Freakonomics

“This Didn't End the Way It’s Supposed to End.”

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 03:00:00 +0000

The N.B.A. superstar Chris Bosh was still competing at the highest level when a blood clot abruptly ended his career. In his new book, Letters to a Young Athlete, Bosh covers the highlights and the struggles. In this installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, he talks with guest host Angela Duckworth.

401. How Many Prince Charleses Can There Be in One Room?

Thu, 26 Dec 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.

401. How Many Prince Charleses Can There Be in One Room?

Thu, 26 Dec 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.

362. Why Is This Man Running for President? (Update)

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.

400. How to Hate Taxes a Little Bit Less

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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?

400. How to Hate Taxes a Little Bit Less

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 04:00:00 +0000

399. Honey, I Grew the Economy

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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).

399. Honey, I Grew the Economy

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 04:00:00 +0000

379. How to Change Your Mind (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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?

398. The Truth About the Vaping Crisis

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.

398. The Truth About the Vaping Crisis

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.

397. How to Save $32 Million in One Hour

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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).

397. How to Save $32 Million in One Hour

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 04:00:00 +0000

396. Why Does Tipping Still Exist?

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 04:00:00 +0000

It’s an acutely haphazard way of paying workers, and yet it keeps expanding. We dig into the data to find out why.

396. Why Does Tipping Still Exist?

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 04:00:00 +0000

It’s an acutely haphazard way of paying workers, and yet it keeps expanding. We dig into the data to find out why.

395. Speak Softly and Carry Big Data

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

395. Speak Softly and Carry Big Data

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 03:00:00 +0000

394. Does Hollywood Still Have a Princess Problem?

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

394. Does Hollywood Still Have a Princess Problem?

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 03:00:00 +0000

393. Can Britain Get Its “Great” Back?

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 03:31:43 +0000

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.

393. Can Britain Get Its “Great” Back?

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 03:31:00 +0000

392. The Prime Minister Who Cried Brexit

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.)

392. The Prime Minister Who Cried Brexit

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 03:00:00 +0000

391. America’s Math Curriculum Doesn’t Add Up

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

391. America’s Math Curriculum Doesn’t Add Up

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 03:00:00 +0000

390. Fed Up

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.

389. How to Make Meetings Less Terrible

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

389. How to Make Meetings Less Terrible

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 03:00:00 +0000

358. Yes, the Open Office Is Terrible — But It Doesn’t Have to Be (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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?

388. The Economics of Sports Gambling

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

388. The Economics of Sports Gambling

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 03:00:00 +0000

367. The Future of Meat (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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™?

359. Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

387. Hello, My Name Is Marijuana Pepsi!

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

122. How Much Does Your Name Matter? (Rebroadcast )

Thu, 08 Aug 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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?

386. How the Supermarket Helped America Win the Cold War

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

356. America’s Hidden Duopoly (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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?

385. What Do Nancy Pelosi, Taylor Swift, and Serena Williams Have in Common?

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

384. Abortion and Crime, Revisited

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

384. Abortion and Crime, Revisited

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 03:00:00 +0000

173. A Better Way to Eat (Rebroadcast )

Thu, 04 Jul 2019 03:00:00 +0000

Takeru Kobayashi revolutionized the sport of competitive eating. What can the rest of us learn from his breakthrough?

383. The Zero-Minute Workout

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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?

383. The Zero-Minute Workout

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 03:00:00 +0000

382. How Goes the Behavior-Change Revolution?

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

381. Long-Term Thinking in a Start-Up Town

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

380. Notes From an Imperfect Paradise

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

379. How to Change Your Mind

Thu, 30 May 2019 03:00:00 +0000

379. How to Change Your Mind

Thu, 30 May 2019 03:00:00 +0000

323. Here’s Why All Your Projects Are Always Late — and What to Do About It (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 23 May 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

378. 23andMe (and You, and Everyone Else)

Thu, 16 May 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

377. The $1.5 Trillion Question: How to Fix Student-Loan Debt?

Thu, 09 May 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

376. The Data-Driven Guide to Sane Parenting

Thu, 02 May 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

329. The Invisible Paw (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 03:00:00 +0000

Humans, it has long been thought, are the only animal to engage in economic activity. But what if we've had it exactly backward?

The Invisible Paw (Ep. 329 Rebroadcast)

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 03:00:00 +0000

Humans, it has long been thought, are the only animal to engage in economic activity. But what if we've had it exactly backward?

375. The Most Interesting Fruit in the World

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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?

374. How Spotify Saved the Music Industry (But Not Necessarily Musicians)

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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?

374. How Spotify Saved the Music Industry (But Not Necessarily Musicians)

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 03:00:00 +0000

373. Why Rent Control Doesn’t Work

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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?

372. Freakonomics Radio Live: “Would You Eat a Piece of Chocolate Shaped Like Dog Poop?”

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant (Ep. 347 Update)

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.

347. Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant (Update)

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 03:00:00 +0000

371. A Free-Trade Democrat in the Trump White House

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 03:00:00 +0000

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.”

370. How to Fail Like a Pro

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.)

369. A Good Idea Is Not Good Enough

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.)

368. Where Do Good Ideas Come From?

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.)

367. The Future of Meat

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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™?

366. This Economist Predicted the Last Crisis. What’s the Next One?

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Extra: Domonique Foxworth Full Interview

Sat, 02 Feb 2019 13:00:00 +0000

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.

365. Not Just Another Labor Force

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.)

Extra: Mark Cuban Full Interview

Sat, 26 Jan 2019 13:00:00 +0000

A conversation with the Shark Tank star, entrepreneur, and Dallas Mavericks owner recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidden Side of Sports.”

364. Inside the Sports-Industrial Complex

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.)

Extra: Mark Teixeira Full Interview

Sat, 19 Jan 2019 13:00:00 +0000

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.”

363. Think Like a Winner

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.)

Hacking the World Bank (Ep. 197 Update)

Sat, 12 Jan 2019 13:00:00 +0000

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.

197. Hacking the World Bank (Update)

Sat, 12 Jan 2019 13:00:00 +0000

362. Why Is This Man Running for President?

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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.

How to Be Happy (Ep. 345 Rebroadcast)

Thu, 03 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

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).

345. How to Be Happy (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 03 Jan 2019 04:00:00 +0000

How to Win Games and Beat People (Ep. 247 Rebroadcast)

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 04:00:00 +0000

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.

247. How to Win Games and Beat People (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 04:00:00 +0000

340. People Aren’t Dumb. The World Is Hard. (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 04:00:00 +0000

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.

People Aren’t Dumb. The World Is Hard. (Ep. 340 Rebroadcast)

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 04:00:00 +0000

Freakonomics Radio Live: “The World’s a Mess. But Oysters, They Hold it Down.”

Sat, 15 Dec 2018 13:00:00 +0000

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.

Freakonomics Radio Live: “Where Does Fear Live in the Brain?”

Sat, 15 Dec 2018 13:00:00 +0000

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.

Freakonomics Radio Live: “We Thought of a Way to Manipulate Your Perception of Time.”

Sat, 15 Dec 2018 13:00:00 +0000

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.

361. Freakonomics Radio Live: “Jesus Could Have Been a Pigeon.”

Thu, 13 Dec 2018 04:00:00 +0000

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.

360. Is the Protestant Work Ethic Real?

Thu, 06 Dec 2018 04:00:00 +0000

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.

359. Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s?

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 04:00:00 +0000

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.

285. There’s a War on Sugar. Is It Justified? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 22 Nov 2018 04:00:00 +0000

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.

There’s a War on Sugar. Is It Justified? (Ep. 285 Rebroadcast)

Thu, 22 Nov 2018 04:00:00 +0000

358. Yes, the Open Office Is Terrible — But It Doesn’t Have to Be

Thu, 15 Nov 2018 04:00:00 +0000

357. Can an Industrial Giant Become a Tech Darling?

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 04:00:00 +0000

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?

356. America’s Hidden Duopoly

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Extra: Elvis Costello Full Interview

Sat, 27 Oct 2018 16:00:00 +0000

A conversation with the iconic singer-songwriter, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “How to Be Creative.”

355. Where Does Creativity Come From (and Why Do Schools Kill It Off)?

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.)

Extra: Jeremy Lin Full Interview

Sat, 20 Oct 2018 11:00:00 +0000

A conversation with veteran NBA point guard Jeremy Lin, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidden Side of Sports.”

354. How to Be Creative

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.)

How to Optimize Your Apology (Ep. 353)

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.

353. How to Optimize Your Apology

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Can This Man Stop a Trade War? (Ep. 352)

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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).

352. Can This Man Stop a Trade War?

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Extra: Shawn Johnson Full Interview

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 03:00:00 +0000

A conversation with 2008 Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidden Side of Sports.”

351. Here’s Why You’re Not an Elite Athlete

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.)

Here’s Why You’re Not an Elite Athlete (Ep. 351)

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Extra: Full Interviews With Jimmy Garoppolo, Joe Staley, Mike McGlinchey, and Kyle Juszczyk

Sun, 23 Sep 2018 12:00:00 +0000

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.

350. How to Stop Being a Loser

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.)

How to Stop Being a Loser (Ep. 350)

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Pick of the Week: Is America Ready for a “No-Lose Lottery”? (Ep. 309)

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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?

Pick of the Week: How to Get More Grit in Your Life (Ep. 246)

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 01:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

How Sports Became Us (Ep. 349)

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 03:30:00 +0000

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.”

349. How Sports Became Us

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 03:30:00 +0000

Pick of the Week: Are the Rich Really Less Generous Than the Poor? (Ep. 288)

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

Pick of the Week: Does Religion Make You Happy? (Ep. 176)

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 01:00:00 +0000

From the archive — It’s a hard question to answer, but we do our best.

348. Is the Government More Entrepreneurial Than You Think?

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Is the Government More Entrepreneurial Than You Think? (Ep. 348)

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Pick of the Week: How Can This Possibly Be True? (Ep. 236)

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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?

Pick of the Week: How to Save $1 Billion Without Even Trying (Ep. 178)

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 01:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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?

347. Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant (Ep. 347)

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Pick of the Week: The Demonization of Gluten (Ep. 304)

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

Pick of the Week: The Cheeseburger Diet (Ep. 230)

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 01:00:00 +0000

From the archive — One woman's quest to find the best burger in town can teach all of us to eat smarter.

Two (Totally Opposite) Ways to Save the Planet (Ep. 346)

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Pick of the Week: Are We in a Mattress-Store Bubble? (Ep. 251)

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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?

Pick of the Week: Time to Take Back the Toilet (Ep. 190)

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 01:00:00 +0000

From the archive — Public bathrooms are noisy, poorly designed, and often nonexistent. What to do?

How to Be Happy (Ep. 345)

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Who Decides How Much a Life Is Worth? (Ep. 344)

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.

344. Who Decides How Much a Life Is Worth?

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Who Decides How Much a Life Is Worth?

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Pick of the Week: Ten Signs You Might Be a Libertarian (Ep. 259)

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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?

Pick of the Week: That’s a Great Question! (Ep. 192)

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

Pick of the Week: What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? (Ep. 126)

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — A look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists.

Pick of the Week: Ten Ideas to Make Politics Less Rotten (Ep. 255)

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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?

A Conversation With PepsiCo C.E.O. Indra Nooyi (Ep. 316 Update)

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.

An Astronaut, a Catalan, and Two Linguists Walk Into a Bar… (Ep. 343)

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.

An Astronaut, a Catalan, and Two Linguists Walk Into a Bar…

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

343. An Astronaut, a Catalan, and Two Linguists Walk Into a Bar…

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Pick of the Week: Not Your Grandmother’s I.M.F. (Ep. 312)

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

Pick of the Week: Why Is the Live-Event Ticket Market So Screwed Up? (Ep. 311)

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

Pick of the Week: Fear Thy Nature (Ep. 92)

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — What "Sleep No More" and the Stanford Prison Experiment tell us about who we really are.

