Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

Society EN ↓ 918 episodes

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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Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Episodes

The Suicide Paradox (Rebroadcast) 05.09.2013 56:57

There are more than twice as many suicides as murders in the U.S., but suicide attracts far less scrutiny. Freakonomics Radio digs through the numbers and finds all kinds of surprises. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

137. Who Are the Most Successful Immigrants in the World? 29.08.2013 25:39

It's impossible to say for sure, but the Lebanese do remarkably well. Why? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Folly of Prediction (Rebroadcast) 22.08.2013 57:16

Human beings love to predict the future, but we're quite terrible at it. So how about punishing all those bad predictions? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

136. The Middle of Everywhere 15.08.2013 29:46

Chicago has given the world more than sausage, crooked politics, and Da Bears. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Church of "Scionology" (Rebroadcast) 08.08.2013 56:35

We worship the tradition of handing off a family business to the next generation. But is that really such a good idea? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

135. Do Baby Girls Cause Divorce? 01.08.2013 18:42

Even American parents have a strong "son preference" -- which means that a newborn daughter can be bad news for a marriage. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Upside of Quitting (Rebroadcast) 22.07.2013 58:04

You know the saying: a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. To which Freakonomics Radio says ... Are you sure? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

134. Government Employees Gone Wild 18.07.2013 18:40

The Encyclopedia of Ethical Failures catalogs the fiscal, sexual, and mental lapses of federal workers -- all with an eye toward preventing the next big mistake. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

133. A Burger a Day 11.07.2013 6:30

Is junk food an abomination or a modern miracle? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

132. Jane Austen, Game Theorist 03.07.2013 27:12

What does "Pride and Prejudice" have to do with nuclear deterrence? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Legacy of a Jerk (Rebroadcast) 27.06.2013 43:13

What happens to your reputation when you're no longer around to defend it? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

131. Do You Really Want to Know Your Future? 20.06.2013 31:01

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.

130. Why Family and Business Don’t Mix 12.06.2013 6:15

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.

129. Should Tipping be Banned? 03.06.2013 37:04

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.

128. Baby, You Can Program My Car 29.05.2013 5:36

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.

127. Can You Be Too Smart for Your Own Good? And Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions 23.05.2013 26:20

Dubner and Levitt talk about circadian rhythms, gay marriage, autism, and whether "pay what you want" is everything it's cracked up to be. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Hidden Cost of False Alarms (Rebroadcast) 15.05.2013 6:11

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.

126. What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? 09.05.2013 37:55

A look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

125. It’s Crowded at the Top 01.05.2013 6:13

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.

124. Running to Do Evil 25.04.2013 25:02

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.

123. Help Wanted. No Smokers Need Apply 17.04.2013 5:58

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.

122. How Much Does Your Name Matter? 08.04.2013 49:52

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.

121. The Tax Man Nudgeth 03.04.2013 10:10

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.

120. 100 Ways to Fight Obesity 27.03.2013 35:44

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.

119. How Money Is March Madness? 21.03.2013 6:12

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.