Freakonomics Radio
Episodes
Yes, the Open Office Is Terrible — But It Doesn’t Have to Be
12 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It began as a post-war dream for a more collaborative and egalitarian workplace. It has evolved into a nightmare of noise and discomfort. Can the open...
388. The Economics of Sports Gambling
05 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when tens of millions of fantasy-sports players are suddenly able to bet real money on real games? We’re about to find out. A recent Su...
The Future of Meat (Rebroadcast)
29 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Global demand for beef, chicken, and pork continues to rise. So do concerns about environmental and other costs. Will reconciling these two forces be ...
Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s? (Rebroadcast)
22 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The quirky little grocery chain with California roots and German ownership has a lot to teach all of us about choice architecture, efficiency, frugali...
387. Hello, My Name Is Marijuana Pepsi!
15 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Research shows that having a distinctively black name doesn’t affect your economic future. But what is the day-to-day reality of living with such a ...
How Much Does Your Name Matter? (Rebroadcast )
08 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A kid’s name can tell us something about his parents — their race, social standing, even their politics. But is your name really your destiny?
386. How the Supermarket Helped America Win the Cold War
01 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Aisle upon aisle of fresh produce, cheap meat, and sugary cereal — a delicious embodiment of free-market capitalism, right? Not quite. The supermark...
America’s Hidden Duopoly (Rebroadcast)
25 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We all know our political system is “broken” — but what if that’s not true? Some say the Republicans and Democrats constitute a wildly success...
385. What Do Nancy Pelosi, Taylor Swift, and Serena Williams Have in Common?
18 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
They — along with a great many other high-achieving women — were all once Girl Scouts. So was Sylvia Acevedo. Raised in a poor, immigrant family, ...
384. Abortion and Crime, Revisited
11 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The controversial theory linking Roe v. Wade to a massive crime drop is back in the spotlight as several states introduce abortion restrictions. Steve...
A Better Way to Eat (Rebroadcast )
04 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Takeru Kobayashi revolutionized the sport of competitive eating. What can the rest of us learn from his breakthrough?
383. The Zero-Minute Workout
27 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There is strong evidence that exercise is wildly beneficial. There is even stronger evidence that most people hate to exercise. So if a pill could mim...
382. How Goes the Behavior-Change Revolution?
20 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
An all-star team of behavioral scientists discovers that humans are stubborn (and lazy, and sometimes dumber than dogs). We also hear about binge drin...
381. Long-Term Thinking in a Start-Up Town
13 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded live in San Francisco. Guests include the keeper of a 10,000-year clock, the co-founder of Lyft, a pioneer in male birth control, a specialis...
380. Notes From an Imperfect Paradise
06 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded live in Los Angeles. Guests include Mayor Eric Garcetti, the “Earthquake Lady,” the head of the Port of L.A., and a scientist with NASA’...
379. How to Change Your Mind
30 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There are a lot of barriers to changing your mind: ego, overconfidence, inertia — and cost. Politicians who flip-flop get mocked; family and friends...
Here’s Why All Your Projects Are Always Late — and What to Do About It (Rebroadcast)
23 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it’s a giant infrastructure plan or a humble kitchen renovation, it’ll inevitably take way too long and cost way too much. That’s becaus...
378. 23andMe (and You, and Everyone Else)
16 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The revolution in home DNA testing is giving consumers important, possibly life-changing information. It’s also building a gigantic database that co...
377. The $1.5 Trillion Question-How to fix student loan debt?
09 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As the cost of college skyrocketed, it created a debt burden that’s putting a drag on the economy. One possible solution: shifting the risk of debt ...
376. The Data-Driven Guide to Sane Parenting
02 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Humans have been having kids forever, so why are modern parents so bewildered? The economist Emily Oster marshals the evidence on the most contentious...
The Invisible Paw (Rebroadcast)
25 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Humans, it has long been thought, are the only animal to engage in economic activity. But what if we've had it exactly backward?
375. The Most Interesting Fruit in the World
18 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The banana used to be a luxury good. Now it’s the most popular fruit in the U.S. and elsewhere. But the production efficiencies that made it so chea...
374. How Spotify Saved the Music Industry (But Not Necessarily Musicians)
11 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Ek, a 23-year-old Swede who grew up on pirated music, made the record labels an offer they couldn’t refuse: a legal platform to stream all th...
373. Why Rent Control Doesn’t Work
04 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As cities become ever-more expensive, politicians and housing advocates keep calling for rent control. Economists think that’s a terrible idea. They...
