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Podcasts · Society & Culture

Freakonomics Radio

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

300 episodes

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.

More about the show

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Episodes page 2 of 6

  1. In a Driverless World, Who Loses and Who Wins?

    · 1 h 06 min · Bonus

    In blue cities across the country, unions and politicians want to ban self-driving cars. In this episode from the Search Engine podcast, PJ Vogt visits Boston to sort the facts from the propaganda. (Part two of a…

  2. Are Human Drivers Finally Obsolete?

    · 1 h 11 min · Bonus

    How a secret project at Google led to driverless cars on American roads. Freakonomics Radio shares a story from our friends at Search Engine. (Part one of a two-part series.) • SOURCES: • Alex Davies, author of…

  3. 667. Here’s Why You Are Constantly Fighting Off Scammers

    · 47 min · Episode 667

    A ruthless (and ruthlessly efficient) industry is using digital tools to supercharge one of the world’s oldest behaviors. We look at how the industry works, and ask the scam-fighters what they’re doing about it. •…

  4. 666. This Is How Progress Happens

    · 53 min · Episode 666

    Economists don’t usually talk about “culture.” But Joel Mokyr argues that it’s the engine of innovation — and the Nobel Prize committee agreed. Stephen Dubner sits down for a thousand-year conversation (including…

  5. The Most Powerful People You’ve Never Heard Of (Update)

    · 1 h 06 min · Episode 633

    Just beneath the surface of the global economy, there is a hidden layer of dealmakers for whom war, chaos, and sanctions can be a great business opportunity. In this updated episode from 2025, journalists Javier Blas…

  6. 665. Werner Herzog Isn’t Afraid ...

    · 49 min · Episode 665

    ... of bad reviews, meager financing, or artificial intelligence. But he is worried that the world is full of sloppy thinkers who mistake facts for the truth. • SOURCES: • Werner Herzog, writer, filmmaker, and actor.…

  7. 664. Are Thousands of Medical Cures Hiding in Plain Sight?

    · 52 min · Episode 664

    Existing drugs can sometimes be repurposed to treat rare diseases. But making that match can be hard — and the financial incentives are weak. Guest host Steve Levitt tries to solve the puzzle. • SOURCES: • Chris…

  8. All You Need Is Nudge (Update)

    · 57 min · Episode 474

    When Richard Thaler first published Nudge, the world was just starting to believe in his brand of behavioral economics. In this 2021 episode, we ask: How has nudge theory held up in the face of a global financial…

  9. 663. Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug?

    · 51 min · Episode 663

    The science says no, at least not in the athletic sense. But the psychic benefits can be large — just ask former N.F.L. star Ricky Williams. He says athletes should consider cannabis a healing drug, not a party drug.…

  10. 662. If You’re Not Cheating, You’re Not Trying

    · 53 min · Episode 662

    In sports, the rules are meant to be sacrosanct. But when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs, the slope is super-slippery. (Part one of a two-part series.) • SOURCES: • April Henning, associate professor of…

  11. Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)

    · 58 min · Episode 620

    They used to be the N.F.L.’s biggest stars, with paychecks to match. Now their salaries are near the bottom, and their careers are shorter than ever. In this updated episode from 2025, we speak with an analytics guru,…

  12. 661. Can A.I. Save Your Life?

    · 1 h 00 min · Episode 661

    For 50 years, the healthcare industry has been trying (and failing) to harness the power of artificial intelligence. It may finally be ready for prime time. What will this mean for human doctors — and the rest of us?…

  13. 660. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly Wrong

    · 1 h 05 min · Episode 660

    Zeke Emanuel (a physician, medical ethicist, and policy wonk) has some different ideas for how to lead a healthy and meaningful life. It starts with ice cream. (Part three of “The Freakonomics Radio Guide to Getting…

  14. Steve Levitt Quits His Podcast, Joins Ours

    · 46 min · Bonus

    After five years, Levitt is ending People I (Mostly) Admire, and will start hosting the occasional Freakonomics Radio episode. We couldn’t be happier. • SOURCES: • Steve Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics and host of…

  15. 659. Can Marty Makary Fix the F.D.A.?

