EPISODE · Jan 14, 2026 · 8 MIN
Can a good story change economic reality?
from The Indicator from Planet Money
Economic decisions aren’t only driven by hard data. A compelling story can change economic behavior and outcomes. In today’s episode, we explore real-world examples of “narrative economics” like how the Suez Canal ended up getting built. And we ask: why do narratives sometimes matter more than truth or data? Related episodes: This indicator hasn’t flashed this red since the dot-com bubble Tariffs. Consumer sentiment. Cape Ratio. Pick The Indicator of The Year! The Beigie Awards: Manufacturing takes center stage For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
Embed this episode
NOW PLAYING
Can a good story change economic reality?
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.