Episode 580: The Other Side Of The Pump

Enlarge this image Orlin Wagner/ASSOCIATED PRESS Orlin Wagner/ASSOCIATED PRESS

A gallon of gas is selling at some pumps for less than $3 right now. The price has been falling since early summer, and local TV news reporters are out at gas stations asking people 'how happy do you feel?'

Today on the show, two stories from the other side of the pump. Stories about the people who get the oil out of the ground. We meet a producer that you never hear from. And tell the story of an organization so powerful that it ruled the global economy. Or people thought it did.

Music: Cloud Nothings's "I'm Not Part Of Me." Find us: Twitter/ Facebook/ Spotify/ Tumblr. Download the Planet Money iPhone App.