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Wanna see a trick? Give us any topic and we can tie it back to the economy. At Planet Money, we explore the forces that shape our lives and bring you along for the ride. Don't just understand the economy – understand the world.

Wanna go deeper? Subscribe to Planet Money+ and get sponsor-free episodes of Planet Money, The Indicator, and Planet Money Summer School. Plus access to bonus content. It's a new way to support the show you love. Learn more at plus.npr.org/planetmoney

Most Recent Episodes

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If AI is so good, why are there still so many jobs for translators?

If you believe the hype, translators will all soon be out of work. Luis von Ahn, CEO and co-founder of the language learning app Duolingo, doesn't think AI is quite there... yet. In this interview, Greg Rosalsky talks with Luis about AI and how it's reshaping translation jobs and the language learning industry. We also ask him about headlines earlier this year suggesting Duolingo laid off some of its workers and replaced them with AI.

If AI is so good, why are there still so many jobs for translators?

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How useful, really, are the steps you can take after a data breach?

The dreaded data breach notification... It tells you your personal data's been compromised and suggests steps you can take to minimize the potential harm. On today's episode, Kenny Malone pulls out a data breach letter he received and goes over what it recommends with Amanda Aronczyk. Amanda recently did a show about the legal and illegal markets for data and tells us how useful these steps actually are. It's news you can use to protect yourself, whether or not you've been part of a data breach!

How useful, really, are the steps you can take after a data breach?

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How economists (and TikTok) know if a recession is coming

Lately we've noticed that something we think about all the time here at Planet Money is having a viral moment: recession indicators!

How economists (and TikTok) know if a recession is coming

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There is normally a cargo ship, parked, getting unloaded under the cranes. But the 145% tariff on imports from China brought shipping way down. And it'll take a while for the shipping volumes to return at the Port of Los Angeles. Sarah Gonzalez/NPR hide caption

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Sarah Gonzalez/NPR

The 145% tariff already did its damage

Even though the 145% tariff on Chinese imports only lasted a month, it already inflicted its scars on the economy. Global trade is just not something you can turn off and on like that.

The 145% tariff already did its damage

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LaVon and Craig Griffieon on their farm near Ankeny, Iowa. Grant Gerlock/for NPR hide caption

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Grant Gerlock/for NPR

What happened to U.S. farmers during the last trade war

The U.S. exports billions of dollars worth of agricultural products each year — things like soybeans, corn and pork. And over the last month, these exports have been caught up in a trade war.

What happened to U.S. farmers during the last trade war

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A clerk poses with US dollar banknotes at a money changer in Jakarta on May 2, 2024. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP) (Photo by ADEK BERRY/AFP via Getty Images) ADEK BERRY/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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ADEK BERRY/AFP via Getty Images

Is the reign of the dollar over?

For decades, dollars have been the world's common financial language. Central banks everywhere hold dollars as a way to safely store their wealth. Countries, businesses, and people use it to trade; around 90% of all foreign exchange transactions involve dollars. It's the world's money, the world's "reserve currency."

Is the reign of the dollar over?

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A 'made in China' sticker is seen on a shipping crate of items seized by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for further inspection at the Air Freight Federal Inspection Facility near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on February 4, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

What "Made in China" actually means

Virtually every product brought into the United States must have a so-called "country of origin." Think of it as the official place it comes from. And this is the country that counts for calculating tariffs.

What "Made in China" actually means

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A T-shirt with a logo for CEPTIA. Michael Gessel/Stephen Froikin hide caption

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Michael Gessel/Stephen Froikin

Why it's so hard to find a public toilet

Why is it so hard to find a bathroom when you need one?

Why it's so hard to find a public toilet

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Sarah Gonzalez

Planet Money complains. To learn.

On today's show: we're ... venting.

Planet Money complains. To learn.

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