Podcast · 140 episodes
Freakonomics Radio, page 5
by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher · English
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.
All episodes, page 5
639. “This Country Kicks My Ass All the Time”In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, host Stephen Dubner interviews Cory Booker, the United States Senator from New Jersey.4 Jul 2025 · 54 min
638. Are You Ready for the Elder Swell?In this episode, Stephen J. Dubner explores the demographic shift in the United States where the population aged 65 and older is projected to outnumber those under 18, termed the "elder swell." This…27 Jun 2025 · 55 min
What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? (Update)In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, the theme revolves around the concept of spite, exploring its economic implications and historical instances, including a striking…25 Jun 2025 · 36 min
637. What It’s Like to Be Middle-Aged (in the Middle Ages)In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, host Stephen J. Dubner explores the concept of being middle-aged in the Middle Ages, juxtaposing modern perceptions of midlife against historical realities.20 Jun 2025 · 46 min
636. Why Aren’t We Having More Babies?In this episode, Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of Freakonomics, explores the paradox of declining birth rates in the context of a historical fear of overpopulation.13 Jun 2025 · 50 min
An Economics Lesson from a Talking Pencil (Update)Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everyday phenomena, discussing a variety of topics including economics, human behavior, and global manufacturing.11 Jun 2025 · 40 min
635. Can a Museum Be the Conscience of a Nation?In this episode, host Stephen J. Dubner interviews Nicholas Cullinan, the new director of the British Museum.6 Jun 2025 · 51 min
634. “Fault-Finder Is a Minimum-Wage Job”In this episode, Stephen J. Dubner interviews Austan Goolsbee, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.30 May 2025 · 1 h 2 min
633. The Most Powerful People You’ve Never Heard OfThis episode focuses on the significant yet often unnoticed role of commodity traders in the global economy, particularly in times of war, chaos, and sanctions. Hosted by Stephen J.23 May 2025 · 1 h 6 min
How to Succeed at Failing, Part 4: Extreme Resiliency (Update)Examining failure and resilience through various lenses such as medicine, education, and individual experiences.21 May 2025 · 53 min
How to Succeed at Failing, Part 3: Grit vs. Quit (Update)In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, Stephen J. Dubner explores the complex relationship between failure, perseverance, and the decision to quit.16 May 2025 · 1 h 4 min
How to Succeed at Failing, Part 2: Life and Death (Update)In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, the discussion centers around the critical nature of failure in the healthcare system.14 May 2025 · 53 min
How to Succeed at Failing, Part 1: The Chain of Events (Update)In this episode, Stephen J. Dubner explores the concept of failure, emphasizing that many tragedies result from a chain of poor decisions rather than a single moment of misfortune.9 May 2025 · 56 min
632. When Did We All Start Watching Documentaries?In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, host Stephen J. Dubner interviews award-winning filmmaker R.J.2 May 2025 · 54 min
631. Will "3 Summers of Lincoln" Make It to Broadway?In this episode, we delve into the behind-the-scenes journey of the musical *Three Summers of Lincoln*, exploring its development, challenges, and the impact of theater in today's society.25 Apr 2025 · 46 min
Is It a Theater Piece or a Psychological Experiment? (Update)In this episode, originally aired in 2012, Stephen Dubner explores the intersection of immersive theater and psychological experiments, specifically examining the implications of *Sleep No More* and…23 Apr 2025 · 37 min
630. On Broadway, Nobody Knows NothingThis episode of Freakonomics Radio explores the unpredictable nature of Broadway theater productions through insights from major producers in the industry.18 Apr 2025 · 1 h 2 min
629. How Is Live Theater Still Alive?In this episode, Stephen J. Dubner explores the complexities of the live theater industry amidst rising production costs and heightened competition.11 Apr 2025 · 1 h
Policymaking Is Not a Science — Yet (Update)In this episode, Stephen Dubner revisits a previous discussion on the challenges of scaling effective policies in education, medicine, and criminal justice.9 Apr 2025 · 45 min
628. Sludge, Part 2: Is Government the Problem, or the Solution?In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, hosts Stephen J. Dubner and guests explore the concept of "sludge" — the bureaucratic hurdles and complexities that complicate decision-making for consumers and…4 Apr 2025 · 49 min
627. Sludge, Part 1: The World Is Drowning in ItEach episode explores the hidden side of everything, from economics to human behavior.28 Mar 2025 · 55 min
Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s? (Update)Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s? (Update)21 Mar 2025 · 48 min
626. Ten Myths About the U.S. Tax SystemIn this episode of Freakonomics Radio, host Stephen J. Dubner discusses the U.S. tax system and the misconceptions surrounding it with Jessica Riedel, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.14 Mar 2025 · 1 h 4 min
625. The Biden Policy That Trump Hasn’t TouchedThis episode features an interview with Lina Khan, the youngest chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in history, who discusses her groundbreaking role in U.S.7 Mar 2025 · 1 h 3 min