Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ o ...
…
continue reading
Freakonomics Radio Podcasts
Who decides which snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a suburban elm tree worth, and to whom? How did Girl Scout Cookies become a billion-dollar business? In bite-sized episodes, journalist Zachary Crockett looks at quotidian things and finds amazing stories. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
…
continue reading
Freakonomics co-author Steve Levitt tracks down other high achievers for surprising, revealing conversations about their lives and obsessions. Join Levitt as he goes through the most interesting midlife crisis you’ve ever heard — and learn how a renegade sheriff is transforming Chicago's jail, how a biologist is finding the secrets of evolution in the Arctic tundra, and how a trivia champion memorized 160,000 flashcards. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a m ...
…
continue reading
Research psychologist Angela Duckworth (author of "Grit") and tech and sports executive Mike Maughan really like to ask people questions, and they believe there’s no such thing as a stupid one. So they have a podcast where they can ask each other as many “stupid questions” as they want. New episodes each week. "No Stupid Questions" is a production of the Freakonomics Radio Network. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Rad ...
…
continue reading
From the podcast that explores the hidden side of everything, hear authors like you’ve never heard them before. Stephen Dubner and a stable of Freakonomics friends talk with the writers of mind-bending books, and we hear the best excerpts as well. You’ll learn about skill versus chance, the American discomfort with death, the secret life of dogs, and much more. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free tria ...
…
continue reading
Entrepreneur Inspiring Stories to Help Motivate, Build, & Grow Your Successful Business with a Master Class from Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders that tell it How It Is... Millionaire Interviews is actionable advice for the (future & present) Entrepreneur, Thought Leaders, Solopreneur, Youpreneur, and Small Business Owner. The host interviews Business Founders in the Product, Service, Real Estate, and Tech industries so they can teach you from their experience. Connect with other Listeners @ ...
…
continue reading
Each week, physician, economist, and author of "Random Acts of Medicine" Dr. Bapu Jena will dig into a fascinating study at the intersection of economics and healthcare. He takes on questions like: Why do kids with summer birthdays get the flu more often? Can surviving a hurricane help you live longer? What do heart surgery and grocery-store pricing have in common?
…
continue reading
A show that samples WNYC’s best podcasts, curated to fit all your travel needs.
…
continue reading
Ever feel like you’ve got a PhD in your field but only a 101-level understanding of your finances? Welcome to Academics and Their Money, the podcast where we make money talk as smart—and as entertaining—as you are. Because let’s be honest: knowledge is powerful, but a well-earned paycheck doesn’t hurt either. Whether you’re a fresh PhD navigating that first real paycheck, a tenured professor pondering what’s next, or a former academic with some ‘unique’ insights—this show dives into making y ...
…
continue reading
Journalist and bestselling author Michael Lewis explores the figures in American life who rely on the public's trust, whether in sports, in business, in the courtroom, or on TV. What happens when that trust erodes and we can no longer agree on what's fair and what's not? In the latest season of his podcast, Michael takes on America’s newest form of legalized gambling, sports betting, and how it’s changing what it means to be a player…a teenager…and most of all, a fan. iHeartMedia is the excl ...
…
continue reading
Seventeen-year-old soccer nut Solomon Dubner tries to educate his father Stephen (host of Freakonomics Radio) — and the rest of the world — about futbol.
…
continue reading
A podcast about life on Earth during a weird time: now. We visit people who are thinking about the future and figuring out how we will adapt to a changing planet. Hosted by Science Friday alum Flora Lichtman, produced by Freakonomics Radio/The Atlantic alum Katherine Wells.
…
continue reading
Dog-cognition expert and bestselling author Alexandra Horowitz (Inside of a Dog) takes us on a walk into the scruffy, curious, joyful world of dogs. What does it mean to "own" a dog? Can dogs demonstrate genuine heroism? And what is it like to experience reality primarily through smell? Off Leash is a delightful and surprising look at the deeply familiar, profoundly mysterious animals who walk alongside us.
…
continue reading
The Columbia University sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh studies exclusive worlds by embedding himself — with a crack-selling gang, sex workers, the teenage children of billionaires, and most recently, at the highest levels of companies at the vanguard of the digital revolution, including Facebook and Twitter. And now he’s hosting a podcast. In each episode, Venkatesh will reveal what he learned in Silicon Valley and talk with the people he met along the way who are building and running the digi ...