Pick of the Week: Hacking the World Bank (Ep. 197)

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — Jim Yong Kim has an unorthodox background for a World Bank president — and his reign thus far is just as unorthodox.

Has Lance Armstrong Finally Come Clean?

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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?

342. Has Lance Armstrong Finally Come Clean?

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Pick of the Week: Trevor Noah Has a Lot to Say (Ep. 272)

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 12:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

Pick of the Week: Failure Is Your Friend (Ep. 169)

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 11:00:00 +0000

From the archive — In which we argue that failure should not only be tolerated but celebrated.

341. Why We Choke Under Pressure (and How Not To)

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Why We Choke Under Pressure (and How Not To)

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Pick of the Week: The Longest Long Shot (Ep. 249)

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

Pick of the Week: How to Become Great at Just About Anything (Ep. 244)

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

340. People Aren’t Dumb. The World Is Hard.

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

People Aren’t Dumb. The World Is Hard.

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

Pick of the Week: "How Much Brain Damage Do I Have?" (Ep. 299)

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

Pick of the Week: A Better Way to Eat (Ep. 173)

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 02:00:00 +0000

From the archive — Takeru Kobayashi revolutionized the sport of competitive eating. What can the rest of us learn from his breakthrough?

The Future of Freakonomics Radio

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 20:00:00 +0000

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.

339. The Future of Freakonomics Radio

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 20:00:00 +0000

Pick of the Week: How Much Does the President of the U.S. Really Matter? (Ep. 11)

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

Pick of the Week: Has the U.S. Presidency Become a Dictatorship? (Ep. 260)

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

From the archive — 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.

Where to Find Every Episode of Freakonomics Radio

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000

You can find all 300+ episodes of Freakonomics Radio — going all the way back to 2010 — on the Stitcher app and on our website, freakonomics.com. Want to skip the ads? Sign up for Stitcher Premium. Find out more (and get a discount code) in this short announcement.

Pick of the Week: Who Needs Handwriting (Ep. 235)

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 14:39:00 +0000

From the archive — The digital age is making pen and paper seem obsolete. But what are we giving up if we give up on handwriting?

Pick of the Week: The Upside of Quitting (Ep. 42)

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 14:37:00 +0000

From the archive — You know the saying: a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. To which Freakonomics Radio says … Are you sure?

280. Why Is My Life So Hard? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 04:00:00 +0000

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?

Why Is My Life So Hard? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 04:00:00 +0000

Trust Me (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 28 Dec 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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?

266. Trust Me (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 28 Dec 2017 04:00:00 +0000

209. Make Me a Match (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Make Me a Match (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 04:00:00 +0000

312. Not Your Grandmother’s I.M.F.

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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.

311. Why Is the Live-Event Ticket Market So Screwed Up?

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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.

310. Are We Running Out of Ideas?

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Nurses to the Rescue!

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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.

How Can I Do the Most Social Good With $100? And Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Thinking Is Expensive. Who’s Supposed to Pay for It?

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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?

How to Launch a Behavior-Change Revolution

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

What Are the Secrets of the German Economy — and Should We Steal Them?

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 03:00:00 +0000

Smart government policies, good industrial relations, and high-end products have helped German manufacturing beat back the threats of globalization.

Why Larry Summers Is the Economist Everyone Hates to Love

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Why Learn Esperanto? (Special Feature)

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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?

What Would Be the Best Universal Language? (Earth 2.0 Series)

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Why Don’t We All Speak the Same Language? (Earth 2.0 Series)

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 03:00:00 +0000

There are 7,000 languages spoken on Earth. What are the costs — and benefits — of our modern-day Tower of Babel?

Bad Medicine, Part 3: Death by Diagnosis (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Bad Medicine, Part 2: (Drug) Trials and Tribulations (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Bad Medicine, Part 1: The Story of 98.6 (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

What Are You Waiting For? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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?

These Shoes Are Killing Me!

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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?

When Helping Hurts

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 03:00:00 +0000

Good intentions are nice, but with so many resources poured into social programs, wouldn't it be even nicer to know what actually works?

The Fracking Boom, a Baby Boom, and the Retreat From Marriage

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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?

The Harvard President Will See You Now (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 03:00:00 +0000

How a pain-in-the-neck girl from rural Virginia came to run the most powerful university in the world.

Why Hate the Koch Brothers? (Part 2)

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Why Hate the Koch Brothers? (Part 1)

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Evolution, Accelerated

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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!

He’s One of the Most Famous Political Operatives in America. America Just Doesn’t Know It Yet.

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

How Stupid Is Our Obsession With Lawns?

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Hoopers! Hoopers! Hoopers!

Thu, 18 May 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

How Big is My Penis? (And Other Things We Ask Google)

Thu, 11 May 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Food + Science = Victory! (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 04 May 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Is Income Inequality Inevitable? (Earth 2.0 Series)

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

What Would Our Economy Look Like? (Earth 2.0 Series)

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Could Solving This One Problem Solve All the Others?

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Big Returns from Thinking Small

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

“Tell Me Something I Don’t Know” on the topic of Collections.

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 03:00:00 +0000

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.

How Safe Is Your Job? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 03:00:00 +0000

Economists preach the gospel of "creative destruction," whereby new industries -- and jobs -- replace the old ones. But has creative destruction become too destructive?

Chuck E. Cheese’s: Where a Kid Can Learn Price Theory

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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?

The Taboo Trifecta

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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.

No Hollywood Ending for the Visual-Effects Industry

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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?

Professor Hendryx vs. Big Coal

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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.

An Egghead’s Guide to the Super Bowl

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Did China Eat America’s Jobs?

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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?

Is the American Dream Really Dead?

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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?

The Men Who Started a Thinking Revolution

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 04:00:00 +0000

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.

How to Become Great at Just About Anything (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 29 Dec 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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.

How to Be More Productive (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 22 Dec 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Bad Medicine, Part 3: Death by Diagnosis

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Bad Medicine, Part 2: (Drug) Trials and Tribulations

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Bad Medicine, Part 1: The Story of 98.6

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 04:00:00 +0000

The No-Tipping Point (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 24 Nov 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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.

How to Make a Bad Decision

Thu, 17 Nov 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Trust Me

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 05:00:00 +0000

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?

The White House Gets Into the Nudge Business

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

In Praise of Incrementalism

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

In Praise of Maintenance

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 03:00:00 +0000

Has our culture's obsession with innovation led us to neglect the fact that things also need to be taken care of?

This Is Your Brain on Podcasts

Thu, 13 Oct 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

How To Win A Nobel Prize (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 03:00:00 +0000

The process is famously secretive (and conducted in Swedish!) but we pry the lid off at least a little bit.

Why Are We Still Using Cash?

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Why Uber Is an Economist’s Dream

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

The Future (Probably) Isn’t as Scary as You Think

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Are You Ready for a Glorious Sunset? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Aziz Ansari Needs Another Toothbrush (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 03:00:00 +0000

The comedian, actor -- and now, author -- answers our FREAK-quently Asked Questions.

What Are You Waiting For?

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Is It Okay for Restaurants to Racially Profile Their Employees? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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?

What Are Gender Barriers Made Of?

Thu, 21 Jul 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Is the Internet Being Ruined?

Thu, 14 Jul 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Confessions of a Pothole Politician

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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?

How Much Does the President Really Matter? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Why Do We Really Follow the News? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Why Does Everyone Hate Flying? And Other Questions Only a Pilot Can Answer

Thu, 02 Jun 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

How to Be Tim Ferriss

Thu, 19 May 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

How to Win Games and Beat People

Thu, 12 May 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Being Malcolm Gladwell

Mon, 02 May 2016 03:00:00 +0000

"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.

Is the World Ready for a Guaranteed Basic Income?

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Are Payday Loans Really as Evil as People Say?

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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?

The Economics of Sleep, Part 2 (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 03:00:00 +0000

People who sleep better earn more money. Now all we have to do is teach everyone to sleep better.

The Economics of Sleep, Part 1 (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 03:00:00 +0000

Could a lack of sleep help explain why some people get much sicker than others?

Yes, the American Economy Is in a Funk -- But Not for the Reasons You Think

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 03:00:00 +0000

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?

The No-Tipping Point

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 04:00:00 +0000

The United States of Cory Booker

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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?

Ask Not What Your Podcast Can Do for You

Thu, 25 Feb 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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.

How to Fix a Broken High Schooler, in Four Easy Steps (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 04 Feb 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Is America’s Education Problem Really Just a Teacher Problem? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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?

Do Boycotts Work?

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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?

How to Be Less Terrible at Predicting the Future

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 04:00:00 +0000

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.

The True Story of the Gender Pay Gap

Thu, 07 Jan 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Discrimination can't explain why women earn so much less than men. If only it were that easy.

When Willpower Isn’t Enough (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 31 Dec 2015 04:00:00 +0000

Sure, we all want to make good personal decisions, but it doesn't always work out. That's where "temptation bundling" comes in.

Fixing the World, Bang-for-the-Buck Edition (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Is Migration a Basic Human Right?

Thu, 17 Dec 2015 04:00:00 +0000

The argument for open borders is compelling -- and deeply problematic.

Ben Bernanke Gives Himself a Grade

Thu, 03 Dec 2015 04:00:00 +0000

He was handed the keys to the global economy just as it started heading off a cliff. Fortunately, he'd seen this movie before.

Why Do People Keep Having Children? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 04:00:00 +0000

Even a brutal natural disaster doesn't diminish our appetite for procreating. This surely means we're heading toward massive overpopulation, right? Probably not.

Does “Early Education” Come Way Too Late?

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Should Everyone Be in a Rock Band?

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 04:00:00 +0000

Lessons from Tom Petty's rise and another rocker's fall.

Food + Science = Victory

Thu, 05 Nov 2015 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Am I Boring You?

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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?

How to Save $1 Billion Without Even Trying (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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?

How To Win A Nobel Prize

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 03:00:00 +0000

The process is famously secretive (and conducted in Swedish!) but we pry the lid off at least a little bit.

Should Kids Pay Back Their Parents for Raising Them?

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Meet the Woman Who Said Women Can’t Have It All

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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.

How Did the Belt Win?

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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?

“I Don't Know What You've Done With My Husband, But He's a Changed Man.”

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 03:00:00 +0000

From domestic abusers to former child soldiers, there is increasing evidence that behavioral therapy can turn them around.

Preventing Crime for Pennies on the Dollar

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 03:00:00 +0000

Conventional programs tend to be expensive, onerous, and ineffective. Could something as simple (and cheap) as cognitive behavioral therapy do the trick?

The Harvard President Will See You Now

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 03:00:00 +0000

How a pain-in-the-neck girl from rural Virginia came to run the most powerful university in the world.

Are You Ready for a Glorious Sunset?

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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?

How to Make a Smart TV Ad

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 03:00:00 +0000

Step 1: Hire a Harvard psych professor as the pitchman. Step 2: Have him help write the script ...

The Dangers of Safety (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 03:00:00 +0000

What do NASCAR drivers, Glenn Beck and the hit men of the NFL have in common?

Why Do We Really Follow the News?

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 03:00:00 +0000

How to Create Suspense

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Aziz Ansari Needs Another Toothbrush

Thu, 23 Jul 2015 03:00:00 +0000

The comedian, actor -- and now, author -- answers our FREAK-quently Asked Questions

The Economics of Sleep, Part 2

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 03:00:00 +0000

People who sleep better earn more money. Now all we have to do is teach everyone to sleep better.

The Economics of Sleep, Part 1

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 03:00:00 +0000

Could a lack of sleep help explain why some people get much sicker than others?

A Better Way to Eat (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 02 Jul 2015 03:00:00 +0000

Takeru Kobayashi revolutionized the sport of competitive eating. What can the rest of us learn from his breakthrough?

