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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As the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations, we revisit a 2022 episode that explored the hidden cost of an invisible threat: air pollution. SOURCES: Angela Duckworth , psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania. Michael Greenstone , economist at the University of Chicago, director of the Energy Policy Institute, co-director of the Climate Impact Lab. Stephan Heblich , economist at the University of Toronto. Andrea La Nauze , economist at Deakin University. Steve Levitt ,...
Another war in the Middle East. A retreat from the international order. A presidency built on self-dealing and arbitrary power. It’s enough to make you think the U.S. is in a steep decline — but Fareed Zakaria thinks otherwise. SOURCES: Fareed Zakaria , journalist and author. RESOURCES: " Iran is an imperial trap. America walked right in ." by Fareed Zakaria (The Washington Post, 2026). "‘ Bomb and hope’ is not a strategy ," by Fareed Zakaria (The Washington Post, 2026). Age of Revolutions: Prog...
In his final years, Richard Feynman's curiosity took him to some surprising places. We hear from his companions on the trips he took — and one he wasn’t able to. (Part three of a three-part series originally published in 2024.) SOURCES: Alan Alda , actor and screenwriter. Barbara Berg, friend of Richard Feynman. Helen Czerski , physicist and oceanographer at University College London. Michelle Feynman , photographer and daughter of Richard Feynman. Cheryl Haley, friend of Richard Feynman. Debby ...
What happens when an existentially depressed and recently widowed young physicist from Queens gets a fresh start in California? We follow Richard Feynman out west, to explore his long and extremely fruitful second act. (Part two of a three-part series originally published in 2024.) SOURCES: Seamus Blackley , video game designer and creator of the Xbox. Carl Feynman , computer scientist and son of Richard Feynman. Michelle Feynman , photographer and daughter of Richard Feynman. Ralph Leighton , b...
From the Manhattan Project to the Challenger investigation, the physicist Richard Feynman loved to shoot down what he called “lousy ideas.” Today, the world is awash in lousy ideas — so maybe it’s time to get some more Feynman in our lives? (Part one of a three-part series originally published in 2024.) SOURCES: Helen Czerski , physicist and oceanographer at University College London. Michelle Feynman , photographer and daughter of Richard Feynman. Ralph Leighton , biographer and film producer. ...
Not exactly. But their runaway success with games like Wordle says something bigger about the way we live now. (Part one of a series, “ We Are All Gamers Now .”) SOURCES: Alex Hardiman , chief product officer at The New York Times. Jonathan Knight , S.V.P. and general manager for New York Times Games. Eric Zimmerman , game designer, professor of game design at the N.Y.U. Game Center. RESOURCES: " Wordle Is a Love Story ," by Daniel Victor (New York Times, 2022). The Rules We Break: Lessons in Pl...
Great. Then depressed. Then great again. Stephen Dubner gets the full story from David Lang; we also hear from some fans, and the New York Philharmonic’s president. The math and the aftermath of wealth of nations . (Part two of a series .) SOURCES: David Lang , composer and professor at the Yale School of Music. Matías Tarnopolsky , president and C.E.O. of the New York Philharmonic. RESOURCES: " Finally, an Opera About Economics ," by Stacey Vanek Smith (Bloomberg, 2026). "The Little Match Girl ...
Economists and politicians have turned him into a mascot for free-market ideology. Some on the left say the right has badly misread him. In this updated replay of a 2022 episode, we hold a very Smithy tug of war. SOURCES: Eamonn Butler , co-founder and director of the Adam Smith Institute. Glory Liu , a political scientist and Adam Smith scholar at Georgetown University. Mariana Mazzucato , professor in the economics of innovation and public value at University College London. Dennis Rasmussen ,...
That’s what the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang wanted to learn. So he turned Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations into an oratorio. We tag along as Lang’s piece heads toward its world premiere with the New York Philharmonic. (Part one of a two-part series .) SOURCES: Fleur Barron , opera singer and mezzo-soprano. David Lang , composer and professor at the Yale School of Music. RESOURCES: " Finally, an Opera About Economics ," by Stacey Vanek Smith (Bloomberg, 2026). " The Little Match ...
Epic Systems manages the electronic health records for hundreds of millions of people. This makes Faulkner a healthcare heavyweight and one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in history. So why haven’t we ever heard much from her? Stephen Dubner travels to Verona, Wisc., to explore the Faulknerverse. SOURCES: Judy Faulkner , C.E.O. and founder of Epic Systems. Seth Howard , executive vice president of research and development at Epic Systems. RESOURCES: " Epic Systems (MyChart) ," by Ac...
