Best Freakonomics Radio Stitcher Podcasts (2024)

1
193. Are You as Conscientious as You Think You Are? 39:28

5m ago39:28

39:28

Is it really that important to make your bed? What’s the benefit of hiring a lazy person? And how many cups of spinach can Mike fit in a red Solo cup? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES: David Barack, philosopher and neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania. Randall Bell, socio-economist and C.E.O. of Landmark Res…

1
130. Is Our Concept of Freedom All Wrong? 55:32

1h ago55:32

55:32

The economist Joseph Stiglitz has devoted his life to exposing the limits of markets. He tells Steve about winning an argument with fellow Nobel laureate Milton Friedman, why small governments don’t lead to more freedom, and why he’s not afraid to be an advocate. SOURCE: Joseph Stiglitz, professor at Columbia University and chief economist at the R…

51
585. A Social Activist in Prime Minister’s Clothing 52:26

1d ago52:26

52:26

Justin Trudeau, facing record-low approval numbers, is doubling down on his progressive agenda. But he is so upbeat (and Canada-polite) that it’s easy to miss just how radical his vision is. Can he make it work? SOURCE: Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. RESOURCES: 2024 Canadian Federal Budget. "Canada to Set First-Ever Cap on Temporary Resi…

1
192. Should You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone? 40:24

6d ago40:24

40:24

What do the most creative people have in common? How open-minded are you, really? And what’s wrong with ordering eggs Benedict? Take the Big Five inventory: freakonomics.com/bigfive SOURCES: Max Bennett, co-founder and C.E.O. of Alby. David Epstein, author and journalist. Ayelet Fishbach, professor of behavioral science and marketing at the Univers…

1
584. How to Pave the Road to Hell 43:42

9d ago43:42

43:42

So you want to help people? That’s great — but beware the law of unintended consequences. Three stories from the modern workplace. SOURCES: Joshua Angrist, professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Zoe Cullen, professor of business administration at Harvard Business School. Marina Gertsberg, senior lecturer in finance at …

1
Extra: The Men Who Started a Thinking Revolution (Update) 34:51

12d ago34:51

34:51

The psychologist Daniel Kahneman — a Nobel laureate and the author of Thinking, Fast and Slow — recently died at age 90. Along with his collaborator Amos Tversky, he changed how we all think about decision-making. The journalist Michael Lewis told the Kahneman-Tversky story in a 2016 book called The Undoing Project. In this episode, Lewis explains …

1
191. Can You Change Your Personality? 39:03

13d ago39:03

39:03

Are you the same person you were a decade ago? Do we get better as we age? And is your sixth-grade class clown still funny? SOURCES: Aaron (Tim) Beck, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University. Olga Khazan, staff writer at The Atlantic. Brian Little, professor o…

1
129. How to Fix Medical Research 55:43

14d ago55:43

55:43

Monica Bertagnolli went from a childhood on a cattle ranch to a career as a surgeon to a top post in the Biden administration. As director of the National Institutes of Health, she’s working to improve the way we find new treatments — despite regulatory constraints and tight budgets. SOURCE: Monica Bertagnolli, director of the National Institutes o…

1
Why Are There So Many Bad Bosses? (Update) 49:41

16d ago49:41

49:41

People who are good at their jobs routinely get promoted into bigger jobs they’re bad at. We explain why firms keep producing incompetent managers — and why that’s unlikely to change. SOURCES: Nick Bloom, professor of economics at Stanford University. Katie Johnson, freelance data and analytics coach. Kelly Shue, professor of finance at the Yale Un…

1
EXTRA: Remembering Daniel Kahneman 41:48

18d ago41:48

41:48

Nobel laureate, bestselling author, and groundbreaking psychologist Daniel Kahneman died in March. In 2021 he talked with Steve Levitt — his friend and former business partner — about his book Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment (cowritten with Olivier Sibony and Cass Sunstein) and much more. SOURCES: Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology a…

1
190. What’s the Point of Nostalgia? 35:21

20d ago35:21

35:21

Is it dangerous to live in the past? Why is Disney remaking all of its classic movies? And why does Angela get sentimental over a cup of soup and a free roll? SOURCES: Julie Beck, senior editor at The Atlantic. Danielle Campoamor, freelance writer and reporter. Kyle Chayka, staff writer at The New Yorker. Amelia Dennis, research associate in psycho…

1
EXTRA: Remembering Daniel Kahneman 41:49

21d ago41:49

41:49

Nobel laureate, bestselling author, and groundbreaking psychologist Daniel Kahneman died in March. In 2021 he talked with Steve Levitt — his friend and former business partner — about his book Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment (cowritten with Olivier Sibony and Cass Sunstein) and much more. SOURCES: Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology a…