Is It Okay for Restaurants to Racially Profile Their Employees?

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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?

Make Me a Match

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Making Sex Offenders Pay -- and Pay and Pay and Pay

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Should We Really Behave Like Economists Say We Do?

Thu, 04 Jun 2015 03:00:00 +0000

One man's attempt to remake his life in the mold of homo economicus.

Tell Me Something I Don’t Know (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 28 May 2015 03:00:00 +0000

The debut of a live game show from Freakonomics Radio, with judges Malcolm Gladwell, Ana Gasteyer, and David Paterson.

Failure Is Your Friend (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 21 May 2015 03:00:00 +0000

In which we argue that failure should not only be tolerated but celebrated.

Ten Years of Freakonomics

Thu, 14 May 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Could the Next Brooklyn Be ... Las Vegas?!

Thu, 07 May 2015 03:00:00 +0000

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.

Think Like a Child (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 30 Apr 2015 03:00:00 +0000

When it comes to generating ideas and asking questions it can be really fruitful to have the mentality of an eight year old.

Nate Silver Says: “Everyone Is Kind of Weird”

Thu, 23 Apr 2015 03:00:00 +0000

America's favorite statistical guru answers our FREAK-quently Asked Questions, and more.

Diamonds Are a Marriage Counselor’s Best Friend

Thu, 16 Apr 2015 04:00:00 +0000

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.

How Many Doctors Does It Take to Start a Healthcare Revolution?

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 04:00:00 +0000

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.

How Do We Know What Really Works in Healthcare?

Thu, 02 Apr 2015 04:00:00 +0000

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.

The Perfect Crime (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 04:00:00 +0000

If you are driving and kill a pedestrian, there's a good chance you'll barely be punished. Why?

What You Don’t Know About Online Dating (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 04:00:00 +0000

Thick markets, thin markets, and the triumph of attributes over compatibility.

When Willpower Isn’t Enough

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 04:00:00 +0000

Sure, we all want to make good personal decisions, but it doesn't always work out. That's where "temptation bundling" comes in.

This Idea Must Die

Thu, 05 Mar 2015 05:00:00 +0000

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?

The Maddest Men of All

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Advertisers have always been adept at manipulating our emotions. Now they're using behavioral economics to get even better.

Is There a Better Way to Fight Terrorism?

Thu, 12 Feb 2015 05:00:00 +0000

The White House is hosting an anti-terror summit next week. Summits being what they are, we try to offer some useful advice.

How Efficient Is Energy Efficiency?

Thu, 05 Feb 2015 05:00:00 +0000

It's a centerpiece of U.S. climate policy and a sacred cow among environmentalists. Does it work?

How Safe Is Your Job?

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Economists preach the gospel of "creative destruction," whereby new industries -- and jobs -- replace the old ones. But has creative destruction become too destructive?

Someone Else’s Acid Trip

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 05:00:00 +0000

As Kevin Kelly tells it, the hippie revolution and the computer revolution are nearly one and the same.

Why Doesn’t Everyone Get the Flu Vaccine?

Thu, 08 Jan 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Influenza kills, but you’d never know it by how few of us get the vaccine.

What’s the “Best” Exercise? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Most people blame lack of time for being out of shape. So maybe the solution is to exercise more efficiently.

What’s More Dangerous: Marijuana or Alcohol? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 25 Dec 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Imagine that both substances were undiscovered until today. How would we think about their relative risks?

Time to Take Back the Toilet

Thu, 18 Dec 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Public bathrooms are noisy, poorly designed, and often nonexistent. What to do?

The Troubled Cremation of Stevie the Cat (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 05:00:00 +0000

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?

How to Fix a Broken High Schooler, in Four Easy Steps

Thu, 04 Dec 2014 05:00:00 +0000

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.

Is America’s Education Problem Really Just a Teacher Problem?

Thu, 27 Nov 2014 05:00:00 +0000

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?

The Man Who Would Be Everything

Thu, 20 Nov 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Boris Johnson -- mayor of London, biographer of Churchill, cheese-box painter and tennis-racket collector -- answers our FREAK-quently Asked Questions.

Why Do People Keep Having Children?

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Even a brutal natural disaster doesn’t diminish our appetite for procreating. This surely means we’re heading toward massive overpopulation, right? Probably not.

Should the U.S. Merge With Mexico?

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Corporations around the world are consolidating like never before. If it’s good enough for companies, why not countries? Welcome to Amexico!

What Can Vampires Teach Us About Economics?

Thu, 30 Oct 2014 04:00:00 +0000

A lot! “The Economics of the Undead” is a book about dating strategy, job creation, and whether there should be a legal market for blood.

“Tell Me Something I Don’t Know”

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:00:00 +0000

The debut of a live game show from Freakonomics Radio, with judges Malcolm Gladwell, Ana Gasteyer, and David Paterson.

How Can Tiny Norway Afford to Buy So Many Teslas?

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 04:00:00 +0000

The Norwegian government parleys massive oil wealth into huge subsidies for electric cars. Is that carbon laundering or just pragmatic environmentalism?

How to Raise Money Without Killing a Kitten (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 04:00:00 +0000

The science of what works -- and doesn't work -- in fund-raising

Fixing the World, Bang-for-the-Buck Edition

Thu, 02 Oct 2014 04:00:00 +0000

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.

Fitness Apartheid

Thu, 25 Sep 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Markets are hardly perfect, but the results can be ugly when you try to subvert them.

Outsiders by Design

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 04:00:00 +0000

What does it mean to pursue something that everyone else thinks is nuts? And what does it take to succeed?

Regulate This!

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Airbnb, Uber, Lyft, EatWith, and other companies in the “sharing economy” are practically daring government regulators to shut them down. The regulators are happy to comply.

Who Runs the Internet? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 28 Aug 2014 04:00:00 +0000

The online universe doesn't have nearly as many rules, or rulemakers, as the real world. Discuss.

Parking Is Hell (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 21 Aug 2014 04:00:00 +0000

There ain't no such thing as a free parking spot. Somebody has to pay for it -- and that somebody is everybody.

What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 14 Aug 2014 04:00:00 +0000

A look at whether spite pays -- and if it even exists.

Should Tipping be Banned? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 07 Aug 2014 04:00:00 +0000

It's awkward, random, confusing -- and probably discriminatory too.

How Much Does Your Name Matter? (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 31 Jul 2014 04:00:00 +0000

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?

176. Does Religion Make You Happy?

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 04:00:00 +0000

It’s a hard question to answer, but we do our best.

Why You Should Bribe Your Kids

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Educational messaging looks good on paper but kids don’t respond to it -- and adults aren’t much better.

175. Why You Should Bribe Your Kids

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Educational messaging looks good on paper but kids don’t respond to it -- and adults aren’t much better.

174. What Do King Solomon and David Lee Roth Have in Common?

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 04:00:00 +0000

It isn’t easy to separate the guilty from the innocent, but a clever bit of game theory can help.

What Do King Solomon and David Lee Roth Have in Common?

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 04:00:00 +0000

It isn’t easy to separate the guilty from the innocent, but a clever bit of game theory can help.

173. A Better Way to Eat

Thu, 03 Jul 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Takeru Kobayashi revolutionized the sport of competitive eating. What can the rest of us learn from his breakthrough?

How to Screen Job Applicants, Act Your Age, and Get Your Brain Off Autopilot

Thu, 26 Jun 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Dubner and Levitt answer reader questions in this first installment of the “Think Like a Freak” Book Club.

172. How to Screen Job Applicants, Act Your Age, and Get Your Brain Off Autopilot

Thu, 26 Jun 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Dubner and Levitt answer reader questions in this first installment of the “Think Like a Freak” Book Club.

171. There’s No Such Thing as a Free Appetizer

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Is it really in a restaurant’s best interest to give customers free bread or chips before they even order?

There’s No Such Thing as a Free Appetizer

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Is it really in a restaurant’s best interest to give customers free bread or chips before they even order?

Why America Doesn’t Love Soccer (Yet)

Thu, 12 Jun 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Every four years, the U.S. takes a look at the World Cup and develops a slight crush. What would it take to really fall in love?

170. Why America Doesn’t Love Soccer (Yet)

Thu, 12 Jun 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Every four years, the U.S. takes a look at the World Cup and develops a slight crush. What would it take to really fall in love?

169. Failure Is Your Friend

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 04:00:00 +0000

In which we argue that failure should not only be tolerated but celebrated.

42. The Upside of Quitting (Rebroadcast )

Thu, 29 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

You know the saying: a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. To which Freakonomics Radio says ... Are you sure?

The Upside of Quitting (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 29 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

You know the saying: a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. To which Freakonomics Radio says ... Are you sure?

Think Like a Child

Thu, 22 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

When it comes to generating ideas and asking questions it can be really fruitful to have the mentality of an eight year old.

168. Think Like a Child

Thu, 22 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

When it comes to generating ideas and asking questions it can be really fruitful to have the mentality of an eight year old.

The Three Hardest Words in the English Language

Thu, 15 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Why learning to say “I don’t know” is one of the best things you can do.

167. The Three Hardest Words in the English Language

Thu, 15 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Why learning to say “I don’t know” is one of the best things you can do.

How to Think Like a Freak -- and Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions

Thu, 08 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Stephen Dubner and Steve Levitt talk about their new book and field questions about prestige, university life, and (yum yum) bacon.

166. How to Think Like a Freak -- and Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions

Thu, 08 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Stephen Dubner and Steve Levitt talk about their new book and field questions about prestige, university life, and (yum yum) bacon.

The Perfect Crime

Thu, 01 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

If you are driving and kill a pedestrian, there's a good chance you'll barely be punished. Why?

165. The Perfect Crime

Thu, 01 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

If you are driving and kill a pedestrian, there's a good chance you'll barely be punished. Why?

Which Came First, the Chicken or the Avocado?

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 04:00:00 +0000

When it comes to exercising outrage, people tend to be very selective. Could it be that humans are our least favorite animal?

163. What’s More Dangerous: Marijuana or Alcohol?

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Imagine that both substances were undiscovered until today. How would we think about their relative risks?

What’s More Dangerous: Marijuana or Alcohol?

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Imagine that both substances were undiscovered until today. How would we think about their relative risks?

“If Mayors Ruled the World”

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Unlike certain elected officials in Washington, mayors all over the country actually get stuff done. So maybe we should ask them to do more?

162. “If Mayors Ruled the World”

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Unlike certain elected officials in Washington, mayors all over the country actually get stuff done. So maybe we should ask them to do more?

How to Make People Quit Smoking

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 04:00:00 +0000

The war on cigarettes has been fairly successful in some places. But 1 billion humans still smoke -- so what comes next?

161. How to Make People Quit Smoking

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 04:00:00 +0000

The war on cigarettes has been fairly successful in some places. But 1 billion humans still smoke -- so what comes next?

160. Why Everybody Who Doesn’t Hate Bitcoin Loves It

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Thinking of Bitcoin as just a digital currency is like thinking about the Internet as just e-mail. Its potential is much more exciting than that.

Why Everybody Who Doesn’t Hate Bitcoin Loves It

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Thinking of Bitcoin as just a digital currency is like thinking about the Internet as just e-mail. Its potential is much more exciting than that.

Women Are Not Men (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 04:00:00 +0000

In many ways, the gender gap is closing. In others, not so much. And that's not always a bad thing.

116. Women Are Not Men (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 04:00:00 +0000

In many ways, the gender gap is closing. In others, not so much. And that's not always a bad thing.

159. “It’s Fun to Smoke Marijuana”

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 04:00:00 +0000

A psychology professor argues that the brain's greatest attribute is knowing what other people are thinking. And that a Queen song, played backwards, can improve your mind-reading skills.

“It’s Fun to Smoke Marijuana”

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 04:00:00 +0000

A psychology professor argues that the brain's greatest attribute is knowing what other people are thinking. And that a Queen song, played backwards, can improve your mind-reading skills.

