Freakonomics Radio

By Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

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Subscribers: 49242
Reviews: 74


 Feb 14, 2021

Robert
 Feb 10, 2021
Great perspective on anything and everything in life

Adam
 Jan 22, 2021
Super interesting stories every week about ask sorts of topics.


 Dec 6, 2020

Dee
 Nov 23, 2020
Great podcast providing insight in a digestible format. Top work.

Description

Discover the hidden side of everything with Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of the Freakonomics books. Each week, Freakonomics Radio tells you things you always thought you knew (but didn’t) and things you never thought you wanted to know (but do) — from the economics of sleep to how to become great at just about anything. Dubner speaks with Nobel laureates and provocateurs, intellectuals and entrepreneurs, and various other underachievers. 


Episode Date
Am I Boring You? (Ep. 225 Rebroadcast)
2352
Researchers are trying to figure out who gets bored — and why — and what it means for ourselves and the economy. But maybe there’s an upside to boredom?
Feb 25, 2021
452. Jeff Immelt Knows He Let You Down
2748
Not so long ago, G.E. was the most valuable company in the world, a conglomerate that included everything from light bulbs and jet engines to financial services and The Apprentice. Now it’s selling off body parts to survive. What does the C.E.O. who presided over the decline have to say for himself? 
Feb 18, 2021
451. Can I Ask You a Ridiculously Personal Question?
2564
Most of us are are afraid to ask sensitive questions about money, sex, politics, etc. New research shows this fear is largely unfounded. Time for some interesting conversations!
Feb 11, 2021
450. How to Be Better at Death
3458
Caitlin Doughty is a mortician who would like to put herself out of business. Our corporate funeral industry, she argues, has made us forget how to offer our loved ones an authentic sendoff. Doughty is the author of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons From the Crematory. In this installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, she is interviewed by guest host Maria Konnikova.
Feb 04, 2021
449. How to Fix the Incentives in Cancer Research
2656
For all the progress made in fighting cancer, it still kills 10 million people a year, and some types remain especially hard to detect and treat. Pancreatic cancer, for instance, is nearly always fatal. A new clinical-trial platform could change that by aligning institutions that typically compete against one another.
Jan 28, 2021
448. The Downside of Disgust
2740
It’s a powerful biological response that has preserved our species for millennia. But now it may be keeping us from pursuing strategies that would improve the environment, the economy, even our own health. So is it time to dial down our disgust reflex?  You can help fix things — as Stephen Dubner does in this episode — by chowing down on some delicious insects.
Jan 21, 2021
447. How Much Do We Really Care About Children?
2865
They can’t vote or hire lobbyists. The policies we create to help them aren’t always so helpful. Consider the car seat: parents hate it, the safety data are unconvincing, and new evidence suggests an unintended consequence that is as anti-child as it gets.
Jan 14, 2021
446. “We Get All Our Great Stuff from Europe — Including Witch Hunting.”
2420
We’ve collected some of our favorite moments from People I (Mostly) Admire, the latest show from the Freakonomics Radio Network. Host Steve Levitt seeks advice from scientists and inventors, memory wizards and basketball champions — even his fellow economists. He also asks about quitting, witch trials, and whether we need a Manhattan Project for climate change. 
Jan 07, 2021
Trust Me (Ep. 266 Rebroadcast)
1855
Societies where people trust one another are healthier and wealthier. In the U.S. (and the U.K. and elsewhere), social trust has been falling for decades — in part because our populations are more diverse. What can we do to fix it?
Dec 31, 2020
445. Why Do We Seek Comfort in the Familiar?
2216
In this episode of No Stupid Questions — a Freakonomics Radio Network show launched earlier this year — Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth debate why we watch, read, and eat familiar things during a crisis, and if it might in fact be better to try new things instead. Also: is a little knowledge truly as dangerous as they say? 
Dec 24, 2020
444. How Do You Cure a Compassion Crisis?
2930
Patients in the U.S. healthcare system often feel they’re treated with a lack of empathy. Doctors and nurses have tragically high levels of burnout. Could fixing the first problem solve the second? And does the rest of society need more compassion too?
Dec 17, 2020
443. A Sneak Peek at Biden’s Top Economist
2596
The incoming president argues that the economy and the environment are deeply connected. This is reflected in his choice for National Economic Council director — Brian Deese, a climate-policy wonk and veteran of the no-drama-Obama era. But don’t mistake Deese’s lack of drama for a lack of intensity.
Dec 10, 2020
PLAYBACK (2015): Could the Next Brooklyn Be ... Las Vegas?!
3422
Tony Hsieh, the longtime C.E.O. of Zappos, was an iconoclast and a dreamer. Five years ago, we sat down with him around a desert campfire to talk about those dreams. Hsieh died recently from injuries sustained in a house fire; he was 46.
Dec 06, 2020
442. Is it Too Late for General Motors to Go Electric?
2681
G.M. produces more than 20 times as many cars as Tesla, but Tesla is worth nearly 10 times as much. Mary Barra, the C.E.O. of G.M., is trying to fix that. We speak with her about the race toward an electrified (and autonomous) future, China and Trump, and what it’s like to be the “fifth-most powerful woman in the world.”
Dec 03, 2020
441. Does Advertising Actually Work? (Part 2: Digital)
2901
Google and Facebook are worth a combined $2 trillion, with the vast majority of their revenue coming from advertising. In our previous episode, we learned that TV advertising is much less effective than the industry says. Is digital any better? Some say yes, some say no — and some say we’re in a full-blown digital-ad bubble.
Nov 26, 2020
440. Does Advertising Actually Work? (Part 1: TV)
2232
Companies around the world spend more than half-a-trillion dollars each year on ads. The ad industry swears by its efficacy — but a massive new study tells a different story.
Nov 19, 2020
439. Please Get Your Noise Out of My Ears
2981
The modern world overwhelms us with sounds we didn’t ask for, like car alarms and cell-phone “halfalogues.” What does all this noise cost us in terms of productivity, health, and basic sanity?
Nov 12, 2020
438. How to Succeed by Being Authentic (Hint: Carefully)
2852
John Mackey, the C.E.O. of Whole Foods, has learned the perils of speaking his mind. But he still says what he thinks about everything from “conscious leadership” to the behavioral roots of the obesity epidemic. He also argues for a style of capitalism and politics that at this moment seems like a fantasy. What does he know that we don’t?
Nov 05, 2020
Why the Left Had to Steal the Right’s Dark-Money Playbook
2719
The sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh spent years studying crack dealers, sex workers, and the offspring of billionaires. Then he wandered into an even stranger world: social media. He spent the past five years at Facebook and Twitter. Now that he’s back in the real world, he’s here to tell us how the digital universe really works. In this pilot episode of a new podcast, Venkatesh interviews the progressive political operative Tara McGowan about her digital successes with the Obama campaign, her noisy failure with the Iowa caucus app, and why the best way for Democrats to win more elections was to copy the Republicans.
Oct 31, 2020
437. Many Businesses Thought They Were Insured for a Pandemic. They Weren’t.
2451
A fine reading of most policies for “business interruption” reveals that viral outbreaks aren’t covered. Some legislators are demanding that insurance firms pay up anyway. Is it time to rethink insurance entirely?
Oct 29, 2020
436. Forget Everything You Know About Your Dog
3457
As beloved and familiar as they are, we rarely stop to consider life from the dog’s point of view. That stops now. In this latest installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, we discuss Inside of a Dog with the cognitive scientist (and dog devotee) Alexandra Horowitz.
Oct 22, 2020
435. Why Are Cities (Still) So Expensive?
2694
 It isn’t just supply and demand. We look at the complicated history and skewed incentives that make “affordable housing” more punch line than reality in cities from New York and San Francisco to Flint, Michigan (!).
Oct 15, 2020
434. Is New York City Over?
2944
The pandemic has hit America's biggest city particularly hard. Amidst a deep fiscal hole, rising homicides, and a flight to the suburbs, some people think the city is heading back to the bad old 1970s. We look at the history — and the data — to see why that’s probably not the case.
Oct 08, 2020
“Don’t Neglect the Thing That Makes You Weird” | People I (Mostly) Admire: Ken Jennings
2828
It was only in his late twenties that America’s favorite brainiac began to seriously embrace his love of trivia. Now he holds the “Greatest of All Time” title on Jeopardy! Steve Levitt digs into how he trained for the show, what it means to have a "geographic memory," and why we lie to our children.
Oct 03, 2020
433. How Are Psychedelics and Other Party Drugs Changing Psychiatry?
3213
Three leading researchers from the Mount Sinai Health System discuss how ketamine, cannabis, and ecstasy are being used (or studied) to treat everything from severe depression to addiction to PTSD. We discuss the upsides, downsides, and regulatory puzzles.
Oct 01, 2020
432. When Your Safety Becomes My Danger
2877
The families of U.S. troops killed and wounded in Afghanistan are suing several companies that did reconstruction there. Why? These companies, they say, paid the Taliban protection money, which gave them the funding — and opportunity — to attack U.S. soldiers instead. A look at the messy, complicated, and heart-breaking tradeoffs of conflict-zone economies.
Sep 24, 2020
“One Does Not Know Where an Insight Will Come From” | People I (Mostly) Admire: Kerwin Charles
2369
The dean of Yale’s School of Management grew up in a small village in Guyana. During his unlikely journey, he has researched video-gaming habits, communicable disease, and why so many African-Americans haven’t had the kind of success he’s had. Steve Levitt talks to Charles about his parents’ encouragement, his love of Sports Illustrated, and how he talks to his American-born kids about the complicated history of Blackness in America. 
Sep 19, 2020
Does Anyone Really Know What Socialism Is? (Ep. 408 Rebroadcast)
2664
Trump says it would destroy us. Biden needs the voters who support it (especially the Bernie voters). The majority of millennials would like it to replace capitalism. But what is “it”? We bring in the economists to sort things out and tell us what the U.S. can learn from the good (and bad) experiences of other (supposedly) socialist countries.
Sep 17, 2020
What if Your Company Had No Rules?
3306
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings came to believe that corporate rules can kill creativity and innovation. In this latest edition of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, guest host Maria Konnikova talks to Hastings about his new book, No Rules Rules, and why for some companies the greatest risk is taking no risks at all.
Sep 12, 2020
431. Why Can’t Schools Get What the N.F.L. Has?
2977
Thanks to daily Covid testing and regimented protocols, the new football season is underway. Meanwhile, most teachers, students, and parents are essentially waiting for the storm to pass. And school isn’t even a contact sport (usually).
Sep 10, 2020
"I Started Crying When I Realized How Beautiful the Universe Is” | People I (Mostly) Admire Ep. 2: Mayim Bialik
2727
She’s best known for playing neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler on The Big Bang Theory, but the award-winning actress has a rich life outside of her acting career, as a teacher, mother — and a real-life neuroscientist.  Steve Levitt tries to learn more about this one-time academic and Hollywood non-conformist, who is both very similar to him and also quite his opposite.
Sep 05, 2020
America’s Hidden Duopoly (Ep. 356 Rebroadcast)
3180
We all know our political system is “broken” — but what if that’s not true? Some say the Republicans and Democrats constitute a wildly successful industry that has colluded to kill off competition, stifle reform, and drive the country apart. So what are you going to do about it?
Sep 03, 2020
430. Will a Covid-19 Vaccine Change the Future of Medical Research?
3504
We explore the science, scalability, and (of course) economics surrounding the global vaccine race. Guests include the chief medical officer of the first U.S. firm to go to Phase 3 trials with a vaccine candidate; a former F.D.A. commissioner who’s been warning of a pandemic for years; and an economist who thinks Covid-19 may finally change how diseases are cured.
Aug 27, 2020
Introducing “People I (Mostly) Admire"
2573
A new interview show with host Steve Levitt. Today he speaks with the Harvard psychologist and linguist Steven Pinker. By cataloging the steady march of human progress, the self-declared “polite Canadian” has managed to enrage people on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Levitt tries to understand why. 
Aug 22, 2020
The Economics of Sports Gambling (Ep. 388 Rebroadcast)
3282
What happens when tens of millions of fantasy-sports players are suddenly able to bet real money on real games? We’re about to find out. A recent Supreme Court decision has cleared the way to bring an estimated $300 billion in black-market sports betting into the light. We sort out the winners and losers.
Aug 20, 2020
429. Is Economic Growth the Wrong Goal?
2467
The endless pursuit of G.D.P., argues the economist Kate Raworth, shortchanges too many people and also trashes the planet. Economic theory, she says, “needs to be rewritten” — and Raworth has tried, in a book called Doughnut Economics. It has found an audience among reformers, and now the city of Amsterdam is going whole doughnut.
