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+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, Stephen Dubner explores what it was like to be middle-aged in the Middle Ages. The episode features interviews with two medieval historians, Neslihan Shanojak and Phillipp Schofield, who provide insights into various aspects of life during that period. Shanojak discusses religious...
In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, Stephen Dubner explores the declining global fertility rate and its economic and societal implications. The episode features interviews with Catherine Pakaluk, an economics professor and mother of 14, who discusses her research on women with large families and the motivations behi...
This episode of Freakonomics Radio explores the complexities of international trade and free markets through the lens of a seemingly simple object: the pencil. The episode begins with a discussion of tariffs and their potential downsides, contrasting opinions from figures like President Trump and Elon Musk. It then del...
Stephen Dubner interviews Nicholas Cullinan, the new director of the British Museum, about his background, goals, and approach to the museum's challenges. Cullinan discusses his working-class upbringing, his vision for modernizing the museum, including a major renovation project, and his thoughts on repatriation of con...
In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, Stephen Dubner interviews Austan Goolsbee, President and CEO of the Chicago Federal Reserve, to discuss the U.S. economy, the Fed's role, and current economic policies. Goolsbee shares insights on the FOMC meetings, the Fed's dual mandate to maximize employment and stabilize price...
In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, Stephen Dubner interviews Javier Blas and Jack Farchy, Bloomberg journalists and authors of "The World for Sale," about the secretive world of commodity traders. The discussion explores how these traders, who finance, procure, and trade physical commodities like oil, agriculture, ...
This episode of Freakonomics Radio, the final installment in the "How to Succeed at Failing" series, explores counterintuitive strategies for dealing with failure. It features cognitive psychologist Gary Klein, who introduces the concept of the "pre-mortem," a technique for anticipating potential failures in projects. ...
This episode explores the complex relationship between grit and quitting, particularly in the context of failure, and how individuals navigate the decision of when to persevere versus when to abandon an endeavor. Against the backdrop of societal emphasis on success stories, the podcast highlights the value of examining...
This episode explores the concept of failure, particularly within the healthcare system, and how it can be a catalyst for learning and improvement. The episode begins with the tragic story of Carol Hemmelgarn, whose daughter died due to medical errors, highlighting the need for transparency and systemic change in healt...
This episode explores the multifaceted nature of failure, challenging conventional views and investigating how individuals and organizations can learn and benefit from it. Against the backdrop of tragic events like the Lahaina wildfires, the discussion pivots to the idea of failure as a chain of events, emphasizing the...
This episode explores the evolution of documentary filmmaking and its burgeoning popularity in the streaming era. Against the backdrop of declining live theater attendance, the podcast highlights the rise of documentary films as a dominant form of entertainment. More significantly, the interview with Emmy-winning film...
This episode explores the challenges and triumphs in bringing a new musical, "3 Summers of Lincoln," to the stage, focusing on the creative process and the economic realities of Broadway production. Against the backdrop of the show's development, the interview delves into the collaborative efforts of the creative team,...
This episode explores the intersection of psychology and immersive theater, using the interactive play "Sleep No More" as a case study. Against the backdrop of Philip Zimbardo's infamous Stanford Prison Experiment, the discussion analyzes how "Sleep No More" manipulates audience behavior through controlled environment...
This episode explores the economics of the Broadway theater industry, contrasting its perceived size with its actual influence. Against the backdrop of Broadway's high production costs and the "cost disease" affecting labor-intensive industries, the discussion features interviews with producers, including Jeffrey Sell...
This episode explores the economics and creative process behind Broadway musicals, using the development of "Three Summers of Lincoln" as a case study. Against the backdrop of Broadway's high production costs and low return on investment (only 15-20% of shows recoup their investment), the podcast interviews the creati...
This episode explores the challenges of scaling up successful research interventions into effective, large-scale policies. Against the backdrop of remarkable medical and technological advancements, the discussion highlights the frequent failure to translate promising research findings into real-world impact, citing ex...
This episode explores the pervasive problem of "sludge"—excessive bureaucratic complexity hindering everyday tasks—drawing on behavioral economics research. Against this backdrop, the discussion investigates how insurance companies and subscription services intentionally create sludge to maximize profits, for instance...
This episode explores the pervasive problem of "sludge" — unnecessary complexities and obstacles in everyday processes — as coined by behavioral economist Richard Thaler. The discussion begins with Stephen Dubner's personal anecdote of a frustrating DMV experience, despite having a scheduled appointment at AAA. Again...
This Freakonomics Radio episode investigates the surprising success of Trader Joe's grocery stores. The podcast features interviews with a business professor, a behavioral economist, a Trader Joe's superfan, and a former Trader Joe's employee, exploring the company's unconventional business model. Key aspects discuss...
This Freakonomics Radio episode interviews Jessica Riedl, a senior fellow specializing in budget, tax, and economic policy, about the U.S. federal debt and tax policy myths. The interview begins with Riedl's background and her nonpartisan approach to criticizing both political parties' handling of fiscal issues. Ried...
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