158. Is Learning a Foreign Language Really Worth It?

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Yes, it expands the mind but we usually don't retain much -- and then there's the opportunity cost.

Is Learning a Foreign Language Really Worth It?

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Yes, it expands the mind but we usually don't retain much -- and then there's the opportunity cost.

157. Why Are Japanese Homes Disposable?

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 05:00:00 +0000

In most countries, houses get more valuable over time. In Japan, a new buyer will often bulldoze the home. We'll tell you why.

Why Are Japanese Homes Disposable?

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 05:00:00 +0000

In most countries, houses get more valuable over time. In Japan, a new buyer will often bulldoze the home. We'll tell you why.

Why Marry? (Part 2)

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 05:00:00 +0000

The consequences of our low marriage rate -- and if the old model is less attractive, how about a new one?

156. Why Marry? (Part 2)

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 05:00:00 +0000

The consequences of our low marriage rate -- and if the old model is less attractive, how about a new one?

Why Marry? (Part 1)

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 05:00:00 +0000

The myths of modern marriage.

155. Why Marry? (Part 1)

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 05:00:00 +0000

The myths of modern marriage.

154. What You Don’t Know About Online Dating

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Thick markets, thin markets, and the triumph of attributes over compatibility. This episode is included in the Freakonomics #smartbinge podcast playlist at wnyc.org/smartbinge

What You Don’t Know About Online Dating

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Thick markets, thin markets, and the triumph of attributes over compatibility. This episode is included in the Freakonomics #smartbinge podcast playlist at wnyc.org/smartbinge

Reasons to Not Be Ugly

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

The "beauty premium" is real, for everyone from babies to NFL quarterbacks.

153. Reasons to Not Be Ugly

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

The "beauty premium" is real, for everyone from babies to NFL quarterbacks.

Everybody Gossips (and That’s a Good Thing)

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

The benefits of rumor-mongering

152. Everybody Gossips (and That’s a Good Thing)

Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

The benefits of rumor-mongering

Fear Thy Nature (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

What "Sleep No More" and the Stanford Prison Experiment tell us about who we really are.

92. Fear Thy Nature (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

What "Sleep No More" and the Stanford Prison Experiment tell us about who we really are.

Are We Ready to Legalize Drugs? And Other FREAK-Quently Asked Questions

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Dubner and Levitt talk about fixing the post office, putting cameras in the classroom, and wearing hats.

151. Are We Ready to Legalize Drugs? And Other FREAK-Quently Asked Questions

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Dubner and Levitt talk about fixing the post office, putting cameras in the classroom, and wearing hats.

150. What’s the “Best” Exercise?

Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Most people blame lack of time for being out of shape. So maybe the solution is to exercise more efficiently.

What’s the “Best” Exercise?

Thu, 02 Jan 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Most people blame lack of time for being out of shape. So maybe the solution is to exercise more efficiently.

Save Me From Myself (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:00:00 +0000

A commitment device forces you to be the person you really want to be. What could possibly go wrong?

60. Save Me From Myself (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:00:00 +0000

A commitment device forces you to be the person you really want to be. What could possibly go wrong?

149. Pontiff-icating on the Free-Market System

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 14:00:00 +0000

The Pope just gave it to the global economy with both barrels. Was he right to do so?

Pontiff-icating on the Free-Market System

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 14:00:00 +0000

The Pope just gave it to the global economy with both barrels. Was he right to do so?

148. Are Gay Men Really Rich?

Thu, 12 Dec 2013 14:00:00 +0000

It’s easy to get that idea. But is the stereotype true?

Are Gay Men Really Rich?

Thu, 12 Dec 2013 14:00:00 +0000

It’s easy to get that idea. But is the stereotype true?

The Most Dangerous Machine

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 14:00:00 +0000

More than 1 million people die worldwide each year from traffic accidents. But there's never been a safer time to drive.

147. The Most Dangerous Machine

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 14:00:00 +0000

More than 1 million people die worldwide each year from traffic accidents. But there's never been a safer time to drive.

146. Fighting Poverty With Actual Evidence

Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:00:00 +0000

It's time to do away with feel-good stories, gut hunches, and magical thinking.

Fighting Poverty With Actual Evidence

Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:00:00 +0000

It's time to do away with feel-good stories, gut hunches, and magical thinking.

145. What Do Skating Rinks, Ultimate Frisbee, and the World Have in Common?

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Spontaneous order is everywhere if you know where to look for it.

What Do Skating Rinks, Ultimate Frisbee, and the World Have in Common?

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Spontaneous order is everywhere if you know where to look for it.

Who Runs the Internet?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 14:00:00 +0000

The online universe doesn't have nearly as many rules, or rulemakers, as the real world. Discuss.

144. Who Runs the Internet?

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 14:00:00 +0000

The online universe doesn't have nearly as many rules, or rulemakers, as the real world. Discuss.

Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 2 (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 14:00:00 +0000

College tends to make people happier, healthier, and wealthier. But how?

88. Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 2 (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 14:00:00 +0000

College tends to make people happier, healthier, and wealthier. But how?

Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 1 (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

What's a college degree really worth these days?

86. Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 1 (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

What's a college degree really worth these days?

143. Why Bad Environmentalism Is Such an Easy Sell

Thu, 24 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Being green is rarely a black-and-white issue -- but that doesn't stop marketers and politicians from pretending it is.

Why Bad Environmentalism Is Such an Easy Sell

Thu, 24 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Being green is rarely a black-and-white issue -- but that doesn't stop marketers and politicians from pretending it is.

142. The Troubled Cremation of Stevie the Cat

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

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?

The Troubled Cremation of Stevie the Cat

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

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?

How to Raise Money Without Killing a Kitten

Thu, 10 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

The science of what works -- and doesn't work -- in fund-raising

141. How to Raise Money Without Killing a Kitten

Thu, 10 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

The science of what works -- and doesn't work -- in fund-raising

140. How to Think About Money, Choose Your Hometown, and Buy an Electric Toothbrush

Thu, 03 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Dubner and Levitt field your queries in this latest installment of our FREAK-quently Asked Questions.

How to Think About Money, Choose Your Hometown, and Buy an Electric Toothbrush

Thu, 03 Oct 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Dubner and Levitt field your queries in this latest installment of our FREAK-quently Asked Questions.

Would a Big Bucket of Cash Really Change Your Life?

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

A 19th-century Georgia land lottery may have something to teach us about today's income inequality.

139. Would a Big Bucket of Cash Really Change Your Life?

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

A 19th-century Georgia land lottery may have something to teach us about today's income inequality.

39. The Economist’s Guide to Parenting (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Think you know how much parents matter? Think again. Economists crunch the numbers to learn the ROI on child-rearing.

The Economist’s Guide to Parenting (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Think you know how much parents matter? Think again. Economists crunch the numbers to learn the ROI on child-rearing.

Whatever Happened to the Carpal Tunnel Epidemic?

Thu, 12 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Once upon a time, office workers across America lived in fear of a dreaded infirmity. Was the computer keyboard really the villain -- and did carpal tunnel syndrome really go away?

138. Whatever Happened to the Carpal Tunnel Epidemic?

Thu, 12 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Once upon a time, office workers across America lived in fear of a dreaded infirmity. Was the computer keyboard really the villain -- and did carpal tunnel syndrome really go away?

40. The Suicide Paradox (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

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.

The Suicide Paradox (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

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.

Who Are the Most Successful Immigrants in the World?

Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

It's impossible to say for sure, but the Lebanese do remarkably well. Why?

137. Who Are the Most Successful Immigrants in the World?

Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

It's impossible to say for sure, but the Lebanese do remarkably well. Why?

41. The Folly of Prediction (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Human beings love to predict the future, but we're quite terrible at it. So how about punishing all those bad predictions?

The Folly of Prediction (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Human beings love to predict the future, but we're quite terrible at it. So how about punishing all those bad predictions?

The Middle of Everywhere

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Chicago has given the world more than sausage, crooked politics, and Da Bears.

136. The Middle of Everywhere

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Chicago has given the world more than sausage, crooked politics, and Da Bears.

38. The Church of "Scionology" (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

We worship the tradition of handing off a family business to the next generation. But is that really such a good idea?

The Church of "Scionology" (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

We worship the tradition of handing off a family business to the next generation. But is that really such a good idea?

Do Baby Girls Cause Divorce?

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Even American parents have a strong "son preference" -- which means that a newborn daughter can be bad news for a marriage.

135. Do Baby Girls Cause Divorce?

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Even American parents have a strong "son preference" -- which means that a newborn daughter can be bad news for a marriage.

REBROADCAST: The Upside of Quitting

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

You know the saying: a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. To which Freakonomics Radio says ... Are you sure?

42. The Upside of Quitting (Rebroadcast)

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

You know the saying: a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. To which Freakonomics Radio says ... Are you sure?

Government Employees Gone Wild

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

The Encyclopedia of Ethical Failures catalogs the fiscal, sexual, and mental lapses of federal workers -- all with an eye toward preventing the next big mistake.

134. Government Employees Gone Wild

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

The Encyclopedia of Ethical Failures catalogs the fiscal, sexual, and mental lapses of federal workers -- all with an eye toward preventing the next big mistake.

134. Government Employees Gone Wild

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

The Encyclopedia of Ethical Failures catalogs the fiscal, sexual, and mental lapses of federal workers -- all with an eye toward preventing the next big mistake.

133. A Burger a Day

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Is junk food an abomination or a modern miracle?

133. A Burger a Day

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Is junk food an abomination or a modern miracle?

A Burger a Day

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Is junk food an abomination or a modern miracle?

Jane Austen, Game Theorist

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 21:00:00 +0000

What does "Pride and Prejudice" have to do with nuclear deterrence?

132. Jane Austen, Game Theorist

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 21:00:00 +0000

What does "Pride and Prejudice" have to do with nuclear deterrence?

132. Jane Austen, Game Theorist

Wed, 03 Jul 2013 21:00:00 +0000

What does "Pride and Prejudice" have to do with nuclear deterrence?

Legacy of a Jerk (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

What happens to your reputation when you're no longer around to defend it?

84. Legacy of a Jerk (Rebroadcast)

Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

What happens to your reputation when you're no longer around to defend it?

REBROADCAST: Legacy of a Jerk

Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

What happens to your reputation when you're no longer around to defend it?

131. Do You Really Want to Know Your Future?

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

You might think that someone with a 50-50 chance of getting a fatal disease would want to know for sure -- but you would be wrong. What does this say about our supposed thirst for certainty?

131. Do You Really Want to Know Your Future?

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

You might think that someone with a 50-50 chance of getting a fatal disease would want to know for sure -- but you would be wrong. What does this say about our supposed thirst for certainty?

Do You Really Want to Know Your Future?

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

You might think that someone with a 50-50 chance of getting a fatal disease would want to know for sure -- but you would be wrong. What does this say about our supposed thirst for certainty?

130. Why Family and Business Don’t Mix

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Yet another reason to blame your parents for pretty much everything.

130. Why Family and Business Don’t Mix

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Yet another reason to blame your parents for pretty much everything.

Why Family and Business Don’t Mix

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Yet another reason to blame your parents for pretty much everything.

Should Tipping be Banned?

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

It's awkward, random, confusing -- and probably discriminatory too.

129. Should Tipping be Banned?

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

It's awkward, random, confusing -- and probably discriminatory too.

129. Should Tipping be Banned?

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

It's awkward, random, confusing -- and probably discriminatory too.

128. Baby, You Can Program My Car

Wed, 29 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

A glimpse into our driverless future.

128. Baby, You Can Program My Car

Wed, 29 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

A glimpse into our driverless future.

Baby, You Can Program My Car

Wed, 29 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

A glimpse into our driverless future.

127. Can You Be Too Smart for Your Own Good? And Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Dubner and Levitt talk about circadian rhythms, gay marriage, autism, and whether "pay what you want" is everything it's cracked up to be.