Aug 13, 2020
How the Supermarket Helped America Win the Cold War (Ep. 386 Rebroadcast)
2628
Aisle upon aisle of fresh produce, cheap meat, and sugary cereal — a delicious embodiment of free-market capitalism, right? Not quite. The supermarket was in fact the endpoint of the U.S. government’s battle for agricultural abundance against the U.S.S.R. Our farm policies were built to dominate, not necessarily to nourish — and we are still living with the consequences.
Aug 06, 2020
428. The Simple Economics of Saving the Amazon Rain Forest
1934
Everyone agrees that massive deforestation is an environmental disaster. But most of the standard solutions — scolding the Brazilians, invoking universal morality — ignore the one solution that might actually work
Jul 30, 2020
427. The Pros and Cons of Reparations
2407
Most Americans agree that racial discrimination has been, and remains, a big problem. But that is where the agreement ends.
Jul 23, 2020
426. Should America (and FIFA) Pay Reparations?
2642
The racial wealth gap in the U.S. is massive. We explore the causes, consequences, and potential solutions. Also: another story of discrimination and economic disparity, this one perpetrated by an international sporting authority. The first of a two-part series.
Jul 16, 2020
425. Remembrance of Economic Crises Past
3100
Christina Romer was a top White House economist during the Great Recession. As a researcher, she specializes in the Great Depression. She tells us what those disasters can (and can’t) teach us about the Covid crash.
Jul 09, 2020
424. How to Make Your Own Luck
3605
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 in her new book The Biggest Bluff, she’s willing to tell us everything she learned.
Jul 02, 2020
423. The Doctor Will Zoom You Now
3155
Thanks to the pandemic, the telehealth revolution we’ve been promised for decades has finally arrived. Will it stick? Will it cut costs — and improve outcomes? We ring up two doctors and, of course, an economist to find out.
Jun 25, 2020
422. Introducing "No Stupid Questions"
2036
In this new addition to the Freakonomics Radio Network, co-hosts Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth discuss the relationship between age and happiness. Also: does all creativity come from pain? New episodes of "No Stupid Questions" are released every Sunday evening — please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Jun 18, 2020
421. How to Prevent Another Great Depression
2259
Millions and millions are out of work, with some jobs never coming back. We speak with four economists — and one former presidential candidate — about the best policy options and the lessons (good and bad) from the past.
Jun 11, 2020
420. Which Jobs Will Come Back, and When?
2528
Covid-19 is the biggest job killer in a century. As the lockdown eases, what does re-employment look like? Who will be first and who last? Which sectors will surge and which will disappear? Welcome to the Great Labor Reallocation of 2020.
Jun 04, 2020
How to Make Meetings Less Terrible (Ep. 389 Rebroadcast)
2557
In the U.S. alone, we hold 55 million meetings a day. Most of them are woefully unproductive, and tyrannize our offices. The revolution begins now — with better agendas, smaller invite lists, and an embrace of healthy conflict.
May 28, 2020
419. 68 Ways to Be Better at Life
2249
The accidental futurist Kevin Kelly on why enthusiasm beats intelligence, how to really listen, and why the solution to bad technology is more technology.
May 21, 2020
418. What Will College Look Like in the Fall (and Beyond)?
3349
Three university presidents try to answer our listeners’ questions. The result? Not much pomp and a whole lot of circumstance.
May 14, 2020
417. Reasons to Be Cheerful
2998
Humans have a built-in “negativity bias,” which means we give bad news much more power than good. Would the Covid-19 crisis be an opportune time to reverse this tendency?
May 07, 2020
416. How Do You Reopen a Country?
3230
We speak with a governor, a former C.D.C. director, a pandemic forecaster, a hard-charging pharmacist, and a pair of economists — who say it’s all about the incentives. (Pandemillions, anyone?)
Apr 30, 2020
415. How Rahm Emanuel Would Run the World
2812
As a former top adviser to presidents Clinton and Obama, he believes in the power of the federal government. But as former mayor of Chicago, he says that cities are where real problems get solved — especially in the era of Covid-19.
Apr 27, 2020
414. Will Covid-19 Spark a Cold War (or Worse) With China?
3463
The U.S. spent the past few decades waiting for China to act like the global citizen it said it wanted to be. The waiting may be over.
Apr 23, 2020
413. Who Gets the Ventilator?
2885
Should a nurse or doctor who gets sick treating Covid-19 patients have priority access to a potentially life-saving healthcare device? Americans aren’t used to rationing in medicine, but it’s time to think about it. We consult a lung specialist, a bioethicist, and (of course) an economist.
Apr 16, 2020
412. What Happens When Everyone Stays Home to Eat?
2759
Covid-19 has shocked our food-supply system like nothing in modern history. We examine the winners, the losers, the unintended consequences — and just how much toilet paper one household really needs.
Apr 09, 2020
411. Is $2 Trillion the Right Medicine for a Sick Economy?
3190
Congress just passed the biggest aid package in modern history. We ask six former White House economic advisors and one U.S. Senator: Will it actually work? What are its best and worst features? Where does $2 trillion come from, and what are the long-term effects of all that government spending? 
Apr 02, 2020
410. What Does Covid-19 Mean for Cities (and Marriages)?
2401
There are a lot of upsides to urban density — but viral contagion is not one of them. Also: a nationwide lockdown will show if familiarity really breeds contempt. And: how to help your neighbor.
Mar 26, 2020
409. The Side Effects of Social Distancing
2877
In just a few weeks, the novel coronavirus has undone a century’s worth of our economic and social habits. What consequences will this have on our future — and is there a silver lining in this very black pandemic cloud?
Mar 19, 2020
Why Rent Control Doesn’t Work (Ep. 373 Rebroadcast)
2822
As cities become ever-more expensive, politicians and housing advocates keep calling for rent control. Economists think that’s a terrible idea. They say it helps a small (albeit noisy) group of renters, but keeps overall rents artificially high by disincentivizing new construction. So what happens next?
Mar 12, 2020
408. Does Anyone Really Know What Socialism Is?
2607
Trump says it would destroy us. Sanders says it will save us. The majority of millennials would like it to replace capitalism. But what is “it”? We bring in the economists to sort things out and tell us what the U.S. can learn from the good (and bad) experiences of other (supposedly) socialist countries.
Mar 05, 2020
407. Is There Really a “Loneliness Epidemic”?
2006
That’s what some health officials are saying, but the data aren’t so clear. We look into what’s known (and not known) about the prevalence and effects of loneliness — including the possible upsides.
Feb 27, 2020
406. Can You Hear Me Now?
2882
When he became chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Ajit Pai announced that he was going to take a “weed whacker” to Obama-era regulations. So far, he’s kept his promise, and earned the internet’s ire for reversing the agency’s position on net neutrality. Pai defends his actions and explains how the U.S. can “win” everything from the 5G race to the war on robocalls.
Feb 20, 2020
405. Policymaking Is Not a Science (Yet)
2670
Why do so many promising solutions — in education, medicine, criminal justice, etc. — fail to scale up into great policy? And can a new breed of “implementation scientists” crack the code? 
Feb 13, 2020
404. Does the President Matter as Much as You Think?
3149
We asked this same question nearly a decade ago. The answer then: probably not. But a lot has changed since then, and we’re three years into one of the most anomalous presidencies in American history. So once again we try to sort out presidential signal from noise. What we hear from legal and policy experts may leave you surprised, befuddled — and maybe infuriated.
Feb 06, 2020
How the San Francisco 49ers Stopped Being Losers (Ep. 350 Update)
3671
One of the most storied (and valuable) sports franchises in the world had fallen far. So they decided to do a full reboot — and it worked: this week, they are headed back to the Super Bowl. Before the 2018 season, we sat down with the team’s owner, head coach, general manager, and players as they were plotting their turnaround. Here’s an update of that episode. 
Jan 30, 2020
403. The Opioid Tragedy, Part 2: “It’s Not a Death Sentence”
2783
One prescription drug is keeping some addicts from dying. So why isn’t it more widespread? A story of regulation, stigma, and the potentially fatal faith in abstinence.
Jan 23, 2020
402. The Opioid Tragedy, Part 1: “We’ve Addicted an Entire Generation”
2851
How pharma greed, government subsidies, and a push to make pain the “fifth vital sign” kicked off a crisis that costs $80 billion a year and has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Jan 16, 2020
334. 5 Psychology Terms You’re Probably Misusing (Rebroadcast)
2886
We all like to throw around terms that describe human behavior — “bystander apathy” and “steep learning curve” and “hard-wired.” Most of the time, they don’t actually mean what we think they mean. But don’t worry — the experts are getting it wrong, too.
Jan 09, 2020
383. The Zero-Minute Workout (Rebroadcast)
2322
There is strong evidence that exercise is wildly beneficial. There is even stronger evidence that most people hate to exercise. So if a pill could mimic the effects of working out, why wouldn’t we want to take it?
Jan 02, 2020
401. How Many Prince Charleses Can There Be in One Room?
2030
In a special holiday episode, Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth take turns asking each other questions about charisma, wealth vs. intellect, and (of course) grit.
Dec 26, 2019
362. Why Is This Man Running for President? (Update)
3543
A year ago, nobody was taking Andrew Yang very seriously. Now he is America’s favorite entrepre-nerd, with a candidacy that keeps gaining momentum. This episode includes our Jan. 2019 conversation with the leader of the Yang Gang and a fresh interview recorded from the campaign trail in Iowa.
Dec 19, 2019
400. How to Hate Taxes a Little Bit Less
2557
Every year, Americans short the I.R.S. nearly half a trillion dollars. Most ideas to increase compliance are more stick than carrot — scary letters, audits, and penalties. But what if we gave taxpayers a chance to allocate how their money is spent, or even bribed them with a thank-you gift?
Dec 12, 2019
399. Honey, I Grew the Economy
2599
Innovation experts have long overlooked where a lot of innovation actually happens. The personal computer, the mountain bike, the artificial pancreas — none of these came from some big R&D lab, but from users tinkering in their homes. Acknowledging this reality — and encouraging it — would be good for the economy (and the soul too).
Dec 05, 2019
379. How to Change Your Mind (Rebroadcast)
2704
There are a lot of barriers to changing your mind: ego, overconfidence, inertia — and cost. Politicians who flip-flop get mocked; family and friends who cross tribal borders are shunned. But shouldn’t we be encouraging people to change their minds? And how can we get better at it ourselves?
Nov 28, 2019
398. The Truth About the Vaping Crisis
2652
A recent outbreak of illness and death has gotten everyone’s attention — including late-to-the-game regulators. But would a ban on e-cigarettes do more harm than good? We smoke out the facts.
Nov 21, 2019
397. How to Save $32 Million in One Hour
2709
For nearly a decade, governments have been using behavioral nudges to solve problems — and the strategy is catching on in healthcare, firefighting, and policing. But is that thinking too small? Could nudging be used to fight income inequality and achieve world peace? Recorded live in London, with commentary from Andy Zaltzman (The Bugle).
Nov 14, 2019
396. Why Does Tipping Still Exist?
2820
It’s an acutely haphazard way of paying workers, and yet it keeps expanding. We dig into the data to find out why.
Nov 07, 2019
395. Speak Softly and Carry Big Data
3803
Do economic sanctions work? Are big democracies any good at spreading democracy? What is the root cause of terrorism? It turns out that data analysis can help answer all these questions — and make better foreign-policy decisions. Guests include former Department of Defense officials Chuck Hagel and Michèle Flournoy and Chicago Project on Security and Threats researchers Robert Pape and Paul Poast. Recorded live in Chicago; Steve Levitt is co-host.
Oct 31, 2019
394. Does Hollywood Still Have a Princess Problem?
3003
For decades, there’s been a huge gender disparity both on-screen and behind the scenes. But it seems like cold, hard data — with an assist from the actor Geena Davis — may finally be moving the needle.
Oct 24, 2019
393. Can Britain Get Its “Great” Back?
3606
It used to be a global capital of innovation, invention, and exploration. Now it’s best known for its messy European divorce. We visit London to see if the British spirit of discovery is still alive. Guests include the mayor of London, undersea explorers, a time-use researcher, and a theoretical physicist who helped Liverpool win the Champions League. Dan Schreiber from No Such Thing as a Fish rides shotgun.
Oct 17, 2019
392. The Prime Minister Who Cried Brexit
3130
In 2016, David Cameron held a referendum on whether the U.K. should stay in the European Union. A longtime Euroskeptic, he nevertheless led the Remain campaign. So what did Cameron really want? We ask him that and much more — including why he left office as soon as his side lost and what he’d do differently if given another chance. (Hint: not much.)
