138 episodes

Freakonomics co-author Steve Levitt tracks down other high achievers for surprising, revealing conversations about their lives and obsessions. Join Levitt as he goes through the most interesting midlife crisis you’ve ever heard — and learn how a renegade sheriff is transforming Chicago's jail, how a biologist is finding the secrets of evolution in the Arctic tundra, and how a trivia champion memorized 160,000 flashcards.

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.

People I (Mostly) Admire Freakonomics Radio

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 1.7K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
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Freakonomics co-author Steve Levitt tracks down other high achievers for surprising, revealing conversations about their lives and obsessions. Join Levitt as he goes through the most interesting midlife crisis you’ve ever heard — and learn how a renegade sheriff is transforming Chicago's jail, how a biologist is finding the secrets of evolution in the Arctic tundra, and how a trivia champion memorized 160,000 flashcards.

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

    127. Rajiv Shah Never Wastes a Crisis

    127. Rajiv Shah Never Wastes a Crisis

    After Haiti’s devastating earthquake, Rajiv Shah headed the largest humanitarian effort in U.S. history. As chief economist of the Gates Foundation he tried to immunize almost a billion children. He tells Steve why it’s important to take big gambles, follow the data, and own up to your mistakes.

    • 57 min
    126. How to Have Great Conversations

    126. How to Have Great Conversations

    "The Power of Habit" author Charles Duhigg wrote his new book in an attempt to learn how to communicate better. Steve shares how the book helped him understand his own conversational weaknesses.

    • 47 min
    125. Is Gynecology the Best Innovation Ever?

    125. Is Gynecology the Best Innovation Ever?

    Cat Bohannon’s new book puts female anatomy at the center of human evolution. She tells Steve why it takes us so long to give birth, what breast milk is really for, and why the human reproductive system is a flaming pile of garbage.

    • 48 min
    124. Daron Acemoglu on Economics, Politics, and Power

    124. Daron Acemoglu on Economics, Politics, and Power

    Economist Daron Acemoglu likes to tackle big questions. He tells Steve how colonialism still affects us today, who benefits from new technology, and why democracy wasn’t always a sure thing.

    • 44 min
    123. Walt Hickey Wants to Track Your Eyeballs

    123. Walt Hickey Wants to Track Your Eyeballs

    Journalist Walt Hickey uses data to understand how culture works. He and Steve talk about why China hasn’t produced any hit movies yet and how he got his own avatar in the Madden NFL video game.

    • 50 min
    122. Arnold Schwarzenegger Has Some Advice for You

    122. Arnold Schwarzenegger Has Some Advice for You

    Arnold Schwarzenegger has been a bodybuilder, an actor, a governor, and, now, an author. He tells Steve how he’s managed to succeed in so many fields — and what to do when people throw eggs at you.

    • 39 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
1.7K Ratings

1.7K Ratings

OldKidvsGlobalWarming ,

Always broadening my horizons

This is a great podcast. I’m fascinated by the people who are chosen, and I always learn something each time I listen. Thanks!

OLBlondie ,

Love this podcast!

Thanks Steve for being a great interviewer and for being open-minded.

moving on-missu ,

Why?

There is a good show here without crazy politics. I have been a long time follower but had to stop. Crazy not open minded. Sad I can no longer recommend this show.

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