Economy

President Joe Biden receiving updates on economic conditions in 2022.

How much do presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy?

Voters have a bleak outlook on the economy right now, and many are pointing the finger at President Biden. At the same time, many voters have a rosy view of the economy when Donald Trump was president. But how much credit or blame should a president get for the economy? And how do partisan politics play into our perception of the economy's performance?

Related episodes:
Common economic myths, debunked (Apple / Spotify)
Not too hot, not too cold: A 'Goldilocks' jobs report (Apple / Spotify)

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What military brats tell us about social mobility

Children of U.S. military families, a.k.a. brats, are known for their adaptability when relocating to new neighborhoods and schools every few years. This migratory population became the basis for brand new research on how the neighborhood you grew up in affects your economic success later in life. Today on the show, how a place influences your financial destiny.

Related episodes:
Chasing the American Dream at Outback Steakhouse (Apple / Spotify)
The secret to upward mobility: Friends

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(Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

The young trolls of Wall Street are growing up

Back in 2021, the meme stock frenzy was at its peak: Roaring Kitty AKA Keith Gill, and young day traders gleefully upended financial markets. Roaring Kitty disappeared for a bit before returning just a couple months ago.

His disciples that followed him into the markets, however, never left. That's according to Nathaniel Popper in his new book, The Trolls of Wall Street: How the Outcasts and Insurgents are Hacking the Markets.

Today on the show, why Nathaniel believes these day traders are here to stay and where they're putting their money now.

Related Episodes:
GameStop and the Short Squeeze
The tower of Nvidia

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

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