2025 is finally over.
We had bad consumer sentiment vibes, tariffs, and a seemingly ascendant stock market. And those are just a few indicators from last year!
As we enter 2026, what indicators should we keep an eye on … in the future? On today’s episode, our top indicator predictions for the new year.
Related:
What AI data centers are doing to your electric bill
Tariffs. Consumer sentiment. Cape ratio. Pick the Indicator of the Year!
What indicators will 2025 bring?
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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Engines of Our Ingenuity - The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1563: Toys
Episode: 1563 Looking back at the impact of toys. Sorting through a box the other day, I found old toys -- a lead soldier, a stuffed dog, a set of blocks.
Engines of Our Ingenuity - The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1760: The Christmas Lectures
Episode: 1760 The Christmas Lectures: Michael Faraday's Gift to children. Today, the Christmas Lectures.
Audio Mises Wire - The Rise of the State and the Fall of Natural Law
In the wake of WWI, Pope Pius XI reminded his readers that governments instituted by men can never be perfect, and they cannot even be good if they neglect natural law.
Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/rise-state-and-fall-natural-law
Audio Mises Wire - Kalshi Culture: How Gambling, Speculation, and Degeneracy Went Mainstream
As government continues to engage in reckless actions from inflation to starting wars, people develop shorter time horizons, creating social vacuums. Increased gambling and other irresponsible behaviors then fill the void.
Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/kalshi-culture-how-gambling-speculation-and-degeneracy-went-mainstream
Audio Mises Wire - The Constitution as a Weak Reed
In theory, the Constitution should safeguard individual liberty by giving citizens a bulwark against state tyranny. However, the Constitution actually advanced federal government power or failed to ultimately prevent it.
Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/constitution-weak-reed
More or Less - Numbers of the year 2025
From the number of women in space and transistors on a chip to social media usage -we’re taking a look back the key numerical moments of 2025. We explore the woes of a big infrastructure projects. Plus, just how can you make sure your New Year’s Resolutions are successful? We’ve got statistics to help.
Presenter: Tim Harford Reporter: Lizzy McNeil Producers: Charlotte McDonald and Katie Solleveld Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound Mix: Neil Churchill Editor: Richard Vadon
The Indicator from Planet Money - Why Americans don’t want to move for jobs anymore (Encore)
Americans are moving at record lows for work. What’s driving people to, well, not drive cross-country for jobs? On today’s episode, we explore the rising homebody economy.
This episode originally aired Oct. 3, 2025.
Related episodes:
Why moms are leaving their paid jobs
How the end of Roe is reshaping the medical workforce
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 Corey Bridges. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
This episode originally aired Oct. 3, 2025.
Related episodes:
Why moms are leaving their paid jobs
How the end of Roe is reshaping the medical workforce
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 Corey Bridges. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Engines of Our Ingenuity - The Engines of Our Ingenuity 3348: Christmas
Episode: 3348 The unspoken binding tissue of Christmas – and of Hanukkah. Today, a Merry Christmas to all.
Audio Mises Wire - “Free” Health Care Will Not Fix America’s Medical Crisis
Socialists and progressives demand that the US adopt a “single payer” healthcare system in which the government provides “free” healthcare. However, “free” healthcare is not free at all, as medical care consists of scarce goods which always come as a cost to someone.
Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/free-health-care-will-not-fix-americas-medical-crisis