Women Are Not Men (Rebroadcast)
20 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
In many ways, the gender gap is closing. In others, not so much. And that's not always a bad thing.
159. “It’s Fun to Smoke Marijuana”
13 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
A psychology professor argues that the brain's greatest attribute is knowing what other people are t...
158. Is Learning a Foreign Language Really Worth It?
06 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, it expands the mind but we usually don't retain much -- and then there's the opportunity cost.
157. Why Are Japanese Homes Disposable?
27 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
In most countries, houses get more valuable over time. In Japan, a new buyer will often bulldoze the...
156. Why Marry? (Part 2)
20 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
The consequences of our low marriage rate -- and if the old model is less attractive, how about a ne...
155. Why Marry? (Part 1)
13 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
The myths of modern marriage.
154. What You Don’t Know About Online Dating
06 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Thick markets, thin markets, and the triumph of attributes over compatibility.This episode is includ...
153. Reasons to Not Be Ugly
30 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
The "beauty premium" is real, for everyone from babies to NFL quarterbacks.
152. Everybody Gossips (and That’s a Good Thing)
23 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
The benefits of rumor-mongering
Fear Thy Nature (Rebroadcast)
16 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
What "Sleep No More" and the Stanford Prison Experiment tell us about who we really are.
151. Are We Ready to Legalize Drugs? And Other FREAK-Quently Asked Questions
09 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Dubner and Levitt talk about fixing the post office, putting cameras in the classroom, and wearing h...
150. What’s the “Best” Exercise?
02 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Most people blame lack of time for being out of shape. So maybe the solution is to exercise more eff...
Save Me From Myself (Rebroadcast)
26 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A commitment device forces you to be the person you really want to be. What could possibly go wrong?...
149. Pontiff-icating on the Free-Market System
19 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The Pope just gave it to the global economy with both barrels. Was he right to do so?
148. Are Gay Men Really Rich?
12 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
It’s easy to get that idea. But is the stereotype true?
147. The Most Dangerous Machine
05 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
More than 1 million people die worldwide each year from traffic accidents. But there's never been a ...
146. Fighting Poverty With Actual Evidence
27 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to do away with feel-good stories, gut hunches, and magical thinking.
145. What Do Skating Rinks, Ultimate Frisbee, and the World Have in Common?
21 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Spontaneous order is everywhere if you know where to look for it.
144. Who Runs the Internet?
14 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The online universe doesn't have nearly as many rules, or rulemakers, as the real world. Discuss.
Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 2 (Rebroadcast)
07 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
College tends to make people happier, healthier, and wealthier. But how?
Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 1 (Rebroadcast)
31 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
What's a college degree really worth these days?
143. Why Bad Environmentalism Is Such an Easy Sell
24 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Being green is rarely a black-and-white issue -- but that doesn't stop marketers and politicians fro...
142. The Troubled Cremation of Stevie the Cat
14 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We spend billions on our pets, and one of the fastest-growing costs is pet "aftercare." Bu...
141. How to Raise Money Without Killing a Kitten
10 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The science of what works -- and doesn't work -- in fund-raising
140. How to Think About Money, Choose Your Hometown, and Buy an Electric Toothbrush
03 Oct 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Dubner and Levitt field your queries in this latest installment of our FREAK-quently Asked Questions...
139. Would a Big Bucket of Cash Really Change Your Life?
26 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A 19th-century Georgia land lottery may have something to teach us about today's income inequality.
The Economist’s Guide to Parenting (Rebroadcast)
19 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Think you know how much parents matter? Think again. Economists crunch the numbers to learn the ROI ...
138. Whatever Happened to the Carpal Tunnel Epidemic?
12 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Once upon a time, office workers across America lived in fear of a dreaded infirmity. Was the comput...
The Suicide Paradox (Rebroadcast)
05 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
There are more than twice as many suicides as murders in the U.S., but suicide attracts far less scr...
137. Who Are the Most Successful Immigrants in the World?
29 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
It's impossible to say for sure, but the Lebanese do remarkably well. Why?
The Folly of Prediction (Rebroadcast)
22 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Human beings love to predict the future, but we're quite terrible at it. So how about punishing all ...
