Can a good story change economic reality?
About this episode
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
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Indicator from Planet Money publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Indicator from Planet Money
Bessent's yen bet, cold Argentine data centers set, and the summer box office ne...
The Indicator from Planet Money
Are small town colleges going extinct?
The Indicator from Planet Money
Let's play ... Who Wants To Be a Bank!
The Indicator from Planet Money
Canada fights tariffs with tariffs
The Indicator from Planet Money