Can You Be Too Smart for Your Own Good? And Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Dubner and Levitt talk about circadian rhythms, gay marriage, autism, and whether "pay what you want" is everything it's cracked up to be.

127. Can You Be Too Smart for Your Own Good? And Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Dubner and Levitt talk about circadian rhythms, gay marriage, autism, and whether "pay what you want" is everything it's cracked up to be.

The Hidden Cost of False Alarms (Rebroadcast)

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:00:00 +0000

If any other product failed 94 percent of the time, you'd probably stop using it. So why do we put up with burglar alarms?

REBROADCAST: The Hidden Cost of False Alarms

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:00:00 +0000

If any other product failed 94 percent of the time, you'd probably stop using it. So why do we put up with burglar alarms?

69. The Hidden Cost of False Alarms (Rebroadcast)

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:00:00 +0000

If any other product failed 94 percent of the time, you'd probably stop using it. So why do we put up with burglar alarms?

126. What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common?

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

A look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists.

126. What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common?

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

A look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists.

125. It’s Crowded at the Top

Wed, 01 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Why is unemployment still so high? It may be because of something that happened well before the Great Recession.

125. It’s Crowded at the Top

Wed, 01 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Why is unemployment still so high? It may be because of something that happened well before the Great Recession.

It’s Crowded at the Top

Wed, 01 May 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Why is unemployment still so high? It may be because of something that happened well before the Great Recession.

Running to Do Evil

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

An interview with Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose younger brother turned him in -- and what it says about the Boston bombers.

124. Running to Do Evil

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

An interview with Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose younger brother turned him in -- and what it says about the Boston bombers.

124. Running to Do Evil

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

An interview with Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose younger brother turned him in -- and what it says about the Boston bombers.

123. Help Wanted. No Smokers Need Apply

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:00:00 +0000

In many states, it is perfectly legal to not hire someone who smokes. Should employers also be able to weed out junk-food lovers or motorcyclists -- or anyone who wants to have a baby?

123. Help Wanted. No Smokers Need Apply

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:00:00 +0000

In many states, it is perfectly legal to not hire someone who smokes. Should employers also be able to weed out junk-food lovers or motorcyclists -- or anyone who wants to have a baby?

Help Wanted. No Smokers Need Apply

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:00:00 +0000

In many states, it is perfectly legal to not hire someone who smokes. Should employers also be able to weed out junk-food lovers or motorcyclists -- or anyone who wants to have a baby?

How Much Does Your Name Matter?

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

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?

122. How Much Does Your Name Matter?

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

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?

122. How Much Does Your Name Matter?

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

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?

121. The Tax Man Nudgeth

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Real tax reform may or may not ever happen. In the meantime, how about making the current system work a bit better?

121. The Tax Man Nudgeth

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Real tax reform may or may not ever happen. In the meantime, how about making the current system work a bit better?

The Tax Man Nudgeth

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Real tax reform may or may not ever happen. In the meantime, how about making the current system work a bit better?

120. 100 Ways to Fight Obesity

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Freakonomics asks a dozen smart people for their best ideas. Get ready for a fat tax, a sugar ban, and a calorie-chomping tapeworm.

120. 100 Ways to Fight Obesity

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Freakonomics asks a dozen smart people for their best ideas. Get ready for a fat tax, a sugar ban, and a calorie-chomping tapeworm.

100 Ways to Fight Obesity

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Freakonomics asks a dozen smart people for their best ideas. Get ready for a fat tax, a sugar ban, and a calorie-chomping tapeworm.

119. How Money Is March Madness?

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0000

The NCAA basketball tournament grabs a lot of eyeballs, but turning them into dollars hasn't always been easy -- even when the "talent" is playing for free.

How Money Is March Madness?

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0000

The NCAA basketball tournament grabs a lot of eyeballs, but turning them into dollars hasn't always been easy -- even when the "talent" is playing for free.

119. How Money Is March Madness?

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0000

The NCAA basketball tournament grabs a lot of eyeballs, but turning them into dollars hasn't always been easy -- even when the "talent" is playing for free.

118. Parking Is Hell

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0000

There ain't no such thing as a free parking spot. Somebody has to pay for it -- and that somebody is everybody.

Parking Is Hell

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0000

There ain't no such thing as a free parking spot. Somebody has to pay for it -- and that somebody is everybody.

118. Parking Is Hell

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:00:00 +0000

There ain't no such thing as a free parking spot. Somebody has to pay for it -- and that somebody is everybody.

117. When Is a Negative a Positive?

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Sure, we all like to hear compliments. But if you're truly looking to get better at something, it's the negative feedback that will get you there.

117. When Is a Negative a Positive?

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Sure, we all like to hear compliments. But if you're truly looking to get better at something, it's the negative feedback that will get you there.

When Is a Negative a Positive?

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Sure, we all like to hear compliments. But if you're truly looking to get better at something, it's the negative feedback that will get you there.

116. Women Are Not Men

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

In many ways, the gender gap is closing. In others, not so much. And that's not always a bad thing.

116. Women Are Not Men

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

In many ways, the gender gap is closing. In others, not so much. And that's not always a bad thing.

Women Are Not Men

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

In many ways, the gender gap is closing. In others, not so much. And that's not always a bad thing.

115. The Downside of More Miles Per Gallon

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

The gas tax doesn't work well, and it's only going to get worse. What's next?

The Downside of More Miles Per Gallon

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

The gas tax doesn't work well, and it's only going to get worse. What's next?

115. The Downside of More Miles Per Gallon

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

The gas tax doesn't work well, and it's only going to get worse. What's next?

How to Think About Guns

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

No one wants mass shootings. Unfortunately, no one has a workable plan to stop them either.

114. How to Think About Guns

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

No one wants mass shootings. Unfortunately, no one has a workable plan to stop them either.

114. How to Think About Guns

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

No one wants mass shootings. Unfortunately, no one has a workable plan to stop them either.

113. Sure, I Remember That

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

It is startlingly easy to create false memories, especially in politics.

113. Sure, I Remember That

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

It is startlingly easy to create false memories, especially in politics.

Sure, I Remember That

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:00:00 +0000

It is startlingly easy to create false memories, especially in politics.

Would You Let a Coin Toss Decide Your Future?

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner go deep on "Freakonomics Experiments," a new research project that lets you take a chance on life.

112. Would You Let a Coin Toss Decide Your Future?

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner go deep on "Freakonomics Experiments," a new research project that lets you take a chance on life.

112. Would You Let a Coin Toss Decide Your Future?

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner go deep on "Freakonomics Experiments," a new research project that lets you take a chance on life.

Introducing “Freakonomics Experiments”

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Steve Levitt has a novel idea for helping people make tough decisions

111. Introducing “Freakonomics Experiments”

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Steve Levitt has a novel idea for helping people make tough decisions

111. Introducing “Freakonomics Experiments”

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Steve Levitt has a novel idea for helping people make tough decisions

110. Who Owns the Words That Come Out of Your Mouth?

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

The very long reach of Winston Churchill -- and how the British government is remaking copyright law.

Who Owns the Words That Come Out of Your Mouth?

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

The very long reach of Winston Churchill -- and how the British government is remaking copyright law.

110. Who Owns the Words That Come Out of Your Mouth?

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

The very long reach of Winston Churchill -- and how the British government is remaking copyright law.

109. How to Live Longer

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Why do Hall of Fame inductees, Oscar winners, and Nobel laureates outlive their peers?

109. How to Live Longer

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Why do Hall of Fame inductees, Oscar winners, and Nobel laureates outlive their peers?

How to Live Longer

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Why do Hall of Fame inductees, Oscar winners, and Nobel laureates outlive their peers?

108. How Did “Freakonomics” Get Its Name? … and Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner answer your questions about driving, sneezing, and ladies’ nights. Plus a remembrance of Levitt’s sister Linda.

How Did “Freakonomics” Get Its Name? … and Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner answer your questions about driving, sneezing, and ladies’ nights. Plus a remembrance of Levitt’s sister Linda.

108. How Did “Freakonomics” Get Its Name? … and Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner answer your questions about driving, sneezing, and ladies’ nights. Plus a remembrance of Levitt’s sister Linda.

107. How Much Does a Good Boss Really Matter?

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:00:00 +0000

It's harder than you'd think to measure the value of a boss. But some enterprising economists have done just that -- and the news is good.

How Much Does a Good Boss Really Matter?

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:00:00 +0000

It's harder than you'd think to measure the value of a boss. But some enterprising economists have done just that -- and the news is good.

107. How Much Does a Good Boss Really Matter?

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:00:00 +0000

It's harder than you'd think to measure the value of a boss. But some enterprising economists have done just that -- and the news is good.

106. The House of Dreams

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Dubner's childhood home goes from sacred to profane -- and then back again.

The House of Dreams

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Dubner's childhood home goes from sacred to profane -- and then back again.

106. The House of Dreams

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Dubner's childhood home goes from sacred to profane -- and then back again.

105. Have a Very Homo Economicus Christmas

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Who better than an economist to help with your shopping list?

Have a Very Homo Economicus Christmas

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Who better than an economist to help with your shopping list?

105. Have a Very Homo Economicus Christmas

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Who better than an economist to help with your shopping list?

The Things They Taught Me

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:00:00 +0000

College, at its best, is about learning to think. Stephen Dubner chats up three of his former professors who made the magic happen.

104. The Things They Taught Me

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:00:00 +0000

College, at its best, is about learning to think. Stephen Dubner chats up three of his former professors who made the magic happen.

104. The Things They Taught Me

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:00:00 +0000

College, at its best, is about learning to think. Stephen Dubner chats up three of his former professors who made the magic happen.

Free-conomics

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Economists are a notoriously self-interested bunch. But a British outfit called Pro Bono Economics is giving away its services to selected charities.

103. Free-conomics

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Economists are a notoriously self-interested bunch. But a British outfit called Pro Bono Economics is giving away its services to selected charities.

103. Free-conomics

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Economists are a notoriously self-interested bunch. But a British outfit called Pro Bono Economics is giving away its services to selected charities.

102. I Consult, Therefore I Am

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:00:00 +0000

There are enough management consultants these days to form a small nation. But what do they actually do? And does it work?

102. I Consult, Therefore I Am

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:00:00 +0000

There are enough management consultants these days to form a small nation. But what do they actually do? And does it work?

I Consult, Therefore I Am

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:00:00 +0000

There are enough management consultants these days to form a small nation. But what do they actually do? And does it work?

Mass Transit Hysteria

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Adding more train and bus lines looks like an environmental slam dunk. Until you start to do the math.

101. Mass Transit Hysteria

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Adding more train and bus lines looks like an environmental slam dunk. Until you start to do the math.

101. Mass Transit Hysteria

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Adding more train and bus lines looks like an environmental slam dunk. Until you start to do the math.

100. Our 100th Episode!

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Turkey sex and chicken wings, selling souls and swapping organs, the power of the president and the price of wine: these are a few of our favorite things.

Our 100th Episode!

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Turkey sex and chicken wings, selling souls and swapping organs, the power of the president and the price of wine: these are a few of our favorite things.

100. Our 100th Episode!

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Turkey sex and chicken wings, selling souls and swapping organs, the power of the president and the price of wine: these are a few of our favorite things.

99. How to Maximize Your Halloween Candy Haul

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Is it as simple as going to the richest neighborhood you can find? Of course not ...

How to Maximize Your Halloween Candy Haul

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Is it as simple as going to the richest neighborhood you can find? Of course not ...

99. How to Maximize Your Halloween Candy Haul

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Is it as simple as going to the richest neighborhood you can find? Of course not ...

We the Sheeple

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Politicians tell voters exactly what they want to hear, even when it makes no sense. Which is pretty much all the time.

98. We the Sheeple

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Politicians tell voters exactly what they want to hear, even when it makes no sense. Which is pretty much all the time.

