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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 weeklyEpisodes986Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

Is the oxymoron really “the secret sauce to everything”? That’s the case Ingels makes in this debut episode of our new video show Better in Person, filmed in Stephen Dubner’s living room.

If you'd like to see the video version of Better in Person, w... more

Stephen Dubner had an idea for a new project. So he drove to Connecticut and knocked on the door of the master. Dubner’s new TV talk show Better in Person launches July 14 on the Freakonomics YouTube channel.

• SOURCES:

• Dick Cavett, writer,... more

Dartmouth president Sian Beilock, a psychologist by training, made her name studying why people choke. Now she’s applying those insights to one of the most scrutinized jobs in America. No pressure!

• SOURCES:

• Sian Beilock, president of Dart... more

It’s a hard time to run a university: public trust is low, political pressure is high, and finances are fragile. But Daniel Diermeier, who trained as a political scientist, has Vanderbilt humming. How? He says the key is choosing magnets over wedges.... more

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Recent Guests

Sian Beilock
President of Dartmouth College; cognitive scientist
Dartmouth College
Episode: 680. Can Universities Win Back Our Trust?
Daniel Diermeier
Chancellor of Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Episode: 679. Why Does Vanderbilt Keep Winning?
Neale Mahoney
Professor of economics, Stanford; former adviser on healthcare reform
Episode: The World Is (Still) Drowning in Sludge
Kathy Hochul
Governor of New York who signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act
New York State Government
Episode: 678. Who Gets to Choose a “Good Death”?
Daniel Sulmasy
Physician, philosopher, and director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics
Georgetown University
Episode: 678. Who Gets to Choose a “Good Death”?
Al Roth
Economist at Stanford, Nobel Prize winner in economics
Stanford University
Episode: 678. Who Gets to Choose a “Good Death”?
Suzanne O'Brien
Hospice nurse, founder of Doulagivers Institute
Doulagivers Institute
Episode: 678. Who Gets to Choose a “Good Death”?
Frank Frigo
Two-time world backgammon champion, professional player and teacher
Backgammon community
Episode: 677. Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves?
Masayuki Mochizuki
Professional backgammon player, known as Mochi
Backgammon community
Episode: 677. Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves?

Host

Stephen Dubner
Host of a popular economics/culture podcast known for interviewing researchers, authors, and policymakers.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 53.9k ratings
  • Top ten all-time podcast

    Fight me

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RWBBFTSOO
    United States9 days ago
  • Can Universities Win Back Our Trust

    I’ve never written a review, but that was so painful, I couldn’t help it. There was nothing insightful or inspiring. I guess you can keep your job by doing nothing but placate those around you. Hooray platitudes! I’ve never considered not sending my children to higher education until today. I guess I’m not mad at the show, just sad, so still 4 stars

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Bus36 Bus36
    United States11 days ago
  • Once great, but….

    “Question, question, question…yes?” Questions have become leading questions rather than just a question. The hidden side of everything needs to take a look at how leading a question skews a response during an interview.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    AK12683
    United States11 days ago
  • Out of Touch with Reality

    Note: an earlier version of this review was FILTERED which is the reason why I bumped it from ** to *. I realize this is an intellectually based podcast - meant to challenge thoughts and preconceptions. I get it, and I appreciate this aspect. However, there seems to be little realization that this podcast, and for the most part its guests, lives with both feet planted in the Ivory Tower of Academia. What I don’t appreciate ( and vehemently disagree with) is the series of episodes on “The Purpose... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Different_Drummer
    United States13 days ago
  • I have listened to every episode, and I highly reccomend it!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Mcla
    14 days ago

Listeners Say

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

High regard for guest variety and topic breadth, though some ads and sponsorships draw concern.
Listeners appreciate the mix of rigorous analysis and accessible storytelling.
Some critics feel the host leans too much toward particular viewpoints.
Quality praise for insightful guests and innovative topic selection.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

680. Can Universities Win Back Our Trust?
Q: What are your top priorities as Dartmouth's president?
Beilock emphasizes restoring trust in higher education by demonstrating a clear mission (education and knowledge production), expanding intellectual risk-taking, and using dialogue to model civil engagement. She highlights concrete programs like Dartmouth Dialogues, expanded free expression, and data-informed admissions practices (e.g., SAT/ACT integration) as vehicles to build trust and improve outcomes.
669. Why Is 95 Percent of the World’s Bourbon Made in Kentucky?
Q: What makes bourbon legally distinct from other whiskeys?
The bourbon rules require a mash of at least 51% corn, production in the United States, distillation at no more than 160 proof, aging in new charred oak barrels, and specific aging times; these criteria collectively define bourbon and influence flavor development.
The World Is (Still) Drowning in Sludge
Q: How big a role does sludge play in health care costs and outcomes, based on Handel's data?
Handel explains that sludge, through complex plan designs and mispricing, contributes significantly to higher costs and worse outcomes by obscuring true costs and limiting optimal choices for individuals.
The World Is (Still) Drowning in Sludge
Q: For anyone who hasn't read Nudge, would you describe the core idea and how sludge relates to it?
Thaler and the guests describe Nudge as designing environments to make decisions easier, while sludge makes decisions harder; the contrast shows how choice architecture can either help people behave better or trap them in inefficient patterns.
677. Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves?
Q: How has backgammon evolved from a gambling pastime to a social mind sport and tech-influenced game?
It evolved through organized clubs, high-level tournaments, and online platforms like Backgammon Galaxy, plus AI-driven analysis that raised learning and strategy. The culture shifted from gambling-driven scenes to community, education, and global tournaments, while technology provided better training tools and wider access.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Freakonomics Radio

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

Recent episodes range from deep dives into how traditional institutions are transforming through media, technology, and policy, to explorations of scientific debates, economic history, and urban planning. Conversations frequently pair top researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders with provocative questions about incentives, risk, and the social impact of innovation. A standout aspect is the blend of rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling, often anchored by a prominent host who guides listeners through complex topics with clarity and wit. The show tends to attract curious, educated listeners who enjoy cross-disciplinary thinking and fresh perspectives on everyday phenomena.

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

How many episodes of Freakonomics Radio are there?

Freakonomics Radio launched 16 years ago and published 986 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Freakonomics Radio?

Recent guests on Freakonomics Radio include:

1. Sian Beilock
2. Daniel Diermeier
3. Neale Mahoney
4. Kathy Hochul
5. Daniel Sulmasy
6. Al Roth
7. Suzanne O'Brien
8. Frank Frigo

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