Global markets got a case of the jitters this week in the wake of President Trump's global tariff policy. Everyone from hedge fund managers to online content creators have been starting to question the stability of America's economic trajectory. We're now seeing increased fear that a recession is just around the corner.Brittany is joined by co-host of NPR's Indicator podcast, Wailin Wong, and co-host of NPR's Planet Money podcast, Jeff Guo. Together, they discuss how this moment connects to the economic anxiety of 2008 and why the definition of a recession is a bit harder to pin down than you might expect.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Hello, hello. I'm Brittany Luce, and you're listening to It's Been a Minute from NPR, a show about what's going on in culture and why it doesn't happen by accident. All right, all right. This week, we are connecting the dots between chaperone, skincare dupes, and the Nintendo Switch. I know, I know. How are all these things connected?
Well, we are going to find out with co-host of NPR's Indicator podcast, Waylon Wong, and co-host of NPR's Planet Money podcast, Jeff Guo. Waylon, Jeff, welcome to It's Been a Minute.
Amazing to be here.
Hi. All right. So I have a question. What is your favorite unscientific recession indicator? Lipstick. Lipstick.
Yes. So one thing that happens in a recession is, you know, people are spending less, right? But that doesn't mean they're spending less on certain things. And sometimes what happens is you see people looking for little luxuries, right?
Like they can't afford the big expensive thing, but they're going to buy a little thing just to keep their spirits up and to, you know, make the recession feel less bad.
What about you, Waylon? What is your favorite unscientific recession indicator?
I think my favorite unscientific recession indicator is people canceling their bougie fitness memberships or downgrading. Like if you have the unlimited plan at your Pilates studio, you drop down to the eight classes a month plan.
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