…
continue reading
Journalism wrapped in a game-show package. Host Stephen J. Dubner (of “Freakonomics Radio”) and a celebrity co-host invite guests on stage in front of a live audience to tell us something we don’t know. The co-hosts — a mix of leaders in science, academia, sports, media, and comedy — grill the guests, and by the end we’ve all gotten a bit smarter. Each episode has a new topic, a new co-host, and new guests. There’s also a real-time human fact-checker to keep everyone honest. Think of the mos ...
…
continue reading
The Pod 20, hosted by multi-award winning presenter, Graham Mack, is a weekly show featuring guest podcasters talking about their podcast, what they’ve been up to, what they’ve been listening to... and the top 20 podcasts according to Podcast Radio! Graham says, “The rocket that first took man to the moon didn’t launch until someone counted backwards for a bit.” Clever guy. The Podcast Radio chart is compiled using download information and listener recommendations (https://www.thepodcastradi ...
…
continue reading
The true story of how not to win the World Cup. With Roger Bennett of the Men in Blazers podcast.
…
continue reading
This is a collection of curated podcast episodes around the topic of economics, to expose the students of Oxford College of Emory's Principles of Economics course to podcasts that touch on economics and economic adjacent topics.
…
continue reading
They should have died out when the lightbulb was invented. Instead they’re a $10 billion industry. What does it mean that we still want tiny fires inside our homes? SOURCES: Tim Cooper, professor emeritus of sustainable design and consumption at Nottingham Trent University. Gökçe Günel, professor of anthropology at Rice University. Steve Horenzi…
…
continue reading
1
The $48K Wake-Up Call: Lessons in Money and Academia with Tanya Golash-Boza
35:49
35:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:49
What happens when your first raise kicks you off state healthcare? Tanya Golash-Boza learned the hard way that more money doesn’t always mean more breathing room. In this episode, we talk with Tanya about the financial wake-up calls that shaped her academic career—from losing food stamps after a small negotiation win, to realizing that a $10,000 fe…
…
continue reading
1
275: From the Battlefield to the CBD Boardroom: Craig Henderson of Extract Labs
1:12:40
1:12:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:40
Craig Henderson is the CEO of Extract Labs, a Boulder, Colorado-based full-service hemp extraction laboratory offering a proprietary line of boutique CBD-infused products. Craig started the company in his garage in 2016. This Episode is Sponsored By: Jon Ostenson, Founder of FranBridge Consulting and Top 1% US Franchise Consultant is here to help y…
…
continue reading
They’ve long been associated with crime and blight. Now, the investors are moving in. Zachary Crockett follows the trail. SOURCES: Paul Bradley, president of ROC USA. Blaer Roberts, former chef and mobile home resident. Frank Rolfe, co-owner of Mobile Home University. Cheryl Streberger, retired nurse and mobile home resident. RESOURCES: "‘We’re All…
…
continue reading
1
32. Which Gets You Further: Talent or Effort?
33:42
33:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:42
Also: where is the line between acronyms, initialisms, and gibberish? This episode originally aired on December 20, 2020.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
…
continue reading
1
Arne Duncan Says All Kids Deserve a Chance — and Criminals Deserve a Second One (Update)
46:11
46:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:11
Former U.S. Secretary of Education, 3x3 basketball champion, and leader of an anti-gun violence organization are all on Arne’s resume. He’s also Steve’s neighbor. The two talk about teachers caught cheating in Chicago public schools and Steve shares a story he’s never told Arne, about a defining moment in the educator’s life. SOURCES: Arne Duncan, …
…
continue reading
1
642. How to Wage Peace, According to Tony Blinken
1:06:28
1:06:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06:28
The former secretary of state isn’t a flamethrower, but he certainly has strong opinions. In this wide-ranging conversation with Stephen Dubner, he gives them all: on Israel, Gaza, China, Iran, Russia, Biden, Trump — and the rest of the world. SOURCES: Antony Blinken, former Secretary of State. RESOURCES: "Evaluating the impact of two decades of US…
…
continue reading
1
Why Does One Tiny State Set the Rules for Everyone? (Update)
47:02
47:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:02
Until recently, Delaware was almost universally agreed to be the best place for companies to incorporate. Now, with Elon Musk leading a corporate stampede out of the First State, we revisit an episode from 2023 that asked if Delaware’s “franchise” is wildly corrupt, wildly efficient … or both? SOURCES: John Cassara, retired Special Agent detailee t…
…
continue reading
What goes into creating an episode of The Economics of Everyday Things? And how do shows like this one make money? Zachary Crockett turns the mic on himself. SOURCES: Gabe Tartaglia, vice president of podcast and satellite monetization at SiriusXM. Gabe Roth, editorial director of the Freakonomics Radio Network. Sarah Lilley, senior producer of The…