98. We the Sheeple

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Politicians tell voters exactly what they want to hear, even when it makes no sense. Which is pretty much all the time.

97. Lying to Ourselves

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

We rely on polls and surveys to tell us how people will behave in the future. Too bad they're completely unreliable.

97. Lying to Ourselves

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

We rely on polls and surveys to tell us how people will behave in the future. Too bad they're completely unreliable.

Lying to Ourselves

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

We rely on polls and surveys to tell us how people will behave in the future. Too bad they're completely unreliable.

The Cobra Effect

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

When you want to get rid of a nasty pest, one obvious solution comes to mind: just offer a cash reward. But be careful -- because nothing backfires quite like a bounty.

96. The Cobra Effect

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

When you want to get rid of a nasty pest, one obvious solution comes to mind: just offer a cash reward. But be careful -- because nothing backfires quite like a bounty.

96. The Cobra Effect

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

When you want to get rid of a nasty pest, one obvious solution comes to mind: just offer a cash reward. But be careful -- because nothing backfires quite like a bounty.

Why America’s Economic Growth May Be (Shh!) Over

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Sure, we love our computers and all the rest of our digital toys. But when it comes to real economic gains, can we ever match old-school innovations like the automobile and electricity?

95. Why America’s Economic Growth May Be (Shh!) Over

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Sure, we love our computers and all the rest of our digital toys. But when it comes to real economic gains, can we ever match old-school innovations like the automobile and electricity?

95. Why America’s Economic Growth May Be (Shh!) Over

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Sure, we love our computers and all the rest of our digital toys. But when it comes to real economic gains, can we ever match old-school innovations like the automobile and electricity?

The Tale of the $15 Tomato

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Trying to go rustic by baking, brewing, and knitting at home can be terribly inefficient. And that's a wonderful thing.

94. The Tale of the $15 Tomato

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Trying to go rustic by baking, brewing, and knitting at home can be terribly inefficient. And that's a wonderful thing.

94. The Tale of the $15 Tomato

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Trying to go rustic by baking, brewing, and knitting at home can be terribly inefficient. And that's a wonderful thing.

93. Why Online Poker Should Be Legal

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The data show that poker is indeed a game of skill, not chance, and a Federal judge agrees. So why are players still being treated like criminals?

Why Online Poker Should Be Legal

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The data show that poker is indeed a game of skill, not chance, and a Federal judge agrees. So why are players still being treated like criminals?

93. Why Online Poker Should Be Legal

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The data show that poker is indeed a game of skill, not chance, and a Federal judge agrees. So why are players still being treated like criminals?

92. Fear Thy Nature

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What "Sleep No More" and the Stanford Prison Experiment tell us about who we really are.

92. Fear Thy Nature

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What "Sleep No More" and the Stanford Prison Experiment tell us about who we really are.

Can Selling Beer Cut Down on Public Drunkenness?

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Binge drinking is a big problem at college football games. Oliver Luck -- father of No. 1 NFL pick Andrew, and the athletic director at West Virginia University -- had an unusual idea to help solve it.

91. Can Selling Beer Cut Down on Public Drunkenness?

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:00:00 +0000

91. Can Selling Beer Cut Down on Public Drunkenness?

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:00:00 +0000

90. How Deep Is the Shadow Economy?

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What we know -- and don't know -- about the gazillions of dollars that never show up on anyone's books.

90. How Deep Is the Shadow Economy?

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What we know -- and don't know -- about the gazillions of dollars that never show up on anyone's books.

How Deep Is the Shadow Economy?

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What we know -- and don't know -- about the gazillions of dollars that never show up on anyone's books.

89. There’s Cake in the Breakroom!

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

If you think working from home offers too many distractions, just think about what happens at the office.

There’s Cake in the Breakroom!

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

If you think working from home offers too many distractions, just think about what happens at the office.

89. There’s Cake in the Breakroom!

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

If you think working from home offers too many distractions, just think about what happens at the office.

Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 2

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

College tends to make people happier, healthier, and wealthier. But how?

88. Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 2

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

College tends to make people happier, healthier, and wealthier. But how?

88. Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 2

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000

College tends to make people happier, healthier, and wealthier. But how?

The Season of Death

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0000

We know that summertime brings far too many fatal accidents. But you may be surprised if you dig into the numbers.

87. The Season of Death

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0000

We know that summertime brings far too many fatal accidents. But you may be surprised if you dig into the numbers.

87. The Season of Death

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0000

We know that summertime brings far too many fatal accidents. But you may be surprised if you dig into the numbers.

86. Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 1

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 12:00:00 +0000

What's a college degree really worth these days?

Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 1

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 12:00:00 +0000

What's a college degree really worth these days?

86. Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 1

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 12:00:00 +0000

What's a college degree really worth these days?

85. Olympian Economics

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Do host cities really get the benefits their boosters promise, or are they just engaging in some fiscal gymnastics?

85. Olympian Economics

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Do host cities really get the benefits their boosters promise, or are they just engaging in some fiscal gymnastics?

Olympian Economics

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Do host cities really get the benefits their boosters promise, or are they just engaging in some fiscal gymnastics?

84. Legacy of a Jerk

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What happens to your reputation when you're no longer around to defend it?

84. Legacy of a Jerk

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What happens to your reputation when you're no longer around to defend it?

Legacy of a Jerk

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What happens to your reputation when you're no longer around to defend it?

83. What's Wrong With Cash for Grades?

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 22:00:00 +0000

If we want our kids to thrive in school, maybe we should just pay them.

What's Wrong With Cash for Grades?

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 22:00:00 +0000

If we want our kids to thrive in school, maybe we should just pay them.

83. What's Wrong With Cash for Grades?

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 22:00:00 +0000

If we want our kids to thrive in school, maybe we should just pay them.

82. Please Steal My Car

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner answer your FREAK-quently Asked Questions about junk food, insurance, and how to make an economist happy.

Please Steal My Car

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner answer your FREAK-quently Asked Questions about junk food, insurance, and how to make an economist happy.

82. Please Steal My Car

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner answer your FREAK-quently Asked Questions about junk food, insurance, and how to make an economist happy.

Star-Spangled Banter?

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Once a week, the British Prime Minister goes before the House of Commons for a lightning round of hard questions. Should the U.S. give it a try?

81. Star-Spangled Banter?

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Once a week, the British Prime Minister goes before the House of Commons for a lightning round of hard questions. Should the U.S. give it a try?

81. Star-Spangled Banter?

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Once a week, the British Prime Minister goes before the House of Commons for a lightning round of hard questions. Should the U.S. give it a try?

Riding the Herd Mentality

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:00:00 +0000

How using peer pressure -- and good, old-fashioned shame -- can push people to do the right thing.

80. Riding the Herd Mentality

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:00:00 +0000

How using peer pressure -- and good, old-fashioned shame -- can push people to do the right thing.

80. Riding the Herd Mentality

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:00:00 +0000

How using peer pressure -- and good, old-fashioned shame -- can push people to do the right thing.

79. A Cheap Employee Is … a Cheap Employee

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Paying workers as little as possible seems smart -- unless you can make more money by paying them more.

79. A Cheap Employee Is … a Cheap Employee

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Paying workers as little as possible seems smart -- unless you can make more money by paying them more.

A Cheap Employee Is … a Cheap Employee

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Paying workers as little as possible seems smart -- unless you can make more money by paying them more.

78. You Eat What You Are, Part 2

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:00:00 +0000

To feed 7 billion people while protecting the environment, it would seem that going local is a no-brainer -- until you start looking at the numbers.

78. You Eat What You Are, Part 2

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:00:00 +0000

To feed 7 billion people while protecting the environment, it would seem that going local is a no-brainer -- until you start looking at the numbers.

You Eat What You Are, Part 2

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:00:00 +0000

To feed 7 billion people while protecting the environment, it would seem that going local is a no-brainer -- until you start looking at the numbers.

77. Playing the Nerd Card

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The NBA’s superstars are suddenly sporting Urkel glasses -- but is it more than a fashion statement?

77. Playing the Nerd Card

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The NBA’s superstars are suddenly sporting Urkel glasses -- but is it more than a fashion statement?

Playing the Nerd Card

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The NBA’s superstars are suddenly sporting Urkel glasses -- but is it more than a fashion statement?

76. You Eat What You Are, Part 1

Wed, 23 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

How American food so got bad -- and why it's getting so much better.

76. You Eat What You Are, Part 1

Wed, 23 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

How American food so got bad -- and why it's getting so much better.

You Eat What You Are, Part 1

Wed, 23 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

How American food so got bad -- and why it's getting so much better.

75. Retirement Kills

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Sure, we all dream of leaving the office forever. But what if it's bad for your health?

Retirement Kills

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Sure, we all dream of leaving the office forever. But what if it's bad for your health?

75. Retirement Kills

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Sure, we all dream of leaving the office forever. But what if it's bad for your health?

74. Soul Possession

Mon, 07 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

In a world where nearly everything is for sale, is it always okay to buy what isn’t yours?

74. Soul Possession

Mon, 07 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

In a world where nearly everything is for sale, is it always okay to buy what isn’t yours?

Soul Possession

Mon, 07 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

In a world where nearly everything is for sale, is it always okay to buy what isn’t yours?

73. A Rose By Any Other Distance

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

At a time when people worry about every mile their food must travel, why is it okay to import most of our cut flowers from thousands of miles away?

A Rose By Any Other Distance

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

At a time when people worry about every mile their food must travel, why is it okay to import most of our cut flowers from thousands of miles away?

73. A Rose By Any Other Distance

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

At a time when people worry about every mile their food must travel, why is it okay to import most of our cut flowers from thousands of miles away?

72. Lottery Loopholes and Deadly Doctors

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What do you do when smart people keep making stupid mistakes? And: are we a nation of financial illiterates?

72. Lottery Loopholes and Deadly Doctors

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What do you do when smart people keep making stupid mistakes? And: are we a nation of financial illiterates?

Lottery Loopholes and Deadly Doctors

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:00:00 +0000

What do you do when smart people keep making stupid mistakes? And: are we a nation of financial illiterates?

71. Is Good Corporate Citizenship Also Good for the Bottom Line?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:00:00 +0000

A new study says that yes, it is -- but try telling that to the United Nations officials who are preaching sustainability practices.

Is Good Corporate Citizenship Also Good for the Bottom Line?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:00:00 +0000

A new study says that yes, it is -- but try telling that to the United Nations officials who are preaching sustainability practices.

71. Is Good Corporate Citizenship Also Good for the Bottom Line?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:00:00 +0000

A new study says that yes, it is -- but try telling that to the United Nations officials who are preaching sustainability practices.

Eating and Tweeting

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:30:00 +0000

Does the future of food lie in its past – or inside a tank of liquid nitrogen? Also: how anti-social can you be on a social network?

70. Eating and Tweeting

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:30:00 +0000

Does the future of food lie in its past – or inside a tank of liquid nitrogen? Also: how anti-social can you be on a social network?

70. Eating and Tweeting

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:30:00 +0000

Does the future of food lie in its past – or inside a tank of liquid nitrogen? Also: how anti-social can you be on a social network?

69. The Hidden Cost of False Alarms

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:00:00 +0000

If any other product failed 94 percent of the time, you’d probably stop using it. So why do we put up with burglar alarms?

69. The Hidden Cost of False Alarms

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:00:00 +0000

If any other product failed 94 percent of the time, you’d probably stop using it. So why do we put up with burglar alarms?

The Hidden Cost of False Alarms

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:00:00 +0000

If any other product failed 94 percent of the time, you’d probably stop using it. So why do we put up with burglar alarms?

The Power of the President -- and the Thumb

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

How much does the President of the United States really matter? And: where did all the hitchhikers go? A pair of "attribution errors."

68. The Power of the President -- and the Thumb

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

How much does the President of the United States really matter? And: where did all the hitchhikers go? A pair of "attribution errors."

