Freakonomics Radio podcast

Freakonomics Radio

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.

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.

 

#856

645. Is the Air Traffic Control System Broken?

Flying in the U.S. is still exceptionally safe, but the system relies on outdated tech and... more

11 hrs Ago

1 HR 02 MINS

1:02:37

11 hrs Ago


#855

644. Has America Lost Its Appetite for the Common Good?

Patrick Deneen, a political philosopher at Notre Dame, says yes. He was a Democrat for yea... more

29 Aug 2025

1 HR 16 MINS

1:16:42

29 Aug 2025


#854

Extra: A Modern Whaler Speaks Up (Update)

Bjørn Andersen has killed hundreds of minke whales. He tells us how he does it, why he doe... more

27 Aug 2025

26 MINS

26:47

27 Aug 2025


#853

What Can Whales Teach Us About Clean Energy, Workplace Harmony, and Living the Good Life? (Update)

In the final episode of our whale series, we learn about fecal plumes, shipping noise, and... more

22 Aug 2025

48 MINS

48:08

22 Aug 2025


#852

Why Do People Still Hunt Whales? (Update)

For years, whale oil was used as lighting fuel, industrial lubricant, and the main ingredi... more

15 Aug 2025

37 MINS

37:32

15 Aug 2025


#851

The First Great American Industry (Update)

Whaling was, in the words of one scholar, “early capitalism unleashed on the high seas.” H... more

08 Aug 2025

45 MINS

45:02

08 Aug 2025


#850

Why Does Tipping Still Exist? (Update)

It’s a haphazard way of paying workers, and yet it keeps expanding. With federal tax polic... more

06 Aug 2025

47 MINS

47:25

06 Aug 2025


#849

643. Why Do Candles Still Exist?

They should have died out when the lightbulb was invented. Instead they’re a $10 billion i... more

01 Aug 2025

47 MINS

47:22

01 Aug 2025


#848

642. How to Wage Peace, According to Tony Blinken

The former secretary of state isn’t a flamethrower, but he certainly has strong opinions. ... more

25 Jul 2025

1 HR 06 MINS

1:06:28

25 Jul 2025


#847

Why Does One Tiny State Set the Rules for Everyone? (Update)

Until recently, Delaware was almost universally agreed to be the best place for companies ... more

23 Jul 2025

47 MINS

47:02

23 Jul 2025


#846

641. What Does It Cost to Lead a Creative Life?

For years, the playwright David Adjmi was considered “polarizing and difficult.” But creat... more

18 Jul 2025

46 MINS

46:22

18 Jul 2025


#845

640. Why Governments Are Betting Big on Sports

The Gulf States and China are spending billions to build stadiums and buy up teams — but w... more

11 Jul 2025

50 MINS

50:12

11 Jul 2025


#844

How to Make Your Own Luck (Update)

Before she decided to become a poker pro, Maria Konnikova didn’t know how many cards are i... more

09 Jul 2025

58 MINS

58:07

09 Jul 2025


#843

639. “This Country Kicks My Ass All the Time”

Cory Booker on the politics of fear, the politics of hope, and how to split the difference... more

04 Jul 2025

53 MINS

53:46

04 Jul 2025


#842

638. Are You Ready for the Elder Swell?

In the U.S., there will soon be more people over 65 than there are under 18 — and it’s not... more

27 Jun 2025

54 MINS

54:53

27 Jun 2025


#841

What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? (Update)

In this episode from 2013, we look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists.   ---SOU... more

25 Jun 2025

36 MINS

36:13

25 Jun 2025