Oct 10, 2019
391. America’s Math Curriculum Doesn’t Add Up
2748
Most high-school math classes are still preparing students for the Sputnik era. Steve Levitt wants to get rid of the “geometry sandwich” and instead have kids learn what they really need in the modern era: data fluency.
Oct 03, 2019
390. Fed Up
2506
Mary Daly rose from high-school dropout to president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. She thinks the central bank needs an upgrade too. It starts with recognizing that the economy is made up of actual humans.
Sep 26, 2019
389. How to Make Meetings Less Terrible
2502
In the U.S. alone, we hold 55 million meetings a day. Most of them are woefully unproductive, and tyrannize our offices. The revolution begins now — with better agendas, smaller invite lists, and an embrace of healthy conflict.
Sep 19, 2019
358. Yes, the Open Office Is Terrible — But It Doesn’t Have to Be (Rebroadcast)
2500
It began as a post-war dream for a more collaborative and egalitarian workplace. It has evolved into a nightmare of noise and discomfort. Can the open office be saved, or should we all just be working from home?
Sep 12, 2019
388. The Economics of Sports Gambling
3293
What happens when tens of millions of fantasy-sports players are suddenly able to bet real money on real games? We’re about to find out. A recent Supreme Court decision has cleared the way to bring an estimated $300 billion in black-market sports betting into the light. We sort out the winners and losers.
Sep 05, 2019
367. The Future of Meat (Rebroadcast)
3196
Global demand for beef, chicken, and pork continues to rise. So do concerns about environmental and other costs. Will reconciling these two forces be possible — or, even better, Impossible™?
Aug 29, 2019
359. Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s? (Rebroadcast)
2860
The quirky little grocery chain with California roots and German ownership has a lot to teach all of us about choice architecture, efficiency, frugality, collaboration, and team spirit.
Aug 22, 2019
387. Hello, My Name Is Marijuana Pepsi!
2327
Research shows that having a distinctively black name doesn’t affect your economic future. But what is the day-to-day reality of living with such a name? Marijuana Pepsi Vandyck, a newly-minted Ph.D., is well-qualified to answer this question. Her verdict: the data don’t tell the whole story.
Aug 15, 2019
122. How Much Does Your Name Matter? (Rebroadcast )
3084
A kid’s name can tell us something about his parents — their race, social standing, even their politics. But is your name really your destiny?
Aug 08, 2019
386. How the Supermarket Helped America Win the Cold War
2370
Aisle upon aisle of fresh produce, cheap meat, and sugary cereal — a delicious embodiment of free-market capitalism, right? Not quite. The supermarket was in fact the endpoint of the U.S. government’s battle for agricultural abundance against the U.S.S.R. Our farm policies were built to dominate, not necessarily to nourish — and we are still living with the consequences.
Aug 01, 2019
356. America’s Hidden Duopoly (Rebroadcast)
3175
We all know our political system is “broken” — but what if that’s not true? Some say the Republicans and Democrats constitute a wildly successful industry that has colluded to kill off competition, stifle reform, and drive the country apart. So what are you going to do about it?
Jul 25, 2019
385. What Do Nancy Pelosi, Taylor Swift, and Serena Williams Have in Common?
2131
They — along with a great many other high-achieving women — were all once Girl Scouts. So was Sylvia Acevedo. Raised in a poor, immigrant family, she was told that “girls like her” didn’t go to college. But she did, and then became a rocket scientist and tech executive. Now she’s C.E.O. of the very organization she credits with shaping her life. Acevedo tells us how the Girl Scouts are trying to stay relevant, why they’re suing the Boy Scouts, and how they sell so many cookies.
Jul 18, 2019
384. Abortion and Crime, Revisited
3319
The controversial theory linking Roe v. Wade to a massive crime drop is back in the spotlight as several states introduce abortion restrictions. Steve Levitt and John Donohue discuss their original research, the challenges to its legitimacy, and their updated analysis. Also: what this means for abortion policy, crime policy, and having intelligent conversations about contentious topics.
Jul 11, 2019
173. A Better Way to Eat (Rebroadcast )
1616
Takeru Kobayashi revolutionized the sport of competitive eating. What can the rest of us learn from his breakthrough?
Jul 04, 2019
383. The Zero-Minute Workout
2243
There is strong evidence that exercise is wildly beneficial. There is even stronger evidence that most people hate to exercise. So if a pill could mimic the effects of working out, why wouldn’t we want to take it?
Jun 27, 2019
382. How Goes the Behavior-Change Revolution?
3063
An all-star team of behavioral scientists discovers that humans are stubborn (and lazy, and sometimes dumber than dogs). We also hear about binge drinking, humblebragging, and regrets. Recorded live in Philadelphia with guests including Richard Thaler, Angela Duckworth, Katy Milkman, and Tom Gilovich.
Jun 20, 2019
381. Long-Term Thinking in a Start-Up Town
2996
Recorded live in San Francisco. Guests include the keeper of a 10,000-year clock, the co-founder of Lyft, a pioneer in male birth control, a specialist in water security, and a psychology professor who is also a puppy. With co-host Angela Duckworth, fact-checker Mike Maughan, and the Freakonomics Radio Orchestra.
Jun 13, 2019
380. Notes From an Imperfect Paradise
3022
Recorded live in Los Angeles. Guests include Mayor Eric Garcetti, the “Earthquake Lady,” the head of the Port of L.A., and a scientist with NASA’s Planetary Protection team. With co-host Angela Duckworth, fact-checker Mike Maughan, and the worldwide debut of Luis Guerra and the Freakonomics Radio Orchestra.
Jun 06, 2019
379. How to Change Your Mind
2751
There are a lot of barriers to changing your mind: ego, overconfidence, inertia — and cost. Politicians who flip-flop get mocked; family and friends who cross tribal borders are shunned. But shouldn’t we be encouraging people to change their minds? And how can we get better at it ourselves?
May 30, 2019
323. Here’s Why All Your Projects Are Always Late — and What to Do About It (Rebroadcast)
2506
Whether it’s a giant infrastructure plan or a humble kitchen renovation, it’ll inevitably take way too long and cost way too much. That’s because you suffer from “the planning fallacy.” (You also have an “optimism bias” and a bad case of overconfidence.) But don’t worry: we’ve got the solution.
May 23, 2019
378. 23andMe (and You, and Everyone Else)
2966
The revolution in home DNA testing is giving consumers important, possibly life-changing information. It’s also building a gigantic database that could lead to medical breakthroughs. But how will you deal with upsetting news? What if your privacy is compromised? And are you prepared to have your DNA monetized? We speak with Anne Wojcicki, founder and C.E.O. of 23andMe.
May 16, 2019
377. The $1.5 Trillion Question: How to Fix Student-Loan Debt?
2882
As the cost of college skyrocketed, it created a debt burden that’s putting a drag on the economy. One possible solution: shifting the risk of debt away from students and onto investors looking for a cut of the graduates’ earning power.
May 09, 2019
376. The Data-Driven Guide to Sane Parenting
2999
Humans have been having kids forever, so why are modern parents so bewildered? The economist Emily Oster marshals the evidence on the most contentious topics — breastfeeding and sleep training, vaccines and screen time — and tells her fellow parents to calm the heck down.
May 02, 2019
329. The Invisible Paw (Rebroadcast)
2821
Humans, it has long been thought, are the only animal to engage in economic activity. But what if we've had it exactly backward?
Apr 25, 2019
375. The Most Interesting Fruit in the World
2200
The banana used to be a luxury good. Now it’s the most popular fruit in the U.S. and elsewhere. But the production efficiencies that made it so cheap have also made it vulnerable to a deadly fungus that may wipe out the one variety most of us eat. Scientists do have a way to save it — but will Big Banana let them?
Apr 18, 2019
374. How Spotify Saved the Music Industry (But Not Necessarily Musicians)
3455
Daniel Ek, a 23-year-old Swede who grew up on pirated music, made the record labels an offer they couldn’t refuse: a legal platform to stream all the world’s music. Spotify reversed the labels’ fortunes, made Ek rich, and thrilled millions of music fans. But what has it done for all those musicians stuck in the long tail?
Apr 11, 2019
373. Why Rent Control Doesn’t Work
2898
As cities become ever-more expensive, politicians and housing advocates keep calling for rent control. Economists think that’s a terrible idea. They say it helps a small (albeit noisy) group of renters, but keeps overall rents artificially high by disincentivizing new construction. So what happens next?
Apr 04, 2019
372. Freakonomics Radio Live: “Would You Eat a Piece of Chocolate Shaped Like Dog Poop?”
3234
What your disgust level says about your politics, how Napoleon influenced opera, why New York City’s subways may finally run on time, and more. Five compelling guests tell Stephen Dubner, co-host Angela Duckworth, and fact-checker Jody Avirgan lots of things they didn’t know.
Mar 28, 2019
347. Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant (Update)
2937
Kenji Lopez-Alt became a rock star of the food world by bringing science into the kitchen in a way that everyday cooks can appreciate. Then he dared to start his own restaurant — and discovered problems that even science can’t solve.
Mar 21, 2019
371. A Free-Trade Democrat in the Trump White House
2903
For years, Gary Cohn thought he’d be the next C.E.O. of Goldman Sachs. Instead, he became the “adult in the room” in a chaotic administration. Cohn talks about the fights he won, the fights he lost, and the fights he was no longer willing to have. Also: why he and Trump are still on speaking terms even after he reportedly called the president “a professional liar.”
Mar 14, 2019
370. How to Fail Like a Pro
2439
The road to success is paved with failure, so you might as well learn to do it right. (Ep. 5 of the “How to Be Creative” series.)
Mar 07, 2019
369. A Good Idea Is Not Good Enough
3268
Whether you’re building a business or a cathedral, execution is everything. We ask artists, scientists, and inventors how they turned ideas into reality. And we find out why it’s so hard for a group to get things done — and what you can do about it. (Ep. 4 of the “How to Be Creative” series.)
Feb 28, 2019
368. Where Do Good Ideas Come From?
3694
Whether you’re mapping the universe, hosting a late-night talk show, or running a meeting, there are a lot of ways to up your idea game. Plus: the truth about brainstorming. (Ep. 3 of the “How to Be Creative” series.)
Feb 21, 2019
367. The Future of Meat
3107
Global demand for beef, chicken, and pork continues to rise. So do concerns about environmental and other costs. Will reconciling these two forces be possible — or, even better, Impossible™?
Feb 14, 2019
366. This Economist Predicted the Last Crisis. What’s the Next One?
2948
In 2005, Raghuram Rajan said the financial system was at risk “of a catastrophic meltdown.” After stints at the I.M.F. and India’s central bank, he sees another potential crisis — and he offers a solution. Is it stronger governments? Freer markets? Rajan’s answer: neither.
Feb 07, 2019
Extra: Domonique Foxworth Full Interview
5393
Stephen Dubner’s conversation with the former N.F.L. player, union official, and all-around sports thinker, recorded for our “Hidden Side of Sports” series.
Feb 02, 2019
365. Not Just Another Labor Force
3607
If you think talent and hard work give top athletes all the leverage to succeed, think again. As employees in the Sports-Industrial Complex, they’ve got a tight earnings window, a high injury rate, little choice in where they work — and a very early forced retirement. (Ep. 6 of “The Hidden Side of Sports” series.)
Jan 31, 2019
Extra: Mark Cuban Full Interview
2524
A conversation with the Shark Tank star, entrepreneur, and Dallas Mavericks owner recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidden Side of Sports.”
Jan 26, 2019
364. Inside the Sports-Industrial Complex
3170
For most of us, the athletes are what make sports interesting. But if you own the team or run the league, your players are essentially very expensive migrant workers who eat into your profits. We talk to N.F.L., N.B.A., and U.F.C. executives about labor costs, viewership numbers, legalized gambling, and the rise of e-sports. (Ep. 5 of “The Hidden Side of Sports” series.)
Jan 24, 2019
Extra: Mark Teixeira Full Interview
3519
A conversation with former Major League Baseball player and current ESPN analyst Mark Teixeira, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidden Side of Sports.”
Jan 19, 2019
363. Think Like a Winner
3305
Great athletes aren’t just great at the physical stuff. They’ve also learned how to handle pressure, overcome fear, and stay focused. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to be an athlete to use what they know. (Ep. 4 of “The Hidden Side of Sports” series.)
Jan 17, 2019
197. Hacking the World Bank (Update)
2140
Jim Yong Kim has an unorthodox background for a World Bank president — and his reign has been just as unorthodox. He has just announced he’s stepping down, well before his term is over; we recorded this interview with him in 2015.
