Freakonomics Radio
WNYC
Discover the hidden side of everything with Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of the Freakonomics books. Each week, Freakonomics Radio tells you things you always thought you knew (but didn’t) and things you never thought you wanted to know (but do) — from the economics of sleep to how to become great at just about anything. Dubner speaks with Nobel laureates and provocateurs, intellectuals and entrepreneurs, and various other underachievers.
Discover the hidden side of everything with Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of the Freakonomics books. Each week, Freakonomics Radio tells you things you always thought you knew (but didn’t) and things you never thought you wanted to know (but do) — from the economics of sleep to how to become great at just about anything. Dubner speaks with Nobel laureates and provocateurs, intellectuals and entrepreneurs, and various other underachievers.
Location:
New York, NY
Description:
Discover the hidden side of everything with Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of the Freakonomics books. Each week, Freakonomics Radio tells you things you always thought you knew (but didn’t) and things you never thought you wanted to know (but do) — from the economics of sleep to how to become great at just about anything. Dubner speaks with Nobel laureates and provocateurs, intellectuals and entrepreneurs, and various other underachievers.
Language:
English
Contact:
160 Varick St. New York, NY 10013
Episodes
516. Nuclear Power Isn’t Perfect. Is It Good Enough?
9/21/2022
Liberals endorse harm reduction when it comes to the opioid epidemic. Are they ready to take the same approach to climate change?
Duration:00:58:47
Extra: Ken Burns | People I (Mostly) Admire
9/18/2022
The documentary filmmaker, known for The Civil War, Jazz, and Baseball, turns his attention to the Holocaust, and asks what we can learn from the evils of the past.
Duration:00:49:24
515. When You Pray to God Online, Who Else Is Listening?
9/14/2022
The pandemic moved a lot of religious activity onto the internet. With faith-based apps, Silicon Valley is turning virtual prayers into earthly rewards. Does this mean sharing user data? Dear God, let’s hope not …
Duration:00:48:44
This Is Your Brain on Pollution (Ep. 472 Update)
9/7/2022
As the Biden administration rushes to address climate change, Stephen Dubner looks at another, hidden cost of air pollution — one that’s affecting how we think.
Duration:00:53:02
514. Roland Fryer Refuses to Lie to Black America
8/31/2022
The controversial Harvard economist, recently back from a suspension, “broke a lot of glass early in my career,” he says. His research on school incentives and police brutality won him acclaim — but also enemies. Now he’s taking a hard look at corporate diversity programs. The common thread in his work? “I refuse to not tell the truth.”
Duration:01:00:21
513. Should Public Transit Be Free?
8/24/2022
It boosts economic opportunity and social mobility. It’s good for the environment. So why do we charge people to use it? The short answer: it’s complicated.
Duration:00:49:12
Why Is U.S. Media So Negative? (Ep. 477 Replay)
8/17/2022
Breaking news! Sources say American journalism exploits our negativity bias to maximize profits, and social media algorithms add fuel to the fire. Stephen Dubner investigates.
Duration:00:52:20
The Pros and Cons of America’s (Extreme) Individualism (Ep. 470 Replay)
8/10/2022
According to a decades-long research project, the U.S. is not only the most individualistic country on earth; we’re also high on indulgence, short-term thinking, and masculinity (but low on “uncertainty avoidance,” if that makes you feel better). We look at how these traits affect our daily lives and why we couldn’t change them even if we wanted to.
Duration:00:51:04
The U.S. Is Just Different — So Let’s Stop Pretending We’re Not (Ep. 469 Replay)
8/3/2022
We often look to other countries for smart policies on education, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. But can a smart policy be simply transplanted into a country as culturally unusual (and as supremely WEIRD) as America?
Duration:00:53:36
512. Does Philosophy Still Matter?
7/27/2022
It used to be at the center of our conversations about politics and society. Scott Hershovitz (author of Nasty, Brutish, and Short) argues that philosophy still has a lot to say about work, justice, and parenthood. Our latest installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club.
Duration:00:50:23
511. Why Did You Marry That Person?
7/20/2022
Sure, you were “in love.” But economists — using evidence from Bridgerton to Tinder — point to what’s called “assortative mating.” And it has some unpleasant consequences for society.
Duration:00:46:56
The Economist’s Guide to Parenting: 10 Years Later (Ep. 479 Replay)
7/13/2022
In one of the earliest Freakonomics Radio episodes, we asked a bunch of economists with young kids how they approached child-rearing. Now the kids are old enough to talk — and they have a lot to say. We hear about nature vs. nurture, capitalism vs. Marxism, and why you don’t tell your friends that your father is an economist.
Duration:00:51:58
510. What Problems Does Crypto Solve, Anyway?
7/6/2022
Boosters say blockchain technology will usher in a brave new era of decentralization. Are they right — and would it be a dream or a nightmare? (Part 3 of "What Can Blockchain Do for You?")
Duration:00:55:14
509. Are N.F.T.s All Scams?
6/29/2022
Some of them are. With others, it’s more complicated (and more promising). We try to get past the Bored Apes and the ripoffs to see if we can find art on the blockchain. (Part 2 of "What Can Blockchain Do for You?")
Duration:00:48:25
508. Does the Crypto Crash Mean the Blockchain Is Over?
6/22/2022
No. But now is a good time to sort out the potential from the hype. Whether you’re bullish, bearish, or just confused, we’re here to explain what the blockchain can do for you. (Part 1 of a series.)
Duration:00:49:30
507. 103 Pieces of Advice That May or May Not Work
6/15/2022
Kevin Kelly calls himself “the most optimistic person in the world.” And he has a lot to say about parenting, travel, A.I., being luckier — and why we should spend way more time on YouTube.
Duration:00:44:09
506. What Is Sportswashing (and Does It Work)?
6/8/2022
In ancient Rome, it was bread and circuses. Today, it’s a World Cup, an Olympics, and a new Saudi-backed golf league that’s challenging the P.G.A. Tour. Can a sporting event really repair a country’s reputation — or will it trigger the dreaded Streisand Effect?
Duration:00:54:17
505. Did Domestic Violence Really Spike During the Pandemic?
6/1/2022
When the world went into lockdown, experts predicted a rise in intimate-partner assaults. What actually happened was more complicated.
Duration:00:51:16
504. Introducing “Off Leash”
5/25/2022
In this new podcast from the Freakonomics Radio Network, dog-cognition expert and bestselling author Alexandra Horowitz (Inside of a Dog) takes us inside the scruffy, curious, joyful world of dogs. This is the first episode of Off Leash; you can find more episodes in your podcast app now.
Duration:00:41:06
503. What Is the Future of College — and Does It Have Room for Men?
5/18/2022
Educators and economists tell us all the reasons college enrollment has been dropping, especially for men, and how to stop the bleeding. (Part 4 of “Freakonomics Radio Goes Back to School.”)
Duration:00:51:20