Then the song was lost to the dustbin of history. Now, Planet Money is on a mission to make this record a hit.

Liz Truss is just the latest Prime Minister to be tripped up trying to tackle productivity.

The video game Citizen Sleeper critiques the gig economy in a cyberpunk "post-capitalist" future

A new book argues that for the U.S. to become more globally competitive and create good jobs, we must embrace and expand trade with Canada and Mexico.

Bronzeville, a neighborhood of Chicago, was the epicenter of a Black renaissance before it fell on hard times. Now, it's booming again. Here's the story of its incredible turnaround.

Since 2020, office workers have waged an epic battle to work remotely. They're mostly winning.

Is "quiet quitting" about being lazy or setting healthy boundaries? Is it even real? We dig into the data and ask workers themselves about what it means to them.

A Yale professor of finance read through 50 popular finance books to see how they square with traditional economic theory.

Car dealerships deploy tricks and traps to make as much money as they can from you. Here's what I learned when trying to buy a new car.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, automakers began adopting an anti-theft technology that dramatically reduced car thefts. But why did it take so long?

The Marshall Project asked people in prison to track their earning and spending — and bartering and side hustles — for 30 days. Their accounts reveal a thriving underground economy behind bars.

It's a summer of macro at Planet Money. Celebrate hot econ summer with our playlist.

A blockbuster new study reveals a key factor explaining rates of upward mobility.

The tech industry is in turmoil. But there's at least one startup that is thriving these days, and it's one that's helping other startups lay off workers.

A team of economists offers America a new way to look at economic growth. It's a sort of GDP prototype that tracks the well-being of different income groups.

A new study finds American companies are using remote work as a way to avoid giving workers raises; so much so that it's helping to moderate inflation.

In post-Roe America, money is even more determinative of who can get an abortion and who can't. Abortion funds are trying to close the gap, but they are now forced to navigate a murky legal landscape.

It's gonna be different, that's for sure. But we promise it will be fun and educational.

A new book dives deep into the fascinating criminal world of tree theft and efforts to combat it.

The town of Orick sits just steps away from Redwood National Park. It has prime real estate for recreation and tourism, so why are its motels and restaurants shuttered and its residents impoverished?

A new study shows the simple math of why — absent radical measures — America's racial wealth gap won't be closing anytime soon.