Jan 12, 2019
362. Why Is This Man Running for President?
3130
In the American Dream sweepstakes, Andrew Yang was a pretty big winner. But for every winner, he came to realize, there are thousands upon thousands of losers — a “war on normal people,” he calls it. Here’s what he plans to do about it.
Jan 10, 2019
345. How to Be Happy (Rebroadcast)
2261
The U.N.’s World Happiness Report — created to curtail our unhealthy obsession with G.D.P. — is dominated every year by the Nordic countries. We head to Denmark to learn the secrets of this happiness epidemic (and to see if we should steal them).
Jan 03, 2019
247. How to Win Games and Beat People (Rebroadcast)
3149
Games are as old as civilization itself, and some people think they have huge social value regardless of whether you win or lose. Tom Whipple is not one of those people. That’s why he consulted an army of preposterously overqualified experts to find the secret to winning any game.
Dec 27, 2018
340. People Aren’t Dumb. The World Is Hard. (Rebroadcast)
3477
You wouldn’t think you could win a Nobel Prize for showing that humans tend to make irrational decisions. But that’s what Richard Thaler has done. The founder of behavioral economics describes his unlikely route to success; his reputation for being lazy; and his efforts to fix the world — one nudge at a time.
Dec 20, 2018
Freakonomics Radio Live: “The World’s a Mess. But Oysters, They Hold it Down.”
3415
Celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli joins us to co-host an evening of delicious fact-finding: where a trillion oysters went, whether a soda tax can work, and how beer helped build an empire. Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petri is our real-time fact-checker.
Dec 15, 2018
Freakonomics Radio Live: “Where Does Fear Live in the Brain?”
3320
Our co-host is comedian Christian Finnegan, and we learn: the difference between danger and fear; the role of clouds in climate change; and why (and when) politicians are bad at math. Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petri is our real-time fact-checker.
Dec 15, 2018
Freakonomics Radio Live: “We Thought of a Way to Manipulate Your Perception of Time.”
3399
We learn how to be less impatient, how to tell fake news from real, and the simple trick that nurses used to make better predictions than doctors. Journalist Manoush Zomorodi co-hosts; our real-time fact-checker is the author and humorist A.J. Jacobs.
Dec 15, 2018
361. Freakonomics Radio Live: “Jesus Could Have Been a Pigeon.”
3627
Our co-host is Grit author Angela Duckworth, and we learn fascinating, Freakonomical facts from a parade of guests. For instance: what we all get wrong about Darwin; what an iPod has in common with the “hell ant”; and how a “memory athlete” memorizes a deck of cards. Mike Maughan is our real-time fact-checker.
Dec 13, 2018
360. Is the Protestant Work Ethic Real?
2430
In the early 20th century, Max Weber argued that Protestantism created wealth. Finally, there are data to prove if he was right. All it took were some missionary experiments in the Philippines and a clever map-matching trick that goes back to 16th-century Germany.
Dec 06, 2018
359. Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s?
2821
The quirky little grocery chain with California roots and German ownership has a lot to teach all of us about choice architecture, efficiency, frugality, collaboration, and team spirit.
Nov 29, 2018
285. There’s a War on Sugar. Is It Justified? (Rebroadcast)
2826
Some people argue that sugar should be regulated, like alcohol and tobacco, on the grounds that it’s addictive and toxic. How much sense does that make? We hear from a regulatory advocate, an evidence-based skeptic, a former F.D.A. commissioner — and the organizers of Milktoberfest.
Nov 22, 2018
358. Yes, the Open Office Is Terrible — But It Doesn’t Have to Be
2432
It began as a post-war dream for a more collaborative and egalitarian workplace. It has evolved into a nightmare of noise and discomfort. Can the open office be saved, or should we all just be working from home?
Nov 15, 2018
357. Can an Industrial Giant Become a Tech Darling?
3244
The Ford Motor Company is ditching its legacy sedans, doubling down on trucks, and trying to steer its stock price out of a long skid. But C.E.O. Jim Hackett has even bigger plans: to turn a century-old automaker into the nucleus of a “transportation operating system.” Is Hackett just whistling past the graveyard, or does he see what others can’t?
Nov 08, 2018
356. America’s Hidden Duopoly
3255
We all know our political system is “broken” — but what if that’s not true? Some say the Republicans and Democrats constitute a wildly successful industry that has colluded to kill off competition, stifle reform, and drive the country apart. So what are you going to do about it?
Nov 01, 2018
Extra: Elvis Costello Full Interview
4771
A conversation with the iconic singer-songwriter, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “How to Be Creative.”
Oct 27, 2018
355. Where Does Creativity Come From (and Why Do Schools Kill It Off)?
4423
Family environments and “diversifying experiences” (including the early death of a parent); intrinsic versus extrinsic motivations; schools that value assessments, but don't assess the things we value. All these elements factor into the long, mysterious march towards a creative life. To learn more, we examine the early years of Ai Weiwei, Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello, Maira Kalman, Wynton Marsalis, Jennifer Egan, and others. (Ep. 2 of the “How to Be Creative” series.)
Oct 25, 2018
Extra: Jeremy Lin Full Interview
2598
A conversation with veteran NBA point guard Jeremy Lin, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidden Side of Sports.”
Oct 20, 2018
354. How to Be Creative
3152
There are thousands of books on the subject, but what do we actually know about creativity? In this new series, we talk to the researchers who study it as well as artists, inventors, and pathbreakers who live it every day: Ai Weiwei, James Dyson, Elvis Costello, Jennifer Egan, Rosanne Cash, Wynton Marsalis, Maira Kalman, and more. (Ep. 1 of the “How to Be Creative” series.)
Oct 18, 2018
353. How to Optimize Your Apology
2956
You said, “I’m sorry,” but somehow you haven’t been forgiven. Why? Because you’re doing it wrong! A report from the front lines of apology science.
Oct 11, 2018
352. Can This Man Stop a Trade War?
2563
The World Trade Organization is the referee for 164 trading partners, each with their own political and economic agendas. Lately, those agendas have gotten more complicated — especially with President Trump’s tariff blitz. Roberto Azevêdo, head of the W.T.O., tells us why it’s so hard to balance protectionism and globalism; what’s really behind the loss of jobs; and what he’d say to Trump (if he ever gets the chance).
Oct 04, 2018
Extra: Shawn Johnson Full Interview
4037
A conversation with 2008 Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidden Side of Sports.”
Oct 01, 2018
351. Here’s Why You’re Not an Elite Athlete
4063
There are a lot of factors that go into greatness, many of which are not obvious. A variety of Olympic and professional athletes tell us how they made it and what they sacrificed to get there. And if you can identify the sport most likely to get a kid into a top college — well then, touché! (Ep. 3 of “The Hidden Side of Sports” series.)
Sep 27, 2018
Extra: Full Interviews With Jimmy Garoppolo, Joe Staley, Mike McGlinchey, and Kyle Juszczyk
4812
Stephen Dubner’s conversations with members of the San Francisco 49ers offense, recorded for Freakonomics Radio episode No. 350, part of the “Hidden Side of Sports” series.
Sep 23, 2018
350. How to Stop Being a Loser
3648
The San Francisco 49ers, one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world, also used to be one of the best. But they’ve been losing lately — a lot — and one of their players launched a controversy by taking a knee during the national anthem. So why is everyone there so optimistic? To find out, we speak with the team’s owner, head coach, general manager, and star players, including their new $137.5 million quarterback. (Ep. 2 of “The Hidden Side of Sports” series.)
Sep 20, 2018
349. How Sports Became Us
3126
Dollar-wise, the sports industry is surprisingly small, about the same size as the cardboard-box industry. So why does it make so much noise? Because it reflects — and often amplifies — just about every political, economic, and social issue of the day. Introducing a new series, “The Hidden Side of Sports.”
Sep 13, 2018
348. Is the Government More Entrepreneurial Than You Think?
2083
We all know the standard story: our economy would be more dynamic if only the government would get out of the way. The economist Mariana Mazzucato says we’ve got that story backward. She argues that the government, by funding so much early-stage research, is hugely responsible for big successes in tech, pharma, energy, and more. But the government also does a terrible job in claiming credit — and, more important, getting a return on its investment.
Sep 06, 2018
347. Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant
2237
Kenji Lopez-Alt became a rock star of the food world by bringing science into the kitchen in a way that everyday cooks can appreciate. Then he dared to start his own restaurant — and discovered problems that even science can’t solve.
Aug 30, 2018
346. Two (Totally Opposite) Ways to Save the Planet
3082
The environmentalists say we’re doomed if we don’t drastically reduce consumption. The technologists say that human ingenuity can solve just about any problem. A debate that’s been around for decades has become a shouting match. Is anyone right?
Aug 23, 2018
345. How to Be Happy
2250
The U.N.’s World Happiness Report — created to curtail our unhealthy obsession with G.D.P. — is dominated every year by the Nordic countries. We head to Denmark to learn the secrets of this happiness epidemic (and to see if we should steal them).
Aug 16, 2018
344. Who Decides How Much a Life Is Worth?
2290
After every mass shooting or terrorist attack, victims and survivors receive a huge outpouring of support — including a massive pool of compensation money. How should that money be allocated? We speak with the man who’s done that job after many tragedies, including 9/11. The hard part, it turns out, isn’t attaching a dollar figure to each victim; the hard part is acknowledging that dollars can’t heal the pain.
Aug 09, 2018
A Conversation With PepsiCo C.E.O. Indra Nooyi (Ep. 316 Update)
2745
One of the world’s biggest and best-known companies just announced that its C.E.O. would be stepping down in the fall. We interviewed her as part of our series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.," and we thought you might like to hear that episode again, or for the first time if you missed it back then.
Aug 07, 2018
343. An Astronaut, a Catalan, and Two Linguists Walk Into a Bar…
3216
In this live episode of “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know,” we learn why New York has skinny skyscrapers, how to weaponize water, and what astronauts talk about in space. Joining Stephen J. Dubner as co-host is the linguist John McWhorter; Bari Weiss (The New York Times) is the real-time fact-checker.
Aug 02, 2018
342. Has Lance Armstrong Finally Come Clean?
3037
He was once the most lionized athlete on the planet, with seven straight Tour de France wins and a victory over cancer too. Then the doping charges caught up with him. When he finally confessed to Oprah, he admits, “it didn’t go well at all.” That’s because he wasn’t actually contrite yet. Now, five years later, he says he is. Do you believe him?
Jul 26, 2018
341. Why We Choke Under Pressure (and How Not To)
2678
It happens to just about everyone, whether you’re going for Olympic gold or giving a wedding toast. We hear from psychologists, economists, and the golfer who some say committed the greatest choke of all time.
Jul 19, 2018
340. People Aren’t Dumb. The World Is Hard.
3420
You wouldn’t think you could win a Nobel Prize for showing that humans tend to make irrational decisions. But that’s what Richard Thaler has done. The founder of behavioral economics describes his unlikely route to success; his reputation for being lazy; and his efforts to fix the world — one nudge at a time.
Jul 12, 2018
339. The Future of Freakonomics Radio
2159
After 8 years and more than 300 episodes, it was time to either 1) quit, or 2) make the show bigger and better. We voted for number 2. Here’s a peek behind the curtain and a preview of what you’ll be hearing next.
Jul 03, 2018
264. In Praise of Incrementalism (Rebroadcast)
2961
What do Renaissance painting, civil-rights movements, and Olympic cycling have in common? In each case, huge breakthroughs came from taking tiny steps. In a world where everyone is looking for the next moonshot, we shouldn’t ignore the power of incrementalism.
Jun 28, 2018
263. In Praise of Maintenance (Rebroadcast)
2537
Has our culture's obsession with innovation led us to neglect the fact that things also need to be taken care of?
Jun 21, 2018
338. How to Catch World Cup Fever
3405
For soccer fans, it's easy. For the rest of us? Not so much, especially since the U.S. team didn't qualify. So here's what to watch for even if you have no team to root for. Because the World Cup isn't just a gargantuan sporting evént; it's a microcosm of human foibles and (yep) economic theory brought to life.
Jun 14, 2018
337. How to Build a Smart City
2347
We are in the midst of a historic (and wholly unpredicted) rise in urbanization. But it's hard to retrofit old cities for the 21st century. Enter Dan Doctoroff. The man who helped modernize New York City — and tried to bring the Olympics there — is now C.E.O. of a Google-funded startup that is building, from scratch, the city of the future.
Jun 07, 2018
289. How Stupid Is Our Obsession With Lawns? (Rebroadcast)
1706
Nearly two percent of America is grassy green. Sure, lawns are beautiful and useful and they smell great. But are the costs — financial, environmental and otherwise — worth the benefits?