New York City’s mayor called them “public enemy number one.” History books say they caused the Black Death — although recent scientific evidence disputes that claim. In an updated episode from 2025, we ask: Is the rat a scapegoat? And what does our rat hatred say about us? SOURCES: Bethany Brookshire , author of Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains. Kathy Corradi , senior vice president of resident services, partnerships, and initiatives at the New York City Housing Authority. Ed Glaeser , p...
One possibility: a leading hypothesis pursued by researchers (and funders) was built on science that now appears to be fraudulent. Stephen Dubner speaks with the scientist and the journalist who blew the whistle. SOURCES: Charles Piller , investigative journalist for Science, author of Doctored . Matthew Schrag , associate professor of neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. RESOURCES: Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's , by Charles Piller (2025)....
Guest host Steve Levitt investigates the "Beeconomics," revealing why honey is one of the most frauded foods and how cheap imports and adulteration hurt domestic beekeepers. The episode explores the dual role of bees in honey production and crucial crop pollination, examining the historical and modern threats to bee health, including Colony Collapse Disorder. Experts discuss the lack of legal standards for honey and the misaligned incentives that make combating food fraud difficult, emphasizing the critical importance of bees for the entire food chain.
Nearly everything that politicians say about taxes is at least half a lie. They are also dishonest when it comes to the national debt. In this update of an episode from 2025, Stephen Dubner finds one of the few people in Washington who is willing to tell the truth — and it’s even worse than you think. SOURCES: Jessica Riedl , budget and tax fellow at the Brookings Institution. RESOURCES: " How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little? " by Emily Badger, David Fahrenthold, Alicia Parlapian...
Freakonomics Radio delves into the fascinating yet complex world of bourbon, examining why 95% of it originates in Kentucky and the economic implications of its long aging process. The episode explores the current market glut, historical cycles of overproduction, and the impact of evolving consumer preferences, tariffs, and a cumbersome three-tier distribution system. It also highlights innovative strategies, like the rise of ready-to-drink cocktails and bourbon tourism, as the industry navigates its "creative destruction" and seeks new growth.
As one researcher told us: “We’ve engineered a world where the most distracting device ever made is also the one we use to listen to music in the car." A new study tries to measure the cost. SOURCES: Bapu Jena , economist, physician, and professor at Harvard Medical School. Chris Worsham , pulmonary and critical-care physician at Mass General Hospital, health-policy and public-health researcher at Harvard Medical School. Vishal Patel , surgery resident at Brigham and Women's Hospital, researcher...
In blue cities across the country, unions and politicians want to ban self-driving cars. In this episode from the Search Engine podcast, PJ Vogt visits Boston to sort the facts from the propaganda. (Part two of a two-part series .) SOURCES: Carl Richardson , ADA coordinator for the Massachusetts State House, president of the Guide Dog Users of Massachusetts. Gabriela Coletta Zapata , Boston City councilor from District 1. Julia Mejia , Boston City councilor at-large. Timothy B. Lee , author of U...
How a secret project at Google led to driverless cars on American roads. Freakonomics Radio shares a story from our friends at Search Engine. (Part one of a two-part series .) SOURCES: Alex Davies , author of Driven: The Race To Create the Autonomous Car . Chris Urmson , co-founder and C.E.O. of Aurora. Don Burnette , founder and C.E.O. of Kodiak AI. PJ Vogt , reporter, writer, and host of the Search Engine podcast. Sebastian Thrun , roboticist, C.E.O. of Sage AI Labs, adjunct faculty at Stanfor...
Freakonomics Radio explores the highly organized and technologically advanced scamming industry, detailing how transnational criminal organizations operate and leverage digital tools to exploit victims. Experts discuss the psychological impact of scams, including the erosion of social trust, and reveal varied victim profiles. The episode also investigates the efforts of organizations like the FTC, the challenges of international cooperation, and the pressing need for platform accountability in preventing fraud.
Nobel laureate Joel Mokyr delves into the often-overlooked role of culture as the engine of technological progress, challenging traditional economic views by arguing that institutions arise from culture. He shares insights from Israel's high-tech success, critiques GDP as a measure of long-term welfare, and outlines the scientific drivers behind modern economic growth. Mokyr also discusses present-day challenges like climate change, the promise of AI in personalized education and medicine, and expresses a tempered optimism for humanity's future due to institutional deterioration and the erosion of international norms.
