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Artwork for Freakonomics Radio
Zygarnik Effect
Psychology
Closure
Public Transit
San Francisco 49ers
Academic Fraud
Human Behavior
Emotions
Personal Injury Law
Colin Kaepernick
NFL
Jimmy Garoppolo
Economic Mobility
Transportation Funding
Climate Justice
Congestion Pricing
University Of Chicago Crime Lab
Relationships
Gynecology
Quantum Electrodynamics

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 ad... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes947Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureDocumentary

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Artwork for Freakonomics Radio

Latest Episodes

They used to be the N.F.L.’s biggest stars, with paychecks to match. Now their salaries are near the bottom, and their careers are shorter than ever. In this updated episode from 2025, we speak with an analytics guru, an agent, an economist, and some... more

For 50 years, the healthcare industry has been trying (and failing) to harness the power of artificial intelligence. It may finally be ready for prime time. What will this mean for human doctors — and the rest of us? (Part four of “The Freakonomics R... more

Zeke Emanuel (a physician, medical ethicist, and policy wonk) has some different ideas for how to lead a healthy and meaningful life. It starts with ice cream. (Part three of “The Freakonomics Radio Guide to Getting Better.”)

• SOURCES:• Zeke Emanue... more

After five years, Levitt is ending People I (Mostly) Admire, and will start hosting the occasional Freakonomics Radio episode. We couldn’t be happier.

• SOURCES:• Steve Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics and host of People I (Mostly) Admire.

• RESOU... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Economics of Everyday Things
The Economics of Everyday ThingsFreakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett
People I (Mostly) Admire
People I (Mostly) AdmireFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Radiolab
RadiolabWNYC Studios
Hidden Brain
Hidden BrainHidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Recent Guests

Zeke Emanuel
Oncologist, bioethicist, and author of "Eat Your Ice Cream, Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life"
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: 660. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly Wrong
Katy Milkman
Behavior change specialist and co-director of the Behavior Change for Good Initiative.
Wharton School
Episode: Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Andy Byford
Public transit official known for overhauls in major city transportation systems.
Amtrak
Episode: Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Ferdinand Rauch
Researcher exploring commuter behavior change.
University of St. Gallen
Episode: Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Bob Tewksbury
Former MLB pitcher and mental skills coach.
Episode: Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Hengchen Dai
Motivation researcher focusing on behavior resets.
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Episode: Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)
Jane Glover
Early music scholar and prolific conductor
Episode: 657. Whose “Messiah” Is It Anyway?
Gary Parr
Senior Managing Director at Apollo and former chairman of the New York Philharmonic
Apollo Global Management
Episode: Who Pays for “Messiah”?
Philip Rushforth
Organist and master of the choristers at Chester Cathedral
Episode: 656. How Handel Got His Mojo Back

Host

Stephen J. Dubner
Co-author of Freakonomics and host, Stephen J. Dubner brings a unique perspective, merging storytelling with analytical insights on various topics including economics, society, and human behavior.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 53.5k ratings
  • Messiah Episode

    I always enjoy this podcast, but this episode on Handel’s Messiah has been my very favorite. Stephen includes many personal notes about how the story of the music has moved him and shaped him, and the episode has been a delight for my SOUL! Around Easter this past year, there was a full performance of Handel’s Messiah in my small-ish town in Texas, and I agree that listening to the entire performance is a beautiful, soul-shaping experience. Stephen, I am so curious why a piece about the Christia... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Krlillie
    United States2 months ago
  • Smart, engaging, and cozy

    I don’t know how a podcast about economics can make me smile so much, but Freakeconomic Radio does.

    The episodes are beautifully researched. The interviews are engaging and never one sided. I truly learn something new every week.

    But, what I didn’t think would happen to me multiple times while listening to this podcast is squealing in delight at something that is so kind or sincere.

    It appears that the host, Stephen Dubner, looks at the world without the cynicism. He can take a topic like ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KelleyMcV
    Canada2 months ago
  • Well Done! Dying is Easy- Retail is Hard

    Long time listener here, this updated episode was a blueprint for podcasts. I loved hearing both sides of the Macy’s turnaround- from the CEO to the guy giving us facts and keeping it real. Loved the bookstore story as well. Well done.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crime Obsessed JH
    United States2 months ago
  • Exceptionally good

    Clear, balanced, well thought out. Perennial favorite

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MiNiTrypia
    United States2 months ago
  • Interesting analyses

    Podcast Addict
    5
    giddygrilled
    2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, there's a strong appreciation for the quality of interviews and the insightful nature of topics covered.
The podcast consistently offers engaging content and interesting perspectives, making learning enjoyable.
Some feel the recent content has drifted towards political analysis, which they find less appealing than earlier episodes.
Listeners value the analytical approach and depth of discussion on significant societal issues.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

660. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly Wrong
Q: What is your position on mind expanding or mind changing drugs?
Psychedelics could potentially help with issues like depression and PTSD but caution is needed regarding use.
660. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly Wrong
Q: How does he see wellness?
Wellness is a lifestyle. It should be enjoyable and become habitual.
659. Can Marty Makary Fix the F.D.A.?
Q: Can you just talk a little bit more about your research or other research there that you feel is promising and what would be clinical treatments resulting from that research?
There's exciting things out there, such as growing pancreas cells in a laboratory and infusing them into a human to see if they produce insulin in response to blood sugar levels.
659. Can Marty Makary Fix the F.D.A.?
Q: What have been the biggest adjustments for you so far in moving from a life of a physician scientist to a government regulator?
It's been a very different life, although some basic principles applied, such as challenging deeply held assumptions and making a diagnosis before recommending any treatment changes.
Are Personal Finance Gurus Giving You Bad Advice? (Update)
Q: What are the most common money mistakes made by the average person?
Two common mistakes are not having a rainy day savings buffer and tying up too large of a fraction of monthly income in fixed expenses, making financial adjustments hard during economic shocks.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Freakonomics Radio

What is Freakonomics Radio about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast investigates the hidden dynamics behind everyday phenomena, bringing to light aspects of economics, statistics, and human behavior that often go unnoticed. Notable themes include the intricate relationship between economics and social issues, the impact of cultural events, and the analysis of market structures, such as retail and sports industries. Episodes frequently feature interviews with a diverse range of experts from various fields, making complex topics accessible to audiences while maintaining a critical lens on contemporary cultural and economic issues. Its unique blend of curiosity-driven storytelling and data analysis positions it as a compelling resource for listeners interested in understanding the underlying mecha... more

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How many listeners does Freakonomics Radio get?

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What are the audience demographics for Freakonomics Radio?

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How many subscribers and views does Freakonomics Radio have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Freakonomics Radio has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Freakonomics Radio?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Freakonomics Radio:

1. The Economics of Everyday Things
2. People I (Mostly) Admire
3. Planet Money
4. Radiolab
5. Hidden Brain

How many episodes of Freakonomics Radio are there?

Freakonomics Radio launched 16 years ago and published 947 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Freakonomics Radio?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Freakonomics Radio?

Recent guests on Freakonomics Radio include:

1. Zeke Emanuel
2. Katy Milkman
3. Andy Byford
4. Ferdinand Rauch
5. Bob Tewksbury
6. Hengchen Dai
7. Jane Glover
8. Gary Parr

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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