Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/12/23/506763952/episode-587-jubilee
Summary: After Iceland was hit hard by the financial crisis, Icelanders with mortgage loans were drowning in debt. Recognizing the outrage, the Progressive Party of Iceland capitalized and offered to clear everyone’s debt. Planet Money discusses Iceland’s use of a biblical event called jubilee and the results.
Original Air Date: December 23, 2016
Length: 20 minutes
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/01/25/511663527/episode-632-the-chicken-tax
Summary: Believe it or not, there is a chicken tax and it actually applies to automobiles! Back in the 20th century, Germany levied a tax on American chicken to protect their domestic farmers. The US responded by taxing German made automobiles, and thus a trade war began. Planet Money discusses the value of tariffs, and why the chicken tax is still around.
Original Air Date: January 25, 2017
Length: 16 minutes 56 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/12/09/504999255/episode-741-amy-and-steve-vs-facebook
Summary: When social media was beginning to explode in the mid 2000’s, Steve had an idea that would eliminate having to login into three different sites with different usernames and passwords. One problem: Facebook sued, causing a lengthy legal battle that impacts everyone. Planet Money investigates how Steve and a $55 per hour lawyer took on Facebook and their $1000 per hour lawyers.
Original Air Date: December 9, 2016
Length: 18 minutes 9 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/03/31/522226226/episode-762-the-fine-print
Summary: Everybody at one point in their life has heard the term “Got to read the fine print”. But what does that actually mean? Planet Money tells stories about what happens when you read the fine print, and how you can make money from it.
Original Air Date: March 31, 2017
Length: 19 minutes 32 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/12/14/505556945/episode-592-bell-wars
Summary: Bells are heard every year at Christmas time, but you would have a hard time distinguishing the difference between the two main companies who make them. Planet Money investigates how two bell companies were at war for decades over who’s bell sounded best. As the war affected the sales, engineering, and legal sides of the business, this fierce competition has an unlikely result.
Original Air Date: December 14, 2016
Length: 19 minutes 28 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/08/31/492123182/episode-722-the-new-telenovela
Summary: The fourth most watched network in the United States is Telemundo, partly because of its widely successful Telenovelas. Planet Money discusses how one Telenovela changed TV, implemented strong women characters and had a connection to the Mexican drug ring that helped bring down the infamous El Chapo.
Original Air Date: August 31, 2016
Length: 20 minutes 32 seconds
Link: http://www.marketplace.org/2016/04/18/world/resource-curse/venezuela-ranchers
Summary: Venezuela’s oil dependent economy imports nearly 80% of its food, which is particularly worrisome when oil prices are at an all time low.
Original Air Date: April 18, 2016
Length: 4 minutes 46 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/10/12/497697621/episode-627-the-miracle-apple
Summary: Years ago, the only classifications for apples was based on color: red, green or yellow. Planet Money discusses how one researcher from Minnesota changed the apple market by introducing an apple that was actually tasty for retail consumers.
Original Air Date: October 12, 2016
Length: 14 minutes 7 seconds
Discussion Question: By putting a patent or a trademark on a type of apple, how does that affect supply and demand? How does it affect competition in the market?
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/09/09/493295430/episode-566-the-zoo-economy
Summary: Due to regulations and animal cruelty, the market for animals has almost disappeared over the years. Planet Money discusses how zoos and aquariums use different methods to get their animals without having to pay a single dollar and avoiding a PR disaster.
Original Air Date: September 9, 2016
Length: 17 minutes 22 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/07/27/487654380/episode-714-can-a-game-show-lose
Summary: Planet Money discusses whether a game show can lose and what it takes for a contestant to win. They look into the one-season wonder of the unsustainable model of the game ‘The Power of 10’.
Original Air Date: July 27, 2016
Length: 21 minutes 11 seconds
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