This is a transcript of the Freakonomics Radio podcast “I Don’t Know What You’ve Done With My Husband But He’s a Changed Man” [MUSIC: Christopher Norman, “Word of Prey” (from EP3)] Johnson BORH: All of a sudden we heard of the war. The war was a civil war, the first of two in Liberia, West Africa. […]
This is a transcript of the Freakonomics Radio podcast “Preventing Crime for Pennies on the Dollar.” We begin today on the South Side of Chicago, in Dawes Park. It’s summertime. A bunch of teenagers are playing basketball. Some younger kids are hanging around nearby. They’re just goofing off and, when they see a microphone, they do […]
This is a transcript of the Freakonomics Radio podcast “The Harvard President Will See You Now” [MUSIC: Travis Geer, “Halcyon Summer” (from Cinema Spectaculaire)] Drew Gilpin FAUST: I’m Drew Faust. I’m the president of Harvard University. Stephen J. DUBNER: That is a nice thing to say, isn’t it? FAUST: It is. We spoke with Drew Gilpin […]
This is a transcript of the Freakonomics Radio podcast “Are You Ready for a Glorious Sunset?” [MUSIC: Brotherun, “Wishful Thinking” (from Brotherun EP)] In our previous episode, we talked about a set of TV commercials that use behavioral research to sell financial products like life insurance. Daniel GILBERT: It’s great to think optimistically but let’s plan […]
This is a transcript of the Freakonomics Radio podcast “How to Make a Smart TV Ad.” [MUSIC: Dan Sistos, “Caravan Jam” (from The Road to Euphoria)] Hello, my friends. I don’t always watch TV. But when I do, I see a lot of terrible commercials. Sometimes they’re sophomoric. Clip from DORITOS 2015 COMMERCIAL : Hey, Ralph, can […]
This is a transcript of the Freakonomics Radio podcast “The Dangers of Safety” [MUSIC: Eric Bolvin, “Nostalgic Love”] Hey podcast listeners. I’ve been reading a book called Petty — it’s a biography of Tom Petty, written by Warren Zanes. Warren used to be in a band called the Del Fuegos; I used to be in a […]
This is a transcript of the Freakonomics Radio podcast “Why Do We Really Follow the News?” Stephen J. DUBNER: Checkity, check, check, check. Okay, we’re talking to Maia, Anya and Logan. [MUSIC: The Red Planets, “Get Thee Behind Me” (from Chases Lead to Crashes)] DUBNER: First thing I want you to do is I want you […]
This is a transcript of the Freakonomics Radio podcast “How to Create Suspense.” [MUSIC: Danielle French, “Harsh Reality” (from Drive)] Harlan COBEN: Chapter One. “The stranger didn’t shatter Adam’s world all at once. That was what Adam Price would tell himself later, but that was a lie. Adam somehow knew right away, right from the very […]
This is a transcript of the Freakonomics Radio podcast “Aziz Ansari Needs Another Toothbrush.” [MUSIC: Anton Dakanto, “Bistro” (from Plate of Jell)] Aziz ANSARI: I read the Internet so much I feel like I’m like on page a million of the worst book ever. Aziz Ansari is a comedian, an actor, and now an author. Today, […]
This is a transcript of the Freakonomics Radio podcast “The Economics of Sleep, Part 2”. [MUSIC: Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics, “Coming Home To You” (from It’s About Time)] Stephen J. DUBNER: Are you saying, right here and right now, that you vow from today going forward, that for one week … That you’re going to do […]