Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive... more
Only a tiny number of “supertaskers” are capable of doing two things at once. The rest of us are just... more
Educators and economists tell us all the reasons college enrollment has been dropping, especially for men, and how to stop... more
Stephen Dubner appears as a guest on "Fail Better," a new podcast hosted by David Duchovny. The two of them... more
America’s top colleges are facing record demand. So why don’t they increase supply? (Part 2 of our series from 2022,... more
We think of them as intellectual enclaves and the surest route to a better life. But U.S. colleges also operate... more
There are a lot of factors that go into greatness, many of which are not obvious. As the Olympics come... more
Tania Tetlow, a former federal prosecutor and now the president of Fordham University, thinks the modern campus could use a... more
It’s not oil or water or plutonium — it’s human hours. We've got an idea for putting them to use,... more
A new proposal from the Biden administration calls for a nationwide cap on rent increases. Economists think that’s a terrible... more
That’s the worry. Even the humble eyeglass industry is dominated by a single firm. We look into the global spike... more
A single company, EssilorLuxottica, owns so much of the eyewear industry that it’s hard to escape their gravitational pull —... more
You wouldn’t think you could win a Nobel Prize for showing that humans tend to make irrational decisions. But that’s... more
Daniel Kahneman left his mark on academia (and the real world) in countless ways. A group of his friends and... more
American politics is trapped in a duopoly, with two all-powerful parties colluding to stifle competition. We revisit a 2018 episode... more
It’s hard to know whether the benefits of hiring a celebrity are worth the risk. We dig into one gruesome... more
Broadway operates on a winner-take-most business model. A runaway hit like "Stereophonic" — which just won five Tony Awards —... more
The Berlin dance mecca Berghain is known for its eight-hour line and inscrutable door policy. PJ Vogt, host of the... more
Hit by Covid, runaway costs, and a zillion streams of competition, serious theater is in serious trouble. A new hit... more
Every December, a British man named Tom Whitwell publishes a list of 52 things he’s learned that year. These fascinating... more
An update of our 2020 series, in which we spoke with physicians, researchers, and addicts about the root causes of... more
Thanks to legal settlements with drug makers and distributors, states have plenty of money to boost prevention and treatment. Will... more
Most epidemics flare up, do their damage, and fade away. This one has been raging for almost 30 years. To... more
Presenting two stories from "The Economics of Everyday Things": Why does it seem like every car is black, white, or... more
The economist and social critic Glenn Loury has led a remarkably turbulent life, both professionally and personally. In a new... more
The employee ownership movement is growing, and one of its biggest champions is also a private equity heavyweight. Is this... more
From politics and economics to psychology and the arts, many of the modern ideas we take for granted emerged a... more
Five years ago, we published an episode about the boom in home DNA testing kits, focusing on the high-flying firm... more
Justin Trudeau, facing record-low approval numbers, is doubling down on his progressive agenda. But he is so upbeat (and Canada-polite)... more
So you want to help people? That’s great — but beware the law of unintended consequences. Three stories from the... more
The psychologist Daniel Kahneman — a Nobel laureate and the author of “Thinking, Fast and Slow” — recently died at... more
People who are good at their jobs routinely get promoted into bigger jobs they’re bad at. We explain why firms... more
Fareed Zakaria says yes. But it’s not just political revolution — it’s economic, technological, even emotional. He doesn’t offer easy... more
The political debates over immigration can generate a lot of fuzzy facts. We wanted to test Americans’ knowledge — so,... more
As the U.S. tries to fix its messy immigration system, our neighbor to the north is scooping up more talented... more
The U.S. immigration system is a massively complicated machine, with a lot of worn-out parts. How to fix it? Step... more
She arrived in the U.S. as an 11-year-old refugee, then rose to become Secretary of State. Her views on immigration,... more
How did a nation of immigrants come to hate immigration? We start at the beginning, sort through the evidence, and... more
Economists have discovered an odd phenomenon: many people who use social media (even you, maybe?) wish it didn’t exist. But... more