    · 55 min · Episode 659

    It regulates 20 percent of the U.S. economy, and its commissioner has an aggressive agenda — faster drug approvals, healthier food, cures for diabetes and cancer. How much can he deliver? (Part two of “The Freakonomics…

  16. 658. This Is Your Brain on Supplements

    · 53 min · Episode 658

    We all want to stay sharp, and forestall the cognitive effects of aging. But do brain supplements actually work? Are they safe? And why doesn’t the F.D.A. even know what’s in them? (Part one of “The Freakonomics Radio…

  17. Are Personal Finance Gurus Giving You Bad Advice? (Update)

    · 1 h 01 min · Episode 518

    One Yale economist certainly thinks so. But even if he’s right, are economists any better? We find out, in this update of a 2022 episode. • SOURCES: • James Choi, professor of finance at the Yale School of…

  18. Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)

    · 43 min · Episode 455

    Behavioral scientists have been exploring whether a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. In this update of a 2021 episode, we survey evidence from the London Underground, Major League Baseball, and New…

  19. Are the Rich Really Less Generous Than the Poor? (Update)

    · 44 min · Episode 288

    A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It’s an easy narrative to embrace — but is it true? As part of GiveDirectly’s “Pods Fight Poverty” campaign, we revisit a…

  20. 657. Whose “Messiah” Is It Anyway?

    · 48 min · Episode 657

    All sorts of people have put their mark on Messiah, and it has been a hit for nearly 300 years. How can a single piece of music thrive in so many settings? You could say it’s because Handel really knew how to write a…

  21. Who Pays for “Messiah”?

    · 42 min · Bonus

    In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode of our “Making Messiah” series, Parr breaks down the economics of the New York…

  22. 656. How Handel Got His Mojo Back

    · 57 min · Episode 656

    When he wrote Messiah (in 24 days), Handel was past his prime and nearly broke. One night in Dublin changed all that. (Part two of “Making Messiah.”) • SOURCES: • Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown…

  23. 655. “The Greatest Piece of Participatory Art Ever Created”

    · 57 min · Episode 655

    Why does an 18th-century Christian oratorio lend such comfort to our own turbulent times? Stephen Dubner sets out for Dublin to tell the story of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. (Part one of “Making Messiah.”) •…

  24. Dying Is Easy. Retail Is Hard. (Update)

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 613

    Macy’s wants to recapture its glorious past. The author of the Wimpy Kid books wants to rebuild his dilapidated hometown. We just want to listen in. (Part two of a two-part series, first published in 2024) • SOURCES:…

  25. Is Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Its Most Valuable Asset? (Update)

    · 53 min · Episode 612

    The iconic department store calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV viewers, it’s also a big moneymaker — at least we think it is: when it comes to parade economics, Macy’s is famously…

  26. 654. Is the Public Ready for Private Equity?

    · 1 h 03 min · Episode 654

    A Trump executive order is giving retail investors more access to private markets. Is that a golden opportunity — or fool’s gold? • SOURCES: • Elisabeth de Fontenay, professor of law at Duke University. • Steven…

  27. 653. Does Horse Racing Have a Future?

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 653

    Thoroughbred auction prices keep setting records. But tracks are closing, gambling revenues are falling, and the sport is increasingly reliant on subsidies. Is that the kind of long shot anybody wants? (Part three of a…

  28. What Happens When You Turn 20

    · 1 h 03 min · Bonus

    The world has changed a good bit since Freakonomics was first published. In this live anniversary episode, Stephen Dubner tells Geoff Bennett of PBS NewsHour everything he has learned since then. Happy birthday,…

  29. 652. Inside the Horse-Industrial Complex

    · 1 h 01 min · Episode 652

    How does Kentucky keep itself atop the thoroughbred industry? Is a champion stallion really worth $200,000 per date? And how many hands can one jockey have? (Part two of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”) • SOURCES: •…

  30. 651. The Ultimate Dance Partner

    · 1 h 08 min · Episode 651

    For most of human history, horsepower made the world go. Then came the machines. So why are there still seven million horses in America? (Part one of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”) • SOURCES: • Ann N. Greene,…

  31. Are Two C.E.O.s Better Than One? (Update)

    · 48 min · Episode 559

    Spotify, Oracle, and Comcast have each recently announced they’re going with co-C.E.O.s. In this 2023 episode, we dig into the research and hear firsthand stories of triumph and disaster. Also: lessons from computer…

  32. 650. The Doctor Won’t See You Now

    · 52 min · Episode 650

    The U.S. has a physician shortage, created in part by a century-old reform that shut down bad medical schools. But why haven’t we filled the gap? Why are some physicians so unhappy? And which is worse: a bad doctor or…

  33. A Question-Asker Becomes a Question-Answerer

    · 1 h 14 min · Bonus

    For the 20th anniversary of Freakonomics, Debbie Millman of Design Matters interviews Stephen Dubner about his upbringing, his writing career, and why it's important to “swing your swing.” Plus: a sneak peek at a new…

  34. How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Update)

    · 40 min · Episode 478

    Arthur Brooks, an economist and former head of the American Enterprise Institute, believes that there is only one remedy for our political polarization: love. In this 2021 episode, we ask if Brooks is a fool for…

  35. 649. Should Ohio State (and Michigan, and Clemson) Join the N.F.L.?

