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The Economy Explained
Episode 475: What Happened To Detroit's Big Plans?

One stop on our tour of Detroit's economic dreams — the Renaissance Center. Carlos Osorio/AP hide caption

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Carlos Osorio/AP

Government

Episode 475: What Happened To Detroit's Big Plans?

On today's show, we go see what happened to all the big dreams Detroit has had over the years.

Episode 475: What Happened To Detroit's Big Plans?

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Stamps, Jeans, Beer: What Americans Want From North Korea

Can I buy a pair of jeans made in North Korea? Office of Foreign Assets Control hide caption

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Office of Foreign Assets Control

Radio

Stamps, Jeans, Beer: What Americans Want From North Korea

U.S. citizens who want to buy stuff from North Korea have to send a letter to the government asking for special permission. We got copies of those letters.

Stamps, Jeans, Beer: What Americans Want From North Korea

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What A Falling Gold Price Means For Pawn Shops
Thomas Hawk/Flickr

Radio

What A Falling Gold Price Means For Pawn Shops

by Lisa Chow

The price of gold has dropped nearly 30 percent from December. Will that spell trouble for pawn brokers who hold gold as collateral?

What A Falling Gold Price Means For Pawn Shops

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Episode 474: The North Korea Files
Office of Foreign Assets Control

Planet Money

Episode 474: The North Korea Files

We got a stack of letters from American citizens who wanted to buy stuff from North Korea. On today's show, we try to figure out who sent the letters, and why.

Episode 474: The North Korea Files

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Will Robot Nannies Save Japan's Economy?

The key to Japan's economy? Courtesy of Cartoon Network hide caption

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Courtesy of Cartoon Network

Radio

Will Robot Nannies Save Japan's Economy?

by Lisa Chow

More than half of all Japanese women quit their job after giving birth to their first child.

Will Robot Nannies Save Japan's Economy?

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The 'Ask Your Uncle' Approach To Economics

The Federal Reserve, home of the Beige Book. Karen Bleier /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Karen Bleier /AFP/Getty Images

Radio

The 'Ask Your Uncle' Approach To Economics

The Beige Book — a big, official report — is mostly a bunch of stories gathered by talking to businesses around the country.

The 'Ask Your Uncle' Approach To Economics

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