In ancient Rome, it was bread and circuses. Today, it’s a World Cup, an Olympics, and a new Saudi-backed golf... more
What surprises lurk in our sewage? How did racist city planners end up saving Black lives? Why does Arizona grow... more
It used to feel like magic. Now it can feel like a set of cheap tricks. Is the problem with... more
A wide-open conversation with three women who guided Richard Feynman through some big adventures at the Esalen Institute. (Part of... more
In his final years, Richard Feynman's curiosity took him to some surprising places. We hear from his companions on the... more
What happens when an existentially depressed and recently widowed young physicist from Queens gets a fresh start in California? We... more
They’re heading to the Super Bowl for the second time in five years. But back in 2018, they were coming... more
From the Manhattan Project to the Challenger investigation, the physicist Richard Feynman loved to shoot down what he called “lousy... more
Michael Roth of Wesleyan University doesn’t hang out with other university presidents. He also thinks some of them have failed... more
We all like to throw around terms that describe human behavior — “bystander apathy” and “steep learning curve” and “hard-wired.”... more
Probably not — the incentives are too strong. Scholarly publishing is a $28 billion global industry, with misconduct at every... more
Some of the biggest names in behavioral science stand accused of faking their results. Last year, an astonishing 10,000 research... more
In a special episode of The Economics of Everyday Things, host Zachary Crockett explains what millennials do to show they... more
In a special episode of People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt talks to Cat Bohannon about her new book "Eve:... more
In a special episode of No Stupid Questions, Angela Duckworth and Mike Maughan talk about unfinished tasks, recurring arguments, and... more
Lewis got incredible access to Sam Bankman-Fried, the billionaire behind the spectacular FTX fraud. His book is a bestseller, but... more
In policing, as in most vocations, the best employees are often promoted into leadership without much training. One economist thinks... more
It boosts economic opportunity and social mobility. It’s good for the environment. So why do we charge people to use... more
Most industries have become more productive over time. But not construction! We identify the causes — and possible solutions. (Can... more
Pro footballer and star podcaster Jason Kelce is ubiquitous right now (almost as ubiquitous as his brother and co-host Travis,... more
They say they make companies more efficient through savvy management. Critics say they bend the rules to enrich themselves at... more
Evidence from Nazi Germany and 1940’s America (and pretty much everywhere else) shows that discrimination is incredibly costly — to... more
Everyone makes mistakes. How do you learn from them? Lessons from the classroom, the Air Force, and the world’s deadliest... more
Giving up can be painful. That's why we need to talk about it. Today: stories about glitchy apps, leaky paint... more
In medicine, failure can be catastrophic. It can also produce discoveries that save millions of lives. Tales from the front... more
We tend to think of tragedies as a single terrible moment, rather than the result of multiple bad decisions. Can... more
Claudia Goldin is the newest winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics. We spoke with her in 2016 about why... more
John Ray is an emergency C.E.O., a bankruptcy expert who takes over companies that have succumbed to failure or fraud.... more
If two parents can run a family, why shouldn’t two executives run a company? We dig into the research and... more
In her new book "The Two-Parent Privilege," the economist Melissa Kearney says it’s time for liberals to face the facts:... more
The union that represents N.F.L. players conducted their first-ever survey of workplace conditions, and issued a report card to all... more
For all the speculation about the future, A.I. tools can be useful right now. Adam Davidson discovers what they can... more
Guest host Adam Davidson looks at what might happen to your job in a world of human-level artificial intelligence, and... more
Artificial intelligence, we’ve been told, will destroy humankind. No, wait — it will usher in a new age of human... more
The famously profane politician and operative is now U.S. ambassador to Japan, where he’s trying to rewrite the rules of... more
Americans are so accustomed to the standard intersection that we rarely consider how dangerous it can be — as well... more
Bjorn Andersen killed 111 minke whales this season. He tells us how he does it, why he does it, and... more
In three stories from our newest podcast, host Zachary Crockett digs into sports mascots, cashmere sweaters, and dinosaur skeletons.