    · 55 min · Episode 649

    Soccer leagues around the world use a promotion-and-relegation system to reward the best teams and punish the worst. We ask whether American sports fans would enjoy a similar system. (Part two of a two-part series.) •…

  36. 648. The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted

    · 1 h 06 min · Episode 648

    The N.F.L. is a powerful cartel with imperial desires. College football is about to undergo a financial reckoning. So maybe they should team up? (Part one of a two-part series.) • SOURCES: • DeMaurice Smith, former…

  37. Is the U.S. Really Less Corrupt Than China? (Update)

    · 58 min · Episode 481

    In this episode we first published in 2021, the political scientist Yuen Yuen Ang argues that different forms of government create different styles of corruption — and that the U.S. and China have more in common than…

  38. 647. China Is Run by Engineers. America Is Run by Lawyers.

    · 1 h 02 min · Episode 647

    In his new book “Breakneck,” Dan Wang argues that the U.S. has a lot to learn from China. He also says that “no two peoples are more alike.” We have questions. • SOURCES: • Dan Wang, research fellow at the Hoover…

  39. Is the World Ready for a Guaranteed Basic Income? (Update)

    · 36 min · Episode 242

    A lot of jobs in the modern economy don’t pay a living wage, and some of those jobs may be wiped out by new technologies. So what’s to be done? We revisit an episode from 2016 for a potential solution. • SOURCES: •…

  40. 646. An Air Traffic Controller Walks Into a Radio Studio ...

    · 1 h 01 min · Episode 646

    What does it take to “play 3D chess at 250 miles an hour”? And how far will $12.5 billion of “Big, Beautiful” funding go toward modernizing the F.A.A.? (Part two of a two-part series.) • SOURCES: • David Strayer,…

  41. 645. Is the Air Traffic Control System Broken?

    · 1 h 03 min · Episode 645

    Flying in the U.S. is still exceptionally safe, but the system relies on outdated tech and is under tremendous strain. Six experts tell us how it got this way and how it can (maybe) be fixed. (Part one of a two-part…

  42. 644. Has America Lost Its Appetite for the Common Good?

    · 1 h 17 min · Episode 644

    Patrick Deneen, a political philosopher at Notre Dame, says yes. He was a Democrat for years, and has now come to be seen as an “ideological guru” of the Trump administration. But that only tells half the story ... •…

  43. Extra: A Modern Whaler Speaks Up (Update)

    · 27 min · Bonus

    Bjørn Andersen has killed hundreds of minke whales. He tells us how he does it, why he does it, and what he thinks would happen if whale-hunting ever stopped. (This bonus episode is a follow-up to our series…

  44. What Can Whales Teach Us About Clean Energy, Workplace Harmony, and Living the Good Life? (Update)

    · 48 min · Episode 551

    In the final episode of our whale series, we learn about fecal plumes, shipping noise, and why Moby-Dick is still worth reading. (Part 3 of "Everything You Never Knew About Whaling.") • SOURCES: • Michele Baggio,…

  45. Why Do People Still Hunt Whales? (Update)

    · 38 min · Episode 550

    For years, whale oil was used as lighting fuel, industrial lubricant, and the main ingredient in (yum!) margarine. Whale meat was also on a few menus. But today, demand for whale products is at a historic low. And yet…

  46. The First Great American Industry (Update)

    · 45 min · Episode 549

    Whaling was, in the words of one scholar, “early capitalism unleashed on the high seas.” How did the U.S. come to dominate the whale market? Why did whale hunting die out here — and continue to grow elsewhere? And is…

  47. Why Does Tipping Still Exist? (Update)

    · 47 min · Episode 396

    It’s a haphazard way of paying workers, and yet it keeps expanding. With federal tax policy shifting in a pro-tip direction, we revisit an episode from 2019 to find out why. • SOURCES: • John List, economist at the…

  48. 643. Why Do Candles Still Exist?

    · 47 min · Episode 643

    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…

  49. 642. How to Wage Peace, According to Tony Blinken

    · 1 h 06 min · Episode 642

    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 —…

  50. Why Does One Tiny State Set the Rules for Everyone? (Update)

    · 47 min · Episode 539

    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…

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