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Artwork for Freakonomics Radio
Richard Feynman
Zygarnik Effect
Psychology
Closure
Public Transit
San Francisco 49ers
Academic Fraud
Human Behavior
Emotions
Personal Injury Law
Colin Kaepernick
Jimmy Garoppolo
NFL
Challenger Space Shuttle
Transportation Funding
Economic Mobility
Climate Justice
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 weeklyEpisodes952Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Freakonomics Radio

Latest Episodes

When Richard Thaler first published Nudge, the world was just starting to believe in his brand of behavioral economics. In this 2021 episode, we ask: How has nudge theory held up in the face of a global financial meltdown, a pandemic, and other exist... more

The science says no, at least not in the athletic sense. But the psychic benefits can be large — just ask former N.F.L. star Ricky Williams. He says athletes should consider cannabis a healing drug, not a party drug. Even the N.F.L. is starting to ag... more

In sports, the rules are meant to be sacrosanct. But when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs, the slope is super-slippery. (Part one of a two-part series.)

• SOURCES:• April Henning, associate professor of international sport management at Heri... more

They used to be the N.F.L.’s biggest stars, with paychecks to match. Now their salaries are near the bottom, and their careers are shorter than ever. In this updated episode from 2025, we speak with an analytics guru, an agent, an economist, and some... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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

Recent Guests

Floyd Landis
Former professional cyclist stripped of his Tour de France victory due to doping accusations
Episode: 662. If You’re Not Cheating, You’re Not Trying
April Henning
Associate Professor of International Sport Management interested in performance enhancement and wellbeing
Harriet Watt University
Episode: 662. If You’re Not Cheating, You’re Not Trying
LeSean McCoy
Ex-NFL all-decade running back for the Eagles, Bills, Chiefs, and Bucks
NFL
Episode: Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)
Robert Smith
Retired NFL running back for the Minnesota Vikings, currently a commentator
Fox Sports
Episode: Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)
Robert Turbin
Former NFL running back and commentator for CBS Sports
CBS Sports
Episode: Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)
Jeffrey Whitney
President of the Sports & Entertainment Group, a sports agency
Sports & Entertainment Group
Episode: Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)
Brian Burke
Sports data scientist with ESPN, involved in football analytics
ESPN
Episode: Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)
Robert Wachter
Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco
University of California, San Francisco
Episode: 661. Can A.I. Save Your Life?
Pierre Elias
Cardiologist at Columbia University and Medical Director for Artificial Intelligence at New York Presbyterian Hospital
Columbia University, New York Presbyterian Hospital
Episode: 661. Can A.I. Save Your Life?

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 53.5k ratings
  • Wonderful podcast

    Thank you Steven . These episodes are so insightful and informative. I also appreciate your humour and thoughtful worldview.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brmartin999
    Canada17 days ago
  • Great episode!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Dacmon
    18 days ago
  • This is not journalism

    The McKary interview was an absolute disgrace. Not a single ounce of pushback, not even a follow up question to any of his unjustified claims. This is how fascism wins. Truly embarrassing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    sandy-chan
    United States20 days ago
  • FDA Conversation

    I was very disheartened by this episode. I usually have a lot of respect for Mr Dubner’s interview skills and ability to stick with facts and be neutral. He missed the boat this time. The head of the FDA was allowed to state politically biased views with no push back. The interviewee also pushed blame onto others, such as the media. If he doesn’t like how topics are being covered he should have the power to make the coverage more accurate if it is indeed half the story. He also either was gasli... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Steambuffsmom
    United States20 days ago
  • Informative, Fascinating

    This podcast consistently produces excellent work on fascinating topics thank you very much.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EveAnn61
    United States20 days 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.

661. Can A.I. Save Your Life?
Q: What do you see as the proper role of government in regulating AI and healthcare?
Government should ensure a level playing field for innovation without overregulating, considering the rapid pace of change in AI.
661. Can A.I. Save Your Life?
Q: How do you see the role of the physician changing?
The role of the physician continues as a guide for patients, focusing on reflection and addressing complex issues rather than handling all mechanical tasks directly.
661. Can A.I. Save Your Life?
Q: Can you just talk about what this journey slash process was like for you?
Robert Wachter took a journalistic approach to understand healthcare AI by interviewing various stakeholders in the field.
Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)
Q: What advice would you give to a young running back looking to succeed today?
Learn to throw or enhance overall productivity to navigate the changing value in the NFL.
Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)
Q: Why do you think the running back market is so challenging today?
The decline in market value can be attributed to various factors, including analytics showing the value of passing over running, the implementation of a rookie wage scale, and the physical demands of the position leading to shorter careers.

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

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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. Radiolab
5. Hidden Brain

How many episodes of Freakonomics Radio are there?

Freakonomics Radio launched 16 years ago and published 952 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. Floyd Landis
2. April Henning
3. LeSean McCoy
4. Robert Smith
5. Robert Turbin
6. Jeffrey Whitney
7. Brian Burke
8. Robert Wachter

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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