136. The Middle of Everywhere
15 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Chicago has given the world more than sausage, crooked politics, and Da Bears.
The Church of "Scionology" (Rebroadcast)
08 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We worship the tradition of handing off a family business to the next generation. But is that really...
135. Do Baby Girls Cause Divorce?
01 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Even American parents have a strong "son preference" -- which means that a newborn daughte...
The Upside of Quitting (Rebroadcast)
22 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
You know the saying: a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. To which Freakonomics Radio says...
134. Government Employees Gone Wild
18 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The Encyclopedia of Ethical Failures catalogs the fiscal, sexual, and mental lapses of federal worke...
133. A Burger a Day
11 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Is junk food an abomination or a modern miracle?
132. Jane Austen, Game Theorist
03 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
What does "Pride and Prejudice" have to do with nuclear deterrence?
Legacy of a Jerk (Rebroadcast)
27 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
What happens to your reputation when you're no longer around to defend it?
131. Do You Really Want to Know Your Future?
20 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
You might think that someone with a 50-50 chance of getting a fatal disease would want to know for s...
130. Why Family and Business Don’t Mix
12 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Yet another reason to blame your parents for pretty much everything.
129. Should Tipping be Banned?
03 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
It's awkward, random, confusing -- and probably discriminatory too.
128. Baby, You Can Program My Car
29 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A glimpse into our driverless future.
127. Can You Be Too Smart for Your Own Good? And Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions
23 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Dubner and Levitt talk about circadian rhythms, gay marriage, autism, and whether "pay what you...
The Hidden Cost of False Alarms (Rebroadcast)
15 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
If any other product failed 94 percent of the time, you'd probably stop using it. So why do we put u...
126. What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common?
09 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists.
125. It’s Crowded at the Top
01 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Why is unemployment still so high? It may be because of something that happened well before the Grea...
124. Running to Do Evil
25 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
An interview with Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose younger brother turned him in -- and what it says a...
123. Help Wanted. No Smokers Need Apply
17 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In many states, it is perfectly legal to not hire someone who smokes. Should employers also be able ...
122. How Much Does Your Name Matter?
08 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A kid's name can tell us something about his parents -- their race, social standing, even their poli...
121. The Tax Man Nudgeth
03 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Real tax reform may or may not ever happen. In the meantime, how about making the current system wor...
120. 100 Ways to Fight Obesity
27 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Freakonomics asks a dozen smart people for their best ideas. Get ready for a fat tax, a sugar ban, a...
119. How Money Is March Madness?
21 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The NCAA basketball tournament grabs a lot of eyeballs, but turning them into dollars hasn't always ...
118. Parking Is Hell
13 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
There ain't no such thing as a free parking spot. Somebody has to pay for it -- and that somebody is...
117. When Is a Negative a Positive?
06 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, we all like to hear compliments. But if you're truly looking to get better at something, it's ...
116. Women Are Not Men
24 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In many ways, the gender gap is closing. In others, not so much. And that's not always a bad thing.
115. The Downside of More Miles Per Gallon
20 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The gas tax doesn't work well, and it's only going to get worse. What's next?
114. How to Think About Guns
13 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
No one wants mass shootings. Unfortunately, no one has a workable plan to stop them either.
113. Sure, I Remember That
06 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
It is startlingly easy to create false memories, especially in politics.
112. Would You Let a Coin Toss Decide Your Future?
30 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Levitt and Dubner go deep on "Freakonomics Experiments," a new research project that lets ...
111. Introducing “Freakonomics Experiments”
23 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Levitt has a novel idea for helping people make tough decisions
110. Who Owns the Words That Come Out of Your Mouth?
16 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The very long reach of Winston Churchill -- and how the British government is remaking copyright law...
109. How to Live Longer
09 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Why do Hall of Fame inductees, Oscar winners, and Nobel laureates outlive their peers?
108. How Did “Freakonomics” Get Its Name? … and Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions
02 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Levitt and Dubner answer your questions about driving, sneezing, and ladies’ nights. Plus a rememb...
107. How Much Does a Good Boss Really Matter?
26 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
It's harder than you'd think to measure the value of a boss. But some enterprising economists have d...
