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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 weeklyEpisodes1018Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Freakonomics Radio

Latest Episodes

Americans are having fewer children than they want. Government attempts to boost birth rates haven’t done much. But new research points to a surprisingly simple way to help — and it starts at home. (Part one of a two-part series.)

• SOURCES:• Nick B... more

Stephen Dubner recently served on a criminal jury. Twelve strangers — selected randomly and barely paid — took the job seriously. Afterward, he wondered: why can’t our politics work that way? A growing movement, inspired by Athenian democracy, says i... more

YouTube

SNL writer and Weekend Update anchor Michael Che joins Trevor and Eugene in this episode preview. Watch What Now? with Trevor Noah on Youtube or tune-in anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com ... more

It may just be being human. Stephen Dubner interviews A.I. performer Tilly Norwood to find out if we are as replaceable as we fear. (Part two of a two-part series.)

• SOURCES:• Sean Astin, actor, president of SAG-AFTRA.

• Kevin Kelly, co-founder of ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Terry Bouricius
Author, former Vermont state representative, and election-reform advocate
Episode: 694. Does Democracy Really Need Elections?
DJ Hairston
Public-defense lawyer in New York City
Episode: 694. Does Democracy Really Need Elections?
Hélène Landemore
Professor of political science at Yale University and author
Yale University
Episode: 694. Does Democracy Really Need Elections?
Michael Che
Saturday Night Live writer and Weekend Update anchor
Saturday Night Live
Episode: What Now? with Trevor Noah | Michael Che: The Unspoken Rules of Comedy
Kevin Kelly
Co-founder of Wired and technology writer
Wired
Episode: 693. What’s Our Job as Humans Anymore?
Sean Astin
Actor and president of SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA
Episode: 693. What’s Our Job as Humans Anymore?
Joel Waldfogel
Economist and professor at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Episode: 693. What’s Our Job as Humans Anymore?
Eline Van der Velden
Founder and CEO of Particle6, actor and creator of Tilly Norwood
Particle6
Episode: 693. What’s Our Job as Humans Anymore?
Ethan Mollick
Associate professor of management at the Wharton School and author of books about AI
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: 692. What Will A.I. Do to (and for) Human Creativity?

Host

Stephen J. Dubner
Journalist, writer and co-author of Freakonomics

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 54.2k ratings
  • Way too much interrupting

    I listened to almost all of an episode where an interview is being done, and there was way too much interrupting by the host. He’d ask a question, start to get an answer, then ask a new one in the middle of this answer. It was frustrating and uncomfortable.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Frustrated at the changes
    United Statesa month ago
  • Corporate Bias

    Like others, I’m disappointed by the corporate bias in the Freakonomics series on Kalshi. They uncritically accepted Kalshi’s claims and overlooked widespread criticisms of the platform and its potential for substantial societal harm, despite the title suggesting that they would. These episodes were missing basic scientific curiosity and skepticism that I expect from decent economists. It felt like a paid advertisement or even corporate propaganda.

    I strongly suggest a follow-up episode with a ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bokononist Evangelist
    United Statesa month ago
  • My “go to” podcast

    Always interesting and well researched as well as excellent production with Stephen’s voice and Louis’ music - it’s the whole package of clear information that is worth knowing and worth your time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NZ-Aly
    New Zealand2 months ago
  • Kalshi shills

    Are they getting paid by kalshi? Truly sad to see a great podcast become a shill for dangerous gambling products that ruin peoples lives

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Deviancy
    United States2 months ago
  • finger pointing quibble

    On the Sept 4 show re AI survival. Kudos for talking abt a responsible approach. quibble: I think the late 80’s loss of mfg jobs happened under Reagan and Bush, not Clinton. China Shock refers to job losses beginning late 90’s.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    bets444
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value the informative, polished production, but some criticize the volume or relevance of advertising, particularly for AI companies.
Some listeners object to the newer interview format, while others value the production quality, music and distinctive host delivery.
Listeners praise the breadth of topics, research and clear explanations, especially when complex subjects become unexpectedly engaging.
Recent prediction-market coverage drew criticism from listeners who felt the treatment was too favorable and lacked sufficient skepticism.
Many appreciate the host's probing questions, though some find the interruptions or leading questions frustrating.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Now? with Trevor Noah | Michael Che: The Unspoken Rules of Comedy
Q: How are you dealing with this?
Trevor Noah recalls asking Michael B. Jordan about criticism of his casting as the Human Torch. Jordan said he struggled with doubt, then decided that if he did not take the role, someone else would have to.
What Now? with Trevor Noah | Michael Che: The Unspoken Rules of Comedy
Q: Can I challenge you on one part of it? Not to dismiss it.
Trevor Noah suggests Che may be attributing to money what actually comes from fame, which helps people see him as an individual rather than making assumptions based on his appearance.
694. Does Democracy Really Need Elections?
Q: If sortition is such a good idea, and if it was or could be such a good system more broadly, why did it vanish essentially?
Landemore says sortition lost ground as political legitimacy became associated with consent at the ballot box, while Enlightenment-era emphasis on individual reasoning and the absence of statistical science limited belief in collective intelligence.
694. Does Democracy Really Need Elections?
Q: What is a citizens assembly?
Landemore describes a large group, typically at least 100 people, selected by lot to learn about an issue, deliberate over an extended period, and reach a decision.
Are Private Equity Firms Plundering the U.S. Economy? (Update)
Q: You write that roughly one in five large companies acquired through leveraged buyouts go bankrupt in a decade. This is vastly more than the roughly two percent of comparable companies not acquired by private equity firms that do. Can you explain why that happened so often?
Ballou says leveraged buyouts load companies with debt while private equity firms can extract management fees and dividends. Sale-leasebacks can also leave companies with long-term lease obligations after selling their physical assets.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Freakonomics Radio

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

Reported, host-led explorations of unexpected questions about economics, behavior, technology, culture, politics and everyday life. Stephen J. Dubner builds each installment around a focused question, combining accessible explanations, data, historical context and interviews with researchers, public officials, business leaders, artists and other people with direct experience. Some topics unfold across multiple parts, while occasional interview formats offer a more personal conversation. The range is a distinguishing feature: discussions move from markets, sports and creative work to democratic institutions, food prices and the effects of artificial intelligence. Complex subjects are made approachable without being limited to one field, and ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Freakonomics Radio?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Freakonomics Radio:

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

How many episodes of Freakonomics Radio are there?

Freakonomics Radio launched 17 years ago and published 1018 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. Terry Bouricius
2. DJ Hairston
3. Hélène Landemore
4. Michael Che
5. Kevin Kelly
6. Sean Astin
7. Joel Waldfogel
8. Eline Van der Velden

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