Feb 14, 2023

What’s in a number?

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The Bureau of Labor Statistics changed how it measures consumer prices. Why? Plus, a closer look at the role of hedging in the energy industry.

Segments From this episode

Something's different about the consumer price index this month

by Savannah Peters

Feb 14, 2023

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has updated its CPI formula to make it better reflect changes in consumer spending.

"In a time of rapid price changes, people adjust what they spend money on," former BLS Commissioner Erica Groshen said. The new CPI formula updates spending trends more frequently to generate more accurate data.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

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The Fed's Lael Brainard is leaving monetary policy for fiscal policy

by Stephanie Hughes

Feb 14, 2023

It takes a versatile person to go from setting interest rates to setting an economic agenda, one expert says.

Economist Lael Brainard will be the next director of the National Economic Council, the White House announced Tuesday.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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At the Federal Games Guild, video games and public policy play together

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry

Feb 14, 2023

Want to balance the federal budget? A video game lets you do it. Elizabeth Newbury of the Federal Games Guild and Wilson Center explains.

"You're not going to get the same thing from reading a 25-page policy brief as you'll get from a game, but more people — I bet — will play my game," the FGG's Elizabeth Newbury says.

Courtesy Department of Education

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Natural gas buyers and sellers are hedging less against price swings

by Lily Jamali

Feb 14, 2023

Locking in future prices can be expensive — and risky. But it can protect producers and consumers from price spikes.

Natural gas prices recently experienced a "tremendous collapse," says to Clark Williams-Derry of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

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A Year of War

Ukrainian refugees struggle to adapt to a new economic reality

by Stephen Beard

Feb 14, 2023

Russia’s invasion has displaced millions of people. Some are rebuilding their lives and businesses in other countries.

Ukrainian refugees stand in line to attend a job fair in Brooklyn on Feb. 1.

Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

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Keeping up with cat-flation and the rising minimum wage

by Nicholas Guiang

Feb 14, 2023

The entrepreneur behind a Florida cat cafe hopes 2023 brings reduced costs and many more adoptions.

The costs of cat care supplies have increased, and the owner of a cat cafe in Florida is looking for alternatives.

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Kiss Me More Doja Cat, SZA

I've Been Waiting Lil Peep, ILOVEMAKONNEN, Fall Out Boy

Supalonely BENEE, Gus Dapperton

Impossible Worlds Todd Baker

Plastic Love Mariya Takeuchi

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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