The Economics of Everyday Things

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The Economics of Everyday Things

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. To get every show in our network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, sign up for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts at http://apple.co/SiriusXM.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Greeting Cards (Replay)

    The tradition of sending cards to loved ones was in decline — until it was rescued by a new generation. But millennials have their own ideas about what sentiments they want to convey. Zachary Crockett is thinking of you on your special day.

    16 min

  2. 25 NOV

    72. Helium

    It’s unreactive, lighter than air, and surprisingly important to the global economy. Zachary Crockett goes up an octave.

    21 min

  3. 22 NOV · BONUS

    Stadium Names, from The Indicator

    How did Florida International University’s new football stadium come to be named after the rapper and singer Pitbull? Adrian Ma and Wailin Wong of The Indicator from Planet Money explain.

    11 min

  4. 18 NOV

    71. Mannequins

    Mannequins may be made out of plastic or fiberglass, but for retailers they’re pure gold. Zachary Crockett strikes a pose.

    20 min

  5. 11 NOV

    70. Prison Labor

    Incarcerated people grow crops, fight wildfires, and manufacture everything from motor oil to prescription glasses — often for pennies per hour. Zachary Crockett reports from North Carolina.

    21 min

  6. 4 NOV

    69. Highway Signs

    It takes millions of giant green placards to make America navigable. Where do they come from — and who pays the bill? Zachary Crockett takes the exit.

    20 min

  7. 28 OCT

    68. Zoo Animals

    When a zoo needs an elephant, or finds itself with three surplus penguins, it doesn’t buy or sell the animals — it asks around. Zachary Crockett rattles the cages.

    19 min

  8. 21 OCT

    67. Tow Trucks

    Tow-truck drivers: roadside rescuers or car confiscators? Zachary Crockett gets hooked.

    22 min
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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. To get every show in our network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, sign up for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts at http://apple.co/SiriusXM.

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