In the final episode of our whale series, we learn about fecal plumes, shipping noise, and why "Moby-Dick" is still... more
For years, whale oil was used as lighting fuel, industrial lubricant, and the main ingredient in (yum!) margarine. Whale meat... more
Whaling was, in the words of one scholar, “early capitalism unleashed on the high seas.” How did the U.S. come... more
Actually, the reasons are pretty clear. The harder question is: Will we ever care enough to stop?
Sure, you were “in love.” But economists — using evidence from "Bridgerton" to Tinder — point to what’s called “assortative... more
But as C.E.O. of the resurgent Microsoft, he is firmly at the center of the A.I. revolution. We speak with... more
Probably not. The economist Kelly Shue argues that E.S.G. investing just gives more money to firms that are already green... more
Gun control, abortion rights, drug legalization — it seems like every argument these days claims that if X happens, then... more
He turned a small Hollywood talent agency into a massive sports-and-entertainment empire. In a freewheeling conversation, he explains how he... more
Sure, markets work well in general. But for some transactions — like school admissions and organ transplants — money alone... more
Museums are purging their collections of looted treasures. Can they also get something in return? And what does it mean... more
The world’s great museums are full of art and artifacts that were plundered during an era when plunder was the... more
How did a freshly looted Egyptian antiquity end up in the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Why did it take Kim... more
Whether it’s a giant infrastructure plan or a humble kitchen renovation, it’ll inevitably take way too long and cost way... more
Every language has its taboo words (which many people use all the time). But the list of forbidden words is... more
Delaware is beloved by corporations, bankruptcy lawyers, tax avoiders, and money launderers. Critics say the Delaware “franchise” is undemocratic and... more
Many companies say they want to create more opportunities for Black Americans. One company is doing something concrete about it.... more
Every year, Americans short the I.R.S. nearly half a trillion dollars. Most ideas to increase compliance are more stick than... more
In this installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, the economist Amy Finkelstein explains why insurance markets are broken and... more
People who are good at their jobs routinely get promoted into bigger jobs they’re bad at. We explain why firms... more
Most travelers want the cheapest flight they can find. Airlines, meanwhile, need to manage volatile fuel costs, a pricey workforce,... more
Thanks to decades of work by airlines and regulators, plane crashes are nearly a thing of the past. Can we... more
It’s an unnatural activity that has become normal. You’re stuck in a metal tube with hundreds of strangers (and strange... more
Adam Smith famously argued that specialization is the key to prosperity. In the N.F.L., the long snapper is proof of... more
Hotel guests adore those cute little soaps, but is it just a one-night stand? In our fourth episode of "The... more
For decades, the U.S. let globalization run its course and hoped China would be an ally. Now the Biden administration... more
Can a hit single from four decades ago still pay the bills? Zachary Crockett f-f-f-finds out in the third episode... more
The economist Kate Raworth says the aggressive pursuit of G.D.P. is trashing the planet and shortchanging too many people. She... more
How does America's cutest sales force get billions of Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs into our hands every year? Zachary... more
When small businesses get bought by big investors, the name may stay the same — but customers and employees can... more
A new podcast hosted by Zachary Crockett. In the first episode: Gas stations. When gas prices skyrocket, do station owners... more
Big investors are buying up local veterinary practices (and pretty much everything else). What does this mean for scruffy little... more
And with her book "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat," she succeeded. Now she's not so sure how to feel about all... more
We tend to look down on artists who can't match their breakthrough success. Should we be celebrating them instead?
