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Freakonomics Radio

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcherfreakonomics.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

131. Do You Really Want to Know Your Future?

You might think that someone with a 50-50 chance of getting a fatal disease would want to know for sure -- but you would be wrong. What does this say about our supposed thirst for certainty? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 20, 201331 minEp. 131

130. Why Family and Business Don’t Mix

Yet another reason to blame your parents for pretty much everything. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 12, 20136 minEp. 130

129. Should Tipping be Banned?

It's awkward, random, confusing -- and probably discriminatory too. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 03, 201337 minEp. 129

128. Baby, You Can Program My Car

A glimpse into our driverless future. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 29, 20136 minEp. 128

The Hidden Cost of False Alarms (Rebroadcast)

If any other product failed 94 percent of the time, you'd probably stop using it. So why do we put up with burglar alarms? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15, 20136 min

125. It’s Crowded at the Top

Why is unemployment still so high? It may be because of something that happened well before the Great Recession. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 01, 20136 minEp. 125

124. Running to Do Evil

An interview with Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose younger brother turned him in -- and what it says about the Boston bombers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 25, 201325 minEp. 124

123. Help Wanted. No Smokers Need Apply

In many states, it is perfectly legal to not hire someone who smokes. Should employers also be able to weed out junk-food lovers or motorcyclists -- or anyone who wants to have a baby? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 17, 20136 minEp. 123

122. How Much Does Your Name Matter?

A kid's name can tell us something about his parents -- their race, social standing, even their politics. But is your name really your destiny? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 08, 201350 minEp. 122

121. The Tax Man Nudgeth

Real tax reform may or may not ever happen. In the meantime, how about making the current system work a bit better? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 03, 201310 minEp. 121

120. 100 Ways to Fight Obesity

Freakonomics asks a dozen smart people for their best ideas. Get ready for a fat tax, a sugar ban, and a calorie-chomping tapeworm. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 27, 201336 minEp. 120

119. How Money Is March Madness?

The NCAA basketball tournament grabs a lot of eyeballs, but turning them into dollars hasn't always been easy -- even when the "talent" is playing for free. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 21, 20136 minEp. 119

118. Parking Is Hell

There ain't no such thing as a free parking spot. Somebody has to pay for it -- and that somebody is everybody. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 13, 201335 minEp. 118

117. When Is a Negative a Positive?

Sure, we all like to hear compliments. But if you're truly looking to get better at something, it's the negative feedback that will get you there. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 06, 20138 minEp. 117

116. Women Are Not Men

In many ways, the gender gap is closing. In others, not so much. And that's not always a bad thing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 24, 201337 minEp. 116

115. The Downside of More Miles Per Gallon

The gas tax doesn't work well, and it's only going to get worse. What's next? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 20, 20136 minEp. 115

114. How to Think About Guns

No one wants mass shootings. Unfortunately, no one has a workable plan to stop them either. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 13, 201329 minEp. 114

113. Sure, I Remember That

It is startlingly easy to create false memories, especially in politics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 06, 20136 minEp. 113

112. Would You Let a Coin Toss Decide Your Future?

Levitt and Dubner go deep on "Freakonomics Experiments," a new research project that lets you take a chance on life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 30, 201326 minEp. 112

111. Introducing “Freakonomics Experiments”

Steve Levitt has a novel idea for helping people make tough decisions Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 23, 20135 minEp. 111

110. Who Owns the Words That Come Out of Your Mouth?

The very long reach of Winston Churchill -- and how the British government is remaking copyright law. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 16, 201331 minEp. 110

109. How to Live Longer

Why do Hall of Fame inductees, Oscar winners, and Nobel laureates outlive their peers? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 09, 20136 minEp. 109

107. How Much Does a Good Boss Really Matter?

It's harder than you'd think to measure the value of a boss. But some enterprising economists have done just that -- and the news is good. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 26, 201214 minEp. 107

106. The House of Dreams

Dubner's childhood home goes from sacred to profane -- and then back again. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 19, 201222 minEp. 106

105. Have a Very Homo Economicus Christmas

Who better than an economist to help with your shopping list? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 12, 201215 minEp. 105

104. The Things They Taught Me

College, at its best, is about learning to think. Stephen Dubner chats up three of his former professors who made the magic happen. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 05, 201223 minEp. 104

103. Free-conomics

Economists are a notoriously self-interested bunch. But a British outfit called Pro Bono Economics is giving away its services to selected charities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 28, 20126 minEp. 103
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