Just beneath the surface of the global economy, there is a hidden layer of dealmakers for whom war, chaos, and sanctions can be a great business opportunity. In this updated episode from 2025, journalists Javier Blas and Jack Farchy help us shine a light on the shadowy realm of commodity traders. SOURCES: Javier Blas , opinion columnist at Bloomberg News. Jack Farchy , energy and commodities senior reporter at Bloomberg News. RESOURCES: The World For Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barte...
Werner Herzog shares his unconventional perspectives on filmmaking, dismissing AI's artistic potential and advocating for an "ecstatic truth" that transcends mere facts. He critiques the 20th century as a mistake and challenges the "culture of complaint," urging action over grievance. Herzog also reflects on his unique intelligence, Germany's historical reckoning, and the philosophical aspects of death and memory, providing a candid look into his distinctive worldview.
Guest host Steve Levitt investigates the challenge of finding new uses for old drugs, sharing the inspiring personal story of Dr. David Fajgenbaum, who cured his own rare illness by discovering a repurposed drug, leading him to found Every Cure. The episode delves into economic barriers like unenforceable patents and explores market-shaping solutions, including a proposed government pull-funding mechanism and the FDA's Cure ID registry, aiming to unlock thousands of potential cures hiding in plain sight.
Richard Thaler, co-author of Nudge, revisits his influential work, examining how behavioral economics addresses global issues like climate change through concepts like carbon taxes and "climate clubs." He also introduces "sludge," the counterpoint to nudges, highlighting systemic barriers to good decision-making, and discusses the future integration of behavioral insights into economics and human resources.
The episode delves into the controversial topic of cannabis as a performance-enhancing drug, challenging common stereotypes with scientific evidence presented by Angela Bryan, who explains its role in exercise enjoyment, recovery, and mental health. It features the captivating story of former NFL running back Ricky Williams, who openly shares his experiences using cannabis for personal healing and navigating a career filled with drug tests, public scrutiny, and self-discovery. The discussion highlights the evolving perspectives on cannabis in professional sports and its potential as a therapeutic rather than a recreational substance.
This episode explores the shifting landscape of rules in society, using sports as a microcosm for understanding arbitrary rules and their impact. It features an in-depth interview with former professional cyclist Floyd Landis, detailing his doping experience with Lance Armstrong's team, the consequences of his Tour de France victory, and his decision to become a whistleblower. The discussion expands to include April Henning's academic perspective on the history and ethics of performance-enhancing drugs, and introduces Aron D'Souza's controversial "Enhanced Games," a new sporting event that openly allows performance enhancement.
They used to be the N.F.L.’s biggest stars, with paychecks to match. Now their salaries are near the bottom, and their careers are shorter than ever. In this updated episode from 2025, we speak with an analytics guru, an agent, an economist, and some former running backs to understand why. SOURCES: Brian Burke, sports data scientist at ESPN. Roland Fryer, professor of economics at Harvard University. LeSean McCoy, former running back in the N.F.L., co-host for Fox's daily studio show, "The Facil...
For 50 years, the healthcare industry struggled to integrate artificial intelligence, leading to frustrated doctors and inefficient systems. Now, new AI tools like digital scribes and diagnostic support are proving successful, reducing physician burden and enabling early detection of diseases previously undetectable by standard methods. While challenges remain in regulation, data ownership, and human adoption, AI holds immense potential to create a more effective, affordable, and patient-centric healthcare future.
In this episode, Zeke Emanuel discusses his book, "Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life," critiquing the overly complicated and simplistic advice prevalent in the seven-trillion-dollar wellness industry. He advocates for sustainable habits, emphasizes the importance of social connection, lifelong learning, and even the surprising benefits of dairy. Emanuel also delves into significant topics like the potential of GLP-1 drugs, the intricacies of gut microbiome research, and the need for bipartisan political solutions to address systemic issues in healthcare and food systems, rather than solely focusing on individual willpower.
After five years, Levitt is ending People I (Mostly) Admire, and will start hosting the occasional Freakonomics Radio episode. We couldn’t be happier. SOURCES: Steve Levitt , co-author of Freakonomics and host of People I (Mostly) Admire . RESOURCES: " How to Help Kids Succeed ," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2025). " Feeling Sound and Hearing Color ," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024). " Richard Dawkins on God, Genes, and Murderous Baby Cuckoos ," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024). " Arnold Sc...
