72. Helium
It’s unreactive, lighter than air, and surprisingly important to the global economy. Zachary Crockett goes up an octave. SOURCES:Sophia Hayes, professor of chemistry at Washington University in St. Lo...
25 Nov 202420min
Stadium Names, from The Indicator
How did Florida International University’s new football stadium come to be named after the rapper and singer Pitbull? Adrian Ma and Wailin Wong of The Indicator from Planet Money explain. SOURCES:Scot...
22 Nov 202410min
71. Mannequins
Mannequins may be made out of plastic or fiberglass, but for retailers they’re pure gold. Zachary Crockett strikes a pose. SOURCES:Stacie Bornn, vice president of sales, marketing, and creative at Fus...
18 Nov 202419min
70. Prison Labor
Incarcerated people grow crops, fight wildfires, and manufacture everything from motor oil to prescription glasses — often for pennies per hour. Zachary Crockett reports from North Carolina.SOURCES:La...
11 Nov 202421min
69. Highway Signs
It takes millions of giant green placards to make America navigable. Where do they come from — and who pays the bill? Zachary Crockett takes the exit. SOURCES:Lee Blackman, general manager at Correct...
4 Nov 202419min
68. Zoo Animals
When a zoo needs an elephant, or finds itself with three surplus penguins, it doesn’t buy or sell the animals — it asks around. Zachary Crockett rattles the cages. SOURCES:Hollie Colahan, deputy direc...
28 Okt 202418min
67. Tow Trucks
Tow-truck drivers: roadside rescuers or car confiscators? Zachary Crockett gets hooked. SOURCES:Bill Giorgis, president of Mike’s Wrecker Service.Max Karimi, co-owner of H&M Roadside.Teresa Murray, di...
21 Okt 202421min
66. Stradivarius Violins
Why are these 300-year-old instruments still coveted by violinists today? And how do working musicians get their hands on multimillion-dollar antiques? Zachary Crockett is not fiddling around. SOURCES...
14 Okt 202419min