May 31, 2018
336. The Most Vilified Industry in America Is Also the Most Charitable
2005
Pharmaceutical firms donate an enormous amount of their products (and some cash too). But it doesn't seem to be helping their reputation. We ask Pfizer's generosity chief why the company gives so much, who it really helps, and whether all this philanthropy is just corporate whitewashing.
May 24, 2018
335. Does Doing Good Give You License to Be Bad?
2214
Corporate Social Responsibility programs can attract better job applicants who'll work for less money. But they also encourage employees to misbehave. Don't laugh — you too probably engage in “moral licensing,” even if you don't know it.
May 17, 2018
334. 5 Psychology Terms You’re Probably Misusing
2976
We all like to throw around terms that describe human behavior — “bystander apathy” and “steep learning curve” and “hard-wired.” Most of the time, they don't actually mean what we think they mean. But don't worry — the experts are getting it wrong, too.
May 10, 2018
291. Evolution, Accelerated (Rebroadcast)
2132
A breakthrough in genetic technology has given humans more power than ever to change nature. It could help eliminate hunger and disease; it could also lead to the sort of dystopia we used to only read about in sci-fi novels. So what happens next?
May 03, 2018
333. The Most Ambitious Thing Humans Have Ever Attempted
3120
Sure, medical progress has been astounding. But today the U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other country, with so-so outcomes. Atul Gawande — cancer surgeon, public-health researcher, and best-selling author — has some simple ideas for treating a painfully complex system.
Apr 26, 2018
332. Why the Trump Tax Cuts Are Terrible/Awesome (Part 2)
2699
Three former White House economists weigh in on the new tax bill. A sample: "The overwhelming evidence is that the trickle-down, magic-beanstalk beans argument — that's just nonsense."
Apr 19, 2018
331. Why the Trump Tax Cuts are Awesome/Terrible (Part 1)
2728
Kevin Hassett, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, explains the thinking behind the controversial new Republican tax package — and why its critics are wrong. (Next week, we'll hear from the critics.)
Apr 12, 2018
330. Extra: Ray Dalio Full Interview
4632
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the founder and longtime C.E.O. of Bridgewater Associates, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
Apr 09, 2018
329. The Invisible Paw
2901
Humans, it has long been thought, are the only animal to engage in economic activity. But what if we've had it exactly backward?
Apr 05, 2018
328. Extra: Mark Zuckerberg Full Interview
2734
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the Facebook founder and C.E.O., recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
Apr 02, 2018
298. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Money (But Were Afraid to Ask) (Rebroadcast)
2688
The bad news: roughly 70 percent of Americans are financially illiterate. The good news: all the important stuff can fit on one index card. Here's how to become your own financial superhero.
Mar 29, 2018
327. Extra: Carol Bartz Full Interview
3039
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the former C.E.O. of Yahoo, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
Mar 26, 2018
297. The Stupidest Thing You Can Do With Your Money (Rebroadcast)
2798
It's hard enough to save for a house, tuition, or retirement. So why are we willing to pay big fees for subpar investment returns? Enter the low-cost index fund. The revolution will not be monetized.
Mar 22, 2018
326. Extra: Jack Welch Full Interview
3348
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the former longtime C.E.O. of General Electric, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
Mar 19, 2018
325. How to Train Your Dragon Child
2131
Every 12 years, there's a spike in births among certain communities across the globe, including the U.S. Why? Because the Year of the Dragon, according to Chinese folk belief, confers power, fortune, and more. We look at what happens to Dragon babies when they grow up, and why timing your kid's birth based on the zodiac isn't as ridiculous it sounds.
Mar 15, 2018
324. Extra: Satya Nadella Full Interview
2379
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the C.E.O. of Microsoft, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
Mar 12, 2018
323. Here’s Why All Your Projects Are Always Late — and What to Do About It
2473
Whether it's a giant infrastructure plan or a humble kitchen renovation, it'll inevitably take way too long and cost way too much. That's because you suffer from “the planning fallacy.” (You also have an “optimism bias” and a bad case of overconfidence.) But don't worry: we've got the solution.
Mar 08, 2018
322. Extra: David Rubenstein Full Interview
5340
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the co-founder and longtime co-C.E.O. of the Carlyle Group, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
Mar 05, 2018
228. Does “Early Education” Come Way Too Late? (Rebroadcast)
2794
In our collective zeal to reform schools and close the achievement gap, we may have lost sight of where most learning really happens — at home.
Mar 01, 2018
321. Extra: Richard Branson Full Interview
3215
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the Virgin Group founder, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
Feb 26, 2018
320. ​Letting Go
2707
If you're a C.E.O., there are a lot of ways to leave your job, from abrupt firing to carefully planned succession (which may still go spectacularly wrong). In this final episode of our "Secret Life of a C.E.O." series, we hear those stories and many more. Also: what happens when you no longer have a corner office to go to — and how will you spend all that money?​
Feb 22, 2018
319. After the Glass Ceiling, a Glass Cliff
3146
Only 5 percent of Fortune 500 companies are run by women. Why? Research shows that female executives are more likely to be put in charge of firms that are already in crisis. Are they being set up to fail? (Part 5 of a special series, "The Secret Life of C.E.O.'s.")
Feb 15, 2018
318. It’s Your Problem Now
2647
No, it's not your fault the economy crashed. Or that consumer preferences changed. Or that new technologies have blown apart your business model. But if you're the C.E.O., it is your problem. So what are you going to do about it? First-hand stories of disaster (and triumph) from Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Ballmer, Satya Nadella, Jack Welch, Ellen Pao, Richard Branson, and more. (Part 4 of a special series, "The Secret Life of C.E.O.'s.")
Feb 08, 2018
317. What Can Uber Teach Us About the Gender Pay Gap?
2552
The gig economy offers the ultimate flexibility to set your own hours. That's why economists thought it would help eliminate the gender pay gap. A new study, using data from over a million Uber drivers, finds the story isn't so simple.
Feb 06, 2018
275. An Egghead’s Guide to the Super Bowl (Rebroadcast)
1658
We assembled a panel of smart dudes -- a two-time Super Bowl champ; a couple of N.F.L. linemen, including one who's getting a math Ph.D. at MIT; and our resident economist -- to tell you what to watch for, whether you're a football fanatic or a total newbie.
Feb 03, 2018
316. “I Wasn’t Stupid Enough to Say This Could Be Done Overnight”
2884
Indra Nooyi became C.E.O. of PepsiCo just in time for a global financial meltdown. She also had a portfolio full of junk food just as the world decided that junk food is borderline toxic. Here's the story of how she overhauled that portfolio, stared down activist investors, and learned to "leave the crown in the garage." (Part 3 of a special series, "The Secret Life of C.E.O.'s")
Feb 01, 2018
315. How to Become a C.E.O.
2663
Mark Zuckerberg's dentist dad was an early adopter of digital x-rays. Jack Welch blew the roof off a factory. Carol Bartz was a Wisconsin farm girl who got into computers. No two C.E.O.'s have the same origin story — so we tell them all! How the leaders of Facebook, G.E., Yahoo!, PepsiCo, Microsoft, Virgin, the Carlyle Group, Reddit, and Bridgewater Associates made it to the top. (Part 2 of a special series, "The Secret Life of C.E.O.'s.")
Jan 25, 2018
314. What Does a C.E.O. Actually Do?
2317
They're paid a fortune — but for what, exactly? What makes a good C.E.O. — and how can you even tell? Is "leadership science" a real thing — or just airport-bookstore mumbo jumbo? We put these questions to Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson, Indra Nooyi, Satya Nadella, Jack Welch, Ray Dalio, Carol Bartz, David Rubenstein, and Ellen Pao. (Part 1 of a special series, "The Secret Life of C.E.O.'s.")
Jan 18, 2018
313. How to Be a Modern Democrat — and Win
2287
Gina Raimondo, the governor of tiny Rhode Island, has taken on unions, boosted big business, and made friends with Republicans. She is also one of just 15 Democratic governors in the country. Would there be more of them if there were more like her?
Jan 11, 2018
280. Why Is My Life So Hard? (Rebroadcast)
1811
Most of us feel we face more headwinds and obstacles than everyone else — which breeds resentment. We also undervalue the tailwinds that help us — which leaves us ungrateful and unhappy. How can we avoid this trap?
Jan 04, 2018
266. Trust Me (Rebroadcast)
1800
Societies where people trust one another are healthier and wealthier. In the U.S. (and the U.K. and elsewhere), social trust has been falling for decades — in part because our populations are more diverse. What can we do to fix it?
Dec 28, 2017
209. Make Me a Match (Rebroadcast)
3167
Sure, markets generally work well. But for some transactions — like school admissions and organ transplants — money alone can't solve the problem. That's when you need a market-design wizard like Al Roth.
Dec 21, 2017
312. Not Your Grandmother’s I.M.F.
2302
The International Monetary Fund has long been the "lender of last resort" for economies in crisis. Christine Lagarde, who runs the institution, would like to prevent those crises from ever happening. She tells us her plans.
Dec 14, 2017
311. Why Is the Live-Event Ticket Market So Screwed Up?
2861
The public has almost no chance to buy good tickets to the best events. Ticket brokers, meanwhile, make huge profits on the secondary markets. Here's the story of how this market got so dysfunctional, how it can be fixed – and why it probably won't be.
Dec 07, 2017
310. Are We Running Out of Ideas?
2221
Economists have a hard time explaining why productivity growth has been shrinking. One theory: true innovation has gotten much harder – and much more expensive. So what should we do next?
Nov 30, 2017
12. Is America Ready for a “No-Lose Lottery”? (Update)
2717
Most people don't enjoy the simple, boring act of putting money in a savings account. But we do love to play the lottery. So what if you combine the two, creating a new kind of savings account with a lottery payout?
Nov 23, 2017
309. Nurses to the Rescue!
3468
They are the most-trusted profession in America (and with good reason). They are critical to patient outcomes (especially in primary care). Could the growing army of nurse practitioners be an answer to the doctor shortage? The data say yes but —  big surprise — doctors' associations say no.
Nov 16, 2017
308. How Can I Do the Most Social Good With $100? And Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions
2608
Dubner and his Freakonomics co-author Steve Levitt answer your questions about crime, traffic, real-estate agents, the Ph.D. glut, and how to not get eaten by a bear.
Nov 09, 2017
Why Is There So Much Ground Beef in the World? (Special Feature)
2606
In this live episode of "Tell Me Something I Don't Know," you'll learn about carcass balancing, teen sleeping, and brand naming. Joining Stephen J. Dubner as co-host is Alex Wagner (CBS This Morning Saturday); author A.J. Jacobs (It's All Relative) is the live fact-checker.
Nov 07, 2017
307. Thinking Is Expensive. Who’s Supposed to Pay for It?
2330
Corporations and rich people donate billions to their favorite think tanks and foundations. Should we be grateful for their generosity — or suspicious of their motives?
Nov 02, 2017
306. How to Launch a Behavior-Change Revolution
2685
Academic studies are nice, and so are Nobel Prizes. But to truly prove the value of a new idea, you have to unleash it to the masses. That's what a dream team of social scientists is doing — and we sat in as they drew up their game plan.
Oct 26, 2017
305. The Demonization of Gluten
2639
Celiac disease is thought to affect roughly one percent of the population. The good news: it can be treated by quitting gluten. The bad news: many celiac patients haven't been diagnosed. The weird news: millions of people without celiac disease have quit gluten – which may be a big mistake.
Oct 19, 2017
304. What Are the Secrets of the German Economy — and Should We Steal Them?
3428
Smart government policies, good industrial relations, and high-end products have helped German manufacturing beat back the threats of globalization.
Oct 12, 2017
“Tell Me Something I Don't Know” on the topic of Behavior Change (Special Feature)
3252
Stephen J. Dubner hosts an episode full of the world's most renowned behavior change experts, including Colin Camerer, Ayelet Fishbach, David Laibson, Max Bazerman, Katy Milkman, and Kevin Volpp. Angela Duckworth (psychologist and author of Grit) is our special guest co-host, with Mike Maughan (head of global insights at Qualtrics) as real-time fact-checker.
Oct 01, 2017
303. Why Larry Summers Is the Economist Everyone Hates to Love
3026
He's been U.S. Treasury Secretary, a chief economist for the Obama White House and the World Bank, and president of Harvard. He's one of the most brilliant economists of his generation (and perhaps the most irascible). And he thinks the Trump Administration is wrong on just about everything.
Sep 28, 2017
302. Why Learn Esperanto?
1860
A language invented in the 19th century, and meant to be universal, it never really caught on. So why does a group of Esperantists from around the world gather once a year to celebrate their bond?
