In the age of TikTok and Polymarket, it can be easy to overlook the humble book. But books are one of the most influential technologies ever invented. From “The Wealth of Nations” to “Das Kapital,” books have the power to shape whole economic systems… and everything else in our world. The market for books can determine which ideas make it to the masses.
So when Planet Money was approached to make its own book, not only did it present an opportunity to spread the gospel of whimsical economic infotainment to new audiences everywhere, but it also presented an opportunity to get a rare peek behind the curtain of the notoriously opaque world of publishing.
On today’s episode, the first chapter in our series on the making of a book: Planet Money sets out to land a book deal. We enter the high stakes, high school drama of the publishing industry, where literary agents try to woo powerful book editors. And we learn what happens when lofty artistic ideals meet the cold logic of the market. It’s a courtship dance with millions of dollars potentially on the line. There will be whale fights, corporate speed dating, and a literary shotgun wedding.
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This episode was produced by Willa Rubin with production help from Sam Yellowhorse Kesler. It was edited by Jess Jiang, fact-checked by Sierra Juarez, and engineered by Robert Rodriguez. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.
Music: NPR Source Audio - “Run Baby Run,” “Lay It Down,” and “Lazy Ringer.”
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PBS News Hour - World - What’s next for Iran war as energy disruptions escalate and regime digs in
The day after the U.S. and Israel began the war with Iran, President Trump said the strikes would last four to five weeks. Now, as the war begins its fourth week, Iran's regime is severely weakened, but is still retaliating. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses where the war goes from here with Michael Doran, Miad Maleki, Vali Nasr and Dana Stroul. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
PBS News Hour - Science - How the Artemis moon missions are shaping the next era of exploration
Nearly 60 years after NASA sent the first humans to ever land on our moon, the U.S. is going back with a series of increasingly difficult missions. Horizons moderator William Brangham explores the Artemis program and what new discoveries NASA is hoping to find with PBS News science correspondent Miles O'Brien, Casey Dreier of The Planetary Society and retired astronaut and engineer Leroy Chiao. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
PBS News Hour - World - As attacks on oil sites continue, Trump dismisses ceasefire, says Iran is ‘finished’
President Trump said he's not interested in a ceasefire with Iran because, from a military standpoint, Iran is "finished." Late Friday, he also said he's considering "winding down" military operations. Israel and the U.S. continued their attacks, but Iran also continued to strike back, with missiles and drones hitting Israel and oil facilities. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
Newshour - Trump calls Nato allies ‘cowards’
US President says Nato allies are "cowards" for refusing to help open the Strait of Hormuz, as the head of the International Energy Agency claims the closure of the waterway poses the "greatest global energy security challenge in history”.
Also in the programme: Iranian-American artist Shirin Neshat on celebrating the ancient Persian festival of Nowruz; and the action movie star, and martial arts expert Chuck Norris has died aged 86.
(Photo: US President Trump departs the White House to spend the weekend at Mar-a-Lago on 20 March 2026. Credit: Shawn Thew/Pool/EPA/Shutterstock)
Consider This from NPR - ‘It was my cross to bear.’ Reconciling with Cesar Chavez’s abuse
Dolores Huerta built a lasting movement with Cesar Chavez. And after waiting decades, she has decided to share the story of how Chavez abused her.
Dolores Huerta told the New York Times that she felt pressured to have sex with Cesar Chavez, while on a work trip in 1960.
Six years later — after they had founded the union for farmworkers– she says Chavez raped her.
Shortly after the Times story came out, Huerta spoke to Latino USA host Maria Hinojosa. Hinojosa shared what she learned with NPR's Ailsa Chang.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Janse, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane.
It was edited by Courtney Dorning.
Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
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Dolores Huerta told the New York Times that she felt pressured to have sex with Cesar Chavez, while on a work trip in 1960.
Six years later — after they had founded the union for farmworkers– she says Chavez raped her.
Shortly after the Times story came out, Huerta spoke to Latino USA host Maria Hinojosa. Hinojosa shared what she learned with NPR's Ailsa Chang.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Janse, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane.
It was edited by Courtney Dorning.
Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Marketplace All-in-One - Shop for “the drop”
Looking for an exclusive pastel Trader Joe’s mini tote? How about the latest Labubu? Once a staple of sneaker and streetwear, the “limited drop” release model is popping up all over the place. In this episode, find out why every brand seems to be chasing the “drop.” Later, we spill the tea on office gossip and what it’s like to run a dance studio. Also: A new survey shows 9% of Affordable Care Act enrollees are now uninsured after subsidies expired.
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Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.
Audio Mises Wire - It’s Not Anarcho-Tyranny, It’s Interventionist Non-Intervention
Combining binary and triangular interventions, the state coercively taxes citizens to pay for its services, monopolizes certain services, and then is incentivized to engage in paid non-delivery.
Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/its-not-anarcho-tyranny-its-interventionist-non-intervention
CBS News Roundup - 03/20/2026 | Evening Update
No ceasefire, says President Trump of Iran.
Fears of a dam failure on Oahu in Hawaii leads to thousands of evacuations.
Unpaid TSA agents struggle as partial government shutdown continues.
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Marketplace All-in-One - The economics behind the rise of BTS and Korean culture
From the success of “K-pop Demon Hunters” to the return of BTS, K-pop is having a moment. But the rise of Korean culture was no accident—it has a decades-long backstory of investment by the South Korean government. On “Economics on Tap,” Kimberly talks with Michelle Cho, researcher of East Asian pop cultures at the University of Toronto, about the history behind the spread of Korean culture and how it’s shaped industries from entertainment to beauty. Speaking of K-beauty: sunscreen or sheet masks?
Here’s everything we talked about today:
- ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Leads the Wave Back to Korea from Foreign Policy
- BTS Is Back With ‘Arirang,’ but the K-Pop Landscape Has Changed from The New York Times
- K-everything: the rise and rise of Korean culture from The Guardian
- "Americans Are Learning Korean Because of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’" from The New York Times
- "What’s So Special About Korean Sunscreens?" from Vogue
- "How K-pop Stars Are Leading Mental Health Conversations for AAPI People and Beyond" from Teen Vogue
We love hearing from you. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email makemesmart@marketplace.org.