1
21. Are We Living Through the Most Revolutionary Period in History? 1:02:43

23d ago1:02:43

1:02:43

Fareed Zakaria says yes. But it’s not just political revolution — it’s economic, technological, even emotional. He doesn’t offer easy solutions but he does offer some hope. SOURCES: Fareed Zakaria, journalist and author. RESOURCES: Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present, by Fareed Zakaria (2024). "The Ultimate Election Y…

1
583. Are We Living Through the Most Revolutionary Period in History? 1:02:43

23d ago1:02:43

1:02:43

Fareed Zakaria says yes. But it’s not just political revolution — it’s economic, technological, even emotional. He doesn’t offer easy solutions but he does offer some hope. SOURCES: Fareed Zakaria, journalist and author. RESOURCES: Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present, by Fareed Zakaria (2024). "The Ultimate Election Y…

1
Extra: How Much Do You Know About Immigration? 27:39

27d ago27:39

27:39

The political debates over immigration can generate a lot of fuzzy facts. We wanted to test Americans’ knowledge — so, to wrap up our special series on immigration, we called some Freakonomics Radio listeners and quizzed them. SOURCES: Zeke Hernandez, professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. RESOURCES: The Truth About Immi…

1
189. When Should You Trust Your Gut? 40:06

27d ago40:06

40:06

Does instinct trump expertise? Can playing poker improve your intuition? And why did Angela jump off of a moving trolley car? SOURCES: Tom Brady, former quarterback for the New England Patriots. Daniel Kahneman, professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University. Gary Klein, cognitive psychologist and pioneer in the field o…

1
128. Are Our Tools Becoming Part of Us? 56:18

28d ago56:18

56:18

Google researcher Blaise Agüera y Arcas spends his work days developing artificial intelligence models and his free time conducting surveys for fun. He tells Steve how he designed an algorithm for the U.S. Navy at 14, how he discovered the truth about printing-press pioneer Johannes Gutenberg, and when A.I. first blew his mind. SOURCE: Blaise Agüer…

1
582. Why Is Everyone Moving to Canada? 49:47

1M ago49:47

49:47

As the U.S. tries to fix its messy immigration system, our neighbor to the north is scooping up more talented newcomers every year. Are the Canadians stealing America’s bacon? (Part three of a three-part series.) SOURCES: Zeke Hernandez, professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. William Kerr, professor of business administr…

1
188. Why Do Kids Today Get So Many A’s? 41:41

1M ago41:41

41:41

Is grade inflation on the rise? How much does your G.P.A. matter in the long run? And when did M.I.T., of all places, become “the cool university”? SOURCES: Scott Hugo, housing justice attorney at Oakland City Attorney’s Office. Bob Ladouceur, former head football coach at De La Salle High School. Jon Marcus, writer at The Hechinger Report. Amelia …

1
581. What Both Parties Get Wrong About Immigration 55:50

1M ago55:50

55:50

The U.S. immigration system is a massively complicated machine, with a lot of worn-out parts. How to fix it? Step one: Get hold of some actual facts and evidence. (We did this step for you.) (Part two of a three-part series.) SOURCES: Zeke Hernandez, professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. David Leonhardt, senior writer a…

1
Extra: Madeleine Albright’s Warning on Immigration 29:04

1M ago29:04

29:04

She arrived in the U.S. as an 11-year-old refugee, then rose to become Secretary of State. Her views on immigration, nationalism, and borders, from this 2015 interview, are almost strangely appropriate to the present moment. SOURCE: Madeleine Albright, U.S. Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nat…

1
187. Is Fear Running Your Life? 39:00

1M ago39:00

39:00

How can you summon courage when you’re terrified? Is hiking more dangerous than skiing? And what is the stupidest thing that Mike has ever done? SOURCES: Albert Bandura, professor of psychology at Stanford University. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center at Yale Schoo…

1
127. Rajiv Shah Never Wastes a Crisis 57:23

1M ago57:23

57:23

After Haiti’s devastating earthquake, Rajiv Shah headed the largest humanitarian effort in U.S. history. As chief economist of the Gates Foundation he tried to immunize almost a billion children. He tells Steve why it’s important to take big gambles, follow the data, and own up to your mistakes. SOURCE: Rajiv Shah, president of the Rockefeller Foun…