Sep 26, 2017
301. What Would Be the Best Universal Language? (Earth 2.0 Series)
2467
We explore votes for English, Indonesian, and … Esperanto! The search for a common language goes back millennia, but so much still gets lost in translation. Will technology finally solve that?
Sep 21, 2017
300. Why Don’t We All Speak the Same Language? (Earth 2.0 Series)
2586
There are 7,000 languages spoken on Earth. What are the costs — and benefits — of our modern-day Tower of Babel?
Sep 14, 2017
299. "How Much Brain Damage Do I Have?"
2828
John Urschel was the only player in the N.F.L. simultaneously getting a math Ph.D. at M.I.T. But after a new study came out linking football to brain damage, he abruptly retired. Here's the inside story — and a look at how we make decisions in the face of risk versus uncertainty.
Sep 07, 2017
270. Bad Medicine, Part 3: Death by Diagnosis (Rebroadcast)
2920
By some estimates, medical error is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. How can that be? And what's to be done? Our third and final episode in this series offers some encouraging answers.
Aug 31, 2017
269. Bad Medicine, Part 2: (Drug) Trials and Tribulations (Rebroadcast)
2739
How do so many ineffective and even dangerous drugs make it to market? One reason is that clinical trials are often run on "dream patients" who aren't representative of a larger population. On the other hand, sometimes the only thing worse than being excluded from a drug trial is being included.
Aug 24, 2017
268. Bad Medicine, Part 1: The Story of 98.6 (Rebroadcast)
2646
We tend to think of medicine as a science, but for most of human history it has been scientific-ish at best. In the first episode of a three-part series, we look at the grotesque mistakes produced by centuries of trial-and-error, and ask whether the new era of evidence-based medicine is the solution.
Aug 17, 2017
256. What Are You Waiting For? (Rebroadcast)
2182
Standing in line represents a particularly sloppy — and frustrating — way for supply and demand to meet. Why haven't we found a better way to get what we want? Is it possible that we secretly enjoy waiting in line? And might it even be (gulp) good for us?
Aug 10, 2017
298. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Money (But Were Afraid to Ask)
2645
The bad news: roughly 70 percent of Americans are financially illiterate. The good news: all the important stuff can fit on one index card. Here's how to become your own financial superhero.
Aug 03, 2017
297. The Stupidest Thing You Can Do With Your Money
2884
It's hard enough to save for a house, tuition, or retirement. So why are we willing to pay big fees for subpar investment returns? Enter the low-cost index fund. The revolution will not be monetized.
Jul 27, 2017
296. These Shoes Are Killing Me!
2357
The human foot is an evolutionary masterpiece, far more functional than we give it credit for. So why do we encase it in "a coffin" (as one foot scholar calls it) that stymies so much of its ability — and may create more problems than it solves?
Jul 20, 2017
295. When Helping Hurts
3090
Good intentions are nice, but with so many resources poured into social programs, wouldn't it be even nicer to know what actually works?
Jul 13, 2017
294. The Fracking Boom, a Baby Boom, and the Retreat From Marriage
2638
Over 40 percent of U.S. births are to unmarried mothers, and the numbers are especially high among the less-educated. Why? One argument is that the decline in good manufacturing jobs led to a decline in "marriageable" men. Surely the fracking boom reversed that trend, right?
Jul 06, 2017
218. The Harvard President Will See You Now (Rebroadcast)
2362
How a pain-in-the-neck girl from rural Virginia came to run the most powerful university in the world.
Jun 29, 2017
293. Why Hate the Koch Brothers? (Part 2)
2236
Charles Koch, the mega-billionaire CEO of Koch Industries and half of the infamous political machine, sees himself as a classical liberal. So why do most Democrats hate him so much? In a rare series of interviews, he explains his political awakening, his management philosophy, and why he supports legislation that goes against his self-interest.
Jun 23, 2017
292. Why Hate the Koch Brothers? (Part 1)
2672
Charles Koch, the mega-billionaire CEO of Koch Industries and half of the infamous political machine, sees himself as a classical liberal. So why do most Democrats hate him so much? In a rare series of interviews, he explains his political awakening, his management philosophy and why he supports legislation that goes against his self-interest.
Jun 22, 2017
"Tell Me Something I Don't Know" on the topic of Rivalry
3437
Steve Levitt, Scott Turow and Bridget Gainer are panelists. For the "Freakonomics" co-author, the attorney and novelist, and the Cook County commissioner it's "game on!" as they tackle competition of all kinds: athletic, sexual, geopolitical, and the little-known battle between butter and margarine that landed in the Supreme Court. WBEZ's Tricia Bobeda, co-host of the "Nerdette" podcast, is fact-checker.
Jun 20, 2017
291. Evolution, Accelerated
2143
A breakthrough in genetic technology has given humans more power than ever to change nature. It could help eliminate hunger and disease; it could also lead to the sort of dystopia we used to only read about in sci-fi novels. So what happens next? Help us meet the Freakonomics Radio listener challenge. If 500 of you become sustaining members at just $7/month before June 30th we'll unlock an additional $25,000 from the Tow Foundation. Become a member now!
Jun 15, 2017
290. He’s One of the Most Famous Political Operatives in America. America Just Doesn’t Know It Yet.
2536
Steve Hilton was the man behind David Cameron's push to remake British politics. Things didn't work out so well there. Now he's trying to launch a new political revolution – from sunny California.
Jun 08, 2017
289. How Stupid Is Our Obsession With Lawns?
1681
Nearly two percent of America is grassy green. Sure, lawns are beautiful and useful and they smell great. But are the costs — financial, environmental and otherwise — worth the benefits?
Jun 01, 2017
288. Are the Rich Really Less Generous Than the Poor?
2544
A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It's an easy narrative to swallow — but is it true? A trio of economists set out to test the theory. All it took was a Dutch postal worker's uniform, some envelopes stuffed with cash, and a slight sense of the absurd.
May 25, 2017
287. Hoopers! Hoopers! Hoopers!
2364
As CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer was famous for over-the-top enthusiasm. Now he's brought that same passion to the N.B.A. -- and to a pet project called USAFacts, which performs a sort of fiscal colonoscopy on the American government.
May 18, 2017
286. How Big is My Penis? (And Other Things We Ask Google)
2043
On the Internet, people say all kinds of things they'd never say aloud -- about sex and race, about their true wants and fears. Seth Stephens-Davidowitz has spent years parsing the data. His conclusion: our online searches are the reflection of our true selves. In the real world, everybody lies.
May 11, 2017
226. Food + Science = Victory! (Rebroadcast)
2206
A kitchen wizard and a nutrition detective talk about the perfect hamburger, getting the most out of garlic, and why you should use vodka in just about everything.
May 04, 2017
285. There’s a War on Sugar. Is It Justified?
2740
Some people argue that sugar should be regulated, like alcohol and tobacco, on the grounds that it's addictive and toxic. How much sense does that make? We hear from a regulatory advocate, an evidence-based skeptic, a former FDA commissioner — and the organizers of Milktoberfest.
Apr 27, 2017
284. Is Income Inequality Inevitable? (Earth 2.0 Series)
2458
In pursuit of a more perfect economy, we discuss the future of work; the toxic remnants of colonization; and whether giving everyone a basic income would be genius -- or maybe the worst idea ever.
Apr 20, 2017
283. What Would Our Economy Look Like? (Earth 2.0 Series)
2574
If we could reboot the planet and create new systems and institutions from scratch, would they be any better than what we've blundered our way into through trial and error? This is the first of a series of episodes that we'll release over several months. Today we start with — what else? — economics. You'll hear from Nobel laureate Angus Deaton, the poverty-fighting superhero Jeff Sachs; and many others.
Apr 13, 2017
282. Could Solving This One Problem Solve All the Others?
2124
The biggest problem with humanity is humans themselves. Too often, we make choices — what we eat, how we spend our money and time — that undermine our well-being. An all-star team of academic researchers thinks it has the solution: perfecting the science of behavior change. Will it work?
Apr 06, 2017
281. Big Returns from Thinking Small
1847
By day, two leaders of Britain's famous Nudge Unit use behavioral tricks to make better government policy. By night, they repurpose those tricks to improve their personal lives. They want to help you do the same.
Mar 30, 2017
280. “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know” on the topic of Collections.
3082
Hear live journalism wrapped in a game show package and hosted by Stephen J. Dubner. In this episode, Tim Ferriss, Eugene Mirman and Anne Pasternak are panelists. The self-help guru, the comedian and the Brooklyn Museum director talk about brainwaves, sugar, stars and — thanks to fact-checker AJ Jacobs — barf bags.
Mar 28, 2017
194. How Safe Is Your Job? (Rebroadcast)
2000
Economists preach the gospel of "creative destruction," whereby new industries -- and jobs -- replace the old ones. But has creative destruction become too destructive?
Mar 23, 2017
279. Why Is My Life So Hard?
1832
Most of us feel we face more headwinds and obstacles than everyone else — which breeds resentment. We also undervalue the tailwinds that help us — which leaves us ungrateful and unhappy. How can we avoid this trap?
Mar 16, 2017
278. Chuck E. Cheese’s: Where a Kid Can Learn Price Theory
1883
The pizza-and-gaming emporium prides itself on affordability, which means its arcade games are really cheap to play. Does that lead to kids hogging the best games — and parents starting those infamous YouTube brawls?
Mar 09, 2017
277. The Taboo Trifecta
1929
The serial entrepreneur Miki Agrawal loves to talk about the bodily functions that make most people flinch. That's why she's building a business around the three P's: periods, pee, and poop.
Mar 02, 2017
276. No Hollywood Ending for the Visual-Effects Industry
3346
In their chase for a global audience, American movie studios spend billions to make their films look amazing. But almost none of those dollars stay in America. What would it take to bring those jobs back -- and would it be worth it?
Feb 23, 2017
275. Professor Hendryx vs. Big Coal
2225
What happens when a public-health researcher deep in coal country argues that mountaintop mining endangers the entire community? Hint: it doesn't go very well.
Feb 16, 2017
246. How to Get More Grit in Your Life
2530
The psychologist Angela Duckworth argues that a person's level of stick-to-itiveness is directly related to their level of success. No big surprise there. But grit, she says, isn't something you're born with — it can be learned. Here's how.
Feb 09, 2017
274. An Egghead’s Guide to the Super Bowl
1708
We assembled a panel of smart dudes -- a two-time Super Bowl champ; a couple of NFL linemen, including one who's getting a math Ph.D. at MIT; and our resident economist -- to tell you what to watch for, whether you're a football fanatic or a total newbie.
Feb 02, 2017
273. Did China Eat America’s Jobs?
2304
For years, economists promised that global free trade would be mostly win-win. Now they admit the pace of change has been "traumatic." This has already led to a political insurrection -- so what's next?
Jan 26, 2017
272. Is the American Dream Really Dead?
2370
Just a few decades ago, more than 90 percent of 30-year-olds earned more than their parents had earned at the same age. Now it's only about 50 percent. What happened -- and what can be done about it?
Jan 19, 2017
272. Trevor Noah Has a Lot to Say
2122
The Daily Show host grew up as a poor, mixed-race South African kid going to three churches every Sunday. So he has a sui generis view of America — especially on race, politics, and religion — and he's not afraid to speak his mind.
Jan 12, 2017
271. The Men Who Started a Thinking Revolution
2110
Starting in the late 1960s, the Israeli psychologists Amos Tversky and Danny Kahneman began to redefine how the human mind actually works. Michael Lewis's new book The Undoing Project explains how the movement they started -- now known as behavioral economics -- has had such a profound effect on academia, governments, and society at large.
Jan 05, 2017
244. How to Become Great at Just About Anything (Rebroadcast)
3011
What if the thing we call "talent" is grotesquely overrated? And what if deliberate practice is the secret to excellence? Those are the claims of the research psychologist Anders Ericsson, who has been studying the science of expertise for decades. He tells us everything he's learned.
Dec 29, 2016
243. How to Be More Productive (Rebroadcast)
2363
In this busy time of year, we could all use some tips on how to get more done in less time. First, however, a warning: there's a big difference between being busy and being productive.
Dec 22, 2016
270. Bad Medicine, Part 3: Death by Diagnosis
2915
By some estimates, medical error is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. How can that be? And what's to be done? Our third and final episode in this series offers some encouraging answers.
Dec 15, 2016
269. Bad Medicine, Part 2: (Drug) Trials and Tribulations
2722
How do so many ineffective and even dangerous drugs make it to market? One reason is that clinical trials are often run on "dream patients" who aren't representative of a larger population. On the other hand, sometimes the only thing worse than being excluded from a drug trial is being included.
