Adrian Ma
Adrian Ma covers work, money and other "business-ish" for NPR's daily economics podcast The Indicator from Planet Money.
His reporting has garnered national honors including a National Edward R. Murrow Award, a Gracie Award and a Public Media Journalists Association Award. Before joining NPR in 2021, he covered the business beat for member stations WBUR in Boston and WCPN in Cleveland.
He's reported on what it's like to deliver groceries during an outbreak, captured the final hours of a tiny cafe, and traveled to China to unpack how the trade war crushed a growing market for U.S. cranberries. He's also covered protests for racial justice, explored what it's like to drive for Amazon, and documented the curious ritual that is 'speed dating for economists.'
His interest in journalism began while studying media law at the University of Maryland School of Law. Later, while working for a judge in Baltimore, he decided to "roll the dice" and change careers. After obtaining a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, his first news job was as an assistant producer at WNYC in New York.
Some years ago, he worked as a prep cook in a ramen shop.
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Billions of dollars have flowed from traditional banks to money market funds in search of higher returns. These funds are supposed to be safe. But lately, things have been looking a little shaky.
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New technologies often benefit highly paid, college-educated professionals — while putting others out of work. Research indicates generative AI could benefit middle-skill workers in surprising ways.
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The U.S. debt has led to plenty of partisan fights and ... charitable gifts. For decades, a government program has been collecting donations from Americans who want to help pay off the national debt.
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A look at how Nobel Prize winning American economist Robert Lucas changed the field of macroeconomics. He died this week at 85.
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When it comes to making art, what's the difference between inspiration and theft? That's the question at the heart of one of the biggest musical copyright trials in years that began this week.
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There is an economic indicator that has predicted every recession since 1969, and it is flashing red right now. It's called the yield curve. But this time, it might be wrong.
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Since February's major train derailment in Ohio, freight rail safety has come under scrutiny. Many rail workers blame a relatively new business model: precision-scheduled railroading.
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In the world of global manufacturing, China is the undisputed champion. But on its doorstep lies a huge country vying to become the world's next high-tech factory for the world: India.
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A wage-price spiral — when wages and prices cause each other to rise in perpetuity — is considered a nightmare scenario for inflation. But do we really need to fear it?
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One idea is labor hoarding. That's when employers hold onto more staff than they need because the costs of rehiring are so high.