50 episodes

Who decides which snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a suburban elm tree worth, and to whom? How did Girl Scout Cookies become a billion-dollar business? In bite-sized episodes, journalist Zachary Crockett looks at quotidian things and finds amazing stories.

Join the Freakonomics Radio Plus membership program for weekly member-only episodes of Freakonomics Radio. You’ll also get every show in our network without ads. To sign up, visit our show page on Apple Podcasts or go to freakonomics.com/plus.

The Economics of Everyday Things Freakonomics Radio

    • Business
    • 4.7 • 39 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Who decides which snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a suburban elm tree worth, and to whom? How did Girl Scout Cookies become a billion-dollar business? In bite-sized episodes, journalist Zachary Crockett looks at quotidian things and finds amazing stories.

Join the Freakonomics Radio Plus membership program for weekly member-only episodes of Freakonomics Radio. You’ll also get every show in our network without ads. To sign up, visit our show page on Apple Podcasts or go to freakonomics.com/plus.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    44. Movie Sound Effects

    44. Movie Sound Effects

    The background noises you hear in film and TV — from footsteps to zombie guts — are produced in specialized studios by professionals known as Foley artists. Zachary Crockett makes some noise.

    • 19 min
    43. Top-Level Domains

    43. Top-Level Domains

    Those letters at the end of web addresses can mean big bucks — and, for some small countries, a substantial part of the national budget. Zachary Crockett follows the links.

    • 18 min
    42. Cemeteries

    42. Cemeteries

    The verdant lawns promise everlasting rest — but what does it mean to sign a lease for all eternity? Zachary Crockett finds out where the bodies are buried.

    • 18 min
    41. Pet Movers

    41. Pet Movers

    Relocating halfway across the world is hard enough for humans. For pets it can require a specialist. Zachary Crockett waits at the airport, holding a sign saying "Fluffy."

    • 15 min
    40. Prosthetic Limbs

    40. Prosthetic Limbs

    More and more Americans rely on prostheses. They’re custom-fitted, highly personal, and extremely expensive. Zachary Crockett investigates.

    • 17 min
    39. Houseplants

    39. Houseplants

    Interest in houseplants has exploded in recent years. But what causes floral trends, and prices, to grow? Zachary Crockett sows a few seeds.

    • 14 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
39 Ratings

39 Ratings

Modex ,

One of my favourite podcasts.

Fascinating. Well edited.

shmuelanator ,

Great to stock up on fun facts

Love the quick summaries of interesting topics. On to a winner here

Curious mind. ,

Curious mind .

Love it, would love to hear more of this.

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