x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Freakonomics Radio

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

01:00:39

Are Personal Finance Gurus Giving You Bad Advice?...

Freakonomics Radio ·

2026/01/02

One Yale economist certainly thinks so. But even if he’s right, are economists any better? We find out, in this update of a 2022 episode. SOURCES:James Choi, professor of finance at the Yale School of Management.Morgan Housel, personal finance author and partner at the Collaborative Fund. RESOURCES:The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life, by Morgan Housel (2025).“Popular Personal Financial Advice versus the Professors,” by James J. Choi (Journal of Economic Perspectives,

en-us

00:42:58

Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/12/30

Behavioral scientists have been exploring whether a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. In this update of a 2021 episode, we survey evidence from the London Underground, Major League Baseball, and New Year’s resolutions to look at accidental fresh starts, forced fresh starts, fresh starts that backfire — and the ones that succeed. SOURCES:Katy Milkman, professor at the Wharton School.Andy Byford, former commissioner of Transport for London.Ferdinand Rauch, economist at the University of

en-us

00:43:58

Are the Rich Really Less Generous Than the Poor?...

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/12/26

A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It’s an easy narrative to embrace — but is it true? As part of GiveDirectly’s “Pods Fight Poverty” campaign, we revisit a 2017 episode. SOURCES:Jim Andreoni, professor of economics at the University of California, San Diego.Nikos Nikiforakis, professor of economics at New York University in Abu Dhabi.Paul Piff, associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Irvine.Jan Stoop, associate

en-us

00:48:02

657. Whose “Messiah” Is It Anyway?

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/12/19

All sorts of people have put their mark on Messiah, and it has been a hit for nearly 300 years. How can a single piece of music thrive in so many settings? You could say it’s because Handel really knew how to write a banger. (Part three of “Making Messiah.”) SOURCES:Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University.Jane Glover, classical music scholar, conductor.Katharine Hogg, musicologist, head librarian at the Foundling Museum.Susannah Heschel, religion professor, chair of Jewish Studies

en-us

00:42:00

Who Pays for “Messiah”?

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/12/17

In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode of our “Making Messiah” series, Parr breaks down the economics of the New York Philharmonic. SOURCES:Gary Parr, senior managing director and on the management committee at Apollo, philanthropist. RESOURCES:"A Notoriously Jinxed Concert Hall Is Reborn, Again," by Michael Kimmelman (New York Times, 2022)."Apollo’s New Guy Is a Legend in Banking, a Novice in

en-us

00:57:13

656. How Handel Got His Mojo Back

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/12/12

When he wrote Messiah (in 24 days), Handel was past his prime and nearly broke. One night in Dublin changed all that. (Part two of “Making Messiah.”) SOURCES:Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University.Chris Scobie, curator of music, manuscripts, and archives at the British Library.Ellen Harris, musicologist and professor emeritus at MIT.Mark Risinger, teacher at St. Bernard's School.Philip Rushforth, organist and master of the choristers at the Chester Cathedral.Proinnsías Ó Duinn,

en-us

00:56:54

“The Greatest Piece of Participatory Art Ever Created”

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/12/05

Why does an 18th-century Christian oratorio lend such comfort to our own turbulent times? Stephen Dubner sets out for Dublin to tell the story of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. (Part one of “Making Messiah.”) SOURCES:Charles King, political scientist at Georgetown University.Katrine Nyland Sørensen, Danish broadcaster, host of Handel's Messiah - The Advent Calendar.Mark Risinger, teacher at St. Bernard's School.Michael and Aileen Casey, Dublin conservationists.Proinnsías Ó Duinn, conductor and

en-us

01:02:17

Dying Is Easy. Retail Is Hard. (Update)

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/11/28

Macy’s wants to recapture its glorious past. The author of the Wimpy Kid books wants to rebuild his dilapidated hometown. We just want to listen in. (Part two of a two-part series, first published in 2024) SOURCES:Mark Cohen, former professor and director of retail studies at Columbia Business School.Will Coss, vice president and executive producer of Macy’s Studios.Jeff Kinney, author, cartoonist, and owner of An Unlikely Story Bookstore and Café.Tony Spring, chairman and C.E.O. of Macy’s

en-us

00:52:31

Is Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Its Most Valuable...

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/11/27

The iconic department store calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV viewers, it’s also a big moneymaker — at least we think it is: when it comes to parade economics, Macy’s is famously tight-lipped. In this 2024 episode, we try to loosen them up. (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES:John Cheney, carpenter at Macy’s Studios.Will Coss, vice president and executive producer of Macy’s Studios.Jeff Kinney, author, cartoonist, and owner of An Unlikely Story Bookstore and

en-us

01:03:11

654. Is the Public Ready for Private Equity?

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/11/21

A Trump executive order is giving retail investors more access to private markets. Is that a golden opportunity — or fool’s gold? SOURCES:Elisabeth de Fontenay, professor of law at Duke University.Steven Kaplan, professor of entrepreneurship and finance at the University of Chicago. RESOURCES:"Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors," (The White House, 2025)."The (Heterogeneous) Economic Effects of Private Equity Buyouts," by Steven J. Davis, John Haltiwanger, Kyle Handley,