106. The House of Dreams
19 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Dubner's childhood home goes from sacred to profane -- and then back again.
105. Have a Very Homo Economicus Christmas
12 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Who better than an economist to help with your shopping list?
104. The Things They Taught Me
05 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
College, at its best, is about learning to think. Stephen Dubner chats up three of his former profes...
103. Free-conomics
28 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Economists are a notoriously self-interested bunch. But a British outfit called Pro Bono Economics i...
102. I Consult, Therefore I Am
21 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
There are enough management consultants these days to form a small nation. But what do they actually...
101. Mass Transit Hysteria
14 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Adding more train and bus lines looks like an environmental slam dunk. Until you start to do the mat...
100. Our 100th Episode!
05 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Turkey sex and chicken wings, selling souls and swapping organs, the power of the president and the ...
99. How to Maximize Your Halloween Candy Haul
31 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Is it as simple as going to the richest neighborhood you can find? Of course not ...
98. We the Sheeple
24 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Politicians tell voters exactly what they want to hear, even when it makes no sense. Which is pretty...
97. Lying to Ourselves
17 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
We rely on polls and surveys to tell us how people will behave in the future. Too bad they're comple...
96. The Cobra Effect
10 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
When you want to get rid of a nasty pest, one obvious solution comes to mind: just offer a cash rewa...
95. Why America’s Economic Growth May Be (Shh!) Over
03 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, we love our computers and all the rest of our digital toys. But when it comes to real economic...
94. The Tale of the $15 Tomato
23 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Trying to go rustic by baking, brewing, and knitting at home can be terribly inefficient. And that's...
93. Why Online Poker Should Be Legal
19 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The data show that poker is indeed a game of skill, not chance, and a Federal judge agrees. So why ...
92. Fear Thy Nature
12 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
What "Sleep No More" and the Stanford Prison Experiment tell us about who we really are.
91. Can Selling Beer Cut Down on Public Drunkenness?
05 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Binge drinking is a big problem at college football games. Oliver Luck -- father of No. 1 NFL pick A...
90. How Deep Is the Shadow Economy?
29 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
What we know -- and don't know -- about the gazillions of dollars that never show up on anyone's boo...
89. There’s Cake in the Breakroom!
22 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
If you think working from home offers too many distractions, just think about what happens at the of...
88. Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 2
15 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
College tends to make people happier, healthier, and wealthier. But how?
87. The Season of Death
08 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
We know that summertime brings far too many fatal accidents. But you may be surprised if you dig int...
86. Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 1
29 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
What's a college degree really worth these days?
85. Olympian Economics
25 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Do host cities really get the benefits their boosters promise, or are they just engaging in some fis...
84. Legacy of a Jerk
18 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
What happens to your reputation when you're no longer around to defend it?
83. What's Wrong With Cash for Grades?
10 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
If we want our kids to thrive in school, maybe we should just pay them.
82. Please Steal My Car
04 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Levitt and Dubner answer your FREAK-quently Asked Questions about junk food, insurance, and how to m...
81. Star-Spangled Banter?
26 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Once a week, the British Prime Minister goes before the House of Commons for a lightning round of ha...
80. Riding the Herd Mentality
20 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
How using peer pressure -- and good, old-fashioned shame -- can push people to do the right thing.
79. A Cheap Employee Is … a Cheap Employee
13 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Paying workers as little as possible seems smart -- unless you can make more money by paying them mo...
78. You Eat What You Are, Part 2
06 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
To feed 7 billion people while protecting the environment, it would seem that going local is a no-br...
77. Playing the Nerd Card
30 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The NBA’s superstars are suddenly sporting Urkel glasses -- but is it more than a fashion stateme...
76. You Eat What You Are, Part 1
23 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
How American food so got bad -- and why it's getting so much better.
75. Retirement Kills
16 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, we all dream of leaving the office forever. But what if it's bad for your health?
74. Soul Possession
07 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In a world where nearly everything is for sale, is it always okay to buy what isn’t yours?
73. A Rose By Any Other Distance
02 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
At a time when people worry about every mile their food must travel, why is it okay to import most o...
72. Lottery Loopholes and Deadly Doctors
25 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when smart people keep making stupid mistakes? And: are we a nation of financial illi...