1
580. The True Story of America’s Supremely Messed-Up Immigration System 55:05

1M ago55:05

55:05

How did a nation of immigrants come to hate immigration? We start at the beginning, sort through the evidence, and explain why your grandfather was lying about Ellis Island. (Part one of a three-part series.) SOURCES: Leah Boustan, professor of economics at Princeton University. Zeke Hernandez, professor at the Wharton School at the University of P…

1
186. Do You Need a Routine? 38:34

2M ago38:34

38:34

Would you be more adventurous if you had more structure? Do you multitask while brushing your teeth? And what would Mike’s perfect brother Peter do? SOURCES: David Brooks, opinion columnist for The New York Times. Colin Camerer, professor of economics at the California Institute of Technology. James Clear, writer. Mason Currey, author. David Goggin…

1
579. Are You Caught in a Social Media Trap? 42:16

2M ago42:16

42:16

Economists have discovered an odd phenomenon: many people who use social media (even you, maybe?) wish it didn’t exist. But that doesn’t mean they can escape. SOURCES: Leonardo Bursztyn, professor of economics at the University of Chicago. Benjamin Handel, professor of economics at the University of California, Berkeley. RESOURCES: "When Product Ma…

1
Extra: What Is Sportswashing — and Does It Work? (Update) 1:05:17

2M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

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 PGA Tour. Can a sporting event really repair a country’s reputation — or will it trigger the dreaded Streisand Effect? Also: why the major U.S. sports leagues are warming up to the idea of foreign investment. S…

1
185. Do You Need Closure? 38:08

2M ago38:08

38:08

What’s the best way to carry out random acts of kindness? What’s wrong with making an “Irish exit”? And why is Mike secretly buying lottery tickets? SOURCES: Roy Baumeister, social psychologist and visiting scholar at Harvard University. Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University. John Gottman, professor emeritus of psychology at…

1
126. How to Have Great Conversations 47:31

2M ago47:31

47:31

The Power of Habit author Charles Duhigg wrote his new book in an attempt to learn how to communicate better. Steve shares how the book helped him understand his own conversational weaknesses. SOURCES: Charles Duhigg, journalist and author. RESOURCES: Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, by Charles Duhigg (2024). "20…

1
578. Water, Water Everywhere — But You Have to Stop and Think 52:14

2M ago52:14

52:14

What surprises lurk in our sewage? How did racist city planners end up saving Black lives? Why does Arizona grow hay for cows in Saudi Arabia? Three strange stories about the most fundamental substance we all take for granted. SOURCES: Brian Beach, professor of economics at Vanderbilt University. Marc Johnson, professor of molecular microbiology an…

1
184. Are You Doing Too Much? 40:51

2M ago40:51

40:51

How can you strive for excellence without overworking yourself? Why is perfectionism on the rise? And is Angela part of the problem? SOURCES: Kristin Andrus, philanthropist. Aaron (Tim) Beck, professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. Thomas Curran, professor of psychological and behavioral science at the London School of E…

1
Is Google Getting Worse? (Update) 56:53

2M ago56:53

56:53

It used to feel like magic. Now it can feel like a set of cheap tricks. Is the problem with Google — or with us? And is Google Search finally facing a real rival, in the form of A.I.-powered “answer engines”? SOURCES: Marissa Mayer, co-founder of Sunshine; former C.E.O. of Yahoo! and vice president at Google. Ryan McDevitt; professor of economics a…

1
Extra: Mr. Feynman Takes a Trip — But Doesn’t Fall 47:31

2M ago47:31

47:31

A wide-open conversation with three women who guided Richard Feynman through some big adventures at the Esalen Institute. (Part of our Feynman series.) SOURCES: Barbara Berg, friend of Richard Feynman. Cheryl Haley, friend of Richard Feynman. Debby Harlow, friend of Richard Feynma Sam Stern, content creator at the Esalen Institute. EXTRAS: Richard …

1
183. Does Free Will Exist, and Does It Matter? 41:09

2M ago41:09

41:09

Does anyone have any real agency? What do McDonald’s and Oxford University have in common? And why did Angela give up on philosophy? SOURCES Sam Harris, neuroscientist, philosopher, author, and podcast host. Brian Galla, associate professor of health and human development at University of Pittsburgh. Robert Sapolsky, professor of biology at Stanfor…

1
125. Is Gynecology the Best Innovation Ever? 48:52

2M ago48:52

48:52

Cat Bohannon’s new book puts female anatomy at the center of human evolution. She tells Steve why it takes us so long to give birth, what breast milk is really for, and why the human reproductive system is a flaming pile of garbage. SOURCE: Cat Bohannon, researcher and author. RESOURCES: Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evo…

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