In a special episode of No Stupid Questions, Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth discuss classroom design, open offices, and cognitive... more
In this special episode of People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt talks to the best-selling author of "Sapiens" and "Homo... more
Labor exploitation! Corporate profiteering! Government corruption! The 21st century can look a lot like the 18th. In the final episode... more
Economists and politicians have turned him into a mascot for free-market ideology. Some on the left say the right has... more
A sneak peek at an upcoming series — and a call for would-be radio reporters.
How did an affable 18th-century “moral philosopher” become the patron saint of cutthroat capitalism? Does “the invisible hand” mean what... more
In this special episode of Freakonomics, M.D., host Bapu Jena looks at a clever new study that could help answer... more
No — but he does have a knack for stumbling into the perfect moment, including the recent FTX debacle. In... more
It used to feel like magic. Now it can feel like a set of cheap tricks. Is the problem with... more
The banana, once a luxury good, rose to become America’s favorite fruit. Now a deadly fungus threatens to wipe it... more
It’s fun to obsess over pop stars and racecar drivers — but is fandom making our politics even more toxic?
The last two years have radically changed the way we work — producing winners, losers, and a lot of surprises.
It was supposed to boost prosperity and democracy at the same time. What really happened? According to the legal scholar... more
One Yale economist certainly thinks so. But even if he’s right, are economists any better?
New research finds that bosses who went to business school pay their workers less. So what are M.B.A. programs teaching... more
The pandemic provided city dwellers with a break from the din of the modern world. Now the noise is coming... more
Liberals endorse harm reduction when it comes to the opioid epidemic. Are they ready to take the same approach to... more
The documentary filmmaker, known for "The Civil War," "Jazz," and "Baseball," turns his attention to the Holocaust, and asks what... more
The pandemic moved a lot of religious activity onto the internet. With faith-based apps, Silicon Valley is turning virtual prayers... more
As the Biden administration rushes to address climate change, Stephen Dubner looks at another, hidden cost of air pollution —... more
The controversial Harvard economist, recently back from a suspension, “broke a lot of glass early in my career,” he says.... more
It boosts economic opportunity and social mobility. It’s good for the environment. So why do we charge people to use... more
Breaking news! Sources say American journalism exploits our negativity bias to maximize profits, and social media algorithms add fuel to... more
According to a decades-long research project, the U.S. is not only the most individualistic country on earth; we’re also high... more
We often look to other countries for smart policies on education, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. But can a smart policy be... more
It used to be at the center of our conversations about politics and society. Scott Hershovitz (author of "Nasty, Brutish,... more
Sure, you were “in love.” But economists — using evidence from "Bridgerton" to Tinder — point to what’s called “assortative... more
In one of the earliest Freakonomics Radio episodes, we asked a bunch of economists with young kids how they approached... more
Boosters say blockchain technology will usher in a brave new era of decentralization. Are they right — and would it... more
Some of them are. With others, it’s more complicated (and more promising). We try to get past the Bored Apes... more
No. But now is a good time to sort out the potential from the hype. Whether you’re bullish, bearish, or... more
Kevin Kelly calls himself “the most optimistic person in the world.” And he has a lot to say about parenting,... more
In ancient Rome, it was bread and circuses. Today, it’s a World Cup, an Olympics, and a new Saudi-backed golf... more
When the world went into lockdown, experts predicted a rise in intimate-partner assaults. What actually happened was more complicated.