en-us

01:01:36

653. Does Horse Racing Have a Future?

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/11/14

Thoroughbred auction prices keep setting records. But tracks are closing, gambling revenues are falling, and the sport is increasingly reliant on subsidies. Is that the kind of long shot anybody wants? (Part three of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”) SOURCES:Anne Archer Hinkle, owner and director of Hinkle Farms.Cormac Breathnach, senior director of sales operations at Keeneland.Emily Plant, thoroughbred researcher and statistician, associate professor of marketing at the University of Montana.Mark

en-us

01:02:38

What Happens When You Turn 20

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/11/12

The world has changed a good bit since Freakonomics was first published. In this live anniversary episode, Stephen Dubner tells Geoff Bennett of PBS NewsHour everything he has learned since then. Happy birthday, Freakonomics. SOURCES:Geoff Bennett, co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS News Hour. RESOURCES:Freakonomics Twentieth Anniversary Edition: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything, by Stephen Dubner and Steve Levitt (2025). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See

en-us

01:00:52

652. Inside the Horse-Industrial Complex

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/11/07

How does Kentucky keep itself atop the thoroughbred industry? Is a champion stallion really worth $200,000 per date? And how many hands can one jockey have? (Part two of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”) SOURCES:Emily Plant, thoroughbred researcher and statistician.Jill Stowe, professor of economics at the University of Kentucky.Mark Taylor, president of Taylor Made Farm.Oscar Gonzalez, vice chair of the California Horse Racing Board.Richard Migliore, head racing analyst for Fox Sports and New York

en-us

01:08:07

651. The Ultimate Dance Partner

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/10/31

For most of human history, horsepower made the world go. Then came the machines. So why are there still seven million horses in America? (Part one of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”) SOURCES:Ann N. Greene, historian of 19th century America, retired professor at the University of Pennsylvania.Constance Hunter, chief economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit.Elizabeth Bortuzzo, professional horse rider.Mark Paul, professor of economics at Rutgers University.Peter Frankopan, professor of global history

en-us

00:47:34

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

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/10/29

Spotify, Oracle, and Comcast have each recently announced they’re going with co-C.E.O.s. In this 2023 episode, we dig into the research and hear firsthand stories of triumph and disaster. Also: lessons from computer programmers, Simon and Garfunkel, and bears versus alligators. SOURCES:Jim Balsillie, retired chairman and co-C.E.O. of Research In Motion.Mike Cannon-Brookes, co-founder and C.E.O. of Atlassian.Scott Farquhar, co-founder and former co-C.E.O. of Atlassian.Marc Feigen, C.E.O.

en-us

00:51:33

650. The Doctor Won’t See You Now

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/10/24

The U.S. has a physician shortage, created in part by a century-old reform that shut down bad medical schools. But why haven’t we filled the gap? Why are some physicians so unhappy? And which is worse: a bad doctor or no doctor at all? SOURCES:Karen Clay, professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University.Rochelle Walensky, physician-scientist and former director of the CDC. RESOURCES:"Medical School Closures, Market Adjustment, and Mortality in the Flexner Report Era," by Karen

en-us

01:14:22

A Question-Asker Becomes a Question-Answerer

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/10/17

For the 20th anniversary of Freakonomics, Debbie Millman of Design Matters interviews Stephen Dubner about his upbringing, his writing career, and why it's important to “swing your swing.” Plus: a sneak peek at a new project. SOURCES:Debbie Millman, writer and host of Design Matters with Debbie Millman. RESOURCES:"Stephen J. Dubner," by Design Matters with Debbie Millman (2025).Turbulent Souls: A Catholic Son's Return To His Jewish Family, by Stephen Dubner (1999)."Choosing My Religion," by Stephen

en-us

00:40:23

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

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/10/15

Arthur Brooks, an economist and former head of the American Enterprise Institute, believes that there is only one remedy for our political polarization: love. In this 2021 episode, we ask if Brooks is a fool for thinking this — and if perhaps you are his kind of fool? SOURCES:Arthur Brooks, professor of public and nonprofit leadership at Harvard University. RESOURCES:“Vital Statistics on Congress,” by Molly Reynolds and Naomi Maehr (Brookings Institute, 2024).Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the

en-us

00:55:21

649. Should Ohio State (and Michigan, and Clemson)...

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/10/10

Soccer leagues around the world use a promotion-and-relegation system to reward the best teams and punish the worst. We ask whether American sports fans would enjoy a similar system. (Part two of a two-part series.) SOURCES:Domonique Foxworth, sports analyst and former N.F.L. player.Stefan Szymanski, professor of sport management at the University of Michigan.Victor Matheson, professor of economics at the College of the Holy Cross. RESOURCES:"'Root, root, root for the home team" did TV kill minor

en-us

01:06:02

648. The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted

Freakonomics Radio ·

2025/10/03

The N.F.L. is a powerful cartel with imperial desires. College football is about to undergo a financial reckoning. So maybe they should team up? (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES:DeMaurice Smith, former executive director of the National Football League Players Association.Domonique Foxworth, sports analyst and former N.F.L. player.Jeffrey Kessler, partner at the law firm of Winston & Strawn.Oliver Luck, sports executive and consultant.Victor Matheson, professor of economics at the College of

en-us

157 results

Similar Podcasts

Voices of Life

APG Mannheim

Promo Estereo Podcast

Promo Estereo

Talking Timelines Podcast

Talkingtimelines

גיקונומי

ראם שרמן ודורון ניר

Drømmefanger

Drømmefanger