372. Freakonomics Radio Live: “Would You Eat a Piece of Chocolate Shaped Like Dog Poop?”
28 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What your disgust level says about your politics, how Napoleon influenced opera, why New York City’s subways may finally run on time, and more. Five...
Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant (Update)
21 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kenji Lopez-Alt became a rock star of the food world by bringing science into the kitchen in a way that everyday cooks can appreciate. Then he dared t...
371. A Free-Trade Democrat in the Trump White House
14 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For years, Gary Cohn thought he’d be the next C.E.O. of Goldman Sachs. Instead, he became the “adult in the room” in a chaotic administration. C...
370. How to Fail Like a Pro
07 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The road to success is paved with failure, so you might as well learn to do it right. (Ep. 5 of the “How to Be Creative” series.)
369. A Good Idea Is Not Good Enough
28 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re building a business or a cathedral, execution is everything. We ask artists, scientists, and inventors how they turned ideas into rea...
368. Where Do Good Ideas Come From?
21 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re mapping the universe, hosting a late-night talk show, or running a meeting, there are a lot of ways to up your idea game. Plus: the t...
367. The Future of Meat
14 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Global demand for beef, chicken, and pork continues to rise. So do concerns about environmental and other costs. Will reconciling these two forces be ...
366. This Economist Predicted the Last Crisis. What’s the Next One?
07 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In 2005, Raghuram Rajan said the financial system was at risk “of a catastrophic meltdown.” After stints at the I.M.F. and India’s central bank,...
Extra: Domonique Foxworth Full Interview
02 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Dubner’s conversation with the former N.F.L. player, union official, and all-around sports thinker, recorded for our “Hidden Side of Sport...
365. Not Just Another Labor Force
31 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you think talent and hard work give top athletes all the leverage to succeed, think again. As employees in the Sports-Industrial Complex, they’ve...
Extra: Mark Cuban Full Interview
26 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with the Shark Tank star, entrepreneur, and Dallas Mavericks owner recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidden Side of Spo...
364. Inside the Sports-Industrial Complex
24 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For most of us, the athletes are what make sports interesting. But if you own the team or run the league, your players are essentially very expensive ...
Extra: Mark Teixeira Full Interview
19 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with former Major League Baseball player and current ESPN analyst Mark Teixeira, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidd...
363. Think Like a Winner
17 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Great athletes aren’t just great at the physical stuff. They’ve also learned how to handle pressure, overcome fear, and stay focused. Here’s the...
Hacking the World Bank (Update)
12 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Yong Kim has an unorthodox background for a World Bank president — and his reign has been just as unorthodox. He has just announced he’s stepp...
362. Why Is This Man Running for President?
10 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the American Dream sweepstakes, Andrew Yang was a pretty big winner. But for every winner, he came to realize, there are thousands upon thousands o...
How to Be Happy (Rebroadcast)
03 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The U.N.’s World Happiness Report — created to curtail our unhealthy obsession with G.D.P. — is dominated every year by the Nordic countries. We...
How to Win Games and Beat People (Rebroadcast)
27 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Games are as old as civilization itself, and some people think they have huge social value regardless of whether you win or lose. Tom Whipple is not o...
People Aren’t Dumb. The World Is Hard. (Rebroadcast)
20 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You wouldn’t think you could win a Nobel Prize for showing that humans tend to make irrational decisions. But that’s what Richard Thaler has done....
Freakonomics Radio Live: “Where Does Fear Live in the Brain?”
15 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Our co-host is comedian Christian Finnegan, and we learn: the difference between danger and fear; the role of clouds in climate change; and why (and w...
Freakonomics Radio Live: “We Thought of a Way to Manipulate Your Perception of Time.”
15 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We learn how to be less impatient, how to tell fake news from real, and the simple trick that nurses used to make better predictions than doctors. Jou...
Freakonomics Radio Live: “The World’s a Mess. But Oysters, They Hold it Down.”
15 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli joins us to co-host an evening of delicious fact-finding: where a trillion oysters went, whether a soda tax can work...
361. Freakonomics Radio Live: “Jesus Could Have Been a Pigeon.”
13 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Our co-host is Grit author Angela Duckworth, and we learn fascinating, Freakonomical facts from a parade of guests. For instance: what we all get wron...
360. Is the Protestant Work Ethic Real?
06 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In the early 20th century, Max Weber argued that Protestantism created wealth. Finally, there are data to prove if he was right. All it took were some...
359. Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s?
29 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The quirky little grocery chain with California roots and German ownership has a lot to teach all of us about choice architecture, efficiency, frugali...
There’s a War on Sugar. Is It Justified? (Rebroadcast)
22 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Some people argue that sugar should be regulated, like alcohol and tobacco, on the grounds that it’s addictive and toxic. How much sense does that m...
358. Yes, the Open Office Is Terrible — But It Doesn’t Have to Be
15 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
It began as a post-war dream for a more collaborative and egalitarian workplace. It has evolved into a nightmare of noise and discomfort. Can the open...
357. Can an Industrial Giant Become a Tech Darling?
08 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The Ford Motor Company is ditching its legacy sedans, doubling down on trucks, and trying to steer its stock price out of a long skid. But C.E.O. Jim ...
356. America’s Hidden Duopoly
01 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We all know our political system is “broken” — but what if that’s not true? Some say the Republicans and Democrats constitute a wildly success...
Extra: Elvis Costello Full Interview
27 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with the iconic singer-songwriter, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “How to Be Creative.”
355. Where Does Creativity Come From (and Why Do Schools Kill It Off)?
25 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Family environments and “diversifying experiences” (including the early death of a parent); intrinsic versus extrinsic motivations; schools that v...
Extra: Jeremy Lin Full Interview
20 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with veteran NBA point guard Jeremy Lin, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidden Side of Sports.”
354. How to Be Creative
18 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
There are thousands of books on the subject, but what do we actually know about creativity? In this new series, we talk to the researchers who study i...
353. How to Optimize Your Apology
11 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You said, “I’m sorry,” but somehow you haven’t been forgiven. Why? Because you’re doing it wrong! A report from the front lines of apology s...
352. Can This Man Stop a Trade War?
04 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The World Trade Organization is the referee for 164 trading partners, each with their own political and economic agendas. Lately, those agendas have g...
Extra: Shawn Johnson Full Interview
01 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with 2008 Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Hidden Side of Sports.”
351. Here’s Why You’re Not an Elite Athlete
27 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
There are a lot of factors that go into greatness, many of which are not obvious. A variety of Olympic and professional athletes tell us how they made...
Extra: Full Interviews With Jimmy Garoppolo, Joe Staley, Mike McGlinchey, and Kyle Juszczyk
23 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Dubner’s conversations with members of the San Francisco 49ers offense, recorded for Freakonomics Radio episode No. 350, part of the “Hidd...
350. How to Stop Being a Loser
20 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The San Francisco 49ers, one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world, also used to be one of the best. But they’ve been losing lately —...
349. How Sports Became Us
13 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dollar-wise, the sports industry is surprisingly small, about the same size as the cardboard-box industry. So why does it make so much noise? Because ...
348. Is the Government More Entrepreneurial Than You Think?
06 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We all know the standard story: our economy would be more dynamic if only the government would get out of the way. The economist Mariana Mazzucato say...
347. Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant
30 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kenji Lopez-Alt became a rock star of the food world by bringing science into the kitchen in a way that everyday cooks can appreciate. Then he dared t...
346. Two (Totally Opposite) Ways to Save the Planet
23 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The environmentalists say we’re doomed if we don’t drastically reduce consumption. The technologists say that human ingenuity can solve just about...
345. How to Be Happy
16 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The U.N.’s World Happiness Report — created to curtail our unhealthy obsession with G.D.P. — is dominated every year by the Nordic countries. We...
344. Who Decides How Much a Life Is Worth?
09 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
After every mass shooting or terrorist attack, victims and survivors receive a huge outpouring of support — including a massive pool of compensation...
A Conversation With PepsiCo C.E.O. Indra Nooyi (Ep. 316 Update)
07 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
One of the world’s biggest and best-known companies just announced that its C.E.O. would be stepping down in the fall. We interviewed her as part of...
343. An Astronaut, a Catalan, and Two Linguists Walk Into a Bar…
02 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this live episode of “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know,” we learn why New York has skinny skyscrapers, how to weaponize water, and what astrona...
342. Has Lance Armstrong Finally Come Clean?
26 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
He was once the most lionized athlete on the planet, with seven straight Tour de France wins and a victory over cancer too. Then the doping charges ca...
341. Why We Choke Under Pressure (and How Not To)
19 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
It happens to just about everyone, whether you’re going for Olympic gold or giving a wedding toast. We hear from psychologists, economists, and the ...
