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Richard Feynman
Zygarnik Effect
Psychology
Closure
Public Transit
San Francisco 49ers
Academic Fraud
Human Behavior
Emotions
Personal Injury Law
Jimmy Garoppolo
NFL
Colin Kaepernick
Challenger Space Shuttle
Transportation Funding
Climate Justice
Economic Mobility
Congestion Pricing
University Of Chicago Crime Lab
Relationships

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes923Founded16 years ago
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Society & CultureDocumentary

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Artwork for Freakonomics Radio

Latest Episodes

Spotify, Oracle, and Comcast have each recently announced they’re going with co-C.E.O.s. In this 2023 episode, we dig into the research and hear firsthand stories of triumph and disaster. Also: lessons from computer programmers, Simon and Garfunkel, ... more

The U.S. has a physician shortage, created in part by a century-old reform that shut down bad medical schools. But why haven’t we filled the gap? Why are some physicians so unhappy? And which is worse: a bad doctor or no doctor at all?

• SOURCES:• K... more

For the 20th anniversary of Freakonomics, Debbie Millman of Design Matters interviews Stephen Dubner about his upbringing, his writing career, and why it's important to “swing your swing.” Plus: a sneak peek at a new project.

• SOURCES:• Debbie Mill... more

Arthur Brooks, an economist and former head of the American Enterprise Institute, believes that there is only one remedy for our political polarization: love. In this 2021 episode, we ask if Brooks is a fool for thinking this — and if perhaps you are... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Economics of Everyday Things
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People I (Mostly) AdmireFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Hidden Brain
Hidden BrainHidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
Radiolab
RadiolabWNYC Studios

Recent Guests

Debbie Millman
Designer, educator, and writer
Host of Design Matters
Episode: A Question-Asker Becomes a Question-Answerer
Arthur Brooks
Professor at Harvard and former president of the American Enterprise Institute
Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School
Episode: How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Update)
Oliver Luck
Sports executive and former NCAA athletic director
Various including NCAA
Episode: 648. The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted
Jeffrey Kessler
Partner at Winston & Strawn and sports lawyer
Winston & Strawn
Episode: 648. The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted
Domonique Foxworth
Sports analyst and former NFL player
ESPN
Episode: 648. The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted
DeMaurice Smith
Former executive director of the NFL Players Association
NFLPA
Episode: 648. The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted
Yuen Yuen Ang
Political scientist at Johns Hopkins University and author
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Is the U.S. Really Less Corrupt Than China? (Update)
Dan Wang
Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and author of Breakneck, China's Quest to Engineer the Future
Hoover Institution
Episode: 647. China Is Run by Engineers. America Is Run by Lawyers.
Sam Altman
Former president of Y Combinator, now CEO of OpenAI
OpenAI
Episode: Is the World Ready for a Guaranteed Basic Income? (Update)

Host

Stephen J. Dubner
Host known for his engaging interviewing style and ability to uncover hidden truths behind everyday phenomena. He brings a blend of curiosity and analysis to every topic explored.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 53.1k ratings
  • Yet again... Another episode about sports. Yawn. Delete.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    Corey
    a month ago
  • Always something new to learn!

    I got into Freakonomics through my dad, who has listened to the show religiously since it started. In addition to hearing interesting perspectives on all sorts of topics, I love the opportunity that each episode provides for me to sit and chat with my dad. It’s a time I really value, so thank you to Stephen and crew for putting together so many awesome stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Calby23
    Canadaa month ago
  • 647

    Freakonomics is always very good, and episode 647 is indicative of the quality and substance of the Pod. Terrific.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RC control
    United Statesa month ago
  • Imaginative and cut the bullxxit

    Podcast Addict
    5
    AskMahesh
    a month ago
  • Great!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    DigitalOdin
    a month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listener reviews indicate a mix of admiration for the show's intellectual depth and critiques of perceived biases in recent episodes.
Listeners appreciate the podcast's ability to present complex topics in an engaging manner, often commenting positively on the host's interview style.
Overall, many enjoy the unique perspectives offered, while expressing concerns about the direction of some discussions.
However, there is notable criticism regarding the handling of political topics, suggesting that some episodes could be more balanced and objective.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Question-Asker Becomes a Question-Answerer
Q: How has your fascination with curiosity influenced your work?
I believe curiosity is natural, and it leads to better storytelling and journalism, enhancing the understanding of human behavior and social issues.
A Question-Asker Becomes a Question-Answerer
Q: What initially motivated your parents' conversion to Catholicism?
It started as curiosity that grew during my time in grad school, leading to interviews and research on my family's religious background.
How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Update)
Q: Why do you think COVID-19 didn't unite the country as a common enemy?
Arthur Brooks attributes it to bad leadership, emphasizing that the opportunity for unity was squandered when leaders chose to divide rather than unite.
How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Update)
Q: How do you rate yourself as a public persuader?
Arthur Brooks admits that he sees room for improvement in public persuasion, suggesting that while he has had success with some leaders who embrace his ideas, overall, his message isn't gaining traction.
Is the World Ready for a Guaranteed Basic Income? (Update)
Q: What is the concern about guaranteeing a minimum income?
Critics argue that it could create disincentives for work among low-skilled individuals, reducing their participation in the labor force.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Freakonomics Radio

What is Freakonomics Radio about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores a vast range of topics, revealing surprising insights and connections between seemingly unrelated issues. With a unique approach that combines curiosity with analysis, discussions cover areas such as economics, human behavior, environmental concerns, and cultural norms. Episodes often provide thought-provoking narratives about contemporary society, integrating expert opinions and personal anecdotes to challenge listeners' perceptions of the world. Each topic serves to highlight the complexities of life, encouraging critical thinking about everyday phenomena in a manner that is both engaging and educational.

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How many listeners does Freakonomics Radio get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Freakonomics Radio?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Freakonomics Radio:

1. The Economics of Everyday Things
2. People I (Mostly) Admire
3. Planet Money
4. Hidden Brain
5. Radiolab

How many episodes of Freakonomics Radio are there?

Freakonomics Radio launched 16 years ago and published 923 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Freakonomics Radio?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Freakonomics Radio?

Recent guests on Freakonomics Radio include:

1. Debbie Millman
2. Arthur Brooks
3. Oliver Luck
4. Jeffrey Kessler
5. Domonique Foxworth
6. DeMaurice Smith
7. Yuen Yuen Ang
8. Dan Wang

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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