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

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 weeklyEpisodes938Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Freakonomics Radio

Latest Episodes

Behavioral scientists have been exploring whether a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. In this update of a 2021 episode, we survey evidence from the London Underground, Major League Baseball, and New Year’s resolutions to look at acciden... more

A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It’s an easy narrative to embrace — but is it true? As part of GiveDirectly’s “Pods Fight Poverty” campaign, we revisit a 2017 episode.

• SOURCES:• Jim Andr... more

All sorts of people have put their mark on Messiah, and it has been a hit for nearly 300 years. How can a single piece of music thrive in so many settings? You could say it’s because Handel really knew how to write a banger. (Part three of “Making Me... more

In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode of our “Making Messiah” series, Parr breaks down the economics of the New York Philharmonic.

• SOURCES:• Gary ... 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
The Economics of Everyday ThingsFreakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett
People I (Mostly) Admire
People I (Mostly) AdmireFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Hidden Brain
Hidden BrainHidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
Radiolab
RadiolabWNYC Studios

Recent Guests

Katy Milkman
Behavior change specialist and co-director of the Behavior Change for Good Initiative.
Wharton School
Episode: Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Andy Byford
Public transit official known for overhauls in major city transportation systems.
Amtrak
Episode: Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Ferdinand Rauch
Researcher exploring commuter behavior change.
University of St. Gallen
Episode: Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Bob Tewksbury
Former MLB pitcher and mental skills coach.
Episode: Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Hengchen Dai
Motivation researcher focusing on behavior resets.
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Episode: Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Jane Glover
Early music scholar and prolific conductor
Episode: 657. Whose “Messiah” Is It Anyway?
Gary Parr
Senior Managing Director at Apollo and former chairman of the New York Philharmonic
Apollo Global Management
Episode: Who Pays for “Messiah”?
Philip Rushforth
Organist and master of the choristers at Chester Cathedral
Episode: 656. How Handel Got His Mojo Back
Mark Reisinger
Musicologist and Handel specialist
Teaches in New York City
Episode: 656. How Handel Got His Mojo Back

Host

Stephen J. Dubner
Co-author of Freakonomics and host, Stephen J. Dubner brings a unique perspective, merging storytelling with analytical insights on various topics including economics, society, and human behavior.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 53.3k ratings
  • Messiah Episode

    I always enjoy this podcast, but this episode on Handel’s Messiah has been my very favorite. Stephen includes many personal notes about how the story of the music has moved him and shaped him, and the episode has been a delight for my SOUL! Around Easter this past year, there was a full performance of Handel’s Messiah in my small-ish town in Texas, and I agree that listening to the entire performance is a beautiful, soul-shaping experience. Stephen, I am so curious why a piece about the Christia... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Krlillie
    United States24 days ago
  • Smart, engaging, and cozy

    I don’t know how a podcast about economics can make me smile so much, but Freakeconomic Radio does.

    The episodes are beautifully researched. The interviews are engaging and never one sided. I truly learn something new every week.

    But, what I didn’t think would happen to me multiple times while listening to this podcast is squealing in delight at something that is so kind or sincere.

    It appears that the host, Stephen Dubner, looks at the world without the cynicism. He can take a topic like ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KelleyMcV
    Canada25 days ago
  • Well Done! Dying is Easy- Retail is Hard

    Long time listener here, this updated episode was a blueprint for podcasts. I loved hearing both sides of the Macy’s turnaround- from the CEO to the guy giving us facts and keeping it real. Loved the bookstore story as well. Well done.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crime Obsessed JH
    United Statesa month ago
  • Exceptionally good

    Clear, balanced, well thought out. Perennial favorite

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MiNiTrypia
    United Statesa month ago
  • Interesting analyses

    Podcast Addict
    5
    giddygrilled
    a month ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, there's a strong appreciation for the quality of interviews and the insightful nature of topics covered.
The podcast consistently offers engaging content and interesting perspectives, making learning enjoyable.
Some feel the recent content has drifted towards political analysis, which they find less appealing than earlier episodes.
Listeners value the analytical approach and depth of discussion on significant societal issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Who Pays for “Messiah”?
Q: How does an orchestra sell more tickets?
Creating scarcity increases demand.
Dying Is Easy. Retail Is Hard. (Update)
Q: What are the biggest existential threats to Macy's continued longevity?
Disintermediation and the ability of brands to go directly to consumers pose significant risks to Macy's business model.
Dying Is Easy. Retail Is Hard. (Update)
Q: How likely is it that Macy's disappears?
It's likely that Macy's will experience challenges but may not completely disappear due to its assets and brand recognition.
What Happens When You Turn 20
Q: Does it seem like 20 years?
In a way, it went fast. But in a way, it could have been like 4,000 years.
What Happens When You Turn 20
Q: What conventions, whether intellectual, academic, journalistic, did you see yourselves rebelling against?
I wanted to bring to the kind of writing that I've always liked to do, some other layers or dimensions that in this case came from economics and the other social sciences.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Freakonomics Radio

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

This podcast investigates the hidden dynamics behind everyday phenomena, bringing to light aspects of economics, statistics, and human behavior that often go unnoticed. Notable themes include the intricate relationship between economics and social issues, the impact of cultural events, and the analysis of market structures, such as retail and sports industries. Episodes frequently feature interviews with a diverse range of experts from various fields, making complex topics accessible to audiences while maintaining a critical lens on contemporary cultural and economic issues. Its unique blend of curiosity-driven storytelling and data analysis positions it as a compelling resource for listeners interested in understanding the underlying mecha... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Freakonomics Radio?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Freakonomics Radio. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Freakonomics Radio and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Freakonomics Radio get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Freakonomics Radio, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Freakonomics Radio?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Freakonomics Radio, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Freakonomics Radio have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Freakonomics Radio has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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 938 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Freakonomics Radio?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Freakonomics Radio from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Freakonomics Radio?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Freakonomics Radio. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Freakonomics Radio?

Recent guests on Freakonomics Radio include:

1. Katy Milkman
2. Andy Byford
3. Ferdinand Rauch
4. Bob Tewksbury
5. Hengchen Dai
6. Jane Glover
7. Gary Parr
8. Philip Rushforth

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days