340. People Aren’t Dumb. The World Is Hard.
12 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
You wouldn’t think you could win a Nobel Prize for showing that humans tend to make irrational decisions. But that’s what Richard Thaler has done....
339. The Future of Freakonomics Radio
03 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
After 8 years and more than 300 episodes, it was time to either 1) quit, or 2) make the show bigger and better. We voted for number 2. Here’s a peek...
In Praise of Incrementalism (Rebroadcast)
28 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
What do Renaissance painting, civil-rights movements, and Olympic cycling have in common? In each case, huge breakthroughs came from taking tiny steps...
In Praise of Maintenance (Rebroadcast)
21 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Has our culture's obsession with innovation led us to neglect the fact that things also need to be taken care of?
338. How to Catch World Cup Fever
14 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
For soccer fans, it's easy. For the rest of us? Not so much, especially since the U.S. team didn't qualify. So here's what to watch for even if you ha...
337. How to Build a Smart City
07 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We are in the midst of a historic (and wholly unpredicted) rise in urbanization. But it's hard to retrofit old cities for the 21st century. Enter Dan ...
How Stupid Is Our Obsession With Lawns? (Rebroadcast)
31 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly two percent of America is grassy green. Sure, lawns are beautiful and useful and they smell great. But are the costs — financial, environment...
336. The Most Vilified Industry in America Is Also the Most Charitable
24 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Pharmaceutical firms donate an enormous amount of their products (and some cash too). But it doesn't seem to be helping their reputation. We ask Pfize...
335. Does Doing Good Give You License to Be Bad?
17 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Corporate Social Responsibility programs can attract better job applicants who'll work for less money. But they also encourage employees to misbehave....
334. 5 Psychology Terms You’re Probably Misusing
10 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We all like to throw around terms that describe human behavior — “bystander apathy” and “steep learning curve” and “hard-wired.” Most of...
Evolution, Accelerated (Rebroadcast)
03 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A breakthrough in genetic technology has given humans more power than ever to change nature. It could help eliminate hunger and disease; it could also...
333. The Most Ambitious Thing Humans Have Ever Attempted
26 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, medical progress has been astounding. But today the U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other country, with so-so outcomes. Atul Gawande —...
332. Why the Trump Tax Cuts Are Terrible/Awesome (Part 2)
19 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Three former White House economists weigh in on the new tax bill. A sample: "The overwhelming evidence is that the trickle-down, magic-beanstalk ...
331. Why the Trump Tax Cuts are Awesome/Terrible (Part 1)
12 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin Hassett, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, explains the thinking behind the controversial new Republican tax package — and why its...
330. Extra: Ray Dalio Full Interview
09 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the founder and longtime C.E.O. of Bridgewater Associates, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret...
329. The Invisible Paw
05 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Humans, it has long been thought, are the only animal to engage in economic activity. But what if we've had it exactly backward?
328. Extra: Mark Zuckerberg Full Interview
02 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the Facebook founder and C.E.O., recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Money (But Were Afraid to Ask) (Rebroadcast)
29 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The bad news: roughly 70 percent of Americans are financially illiterate. The good news: all the important stuff can fit on one index card. Here's how...
327. Extra: Carol Bartz Full Interview
26 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the former C.E.O. of Yahoo, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
The Stupidest Thing You Can Do With Your Money (Rebroadcast)
22 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard enough to save for a house, tuition, or retirement. So why are we willing to pay big fees for subpar investment returns? Enter the low-cost ...
326. Extra: Jack Welch Full Interview
19 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the former longtime C.E.O. of General Electric, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a ...
325. How to Train Your Dragon Child
15 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every 12 years, there's a spike in births among certain communities across the globe, including the U.S. Why? Because the Year of the Dragon, accordin...
324. Extra: Satya Nadella Full Interview
12 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the C.E.O. of Microsoft, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”
323. Here’s Why All Your Projects Are Always Late — and What to Do About It
08 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's a giant infrastructure plan or a humble kitchen renovation, it'll inevitably take way too long and cost way too much. That's because you ...
322. Extra: David Rubenstein Full Interview
05 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the co-founder and longtime co-C.E.O. of the Carlyle Group, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secre...
Does “Early Education” Come Way Too Late? (Rebroadcast)
01 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In our collective zeal to reform schools and close the achievement gap, we may have lost sight of where most learning really happens — at home.
321. Extra: Richard Branson Full Interview
26 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Dubner's conversation with the Virgin Group founder, recorded for the Freakonomics Radio series “The Secret Life of a C.E.O.”