Dec 08, 2016
268. Bad Medicine, Part 1: The Story of 98.6
2695
We tend to think of medicine as a science, but for most of human history it has been scientific-ish at best. In the first episode of a three-part series, we look at the grotesque mistakes produced by centuries of trial-and-error, and ask whether the new era of evidence-based medicine is the solution.
Dec 01, 2016
239. The No-Tipping Point (Rebroadcast)
2666
The restaurant business model is warped: kitchen wages are too low to hire cooks, while diners are put in charge of paying the waitstaff. So what happens if you eliminate tipping, raise menu prices, and redistribute the wealth? New York restaurant maverick Danny Meyer is about to find out.
Nov 24, 2016
267. How to Make a Bad Decision
2144
Some of our most important decisions are shaped by something as random as the order in which we make them. The gambler's fallacy, as it's known, affects loan officers, federal judges -- and probably you too. How to avoid it? The first step is to admit just how fallible we all are.
Nov 17, 2016
Introducing Stephen J. Dubner's new podcast, "Tell Me Something I Don't Know"
3202
"Tell Me Something I Don't Know" is a live game show hosted by Stephen J. Dubner of "Freakonomics Radio." He has always had a mission: to tell you the things you thought you knew but didn't, and things you never thought you wanted to know, but do. Now, with "TMSIDK," he has a new way of doing just that. This new show is still journalism, still factual -- but disguised in the most entertaining, unexpected, and occasionally ridiculous conversation you're likely to hear. Audience contestants come on stage and try to wow a panel of experts with a fascinating fact, a historical wrinkle, a new line of research -- anything, really, as long as it's interesting, useful and true (or at least true-ish). The panel -- an ever-changing mix of comedians, brainiacs, and other high achievers -- poke and prod the contestants, and ultimately choose a winner. And there's a real-time, human fact-checker on hand to filter out the bull. This debut episode features Barnard College president Debora Spar, New York Public Library president Tony Marx, and comedian Andy Zaltzman; Jody Avirgan from FiveThirtyEight handles the fact-checking. You can subscribe now on iTunes. And don't worry, Freakonomics Radio isn't going anywhere -- this is just a special bonus episode of Dubner's new side gig.
Nov 15, 2016
266. Trust Me
1662
Societies where people trust one another are healthier and wealthier. In the U.S. (and the U.K. and elsewhere), social trust has been falling for decades -- in part because our populations are more diverse. What can we do to fix it?
Nov 10, 2016
11. How Much Does the President Really Matter? (Rebroadcast )
2007
The U.S. president is often called the "leader of free world." But if you ask an economist or a Constitutional scholar how much the occupant of the Oval Office matters, they won't say much. We look at what the data have to say about measuring leadership, and its impact on the economy and the country.
Nov 09, 2016
265. The White House Gets Into the Nudge Business
2538
A tiny behavioral-sciences startup is trying to improve the way federal agencies do their work. Considering the size (and habits) of most federal agencies, this isn't so simple. But after a series of early victories -- and a helpful executive order from President Obama -- they are well on their way.
Nov 03, 2016
264. In Praise of Incrementalism
2914
What do Renaissance painting, civil-rights movements, and Olympic cycling have in common? In each case, huge breakthroughs came from taking tiny steps. In a world where everyone is looking for the next moonshot, we shouldn't ignore the power of incrementalism.
Oct 27, 2016
263. In Praise of Maintenance
2504
Has our culture's obsession with innovation led us to neglect the fact that things also need to be taken care of?
Oct 20, 2016
262. This Is Your Brain on Podcasts
2723
Neuroscientists still have a great deal to learn about the human brain. One recent MRI study sheds some light, finding that a certain kind of storytelling stimulates enormous activity across broad swaths of the brain. The takeaway is obvious: you should be listening to even more podcasts.
Oct 13, 2016
224. How To Win A Nobel Prize (Rebroadcast)
2672
The process is famously secretive (and conducted in Swedish!) but we pry the lid off at least a little bit.
Oct 06, 2016
261. Why Are We Still Using Cash?
2579
It facilitates crime, bribery, and tax evasion -- and yet some governments (including ours) are printing more cash than ever. Other countries, meanwhile, are ditching cash entirely. And if Star Trek is right, we won't have money of any sort in the 24th century.
Sep 29, 2016
260. Has the U.S. Presidency Become a Dictatorship?
2868
Sure, we all pay lip service to the Madisonian system of checks and balances. But as one legal scholar argues, presidents have been running roughshod over the system for decades. The result? An accumulation of power that's turned the presidency into a position the founders wouldn't have recognized.
Sep 22, 2016
259. Ten Signs You Might Be a Libertarian
3042
Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate, likes to say that most Americans are libertarians but don't know it yet. So why can't Libertarians (and other third parties) gain more political traction?
Sep 15, 2016
258. Why Uber Is an Economist’s Dream
2308
To you, it's just a ride-sharing app that gets you where you're going. But to an economist, Uber is a massive repository of moment-by-moment data that is helping answer some of the field's most elusive questions.
Sep 08, 2016
257. The Future (Probably) Isn’t as Scary as You Think
2101
Internet pioneer Kevin Kelly tries to predict the future by identifying what's truly inevitable. How worried should we be? Yes, robots will probably take your job -- but the future will still be pretty great.
Sep 01, 2016
217. Are You Ready for a Glorious Sunset? (Rebroadcast)
2269
The gist: we spend billions on end-of-life healthcare that doesn’t do much good. So what if a patient could forego the standard treatment and get a cash rebate instead?
Aug 25, 2016
213. Aziz Ansari Needs Another Toothbrush (Rebroadcast)
1888
The comedian, actor -- and now, author -- answers our FREAK-quently Asked Questions.
Aug 18, 2016
256. What Are You Waiting For?
2096
Standing in line represents a particularly sloppy - and frustrating - way for supply and demand to meet. Why haven't we found a better way to get what we want? Is it possible that we secretly enjoy waiting in line? And might it even be (gulp) good for us?
Aug 11, 2016
210. Is It Okay for Restaurants to Racially Profile Their Employees? (Rebroadcast)
3120
We seem to have decided that ethnic food tastes better when it's served by people of that ethnicity (or at least something close). Does this make sense -- and is it legal?
Aug 04, 2016
255. Ten Ideas to Make Politics Less Rotten
2583
We Americans may love our democracy -- at least in theory -- but at the moment our feelings toward the federal government lie somewhere between disdain and hatred. Which electoral and political ideas should be killed off to make way for a saner system?
Jul 28, 2016
254. What Are Gender Barriers Made Of?
2193
Overt discrimination in the labor markets may be on the wane, but women are still subtly penalized by all sorts of societal conventions. How can those penalties be removed without burning down the house?
Jul 21, 2016
253. Is the Internet Being Ruined?
2878
It's a remarkable ecosystem that allows each of us to exercise control over our lives. But how much control do we truly have? How many of our decisions are really being made by Google and Facebook and Apple? And, perhaps most importantly: is the Internet's true potential being squandered?
Jul 14, 2016
252. Confessions of a Pothole Politician
2628
Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, has big ambitions but knows he must first master the small stuff. He's also a polymath who relies heavily on data and new technologies. Could this be what modern politics is supposed to look like?
Jul 07, 2016
40. The Suicide Paradox (Rebroadcast )
3447
There are more than twice as many suicides as murders in the U.S., but suicide attracts far less scrutiny. Freakonomics Radio digs through the numbers and finds all kinds of surprises.
Jun 30, 2016
11. How Much Does the President Really Matter? (Rebroadcast)
2009
The U.S. president is often called the "leader of free world." But if you ask an economist or a Constitutional scholar how much the occupant of the Oval Office matters, they won't say much. We look at what the data have to say about measuring leadership, and its impact on the economy and the country.
Jun 23, 2016
215. Why Do We Really Follow the News? (Rebroadcast)
2150
There are all kinds of civics-class answers to that question. But how true are they? Could it be that we like to read about war, politics, and miscellaneous heartbreak simply because it's (gasp) entertaining?
Jun 16, 2016
190. Time to Take Back the Toilet
1909
Public bathrooms are noisy, poorly designed, and often nonexistent. What to do?
Jun 09, 2016
251. Are We in a Mattress-Store Bubble?
2206
You've seen them — everywhere! — and often clustered together, as if central planners across America decided that what every city really needs is a Mattress District. There are now dozens of online rivals too. Why are there so many stores selling something we buy so rarely?
Jun 09, 2016
250. Why Does Everyone Hate Flying? And Other Questions Only a Pilot Can Answer
2626
Patrick Smith, the author of Cockpit Confidential, answers every question we can throw at him about what really happens up in the air. Just don't get him started on pilotless planes -- or whether the autopilot is actually doing the flying.
Jun 02, 2016
249. The Longest Long Shot
2583
When the uncelebrated Leicester City Football Club won the English Premier League, it wasn't just the biggest underdog story in recent history. It was a sign of changing economics — and that other impossible, wonderful events might be lurking just around the corner.
May 26, 2016
248. How to Be Tim Ferriss
2492
Our Self-Improvement Month concludes with a man whose entire life and career are one big pile of self-improvement. Nutrition? Check. Bizarre physical activities? Check. Working less and earning more? Check. Tim Ferriss, creator of the Four-Hour universe, may at first glance look like a charlatan, but it seems more likely that he's a wizard -- and the kind of self-improvement ally we all want on our side.
May 19, 2016
247. How to Win Games and Beat People
3151
Games are as old as civilization itself, and some people think they have huge social value regardless of whether you win or lose. Tom Whipple is not one of those people. That's why he consulted an army of preposterously overqualified experts to find the secret to winning any game.
May 12, 2016
246. How to Get More Grit in Your Life
2669
The psychologist Angela Duckworth argues that a person's level of stick-to-itiveness is directly related to their level of success. No big surprise there. But grit, she says, isn't something you're born with -- it can be learned. Here's how.
May 05, 2016
245. Being Malcolm Gladwell
1700
"Books are a pain in the ass," says Gladwell, who has written some of the most popular, influential, and beloved non-fiction books in recent history. In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, he describes other pains in the ass -- as well as his passions, his limits, and why he'll never take up golf.
May 02, 2016
244. How to Become Great at Just About Anything
2884
What if the thing we call "talent" is grotesquely overrated? And what if deliberate practice is the secret to excellence? Those are the claims of the research psychologist Anders Ericsson, who has been studying the science of expertise for decades. He tells us everything he's learned.
Apr 28, 2016
243. How to Be More Productive
2318
It's Self-Improvement Month at Freakonomics Radio. We begin with a topic that seems to be on everyone's mind: how to get more done in less time. First, however, a warning: there's a big difference between being busy and being productive.
Apr 21, 2016
242. Is the World Ready for a Guaranteed Basic Income?
2203
A lot of full-time jobs in the modern economy simply don't pay a living wage. And even those jobs may be obliterated by new technologies. What's to be done so that financially vulnerable people aren't just crushed? It may finally be time for an idea that economists have promoted for decades.
Apr 14, 2016
241. Are Payday Loans Really as Evil as People Say?
2981
Critics -- including President Obama -- say short-term, high-interest loans are predatory, trapping borrowers in a cycle of debt. But some economists see them as a useful financial instrument for people who need them. As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau promotes new regulation, we ask: who's right?
Apr 07, 2016
212. The Economics of Sleep, Part 2 (Rebroadcast)
2571
People who sleep better earn more money. Now all we have to do is teach everyone to sleep better.
Mar 31, 2016
211. The Economics of Sleep, Part 1 (Rebroadcast)
2742
Could a lack of sleep help explain why some people get much sicker than others?
Mar 24, 2016
240. Yes, the American Economy Is in a Funk -- But Not for the Reasons You Think
2012
As sexy as the digital revolution may be, it can't compare to the Second Industrial Revolution (electricity! the gas engine! antibiotics!), which created the biggest standard-of-living boost in U.S. history. The only problem, argues the economist Robert Gordon, is that the Second Industrial Revolution was a one-time event. So what happens next?
Mar 17, 2016
239. The No-Tipping Point
2598
The restaurant business model is warped: kitchen wages are too low to hire cooks, while diners are put in charge of paying the waitstaff. So what happens if you eliminate tipping, raise menu prices, and redistribute the wealth? New York restaurant maverick Danny Meyer is about to find out.
Mar 11, 2016
238. The United States of Cory Booker
2362
The junior U.S. Senator from New Jersey thinks bipartisanship is right around the corner. Is he just an idealistic newbie or does he see a way forward that everyone else has missed?