In this new podcast from the Freakonomics Radio Network, dog-cognition expert and bestselling author Alexandra Horowitz (Inside of a Dog)... more
Educators and economists tell us all the reasons college enrollment has been dropping, especially for men, and how to stop... more
As the Supreme Court considers overturning Roe v. Wade, we look back at Steve Levitt’s controversial research on an unintended... more
Enrollment is down for the first time in memory, and critics complain college is too expensive, too elitist, and too... more
America’s top colleges are facing record demand. So why don’t they increase supply? (Part 2 of “Freakonomics Radio Goes Back... more
We think of them as intellectual enclaves and the surest route to a better life. But U.S. colleges also operate... more
The political scientist Yuen Yuen Ang argues that different forms of government create different styles of corruption. The U.S. and... more
The British art superstar Flora Yukhnovich, the Freakonomist Steve Levitt, and the upstart American Basketball Association were all unafraid to... more
After a huge false start, electric cars are finally about to flourish. We speak with a technology historian about this... more
Every year, there are more than a million collisions in the U.S. between drivers and deer. The result: hundreds of... more
There are a lot of barriers to changing your mind: ego, overconfidence, inertia — and cost. Politicians who flip-flop get... more
Organized labor hasn’t had this much public support in 50 years, and yet the percentage of Americans in a union... more
People who are good at their jobs routinely get promoted into bigger jobs they’re bad at. We explain why firms... more
In a new book called "The Voltage Effect," the economist John List — who has already revolutionized how his profession... more
Among O.E.C.D. nations, the U.S. has one of the highest rates of child poverty. Until recently, it looked as if... more
Adam Smith famously argued that specialization is the key to prosperity. In the N.F.L., the long snapper is proof of... more
Behavioral scientists have been exploring if — and when — a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. We survey... more
Frisco used to be just another sleepy bedroom community outside of Dallas. Now it’s got corporate headquarters, billions of investment... more
When Stephen Dubner learned that Dallas–Fort Worth will soon overtake Chicago as the third-biggest metro area in the U.S., he... more
Curses and other superstitions may have no basis in reality, but that doesn’t stop us from believing.
In this special episode of No Stupid Questions, Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth discuss the consequences of seeing every glass... more
In this special episode of People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt speaks with the palliative physician B.J. Miller about modern... more
In this special episode of Freakonomics, M.D., host Bapu Jena looks at data from birthday parties, March Madness parties, and... more
Is art really meant to be an “asset class”? Will the digital revolution finally democratize a market that just keeps... more
The more successful an artist is, the more likely their work will later be resold at auction for a huge... more
The art market is so opaque and illiquid that it barely functions like a market at all. A handful of... more
Patients in the U.S. healthcare system often feel they’re treated with a lack of empathy. Doctors and nurses have tragically... more
You know the saying: “There are no shortcuts in life.” What if that saying is just wrong? In his new... more
The U.S. is home to seven of the world’s 10 biggest companies. How did that happen? The answer may come... more
A new book by an unorthodox political scientist argues that the two rivals have more in common than we’d like... more
Evidence from Nazi Germany and 1940’s America (and pretty much everywhere else) shows that discrimination is incredibly costly — to... more
In one of the earliest Freakonomics Radio episodes (No. 39!), we asked a bunch of economists with young kids how... more
Arthur Brooks is an economist who for 10 years ran the American Enterprise Institute, one of the most influential conservative... more
Breaking news! Sources say American journalism exploits our negativity bias to maximize profits, and social media algorithms add fuel to... more
Verbal tic or strategic rejoinder? Whatever the case: it’s rare to come across an interview these days where at least... more
The N.B.A. superstar Chris Bosh was still competing at the highest level when a blood clot abruptly ended his career.... more
The U.S. is an outlier when it comes to policing, as evidenced by more than 1,000 fatal shootings by police... more
Among O.E.C.D. nations, the U.S. has one of the highest rates of child poverty. How can that be? To find... more
When Richard Thaler published Nudge in 2008 (with co-author Cass Sunstein), the world was just starting to believe in his... more
That’s what some health officials are saying, but the data aren’t so clear. We look into what’s known (and not... more
