782 episodes
Freakonomics Radio Freakonomics Radio
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- Society & Culture
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4.5 • 29.4K Ratings
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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.
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591. Signs of Progress, One Year at a Time
Every December, a British man named Tom Whitwell publishes a list of 52 things he’s learned that year. These fascinating facts reveal the spectrum of human behavior, from fraud and hypocrisy to Whitwell’s steadfast belief in progress. Should we also believe?
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EXTRA: The Opioid Tragedy — How We Got Here
An update of our 2020 series, in which we spoke with physicians, researchers, and addicts about the root causes of the crisis — and the tension between abstinence and harm reduction.
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590. Can $55 Billion End the Opioid Epidemic?
Thanks to legal settlements with drug makers and distributors, states have plenty of money to boost prevention and treatment. Will it work? (Part two of a two-part series.)
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589. Why Has the Opioid Crisis Lasted So Long?
Most epidemics flare up, do their damage, and fade away. This one has been raging for almost 30 years. To find out why, it’s time to ask some uncomfortable questions. (Part one of a two-part series.)
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Extra: Car Colors & Storage Units
Presenting two stories from "The Economics of Everyday Things": Why does it seem like every car is black, white, or gray these days? And: How self-storage took over America.
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588. Confessions of a Black Conservative
The economist and social critic Glenn Loury has led a remarkably turbulent life, both professionally and personally. In a new memoir, he has chosen to reveal just about everything. Why?
Customer Reviews
I LOVE THIS PODCAST!
The name of the podcast may lead you to think it’s going to be some far out intellectual, academic mumbo jumbo. But instead, it’s an extremely thoughtful and easily accessible conversation about interesting current events and topics that are relevant to our everyday lives. Steven Dubner is a stellar interviewer (and very smart guy) whose only agenda is to learn more from the experienced and knowledgeable guests he invites on the show. I eagerly await each weekly podcast. Do yourself a favor and CHECK IT OUT!
Thoughtful, wide ranging
I love that the show digs into interesting and important issues and people. Inquiry, evidence, and thoughtfulness are valued, wherever they can be found. I learn something whenever I listen, and often come away thinking differently.
Love the Unique Perspectives Freeakenomics finds
Great podcast to leave something new, especially if you’re interested in why decisions are made. It’s worth it to go through the early catalogue, where they really focus on unique connections, and podcast titles could be a chapter in their books. Lately it’s more of a focus on individuals being interviewed, with a series every now and then that does a deep dive into a particular topic. Stephen is a great interviewer, and it’s a great research team.
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