…
continue reading
1
31. How Much Do Your Friends Affect Your Future?
36:40
36:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:40
Also: which professions have the happiest people? This episode originally aired on December 13, 2020.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
…
continue reading
Kate Marvel spends her days playing with climate models, which she says are “like a very expensive version of The Sims.” As a physicist she gets tired of being asked to weigh in on economics, geopolitics, and despair — but she still defends the right of scientists to have strong feelings about the planet. SOURCES: Kate Marvel, climate scientist and…
…
continue reading
1
641. What Does It Cost to Lead a Creative Life?
46:22
46:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:22
For years, the playwright David Adjmi was considered “polarizing and difficult.” But creating Stereophonic seems to have healed him. Stephen Dubner gets the story — and sorts out what Adjmi has in common with Richard Wagner. SOURCES: David Adjmi, author and playwright. RESOURCES: "The West End is enjoying a theatre revival. Can Broadway keep up?" b…
…
continue reading
1
Academia as a Business: Side Hustles, Strategy, and Salary with Ramon Goings
32:29
32:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:29
“Get the Bag, Not Just the Title” — Ramon Goings What would you do differently if you could start your academic career over? Ramon Goings has a few answers—and he’s not holding back. In this episode, we chat with the founder of Done Dissertation about the biggest financial lessons he’s learned as a professor, business owner, and scholar. Ramon expl…
…
continue reading
We send 10 billion of them every day. Where do they come from? Zachary Crockett hearts this topic. SOURCES: Jennifer 8. Lee, co-founder of Emojination. RESOURCES: "Apple Removes The Gun Emoji, Replaces It With A Squirt Gun," by Carl Franzen (Popular Science, 2021). "Ford’s secret fight for a pickup truck emoji," by Mark Dent (The Hustle, 2019). "Th…
…
continue reading
1
30. Why Do We Seek Comfort in the Familiar?
35:25
35:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:25
Also: is a little knowledge truly a dangerous thing? This episode originally aired on December 6, 2020.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
…
continue reading
1
"I get in trouble when I say things like this" - Michael Lewis on Sam Bankman-Fried from Cautionary Tales
45:57
45:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:57
Acclaimed author Michael Lewis discusses his time with Sam Bankman-Fried and why he thinks both high finance and Effective Altruism shaped the 'Crypto King's' worldview, ultimately landing him in jail. Plus, we hear about the people fighting terrorism, cave-ins and brain-eating amoeba from Michael's new book 'Who Is Government?'. For a full list of…
…
continue reading
1
640. Why Governments Are Betting Big on Sports
50:12
50:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:12
The Gulf States and China are spending billions to build stadiums and buy up teams — but what are they really buying? And can an entrepreneur from Cincinnati make his own billions by bringing baseball to Dubai? SOURCES: Simon Chadwick, professor of afroeurasian sport at Emlyon Business School. Derek Fisher, high school basketball coach, former N.B.…
…
continue reading
Before she decided to become a poker pro, Maria Konnikova didn’t know how many cards are in a deck. But she did have a Ph.D. in psychology, a brilliant coach, and a burning desire to know whether life is driven more by skill or chance. She found some answers in poker — and she’s willing to tell us everything she learned. SOURCES: Maria Konnikova, a…
…
continue reading
When security cameras and facial recognition tools fail, law enforcement investigators fall back on a witness's memory and an artist's hand. Zachary Crockett's nose was a little bigger than that. SOURCES: Lois Gibson, forensic artist. David Sarni, adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. RESOURCES: "Fighting Crime With Pencil and …
