If you loved
Planet Money
NPR · Podcast · 2026
What hooked you in Planet Money was the way complex global systems become intimate, human stories through rigorous, curious investigation.
Books on the same thread
The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel · Book · 2020
Explores: Wealth Building, Long-Term Investing, Risk Management.
Much like Planet Money, this book demystifies financial systems by focusing on the human behavior behind the spreadsheets, proving that our personal choices are the real drivers of economic outcomes.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Robert T. Kiyosaki · Book · 2022
Explores: Financial Literacy, Asset Acquisition, Debt Management.
If Planet Money taught you to look for the hidden incentives in every transaction, this book provides the foundational framework for understanding how assets and debt shape your financial future.
The Sushi Economy
Sasha Issenberg · Book · 2007
Explores: Supply Chain, Global Trade, Cultural Appropriation.
This deep dive into the global sushi trade mirrors the investigative spirit of Planet Money by tracing a single commodity to reveal the massive, interconnected gears of the global economy.
Think Again
Adam Grant · Book · 2021
Explores: intellectual humility, growth mindset, critical thinking.
Planet Money excels at challenging conventional wisdom, and this book applies that same critical thinking to your own cognitive biases, teaching you how to unlearn and rethink your deepest assumptions.
Films on the same thread
Parasite
Bong Joon Ho · Film · 2019
Explores: Class Warfare, Social Commentary, Deception.
While Planet Money explores class through economic data, this film dramatizes those same systemic inequalities, turning the cold reality of wealth gaps into a gripping, high-stakes narrative of family deception.
The Big Short
Adam McKay · Film · 2015
Explores: Economic collapse, Corporate greed, Systemic corruption.
Fans of Planet Money will appreciate how this film unpacks the complex mechanisms of the financial crisis, turning abstract market failures into a fast-paced, revealing look at corporate greed.
Project Hail Mary
Phil Lord · Film · 2026
Explores: competence porn, amnesia, interspecies friendship.
Planet Money turns economic problem-solving into a narrative adventure, and this story mirrors that thrill by forcing its protagonist to use rigorous scientific logic to survive impossible, high-stakes odds.
The Banker
George Nolfi · Film · 2020
Explores: Racial Discrimination, Entrepreneurship, Civil Rights Movement.
Just as Planet Money uses individual stories to highlight broader economic truths, this film follows two entrepreneurs navigating systemic barriers to reveal the intersection of finance, race, and history.
Series on the same thread
Our Planet
Series · 2019
Explores: Climate Change, Environmentalism, Biodiversity.
Planet Money reveals the hidden forces shaping our world, and this documentary series applies that same lens to the natural environment, showing how climate change acts as a global economic disruptor.
Planet Earth
Series · 2006
Explores: Biodiversity, Conservation, Natural Wonders.
If the narrative scope of Planet Money keeps you engaged, you will enjoy this series, which treats the global ecosystem with the same scale and curiosity as an economic investigation.
The Green Planet
Series · 2022
Explores: Plant intelligence, Interconnectedness of nature, Ecosystems.
Planet Money thrives on showing you the hidden mechanics of the world, and this series reveals the unseen, interconnected intelligence of plants that underpins the stability of our entire planet.
Planet Earth II
Series · 2016
Explores: Survival, Animal Behavior, Natural Wonders.
Much like the way Planet Money analyzes survival in a competitive market, this series documents how species adapt to extreme pressures, transforming biological struggle into a compelling, high-stakes narrative.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the primary focus of the Planet Money podcast?
Planet Money explores the economic forces that shape our daily lives. The show aims to help listeners understand the world by connecting various topics back to the economy through narrative storytelling and investigative reporting.
Is Planet Money available without advertisements?
Yes, listeners can access sponsor-free episodes of Planet Money by subscribing to Planet Money+. This subscription service also provides ad-free access to The Indicator and Planet Money Summer School.
Does a Planet Money+ subscription include other shows?
Yes, a subscription to Planet Money+ includes sponsor-free episodes for three specific programs: Planet Money, The Indicator, and Planet Money Summer School. These benefits are exclusive to members who subscribe to the premium service.
What can I expect from the content on Planet Money?
Planet Money promises to tie any given topic back to the economy. By exploring the forces behind global events and personal experiences, the podcast offers listeners a way to better understand the world around them through an economic lens.