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Shortly after hearing about the birth of Jesus, Herod the king tried to have the child murdered. Indeed, Herod's oppressive rule and the predations of the Roman state play a huge role in the Christmas story.
Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/reclaiming-antistate-roots-christmas
The surprising things we learn when we count everyone - a tour of the UK census through time.
We also figure out just how many parking officers there are versus soldiers in the British army.
Who really does all the housework? Plus - 20 years of ‘Freakonomics’ with Stephen Dubner.
And finally - were there really three wise men who visited baby Jesus? And were they kings as the Christmas hymn would lead us to believe?
Presenter: Tim Harford Reporter: Lizzy McNeil Producers: Charlotte McDonald, Nathan Gower and Katie Solleveld Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound Mix: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon
Happy Holidays from The Indicator! For the next week, we're running some of our favorite shows from this year. On today's show, why celebrities are increasingly investing in their own brands.
This piece originally aired August 14, 2025.Related episodes:
The celebrity crypto nexus
The Olympian to influencer pipeline (Apple / Spotify)
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. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
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All children eventually learn that the presents under the Christmas tree come from family and friends, who must pay for them with their own money, and not from Santa Claus.
Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/more-largesse-santa-claus-trump
Scrooge was never mistreated by his nephew, by Cratchit, or by those seeking charitable donations. Scrooge was always free to refuse them all.
Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/was-scrooge-victim-christmas-carol
As Warren Buffett aged, he became a different sort of figure. He transformed from short-term investor into long-term builder. He used Berkshire Hathaway to start buying companies and build an empire. Today on the show, how did Buffett’s fame become an investment tool and hHow did he handle the biggest crisis of his career?
Related episodes:
Planet Money Summer School 2: Index Funds & The Bet
Brilliant vs. Boring 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. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Father Frost (the Soviet Santa Claus) asks: "To whom do we owe all the good things in our socialist society?,” to which, it is said, the children chorus the reply, "Stalin."
Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/how-soviets-replaced-christmas-socialist-winter-holiday
With employment fundamentals so weak, the real way to increase home sales is to cut prices further. That, of course, is not what sellers want to hear.
Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/home-prices-and-sales-fall-can-sellers-count-lower-interest-rates