Link: https://www.npr.org/2021/11/16/1056299014/of-boats-and-boxes
California Ports were not prepared for the consumer purchasing patterns shift from the pandemic. Instead of vacations, families were buying a new refrigerator or couch. This unpredictable increase in demand combined with the ports’ fragile system caused a supply chain issue that is still affecting America today.
Original Air Date: November 17, 2021
Length: 24 Minutes 55 Seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/2021/10/20/1047777081/keep-calm-its-just-the-bullwhip-effect
As we already know, the whole world is struggling to get items shipped to distributors because of supply chain issues. The Beergame App, created by logistics expert Mathais Le Scaon, uses the demand of cases of beer to demonstrate the bullwhip effect, where small fluctuations in demand at the retail level cause increasing larger fluctuations up the supply chain. After participating in the game, members of tPlanet Money’s indicator team find that fixing the supply chain is no simple task.
Original Air Date: October 20, 2021
Length: 9 minutes 52 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/11/18/936321423/winter-is-coming-for-the-restaurant-industry
The Planet Money Indicator team explores the choices facing restaurants around the U.S. as the pandemic winter approaches. Includes an interview with a restaurant in Idaho that has implemented new strategies in the 2020 economic reality.
Assignment prompt: How does this podcast illustrate the short-run shutdown decision for firms? Use specific economic concepts from your reading and this podcast to explain the decision making process in general and specifically for firms in a crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
Original Air Date: November 18, 2020
Length: 9 minutes
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/02/07/584032956/obama-trump-and-trade
Summary: THE INDICATOR discusses the Trump administration trade policy thus far regarding the tariffs on solar panels and washing machines that were implemented during Obama’s administration. How much of an impact do tariffs actually make on a country’s economy, if they do at all?
Original Air Date: February 7, 2018
Length: 5 minutes 18 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/2017/09/13/550607377/how-the-minimum-wage-affects-restaurant-hygiene
Summary: Cities across the U.S. have been making efforts to increase the minimum wage, which would impact restaurant workers. However, this move results to unexpected side effects due to the higher costs that restaurants will have to face, leading them to cut back on some services. This story discusses how the effects on increasing the minimum wage ties with the hygiene of restaurants and suggests potential steps that the restaurants can take to minimize their health violations.
Original Air Date: September 13, 2017
Length: 3 minutes 35 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/10/19/498571623/episode-730-self-checkout
Summary: Self checkout has become a staple in grocery stores, but back in 1992 they were considered a laughing stock. Planet Money discusses self checkout with their creator, and considers what impact automation has on service and employment.
Original Air Date: October 19, 2016
Length: 20 minutes 27 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/03/01/517985813/episode-513-dear-economist-i-need-a-date
Summary: Love isn’t a word you would normally associate with Economics. Applying the principles of Economics to your relationships seems preposterous. But is it? Planet Money discusses how economics are beneficial to your love life and can help you save on the one cost of love: time.
Original Air Date: March 1, 2017
Length: 23 minutes 13 seconds
Link: http://freakonomics.com/podcast/the-cheeseburger-diet-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/
Summary: In response to the infamous documentary Super Size Me, one woman toured her local area in search for the best burger. Shockingly, she didn’t gain a single pound despite eating two burgers a week. Freakonomics discusses the surprising results.
Original Air Date: December 10, 2015
Length: 34 minutes 21 seconds
Discussion Question: What role does utility play in this situation? Will satisfaction of the second burger eaten always be the same? Explain.
Summary: There has been a debate for decades as to why the milk is in the back of a store. Consumers say it’s because you have to walk through store, producers say it’s because of ease of access for the delivery trucks. Planet Money researches what the actual answer is by talking to people in the industry.
Original Air Date: July 23,2014
Length: 16 minutes 9 seconds
Link: http://www.marketplace.org/2016/04/13/world/gmo-crops-declineat-least-now
Summary: Due to falling commodity prices, the number of acres across the globe containing genetically modified crops has fallen for the first time in 20 years.
Original Air Date: April 13, 2016
Length: 2 minutes 4 seconds
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