68. The Power of the President -- and the Thumb

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

How much does the President of the United States really matter? And: where did all the hitchhikers go? A pair of "attribution errors."

The Patent Gap

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:13:18 +0000

Women hold fewer than one in 10 patents. Why? And what are we missing out on?

67. The Patent Gap

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:13:00 +0000

Women hold fewer than one in 10 patents. Why? And what are we missing out on?

67. The Patent Gap

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:13:00 +0000

Women hold fewer than one in 10 patents. Why? And what are we missing out on?

Show and Yell

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Is booing an act of verbal vandalism or the last true expression of democracy? And: when you drive a Prius, are you guilty of “conspicuous conservation”?

66. Show and Yell

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Is booing an act of verbal vandalism or the last true expression of democracy? And: when you drive a Prius, are you guilty of “conspicuous conservation”?

66. Show and Yell

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Is booing an act of verbal vandalism or the last true expression of democracy? And: when you drive a Prius, are you guilty of “conspicuous conservation”?

It’s Not the President, Stupid

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:31:17 +0000

Isn’t it time to admit that the U.S. economy doesn’t have a commander in chief?

65. It’s Not the President, Stupid

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:31:00 +0000

Isn’t it time to admit that the U.S. economy doesn’t have a commander in chief?

65. It’s Not the President, Stupid

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:31:00 +0000

Isn’t it time to admit that the U.S. economy doesn’t have a commander in chief?

64. The Days of Wine and Mouses

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Do more expensive wines taste better? And: what does one little rodent in a salad say about a restaurant’s future?

64. The Days of Wine and Mouses

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Do more expensive wines taste better? And: what does one little rodent in a salad say about a restaurant’s future?

The Days of Wine and Mouses

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Do more expensive wines taste better? And: what does one little rodent in a salad say about a restaurant’s future?

63. The Dilbert Index?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:21:00 +0000

Measuring workplace morale -- and how to game the sick-day system.

The Dilbert Index?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:21:00 +0000

Measuring workplace morale -- and how to game the sick-day system.

63. The Dilbert Index?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:21:00 +0000

Measuring workplace morale -- and how to game the sick-day system.

How Biased Is Your Media?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The left and the right blame each other for pretty much everything, including slanted media coverage. Can they both be right?

62. How Biased Is Your Media?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The left and the right blame each other for pretty much everything, including slanted media coverage. Can they both be right?

62. How Biased Is Your Media?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The left and the right blame each other for pretty much everything, including slanted media coverage. Can they both be right?

61. Does This Recession Make Me Look Fat?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:30:00 +0000

A look at some non-obvious ways to lose weight.

61. Does This Recession Make Me Look Fat?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:30:00 +0000

A look at some non-obvious ways to lose weight.

Does This Recession Make Me Look Fat?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:30:00 +0000

A look at some non-obvious ways to lose weight.

Save Me From Myself

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

A commitment device forces you to be the person you really want to be. What could possibly go wrong?

60. Save Me From Myself

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

A commitment device forces you to be the person you really want to be. What could possibly go wrong?

60. Save Me From Myself

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

A commitment device forces you to be the person you really want to be. What could possibly go wrong?

The Hidden Side of the Super Bowl

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:37:13 +0000

A football cheat sheet to help you sound like the smartest person at the party.

59. The Hidden Side of the Super Bowl

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:37:00 +0000

A football cheat sheet to help you sound like the smartest person at the party.

59. The Hidden Side of the Super Bowl

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:37:00 +0000

A football cheat sheet to help you sound like the smartest person at the party.

What Do Hand-Washing and Financial Illiteracy Have in Common?

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Education is the surest solution to a lot of problems. Except when it’s not.

58. What Do Hand-Washing and Financial Illiteracy Have in Common?

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Education is the surest solution to a lot of problems. Except when it’s not.

58. What Do Hand-Washing and Financial Illiteracy Have in Common?

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Education is the surest solution to a lot of problems. Except when it’s not.

Does Money Really Buy Elections?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:27:35 +0000

We all know the answer is yes. But the data -- and Rudy Giuliani -- say no.

57. Does Money Really Buy Elections?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:27:00 +0000

We all know the answer is yes. But the data -- and Rudy Giuliani -- say no.

57. Does Money Really Buy Elections?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:27:00 +0000

We all know the answer is yes. But the data -- and Rudy Giuliani -- say no.

Why Is “I Don’t Know” So Hard to Say?

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner answer your FREAK-quently Asked Questions about certifying politicians, irrational fears, and the toughest three words in the English language.

56. Why Is “I Don’t Know” So Hard to Say?

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner answer your FREAK-quently Asked Questions about certifying politicians, irrational fears, and the toughest three words in the English language.

56. Why Is “I Don’t Know” So Hard to Say?

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Levitt and Dubner answer your FREAK-quently Asked Questions about certifying politicians, irrational fears, and the toughest three words in the English language.

55. The Perils of Drunk Walking

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:00:00 +0000

We know it's terribly dangerous to drive drunk. But heading home on foot isn't the solution.

The Perils of Drunk Walking

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:00:00 +0000

We know it's terribly dangerous to drive drunk. But heading home on foot isn't the solution.

55. The Perils of Drunk Walking

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:00:00 +0000

We know it's terribly dangerous to drive drunk. But heading home on foot isn't the solution.

How Is a Bad Radio Station Like Our Public-School System? (Encore)

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

The thrill of customization, via Pandora and a radical new teaching method

54. How Is a Bad Radio Station Like Our Public-School System? (Encore)

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

The thrill of customization, via Pandora and a radical new teaching method

54. How Is a Bad Radio Station Like Our Public-School System? (Encore)

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

The thrill of customization, via Pandora and a radical new teaching method

How American Food Got So Bad

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:47:23 +0000

Tyler Cowen points fingers. There's plenty of blame to go around.

53. How American Food Got So Bad

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:47:00 +0000

Tyler Cowen points fingers. There's plenty of blame to go around.

53. How American Food Got So Bad

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:47:00 +0000

Tyler Cowen points fingers. There's plenty of blame to go around.

Weird Recycling

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:44:23 +0000

Clever ways to not waste our waste.

52. Weird Recycling

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:44:00 +0000

Clever ways to not waste our waste.

52. Weird Recycling

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:44:00 +0000

Clever ways to not waste our waste.

What Makes a Donor Donate?

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:05:25 +0000

The science of charity, with economist John List.

51. What Makes a Donor Donate?

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:05:00 +0000

The science of charity, with economist John List.

51. What Makes a Donor Donate?

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:05:00 +0000

The science of charity, with economist John List.

The Truth Is Out There…Isn’t It?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:47:06 +0000

There’s a nasty secret about hot-button topics like global warming: knowledge is not always power.

50. The Truth Is Out There…Isn’t It?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:47:00 +0000

There’s a nasty secret about hot-button topics like global warming: knowledge is not always power.

50. The Truth Is Out There…Isn’t It?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:47:00 +0000

There’s a nasty secret about hot-button topics like global warming: knowledge is not always power.

Unnatural Turkeys

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:12:11 +0000

Our appetite for breast meat renders our holiday birds unable to reproduce.

49. Unnatural Turkeys

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:12:00 +0000

Our appetite for breast meat renders our holiday birds unable to reproduce.

49. Unnatural Turkeys

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:12:00 +0000

Our appetite for breast meat renders our holiday birds unable to reproduce.

Boo…Who?

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:16:24 +0000

Is booing an act of verbal vandalism—or the last true expression of democracy?

48. Boo…Who?

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:16:00 +0000

Is booing an act of verbal vandalism—or the last true expression of democracy?

48. Boo…Who?

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:16:00 +0000

Is booing an act of verbal vandalism—or the last true expression of democracy?

Wildfires, Cops, and Keggers

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:36:42 +0000

On Election Day, most people focus on the obvious winners and losers -- that is, the candidates. But we went looking for some of the strange side effects that elections produce.

47. Wildfires, Cops, and Keggers

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:36:00 +0000

On Election Day, most people focus on the obvious winners and losers -- that is, the candidates. But we went looking for some of the strange side effects that elections produce.

47. Wildfires, Cops, and Keggers

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:36:00 +0000

On Election Day, most people focus on the obvious winners and losers -- that is, the candidates. But we went looking for some of the strange side effects that elections produce.

Misadventures in Baby-Making

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:17:21 +0000

We are constantly wowed by new technologies and policies meant to make childbirth better. But beware the unintended consequences.

46. Misadventures in Baby-Making

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:17:00 +0000

We are constantly wowed by new technologies and policies meant to make childbirth better. But beware the unintended consequences.

46. Misadventures in Baby-Making

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:17:00 +0000

We are constantly wowed by new technologies and policies meant to make childbirth better. But beware the unintended consequences.

Those Cheating Teachers!

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:05:30 +0000

High-stakes testing has produced some rotten apples. But they can be caught.

45. Those Cheating Teachers!

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:05:00 +0000

High-stakes testing has produced some rotten apples. But they can be caught.

45. Those Cheating Teachers!

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:05:00 +0000

High-stakes testing has produced some rotten apples. But they can be caught.

Where Have All the Hitchhikers Gone?

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:05:38 +0000

Did we needlessly scare ourselves into ditching a good thing? And, with millions of cars driving around with no passengers, should we be rooting for a renaissance?

44. Where Have All the Hitchhikers Gone?

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:05:00 +0000

Did we needlessly scare ourselves into ditching a good thing? And, with millions of cars driving around with no passengers, should we be rooting for a renaissance?

44. Where Have All the Hitchhikers Gone?

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:05:00 +0000

Did we needlessly scare ourselves into ditching a good thing? And, with millions of cars driving around with no passengers, should we be rooting for a renaissance?

The Decline and Fall of Violence

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:39:08 +0000

The world is a more peaceful place today that at any time in history -- by a long, long shot.

43. The Decline and Fall of Violence

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:39:00 +0000

The world is a more peaceful place today that at any time in history -- by a long, long shot.

43. The Decline and Fall of Violence

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:39:00 +0000

The world is a more peaceful place today that at any time in history -- by a long, long shot.

42. The Upside of Quitting

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:08:00 +0000

You know the saying: a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. To which Freakonomics Radio says … Are you sure?

The Folly of Prediction

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:00:45 +0000

Human beings love to predict the future, but we're quite terrible at it. So how about punishing all those bad predictions?

41. The Folly of Prediction

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Human beings love to predict the future, but we're quite terrible at it. So how about punishing all those bad predictions?

The Suicide Paradox

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:00:06 +0000

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.

40. The Suicide Paradox

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:00:00 +0000

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.

The Economist’s Guide to Parenting

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:00:15 +0000

Think you know how much parents matter? Think again. Economists crunch the numbers to learn the ROI on child-rearing.

39. The Economist’s Guide to Parenting

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Think you know how much parents matter? Think again. Economists crunch the numbers to learn the ROI on child-rearing.

The Church of "Scionology"

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:00:07 +0000

We worship the tradition of handing off a family business to the next generation. But is that really such a good idea?

38. The Church of "Scionology"

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

We worship the tradition of handing off a family business to the next generation. But is that really such a good idea?

Mouse in the Salad

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:37:47 +0000

In restaurants and in life, bad things happen. But what happens next is just as important.

37. Mouse in the Salad

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:37:00 +0000

In restaurants and in life, bad things happen. But what happens next is just as important.

Hey Baby, Is That a Prius You're Driving?

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:04:10 +0000

"Conspicuous conservation" is about showing off your environmental bona fides. In other words, if you lean green, there's extra value in being seen leaning green.

36. Hey Baby, Is That a Prius You're Driving?

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:04:00 +0000

"Conspicuous conservation" is about showing off your environmental bona fides. In other words, if you lean green, there's extra value in being seen leaning green.

Live From St. Paul!

