Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior.
Listen here or follow Freakonomics Radio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. We also provide transcripts, show notes, and links to research for each episode.
What does “Pride and Prejudice” have to do with nuclear deterrence?
What happens to your reputation when you’re no longer around to defend it?
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?
Yet another reason to blame your parents for pretty much everything.
It’s awkward, random, confusing — and probably discriminatory too.
Dubner and Levitt talk about circadian rhythms, gay marriage, autism, and whether “pay what you want” is everything it’s cracked up to be.
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?
A look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists.
Why is unemployment still so high? It may be because of something that happened well before the Great Recession.
An interview with Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose younger brother turned him in — and what it says about the Boston bombers.
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?
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?
Real tax reform may or may not ever happen. In the meantime, how about making the current system work a bit better?
Freakonomics asks a dozen smart people for their best ideas. Get ready for a fat tax, a sugar ban, and a calorie-chomping tapeworm.
The N.C.A.A. 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.
There ain’t no such thing as a free parking spot. Somebody has to pay for it — and that somebody is everybody.
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.
In many ways, the gender gap is closing. In others, not so much. And that’s not always a bad thing.
The gas tax doesn’t work well, and it’s only going to get worse. What’s next?
No one wants mass shootings. Unfortunately, no one has a workable plan to stop them either.
It is startlingly easy to create false memories, especially in politics.
Our latest Freakonomics Radio podcast is called “Would You Let a Coin Toss Decide Your Future?”
Steve Levitt has a novel idea for helping people make tough decisions.
The very long reach of Winston Churchill — and how the British government is remaking copyright law.
Why do Hall of Fame inductees, Oscar winners, and Nobel laureates outlive their peers?
Levitt and Dubner answer your questions about driving, sneezing, and ladies’ nights. Plus a remembrance of Levitt’s sister Linda.
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.
Dubner’s childhood home goes from sacred to profane — and then back again.
You want to listen to Freakonomics Radio? That’s great! Most people use a podcast app on their smartphone. It’s free (with the purchase of a phone, of course). Looking for more guidance? We’ve got you covered.
Stay up-to-date on all our shows. We promise no spam.
