742 episodes

Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior.

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.

Freakonomics Radio Freakonomics Radio

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 183 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior.

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

    PLUS: The Crime Nerd Behind UChicago's Crime Lab

    PLUS: The Crime Nerd Behind UChicago's Crime Lab

    The economist Jens Ludwig on the culture of police departments, the politics of gun control, and why there’s no social progress without truth.

    Unlock access to this episode, and other exclusive content, by joining the Freakonomics Radio Plus membership program. To sign up, visit the Freakonomics Radio show page on Apple Podcasts or go to freakonomics.com/plus.

    567. Do the Police Have a Management Problem?

    567. Do the Police Have a Management Problem?

    In policing, as in most vocations, the best employees are often promoted into leadership without much training. One economist thinks he can address this problem — and, with it, America’s gun violence.

    • 47 min
    PLUS: The Man Who Runs the Subway

    PLUS: The Man Who Runs the Subway

    New York City transit chief Janno Lieber thinks it’s more important to make trains and buses fast, safe, and reliable than to make them free.

    Unlock access to this episode, and other exclusive content, by joining the Freakonomics Radio Plus membership program. To sign up, visit the Freakonomics Radio show page on Apple Podcasts or go to freakonomics.com/plus.

    513. Should Public Transit Be Free? (Update)

    513. Should Public Transit Be Free? (Update)

    It boosts economic opportunity and social mobility. It’s good for the environment. So why do we charge people to use it? The short answer: it’s complicated. Also: We talk to the man who gets half the nation’s mass-transit riders where they want to go (most of the time).

    • 56 min
    PLUS: Ed Glaeser Thinks We Should Build More

    PLUS: Ed Glaeser Thinks We Should Build More

    The Harvard economist on what’s joyous about cities, what to do with vacant office space, and what his profession got wrong about China.

    Unlock access to this episode, and other exclusive content, by joining the Freakonomics Radio Plus membership program. To sign up, visit the Freakonomics Radio show page on Apple Podcasts or go to freakonomics.com/plus.

    566. Why Is It So Hard (and Expensive) to Build Anything in America?

    566. Why Is It So Hard (and Expensive) to Build Anything in America?

    Most industries have become more productive over time. But not construction! We identify the causes — and possible solutions. (Can you say ... “prefab”?)

    • 54 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
183 Ratings

183 Ratings

MaryAnnJane ,

Super engaging podcast

Hello team! I really appreciate how much work goes into each podcast from featuring experts in the field, weaving a story and even finding appropriate music to play. It makes listening to it easy and engages with the senses. Thanks!

Daltoncracker ,

Amazing! More on web3.0 please!

Hello Freakonomics team!

I’ve been an avid fan of your podcast, just wanted to say that I really LOVED the series on blockchain/web3.0/crypto, please continue with the series and do more episodes!

It clarifies the subject for the lay person and makes it so much easier to understand and relate.

ashnymph_ck ,

Great!

One of the best podcasts! Keep up the great content!

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