
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
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 967 | Founded | 16 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | DocumentarySociety & Culture | |||

Epic Systems manages the electronic health records for hundreds of millions of people. This makes Faulkner a healthcare heavyweight and one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in history. So why haven’t we ever heard much from her? Stephen Du... more
New York City’s mayor called them “public enemy number one.” History books say they caused the Black Death — although recent scientific evidence disputes that claim. In an updated episode from 2025, we ask: Is the rat a scapegoat? And what does our r... more
One possibility: a leading hypothesis pursued by researchers (and funders) was built on science that now appears to be fraudulent. Stephen Dubner speaks with the scientist and the journalist who blew the whistle.
• SOURCES:
• Charles Piller, ... more
How do beekeepers make a living? Why is there so much honey fraud? And why did billions of bees suddenly disappear? To find out, guest host Steve Levitt activates his hive mind.
• SOURCES:
• Alex Sapoznik, historian, reader in late medieval h... more
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The follow button is very mean FREAKONOMICS YOU NEED TO FIX IT AND I WILL MAKE THIS 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After listening episode 668, I am reminded of the anger I feel that Dubner cancelled Bapu Jena’s show. What a blow to science. I can’t for the life of me understand why Stephen Dubner canceled Bapu Jena. It makes me question his discernment. “The Economics of Everyday Things” is a characature of intelligent examination. Perhaps some franchises just outlive their ability to be useful.
About self driving cars: I think they are much better and safer.
Not sure what’s happened but the quality and consistency has declined. Most of time I have to skip the episode minutes in bc of poor production or interview progression.
Thank you Stephen.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Spotify | #159 | |
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Apple Podcasts | #69 | |
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Apple Podcasts | #6 | |
Spotify | #199 |
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Exploring the hidden side of diverse topics, this podcast combines economics with storytelling to illuminate the often-overlooked aspects of everyday life. From the safety of air travel versus driving to the complexities behind personal relationships, it offers insightful discussions that challenge conventional wisdom. Unique in its approach, engaging guests from various fields such as healthcare, sports, and academia provide audience members with unexpected perspectives on familiar subjects. The blend of humor, serious inquiry, and accessible analysis makes this a compelling choice for listeners interested in understanding the world through an economic lens.
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Freakonomics Radio:
1. The Economics of Everyday Things
2. People I (Mostly) Admire
3. Planet Money
4. Radiolab
5. Hidden Brain
Freakonomics Radio launched 16 years ago and published 967 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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Recent guests on Freakonomics Radio include:
1. Judith Faulkner
2. Seth Howard
3. Niels Christian Stenseth
4. Ed Glaeser
5. Eric Adams
6. Zoran Mamdani
7. Charles Piller
8. Chris Hyatt
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