Freakonomics Radio

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher•freakonomics.com

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. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

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Episodes

630. On Broadway, Nobody Knows Nothing

A hit like Hamilton can come from nowhere while a sure bet can lose $20 million in a flash. We speak with some of the biggest producers in the game — Sonia Friedman, Jeffrey Seller, Hal Luftig — and learn that there is only one guarantee: the theater owners always win. (Part two of a three-part series .) SOURCES: Debby Buchholz , managing director of La Jolla Playhouse. Sonia Friedman , Broadway producer. Rocco Landesman , Broadway producer, former owner of Jujamcyn Theaters, former chairman of ...

Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 630

629. How Is Live Theater Still Alive?

It has become fiendishly expensive to produce, and has more competition than ever. And yet the believers still believe. Why? And does the world really want a new musical about ... Abraham Lincoln?! (Part one of a three-part series .) SOURCES: Christopher Ashley , artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse. Quentin Darrington , actor. Joe DiPietro , playwright and lyricist. Crystal Monee Hall , composer, singer, actor. Rocco Landesman , Broadway producer, former owner of Jujamcyn Theaters, former ch...

Apr 11, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 629

Policymaking Is Not a Science — Yet (Update)

Why do so many promising solutions in education, medicine, and criminal justice fail to scale up into great policy? And can a new breed of “implementation scientists” crack the code? SOURCES: Patti Chamberlain , senior research scientist at the Oregon Social Learning Center. John List , professor of economics at the University of Chicago. Lauren Supplee , former deputy chief operating officer at Child Trends. Dana L. Suskind , professor of surgery at the University of Chicago. RESOURCES: “ How C...

Apr 09, 2025•45 min•Ep. 405

628. Sludge, Part 2: Is Government the Problem, or the Solution?

There is no sludgier place in America than Washington, D.C. But there are signs of a change. We’ll hear about this progress — and ask where Elon Musk and DOGE fit in. (Part two of a two-part series .) SOURCES: Benjamin Handel , professor of economics at UC Berkeley. Neale Mahoney , professor of economics at Stanford University. Jennifer Pahlka , founder of Code for America. Richard Thaler , professor of economics at The University of Chicago. RESOURCES: " How Big Is the Subscription Cancellation...

Apr 04, 2025•49 min•Ep. 628