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Freakonomics Radio

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Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

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.

#875

656. How Handel Got His Mojo Back

When he wrote Messiah (in 24 days), Handel was past his prime and nearly broke. One night ... more

Yesterday

57 MINS

57:13

Yesterday

#874

“The Greatest Piece of Participatory Art Ever Created”

Why does an 18th-century Christian oratorio lend such comfort to our own turbulent times? ... more

05 Dec 2025

56 MINS

56:54

05 Dec 2025

#873

Dying Is Easy. Retail Is Hard. (Update)

Macy’s wants to recapture its glorious past. The author of the Wimpy Kid books wants to re... more

28 Nov 2025

1 HR 02 MINS

1:02:17

28 Nov 2025

#872

Is Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Its Most Valuable Asset? (Update)

The iconic department store calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV ... more

27 Nov 2025

52 MINS

52:31

27 Nov 2025

#871

654. Is the Public Ready for Private Equity?

A Trump executive order is giving retail investors more access to private markets. Is that... more

21 Nov 2025

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:11

21 Nov 2025

#870

653. Does Horse Racing Have a Future?

Thoroughbred auction prices keep setting records. But tracks are closing, gambling revenue... more

14 Nov 2025

1 HR 01 MINS

1:01:36

14 Nov 2025

#869

What Happens When You Turn 20

The world has changed a good bit since Freakonomics was first published. In this live anni... more

12 Nov 2025

1 HR 02 MINS

1:02:38

12 Nov 2025

#868

652. Inside the Horse-Industrial Complex

How does Kentucky keep itself atop the thoroughbred industry? Is a champion stallion reall... more

07 Nov 2025

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:52

07 Nov 2025

#867

651. The Ultimate Dance Partner

For most of human history, horsepower made the world go. Then came the machines. So why ar... more

31 Oct 2025

1 HR 08 MINS

1:08:07

31 Oct 2025

#866

Are Two C.E.O.s Better Than One? (Update)

Spotify, Oracle, and Comcast have each recently announced they’re going with co-C.E.O.s. I... more

29 Oct 2025

47 MINS

47:34

29 Oct 2025

#865

650. The Doctor Won’t See You Now

The U.S. has a physician shortage, created in part by a century-old reform that shut down ... more

24 Oct 2025

51 MINS

51:33

24 Oct 2025

#864

A Question-Asker Becomes a Question-Answerer

For the 20th anniversary of Freakonomics, Debbie Millman of Design Matters interviews Step... more

17 Oct 2025

1 HR 14 MINS

1:14:22

17 Oct 2025

#863

How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Update)

Arthur Brooks, an economist and former head of the American Enterprise Institute, believes... more

15 Oct 2025

40 MINS

40:23

15 Oct 2025

#862

649. Should Ohio State (and Michigan, and Clemson) Join the N.F.L.?

Soccer leagues around the world use a promotion-and-relegation system to reward the best t... more

10 Oct 2025

55 MINS

55:21

10 Oct 2025

#861

648. The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted

The N.F.L. is a powerful cartel with imperial desires. College football is about to underg... more

03 Oct 2025

1 HR 06 MINS

1:06:02