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:00:34 +0000

Freakonomics Radio hits the road, and plays some Quiz Bowl

35. Live From St. Paul!

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Freakonomics Radio hits the road, and plays some Quiz Bowl

Things Our Fathers Gave Us

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:39:49 +0000

What did Levitt and Dubner learn as kids from their dads?

34. Things Our Fathers Gave Us

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:39:00 +0000

What did Levitt and Dubner learn as kids from their dads?

To Catch a Fugitive

Wed, 25 May 2011 19:10:09 +0000

Who is likelier to get to the fugitive first? When a fugitive is on the run, it’s not only the police he has to worry about. A bounty hunter could be coming after him, too.

33. To Catch a Fugitive

Wed, 25 May 2011 19:10:00 +0000

Who is likelier to get to the fugitive first? When a fugitive is on the run, it’s not only the police he has to worry about. A bounty hunter could be coming after him, too.

Growing Up Buffett

Wed, 11 May 2011 21:41:05 +0000

What’s it like to wake up one day and realize Dad is a multi-billionaire? That's what happened to Warren Buffett’s son Peter -- who then started to think about whether or not to join the family business.

32. Growing Up Buffett

Wed, 11 May 2011 21:41:00 +0000

Gambling With Your Life

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:08:11 +0000

Does Las Vegas increase your risk of suicide? A researcher embeds himself in the city where Americans are most likely to kill themselves.

31. Gambling With Your Life

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:08:00 +0000

Does Las Vegas increase your risk of suicide? A researcher embeds himself in the city where Americans are most likely to kill themselves.

Does College Still Matter? And Other Freaky Questions Answered ...

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:19:38 +0000

In our second round of FREAK-quently Asked Questions, Steve Levitt answers some queries from listeners and readers.

30. Does College Still Matter? And Other Freaky Questions Answered ...

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:19:00 +0000

In our second round of FREAK-quently Asked Questions, Steve Levitt answers some queries from listeners and readers.

Smarter Kids at 10 Bucks a Pop

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:38:46 +0000

It won’t work for everyone, but there’s a cheap, quick, and simple way to lift some students’ grades.

29. Smarter Kids at 10 Bucks a Pop

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:38:00 +0000

It won’t work for everyone, but there’s a cheap, quick, and simple way to lift some students’ grades.

Why Can’t We Predict Earthquakes?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:13:40 +0000

We talk to a U.S. Geological Survey physicist about the science -- and folly -- of predicting earthquakes. There are lots of known knowns; and, fortunately, not too many unknown unknowns. But it's the known unknowns -- the timing of the next Big One -- that are the most dangerous.

28. Why Can’t We Predict Earthquakes?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:13:00 +0000

Death by Fire? Probably Not

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:27:21 +0000

Fire deaths in the U.S. have fallen 90 percent over the past 100 years, a great and greatly underappreciated gain. How did it happen -- and could we ever get to zero?

27. Death by Fire? Probably Not

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:27:00 +0000

Fire deaths in the U.S. have fallen 90 percent over the past 100 years, a great and greatly underappreciated gain. How did it happen -- and could we ever get to zero?

The Health of Nations

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:30:46 +0000

For decades, GDP has been the yardstick for measuring living standards around the world. Martha Nussbaum would rather use something that actually works.

26. The Health of Nations

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:30:00 +0000

For decades, GDP has been the yardstick for measuring living standards around the world. Martha Nussbaum would rather use something that actually works.

Is Twitter a Two-Way Street?

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:24:24 +0000

To get a lot of followers on Twitter, do you need to follow a lot of other Tweeps? And if not, why not?

25. Is Twitter a Two-Way Street?

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:24:00 +0000

To get a lot of followers on Twitter, do you need to follow a lot of other Tweeps? And if not, why not?

The Power of Poop

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:51:42 +0000

Since the beginning of civilization, we’ve thought that human waste was worthless and dangerous. What if we were wrong?

24. The Power of Poop

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:51:00 +0000

Since the beginning of civilization, we’ve thought that human waste was worthless and dangerous. What if we were wrong?

Millionaires vs. Billionaires

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 02:59:49 +0000

Five things you don’t know about the NFL labor standoff

23. Millionaires vs. Billionaires

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 02:59:00 +0000

Five things you don’t know about the NFL labor standoff

Why Cities Rock

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:42:59 +0000

Could it be that cities are "our greatest invention" -- that, despite a reputation as black-soot-spewing engines of doom, they in fact make us richer, smarter, happier and (believe it!) greener?

22. Why Cities Rock

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:42:00 +0000

Could it be that cities are "our greatest invention" -- that, despite a reputation as black-soot-spewing engines of doom, they in fact make us richer, smarter, happier and (believe it!) greener?

Bring on the Pain!

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:55:49 +0000

It's not about how much something hurts -- it's how you remember the pain. This week, lessons on pain from the New York City subway, the professional hockey rink, and a landmark study of colonoscopy patients. So have a listen; we promise, it won't hurt a bit.

21. Bring on the Pain!

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:55:00 +0000

Waiter, There’s a Physicist in My Soup! (Part 2)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:09:59 +0000

What do a computer hacker, an Indiana farm boy, and Napoleon Bonaparte have in common? The past, present, and future of food science.

20. Waiter, There’s a Physicist in My Soup! (Part 2)

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:09:00 +0000

What do a computer hacker, an Indiana farm boy, and Napoleon Bonaparte have in common? The past, present, and future of food science.

Waiter, There’s a Physicist in My Soup! (Part 1)

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:52:33 +0000

The "molecular gastronomy" movement -- which gets a bump in visibility next month with the publication of the mammoth cookbook "Modernist Cuisine" -- is all about bringing more science into the kitchen. In many ways, it's the opposite of the "slow food" movement. In this episode, you'll hear chieftains from the two camps square off: Alice Waters for the slow foodies and Nathan Myhrvold for the mad scientists. Bon appetit!

19. Waiter, There’s a Physicist in My Soup! (Part 1)

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:52:00 +0000

Freakonomics FAQ, No. 1

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:19:49 +0000

Levitt and Dubner field questions from the public and hold forth on everything from dating strategies and rock-and-roll accordion music to whether different nations have different economic identities. Oh, and also: is it worthwhile to vote?

18. Freakonomics FAQ, No. 1

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:19:00 +0000

Trashed

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:04:57 +0000

How economics -- and emotion -- have turned our garbage into such a mess

17. Trashed

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:04:00 +0000

How economics -- and emotion -- have turned our garbage into such a mess

Exit Interview: Schools Chancellor, NYC

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:58:10 +0000

Having already amassed an eventful resume -- the Clinton White House, the Department of Justice, and Bertelsmann -- Joel I. Klein spent the past eight years at chancellor of the biggest school system in the country. So what'd he learn?

16. Exit Interview: Schools Chancellor, NYC

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:58:00 +0000

You Say Repugnant, I Say … Let's Do It!

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:29:32 +0000

What happens when the most disturbing ideas are also the best?

15. You Say Repugnant, I Say … Let's Do It!

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:29:00 +0000

What happens when the most disturbing ideas are also the best?

Do More Expensive Wines Taste Better?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:09:39 +0000

They should! It's a cardinal rule: more expensive items are supposed to be qualitatively better than their cheaper versions. But is that true for wine?

14. Do More Expensive Wines Taste Better?

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:09:00 +0000

They should! It's a cardinal rule: more expensive items are supposed to be qualitatively better than their cheaper versions. But is that true for wine?

The "No-Lose Lottery," Part 2

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 22:14:04 +0000

It’s the banking tool that got millions of people around the world to stop wasting money on the lottery. So why won't state and federal officials in the U.S. give it a chance?

13. The "No-Lose Lottery," Part 2

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 22:14:00 +0000

It’s the banking tool that got millions of people around the world to stop wasting money on the lottery. So why won't state and federal officials in the U.S. give it a chance?

Is America Ready for a "No-Lose Lottery"?

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:57:54 +0000

For the most part, Americans don't like the simple, boring act of putting money in a savings account. We do, however, love to play the lottery. So what if you combined the two, creating a new kind of savings account with a lottery payout?

12. Is America Ready for a "No-Lose Lottery"?

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:57:00 +0000

11. How Much Does the President of the U.S. Really Matter?

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:48:00 +0000

The NFL's Best Real Estate Isn't For Sale. Yet.

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:50:42 +0000

The NFL is very good at making money. So why on earth doesn't it sell ad space on the one piece of real estate that football fans can’t help but see: the players themselves? The explanation is trickier than you might think. It has to do with Peyton Manning, with Eli Manning, and with ... wait for it ... Tevye.

10. The NFL's Best Real Estate Isn't For Sale. Yet.

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:50:00 +0000

Reading, Rockets, and 'Rithmetic

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:53:55 +0000

Government and the private sector often feel far apart. One is filled with compliance-driven bureaucracy. The other, with market-fueled innovation. But something is changing in a multi-billion dollar corner of the Department of Education. It's an experiment, which takes cues from the likes of Google and millionaires who hope to go to the moon.

9. Reading, Rockets, and 'Rithmetic

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:53:00 +0000

Who Stole All the Runs in Major League Baseball?

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:57:49 +0000

It was a pretty good baseball season -- especially if you're a fan of the Yankees, Rays, Twins, Rangers, Reds, Braves, Phillies, or Giants, all of whom made the playoffs. But the post-season just opened with a telling event, a no-hitter pitched by the Phillies' Roy Halladay, which shows what's been missing all season: runs.

8. Who Stole All the Runs in Major League Baseball?

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:57:00 +0000

Two Book Authors and a Microphone

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 04:06:47 +0000

The next chapter in the adventures of Dubner and Levitt has begun. Listen to a preview of what's to come for the fall season of Freakonomics Radio.

7. Two Book Authors and a Microphone

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 04:06:00 +0000

The next chapter in the adventures of Dubner and Levitt has begun. Listen to a preview of what's to come for the fall season of Freakonomics Radio.

Why the World Cup Is an Economist's Dream

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:25:46 +0000

Steve Levitt talks about why the center cannot hold in penalty kicks, why a running track hurts home-field advantage, and why the World Cup is an economist's dream.

6. Why the World Cup Is an Economist's Dream

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:25:00 +0000

Steve Levitt talks about why the center cannot hold in penalty kicks, why a running track hurts home-field advantage, and why the World Cup is an economist's dream.

How Is a Bad Radio Station Like Our Public-School System?

Thu, 13 May 2010 00:53:12 +0000

In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, we explore a way to make 1.1 million schoolkids feel like they have 1.1 million teachers.

5. How Is a Bad Radio Station Like Our Public-School System?

Thu, 13 May 2010 00:53:00 +0000

In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, we explore a way to make 1.1 million schoolkids feel like they have 1.1 million teachers.

Faking It

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:52:30 +0000

Do you "fake it"? If so, you're hardly alone. In this episode, you'll hear how everyone from the President of the United States to a kosher-keeping bacon lover lives in a state of fallen grace. All the time. And gets by.

4. Faking It

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:52:00 +0000

What Would the World Look Like if Economists Were in Charge?

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:52:57 +0000

In this episode we speculate what would happen if economists got to run the world. Hear from a high-end call girl; an Estonian who ran his country according to the gospel of Milton Friedman; and a guy who wants to start building new nations in the middle of the ocean.

3. What Would the World Look Like if Economists Were in Charge?

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:52:00 +0000

Is America's Obesity Epidemic For Real?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:53:29 +0000

Americans keep putting on pounds. So is it time for a cheeseburger tax? Or would a chill pill be the best medicine? In this episode, we explore the underbelly of fat through the eyes of a 280-pound woman, a top White House doctor, and a couple of overweight academics.

2. Is America's Obesity Epidemic For Real?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:53:00 +0000

The Dangers of Safety

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:15:11 +0000

What do NASCAR drivers, Glenn Beck and the hit men of the NFL have in common?

1. The Dangers of Safety

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:15:00 +0000

What do NASCAR drivers, Glenn Beck and the hit men of the NFL have in common?