In a conversation fresh from the Freakonomics Radio Network’s podcast laboratory, Michèle Flournoy (one of the highest-ranking women in Defense... more
Humans have a built-in “negativity bias,” which means we give bad news much more power than good. Would the Covid-19... more
Air pollution is estimated to cause 7 million deaths a year and cost the global economy nearly $3 trillion. But... more
While other countries seem to build spectacular bridges, dams, and even entire cities with ease, the U.S. is stuck in... more
The environmentalists say we’re doomed if we don’t drastically reduce consumption. The technologists say that human ingenuity can solve just... more
According to a decades-long research project, the U.S. is not only the most individualistic country on earth; we’re also high... more
We often look to other countries for smart policies on education, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. But can a smart policy be... more
The benefits of sleep are by now well established, and yet many people don’t get enough. A new study suggests... more
Nearly two percent of America is grassy green. Sure, lawns are beautiful and useful and they smell great. But are... more
Bren Smith, who grew up fishing and fighting, is now part of a movement that seeks to feed the planet... more
Cecilia Rouse, the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, is as cold-blooded as any economist. But she... more
Bapu Jena was already a double threat: a doctor who’s also an economist. Now he’s a podcast host too. In... more
The pandemic may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean we’ll return to full-time commuting and packed office buildings. The... more
The social psychologist Robert Cialdini is a pioneer in the science of persuasion. His 1984 book Influence is a classic,... more
The human foot is an evolutionary masterpiece, far more functional than we give it credit for. So why do we... more
The man who wants America to “think harder” has parlayed his quixotic presidential campaign into front-runner status in New York’s... more
It’s true that robots (and other smart technologies) will kill many jobs. It may also be true that newer collaborative... more
Backers of a $15 federal wage say it’s a no-brainer if you want to fight poverty. Critics say it’s a... more
The state-by-state rollout of legalized weed has given economists a perfect natural experiment to measure its effects. Here’s what we... more
In this special crossover episode, People I (Mostly) Admire host Steve Levitt admits to No Stupid Questions co-host Angela Duckworth... more
Kidney failure is such a catastrophic (and expensive) disease that Medicare covers treatment for anyone, regardless of age. Since Medicare... more
Medicine has evolved from a calling into an industry, adept at dispensing procedures and pills (and gigantic bills), but less... more
Why do so many promising solutions — in education, medicine, criminal justice, etc. — fail to scale up into great... more
In a word: networks. Once it embraced information as its main currency, New York was able to climb out of... more
Behavioral scientists have been exploring if — and when — a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. We survey... more
Americans are so accustomed to the standard intersection that we rarely consider how dangerous it can be — as well... more
New York Times columnist Charles Blow argues that white supremacy in America will never fully recede, and that it’s time... more
Researchers are trying to figure out who gets bored — and why — and what it means for ourselves and... more
Not so long ago, G.E. was the most valuable company in the world, a conglomerate that included everything from light... more
Most of us are are afraid to ask sensitive questions about money, sex, politics, etc. New research shows this fear... more
Caitlin Doughty is a mortician who would like to put herself out of business. Our corporate funeral industry, she argues,... more
For all the progress made in fighting cancer, it still kills 10 million people a year, and some types remain... more
It’s a powerful biological response that has preserved our species for millennia. But now it may be keeping us from... more
They can’t vote or hire lobbyists. The policies we create to help them aren’t always so helpful. Consider the car... more
We’ve collected some of our favorite moments from People I (Mostly) Admire, the latest show from the Freakonomics Radio Network.... more
Societies where people trust one another are healthier and wealthier. In the U.S. (and the U.K. and elsewhere), social trust... more
In this episode of No Stupid Questions — a Freakonomics Radio Network show launched earlier this year — Stephen Dubner... more
Patients in the U.S. healthcare system often feel they’re treated with a lack of empathy. Doctors and nurses have tragically... more
The incoming president argues that the economy and the environment are deeply connected. This is reflected in his choice for... more