Mar 03, 2016
237. Ask Not What Your Podcast Can Do for You
2503
Now and again, Freakonomics Radio puts hat in hand and asks listeners to donate to the public-radio station that produces the show. Why on earth should anyone pay good money for something that can be had for free? Here are a few reasons.
Feb 25, 2016
236. How Can This Possibly Be True?
2453
A famous economics essay features a pencil (yes, a pencil) arguing that “not a single person on the face of this earth knows how to make me.” Is the pencil just bragging? In any case, what can the pencil teach us about our global interdependence — and the proper role of government in the economy?
Feb 18, 2016
235. Who Needs Handwriting?
2377
The digital age is making pen and paper seem obsolete. But what are we giving up if we give up on handwriting?
Feb 11, 2016
189. How to Fix a Broken High Schooler, in Four Easy Steps (Rebroadcast)
1755
Okay, maybe the steps aren't so easy. But a program run out of a Toronto housing project has had great success in turning around kids who were headed for trouble.
Feb 04, 2016
188. Is America’s Education Problem Really Just a Teacher Problem? (Rebroadcast)
2200
If U.S. schoolteachers are indeed "just a little bit below average," it's not really their fault. So what should be done about it?
Jan 28, 2016
234. Do Boycotts Work?
2246
The Montgomery Bus Boycott, the South African divestment campaign, Chick-fil-A! Almost anyone can launch a boycott, and the media loves to cover them. But do boycotts actually produce the change they're fighting for?
Jan 21, 2016
233. How to Be Less Terrible at Predicting the Future
2817
Experts and pundits are notoriously bad at forecasting, in part because they aren't punished for bad predictions. Also, they tend to be deeply unscientific. The psychologist Philip Tetlock is finally turning prediction into a science -- and now even you could become a superforecaster.
Jan 14, 2016
232. The True Story of the Gender Pay Gap
2607
Discrimination can't explain why women earn so much less than men. If only it were that easy.
Jan 07, 2016
200. When Willpower Isn’t Enough (Rebroadcast)
1862
Sure, we all want to make good personal decisions, but it doesn't always work out. That's where "temptation bundling" comes in.
Dec 31, 2015
181. Fixing the World, Bang-for-the-Buck Edition (Rebroadcast)
2520
A team of economists has been running the numbers on the U.N.'s development goals. They have a different view of how those billions of dollars should be spent.
Dec 24, 2015
231. Is Migration a Basic Human Right?
3658
The argument for open borders is compelling -- and deeply problematic.
Dec 17, 2015
230. The Cheeseburger Diet
1927
One woman's quest to find the best burger in town can teach all of us to eat smarter.
Dec 10, 2015
229. Ben Bernanke Gives Himself a Grade
2825
He was handed the keys to the global economy just as it started heading off a cliff. Fortunately, he'd seen this movie before.
Dec 03, 2015
186. Why Do People Keep Having Children? (Rebroadcast)
2404
Even a brutal natural disaster doesn't diminish our appetite for procreating. This surely means we're heading toward massive overpopulation, right? Probably not.
Nov 26, 2015
228. Does “Early Education” Come Way Too Late?
2757
In our collective zeal to reform schools and close the achievement gap, we may have lost sight of where most learning really happens -- at home.
Nov 19, 2015
227. Should Everyone Be in a Rock Band?
2732
Lessons from Tom Petty's rise and another rocker's fall.
Nov 12, 2015
226. Food + Science = Victory!
2304
A kitchen wizard and a nutrition detective talk about the perfect hamburger, getting the most out of garlic, and why you should use vodka in just about everything.
Nov 05, 2015
225. Am I Boring You?
2373
Researchers are trying to figure out who gets bored - and why - and what it means for ourselves and the economy. But maybe there's an upside to boredom?
Oct 29, 2015
178. How to Save $1 Billion Without Even Trying (Rebroadcast)
2187
Doctors, chefs, and other experts are much more likely than the rest of us to buy store-brand products. What do they know that we don't?
Oct 22, 2015
224. How To Win A Nobel Prize
2727
The process is famously secretive (and conducted in Swedish!) but we pry the lid off at least a little bit.
Oct 15, 2015
223. Should Kids Pay Back Their Parents for Raising Them?
2843
When one athlete turned pro, his mom asked him for $1 million. Our modern sensibilities tell us she doesn't have a case. But should she?
Oct 08, 2015
222. Meet the Woman Who Said Women Can’t Have It All
2531
Anne-Marie Slaughter was best known for her adamant views on Syria when she accidentally became a poster girl for modern feminism. As it turns out, she can be pretty adamant in that realm as well.
Oct 01, 2015
221. How Did the Belt Win?
1856
Suspenders may work better, but the dork factor is too high. How did an organ-squeezing belly tourniquet become part of our everyday wardrobe -- and what other suboptimal solutions do we routinely put up with?
Sep 24, 2015
220. “I Don't Know What You've Done With My Husband, But He's a Changed Man.”
2813
From domestic abusers to former child soldiers, there is increasing evidence that behavioral therapy can turn them around.
Sep 17, 2015
219. Preventing Crime for Pennies on the Dollar
2493
Conventional programs tend to be expensive, onerous, and ineffective. Could something as simple (and cheap) as cognitive behavioral therapy do the trick?
Sep 10, 2015
218. The Harvard President Will See You Now
2333
How a pain-in-the-neck girl from rural Virginia came to run the most powerful university in the world.
Sep 03, 2015
217. Are You Ready for a Glorious Sunset?
2215
We spend billions on end-of-life healthcare that doesn't do much good. So what if a patient could forego the standard treatment and get a cash rebate instead?
Aug 27, 2015
216. How to Make a Smart TV Ad
1835
Step 1: Hire a Harvard psych professor as the pitchman. Step 2: Have him help write the script ...
Aug 20, 2015
1. The Dangers of Safety (Rebroadcast)
1857
What do NASCAR drivers, Glenn Beck and the hit men of the NFL have in common?
Aug 13, 2015
215. Why Do We Really Follow the News?
2152
There are all kinds of civics-class answers to that question. But how true are they? Could it be that we like to read about war, politics, and miscellaneous heartbreak simply because it's (gasp) entertaining?
Aug 06, 2015
214. How to Create Suspense
2362
Why is soccer the best sport? How has Harlan Coben sold 70 million books? And why does "Apollo 13" keep you enthralled even when you know the ending?
Jul 30, 2015
213. Aziz Ansari Needs Another Toothbrush
1923
The comedian, actor -- and now, author -- answers our FREAK-quently Asked Questions
Jul 23, 2015
212. The Economics of Sleep, Part 2
2609
People who sleep better earn more money. Now all we have to do is teach everyone to sleep better.
Jul 16, 2015
211. The Economics of Sleep, Part 1
2701
Could a lack of sleep help explain why some people get much sicker than others?
Jul 09, 2015
173. A Better Way to Eat (Rebroadcast)
1687
Takeru Kobayashi revolutionized the sport of competitive eating. What can the rest of us learn from his breakthrough?
Jul 02, 2015
210. Is It Okay for Restaurants to Racially Profile Their Employees?
3236
We seem to have decided that ethnic food tastes better when it's served by people of that ethnicity (or at least something close). Does this make sense -- and is it legal?
Jun 25, 2015
209. Make Me a Match
3023
Sure, markets generally work well. But for some transactions -- like school admissions and organ transplants -- money alone can't solve the problem. That's when you need a market-design wizard like Al Roth.
Jun 18, 2015
208. Making Sex Offenders Pay -- and Pay and Pay and Pay
2129
Sure, sex crimes are horrific, and the perpetrators deserve to be punished harshly. But society keeps exacting costs -- out-of-pocket and otherwise -- long after the prison sentence has been served.
Jun 11, 2015
207. Should We Really Behave Like Economists Say We Do?
3288
One man's attempt to remake his life in the mold of homo economicus.
Jun 04, 2015
183. Tell Me Something I Don’t Know (Rebroadcast)
3776
The debut of a live game show from Freakonomics Radio, with judges Malcolm Gladwell, Ana Gasteyer, and David Paterson.
May 28, 2015
169. Failure Is Your Friend (Rebroadcast)
1908
In which we argue that failure should not only be tolerated but celebrated.
May 21, 2015
206. Ten Years of Freakonomics
2763
Dubner and Levitt are live onstage at the 92nd Street Y in New York to celebrate their new book "When to Rob a Bank" -- and a decade of working together.
May 14, 2015
205. Could the Next Brooklyn Be ... Las Vegas?!
3317
Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh has a wild vision and the dollars to try to make it real. But it still might be the biggest gamble in town.
May 07, 2015
168. Think Like a Child (Rebroadcast)
1784
When it comes to generating ideas and asking questions it can be really fruitful to have the mentality of an eight year old.
Apr 30, 2015
204. Nate Silver Says: “Everyone Is Kind of Weird”
2349
America's favorite statistical guru answers our FREAK-quently Asked Questions, and more.
Apr 23, 2015
203. Diamonds Are a Marriage Counselor’s Best Friend
2429
It may seem like winning a valuable diamond is an unalloyed victory. It's not. It's not even clear that a diamond is so valuable.
Apr 16, 2015
202. How Many Doctors Does It Take to Start a Healthcare Revolution?
3236
The practice of medicine has been subsumed by the business of medicine. This is great news for healthcare shareholders -- and bad news for pretty much everyone else.
Apr 09, 2015
201. How Do We Know What Really Works in Healthcare?
2513
A lot of the conventional wisdom in medicine is nothing more than hunch or wishful thinking. A new breed of data detectives is hoping to change that.
Apr 02, 2015
165. The Perfect Crime (Rebroadcast)
1776
If you are driving and kill a pedestrian, there's a good chance you'll barely be punished. Why?
Mar 26, 2015
154. What You Don’t Know About Online Dating (Rebroadcast)
2411
Thick markets, thin markets, and the triumph of attributes over compatibility.
Mar 19, 2015
200. When Willpower Isn’t Enough
1983
Sure, we all want to make good personal decisions, but it doesn't always work out. That's where "temptation bundling" comes in.
Mar 12, 2015
199. This Idea Must Die
3273
Every year, Edge.org asks its salon of big thinkers to answer one big question. This year's question borders on heresy: what scientific idea is ready for retirement?
Mar 05, 2015
198. The Maddest Men of All
1976
Advertisers have always been adept at manipulating our emotions. Now they're using behavioral economics to get even better.
Feb 26, 2015
197. Hacking the World Bank
2161
Jim Yong Kim has an unorthodox background for a World Bank president — and his reign thus far is just as unorthodox.
Feb 19, 2015
196. Is There a Better Way to Fight Terrorism?
2568
The White House is hosting an anti-terror summit next week. Summits being what they are, we try to offer some useful advice.
Feb 12, 2015
195. How Efficient Is Energy Efficiency?
1956
It's a centerpiece of U.S. climate policy and a sacred cow among environmentalists. Does it work?
Feb 05, 2015
194. How Safe Is Your Job?
2018
Economists preach the gospel of "creative destruction," whereby new industries -- and jobs -- replace the old ones. But has creative destruction become too destructive?
Jan 29, 2015
193. Someone Else’s Acid Trip
1755
As Kevin Kelly tells it, the hippie revolution and the computer revolution are nearly one and the same.
Jan 22, 2015
192. That’s a Great Question!
1524
Verbal tic or strategic rejoinder? Whatever the case: it’s rare to come across an interview these days where at least one question isn’t a “great” one.
Jan 15, 2015
191. Why Doesn’t Everyone Get the Flu Vaccine?
2177
Influenza kills, but you’d never know it by how few of us get the vaccine.
Jan 08, 2015
150. What’s the “Best” Exercise? (Rebroadcast)
921
Most people blame lack of time for being out of shape. So maybe the solution is to exercise more efficiently.
Jan 01, 2015
163. What’s More Dangerous: Marijuana or Alcohol? (Rebroadcast)
1523
Imagine that both substances were undiscovered until today. How would we think about their relative risks?
Dec 25, 2014
190. Time to Take Back the Toilet
2085
Public bathrooms are noisy, poorly designed, and often nonexistent. What to do?
Dec 18, 2014
142. The Troubled Cremation of Stevie the Cat (Rebroadcast)
2678
We spend billions on our pets, and one of the fastest-growing costs is pet "aftercare." But are those cremated remains you got back really from your pet?
Dec 11, 2014
189. How to Fix a Broken High Schooler, in Four Easy Steps
1759
Okay, maybe the steps aren’t so easy. But a program run out of a Toronto housing project has had great success in turning around kids who were headed for trouble.
Dec 04, 2014
188. Is America’s Education Problem Really Just a Teacher Problem?