…
continue reading
1
29. How Do You Know When It’s Time to Quit?
31:43
31:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:43
Also: why is it so hard to predict success? This episode originally aired on November 29, 2020.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
…
continue reading
Twenty years ago, before the Freakonomics book tour, Bill McGowan taught Steve Levitt to speak in public. In his new book he tries to teach everyone else. SOURCES: Bill McGowan, founder and C.E.O. of Clarity Media Group. RESOURCES: Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience, by Bill McGowan (2025). "Sheryl Sandberg Gives UC Berkeley Comme…
…
continue reading
1
639. “This Country Kicks My Ass All the Time”
53:46
53:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:46
Cory Booker on the politics of fear, the politics of hope, and how to split the difference. SOURCES: Cory Booker, senior United States Senator from New Jersey. RESOURCES: "'When Are More Americans Going to Speak Up?'" by The New Yorker Radio Hour (2025). "Cory Booker’s Marathon Floor Speech," (2025). "Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girl…
…
continue reading
1
Part 2: Starting a New Academic Job? Breaking Down Your Retirement Plan’s Investment Choices—Without the Jargon
14:31
14:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:31
In this second installment of our two-part series on workplace retirement plans, host Neeka Miremadi helps academics navigate the next step after choosing between plan types—evaluating the investments within those plans. Whether you're comparing 403(b) and 457 plans or just want to make better use of your current retirement account, this episode wa…
…
continue reading
How does an industry built on roadside pop-ups make billions of dollars in two weeks of the year? Zachary Crockett gets pyrotechnical. SOURCES: Alex Zoldan, vice president of Phantom Fireworks. RESOURCES: Phantom Fireworks 2025 Wholesale Price List. "The Explosive Growth Of The Fireworks Market," by Greg Rosalsky, Darian Woods, and Julian Ritchey (…
…
continue reading
Why are these sudsy roadside stops one of the fastest growing industries in America? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the hood. RESOURCES: "Private Equity Wants to Wash Your Car," by Miriam Gottfried (The Wall Street Journal, 2022). "California Labor Commissioner Recovers $282,000 for Car Wash Wage Citations," State of California Department of I…
…
continue reading
Also: do you spend more time thinking about the past, the present, or the future? This episode originally aired on November 22, 2020.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
…
continue reading
1
Annie Duke Thinks You Should Quit (Update)
48:25
48:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:25
Former professional poker player Annie Duke wrote a book about Steve’s favorite subject: quitting. They talk about why quitting is so hard, how to do it sooner, and why we feel shame when we do something that’s good for us. SOURCES: Annie Duke, author and former professional poker player. RESOURCES: Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, by …
…
continue reading
In the U.S., there will soon be more people over 65 than there are under 18 — and it’s not just lifespan that’s improving, it’s “healthspan” too. Unfortunately, the American approach to aging is stuck in the 20th century. In less than an hour, we try to unstick it. (Part three of a three-part series, “Cradle to Grave.”) SOURCES: James Chappel, prof…
…
continue reading
1
What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? (Update)
36:13
36:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:13
In this episode from 2013, we look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists. SOURCES: Benedikt Herrmann, research officer at the European Commission. Steve Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics and host of People I (Mostly) Admire. Dave O'Connor, president of Times Studios. Lisi Oliver, professor of English at Louisiana State University. E.O. Wils…
…
continue reading
Americans take more than 20 billion elevator rides every year — and keeping them safe is an expensive proposition. Zachary Crockett makes small talk. SOURCES: Frank Christensen, president of the International Union of Elevators Constructors. Shannon Moore, service mechanic for the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 8. Brian O'Connel…
…
continue reading
Also: why is behavior change so darn hard? This episode originally aired on November 15, 2020.By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
…
continue reading
Psychologist David Yeager thinks the conventional wisdom for how to motivate young people is all wrong. His model for helping kids cope with stress is required reading at Steve’s new high school. SOURCES: David Yeager, professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. RESOURCES: 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Ground…
…
continue reading
1
637. What It’s Like to Be Middle-Aged (in the Middle Ages)
45:54
45:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:54
The simplicity of life back then is appealing today, as long as you don’t mind Church hegemony, the occasional plague, trial by gossip — and the lack of ibuprofen. (Part two of a three-part series, “Cradle to Grave.”) SOURCES: Jordan Cavalier, performer at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire. Matt Schwarz, harpist at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire. …
…
continue reading