Tony Hsieh, the longtime C.E.O. of Zappos, was an iconoclast and a dreamer. Five years ago, we sat down with... more
G.M. produces more than 20 times as many cars as Tesla, but Tesla is worth nearly 10 times as much.... more
Google and Facebook are worth a combined $2 trillion, with the vast majority of their revenue coming from advertising. In... more
Companies around the world spend more than half-a-trillion dollars each year on ads. The ad industry swears by its efficacy... more
The modern world overwhelms us with sounds we didn’t ask for, like car alarms and cell-phone “halfalogues.” What does all... more
John Mackey, the C.E.O. of Whole Foods, has learned the perils of speaking his mind. But he still says what... more
The sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh spent years studying crack dealers, sex workers, and the offspring of billionaires. Then he wandered into... more
A fine reading of most policies for “business interruption” reveals that viral outbreaks aren’t covered. Some legislators are demanding that... more
As beloved and familiar as they are, we rarely stop to consider life from the dog’s point of view. That... more
It isn’t just supply and demand. We look at the complicated history and skewed incentives that make “affordable housing” more... more
The pandemic has hit America's biggest city particularly hard. Amidst a deep fiscal hole, rising homicides, and a flight to... more
It was only in his late twenties that America’s favorite brainiac began to seriously embrace his love of trivia. Now... more
Three leading researchers from the Mount Sinai Health System discuss how ketamine, cannabis, and ecstasy are being used (or studied)... more
The families of U.S. troops killed and wounded in Afghanistan are suing several companies that did reconstruction there. Why? These... more
The dean of Yale’s School of Management grew up in a small village in Guyana. During his unlikely journey, he... more
Trump says it would destroy us. Biden needs the voters who support it (especially the Bernie voters). The majority of... more
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings came to believe that corporate rules can kill creativity and innovation. In this latest edition of... more
Thanks to daily Covid testing and regimented protocols, the new football season is underway. Meanwhile, most teachers, students, and parents... more
She’s best known for playing neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler on The Big Bang Theory, but the award-winning actress has a... more
We all know our political system is “broken” — but what if that’s not true? Some say the Republicans and... more
We explore the science, scalability, and (of course) economics surrounding the global vaccine race. Guests include the chief medical officer... more
A new interview show with host Steve Levitt. Today he speaks with the Harvard psychologist and linguist Steven Pinker. By... more
What happens when tens of millions of fantasy-sports players are suddenly able to bet real money on real games? We’re... more
The endless pursuit of G.D.P., argues the economist Kate Raworth, shortchanges too many people and also trashes the planet. Economic... more
Aisle upon aisle of fresh produce, cheap meat, and sugary cereal — a delicious embodiment of free-market capitalism, right? Not... more
Everyone agrees that massive deforestation is an environmental disaster. But most of the standard solutions — scolding the Brazilians, invoking... more
Most Americans agree that racial discrimination has been, and remains, a big problem. But that is where the agreement ends.
The racial wealth gap in the U.S. is massive. We explore the causes, consequences, and potential solutions. Also: another story... more
Christina Romer was a top White House economist during the Great Recession. As a researcher, she specializes in the Great... more
Before she decided to become a poker pro, Maria Konnikova didn’t know how many cards are in a deck. But... more
Thanks to the pandemic, the telehealth revolution we’ve been promised for decades has finally arrived. Will it stick? Will it... more
In this new addition to the Freakonomics Radio Network, co-hosts Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth discuss the relationship between age... more
Millions and millions are out of work, with some jobs never coming back. We speak with four economists — and... more
Covid-19 is the biggest job killer in a century. As the lockdown eases, what does re-employment look like? Who will... more
In the U.S. alone, we hold 55 million meetings a day. Most of them are woefully unproductive, and tyrannize our... more
The accidental futurist Kevin Kelly on why enthusiasm beats intelligence, how to really listen, and why the solution to bad... more
Three university presidents try to answer our listeners’ questions. The result? Not much pomp and a whole lot of circumstance.
The accidental futurist Kevin Kelly on why enthusiasm beats intelligence, how to really listen, and why the solution to bad technology is... more