Best Dubner Productions Podcasts (2024)

1
Writing the Future: Politics, AI, and Storytelling 47:02

28m ago47:02

47:02

At the 2024 Hudson Valley Ideas Festival, Carly Reilly interviews novelist Stephen Marche to explore his journey in writing political thrillers like "The Last Election" and "The Next Civil War," reflecting on American politics' inner workings and the profound impact of money on campaigns and the behavior of politicians. He also delves into his coll…

1
EXTRA: Why Quitting Is Usually Worth It 40:04

15m ago40:04

40:04

Stephen Dubner appears as a guest on Fail Better, a new podcast hosted by David Duchovny. The two of them trade stories about failure, and ponder the lessons that success could never teach. SOURCES: David Duchovny, actor, director, writer, and musician. RESOURCES: "Martin Seligman and the Rise of Positive Psychology," by Peter Gibbon (Humanities, 2…

1
The University of Impossible-to-Get-Into (Update) 1:11:10

41m ago1:11:10

1:11:10

America’s top colleges are facing record demand. So why don’t they increase supply? (Part 2 of our series from 2022, “Freakonomics Radio Goes Back to School.”) SOURCES: Peter Blair, professor of education at Harvard University and faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Zachary Bleemer, assistant professor of economics …

1
Understanding the World Through Economics: Insights from Freakonomics' Stephen Dubner 58:48

6d ago58:48

58:48

Join us in this exclusive interview with Carly Reilly and Stephen Dubner, co-author of Freakonomics, where he shares insights on his storytelling journey, the creation of the Freakonomics media empire, and his perspectives on various topics, including the challenges of brand management, the evolution of his podcast, and the intersection of economic…

1
What Exactly Is College For? (Update) 50:15

7m ago50:15

50:15

We think of them as intellectual enclaves and the surest route to a better life. But U.S. colleges also operate like firms, trying to differentiate their products to win market share and prestige points. In the first episode of a special series originally published in 2022, we ask what our chaotic system gets right — and wrong. (Part 1 of “Freakono…

1
The Human-Centered Economy: How Time Banking Can Change the World 33:27

3d ago33:27

33:27

In this episode, Andrew and Freakonomics Radio's Stephen Dubner explore the concept of Time Banking, a system where time is used as currency to exchange services within communities, promoting human interaction and communal support without relying on money. Andrew discusses the mechanics of Time Banking, where participants can offer services like tu…

1
EXTRA: Here’s Why You’re Not an Elite Athlete (Update) 1:05:34

1d ago1:05:34

1:05:34

There are a lot of factors that go into greatness, many of which are not obvious. As the Olympics come to a close, we revisit a 2018 episode in which top athletes from a variety of sports tell us how they made it, and what they sacrificed. SOURCES: Lance Armstrong, former professional cyclist. David Canton, director of African American studies and …

1
600. “If We’re All in It for Ourselves, Who Are We?” 44:47

5d ago44:47

44:47

Tania Tetlow, a former federal prosecutor and now the president of Fordham University, thinks the modern campus could use a dose of old-fashioned values. SOURCE: Tania Tetlow, president of Fordham University. RESOURCES: "Not a Priest, Not a Man, but Ready to Run Fordham," by David Waldstein (The New York Times, 2024). "Tech Glitch Upends Financial …

1
Ask Andrew Anything: Special Q&A Episode 51:39

16d ago51:39

51:39

Join Andrew Yang and producer Daniel Fabelo in this special Q&A episode as they tackle pressing political issues, share insights on the Forward Party's innovative approach to solving problems, and discuss the future of Ranked Choice Voting and Universal Basic Income. Get Andrew's take on the current political landscape, the critical need for reform…

1
599. The World's Most Valuable Unused Resource 40:08

16d ago40:08

40:08

It’s not oil or water or plutonium — it’s human hours. We've got an idea for putting them to use, and for building a more human-centered economy. But we need your help. SOURCES: Nathan Dietz, research director at the Do Good Institute at the University of Maryland. Al Roth, professor of economics at Stanford University. Krista Wyatt, C.E.O. of Time…

1
The Future of Community Investment 45:25

17d ago45:25

45:25

Meet Nick Tommarello, the visionary founder and CEO of Wefunder, to explore the world of community investment and equity crowdfunding. Wefunder empowers startups by allowing everyday people to invest as little as $100 in high-growth businesses, breaking down traditional barriers and democratizing access to entrepreneurial success. In this conversat…

1
EXTRA: Why Rent Control Doesn’t Work (Update) 48:22

23d ago48:22

48:22

A new proposal from the Biden administration calls for a nationwide cap on rent increases. Economists think that’s a terrible idea. We revisit a 2019 episode to hear why. SOURCES: Tommy Andersson, professor of economics at Lund University. Vicki Been, professor of law at New York University and former deputy mayor for housing and economic developme…

1
598. Is Overconsolidation a Threat to Democracy? 37:11

22d ago37:11

37:11

That’s the worry. Even the humble eyeglass industry is dominated by a single firm. We look into the global spike in myopia, how the Lemtosh got its name, and what your eye doctor knows that you don’t. (Part two of a two-part series.) SOURCES: Maria Liu, professor of clinical optometry at the University of California, Berkeley. Harvey Moscot, C.E.O.…

1
From Battlefield to Ballot: A Veteran's Independent Bid for Congress 45:13

24d ago45:13

45:13

In this episode, Special Forces veteran and Harvard graduate Shelane Etchison discusses her inspiring journey from the battlefield to the political arena as an independent candidate for North Carolina's 9th Congressional District. Drawing on her experiences in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, where she worked with Kurdish women fighters to combat ISIS…

1
597. Why Do Your Eyeglasses Cost $1,000? 54:39

27d ago54:39

54:39

A single company, EssilorLuxottica, owns so much of the eyewear industry that it’s hard to escape their gravitational pull — or their “obscene” markups. Should regulators do something? Can Warby Parker steal market share? And how did Ray-Bans become a luxury brand? (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES: Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO of …

1
Early Detection Revolution: How a Simple Scan Could Save Your Life 35:18

1M ago35:18

35:18

Prenuvo's groundbreaking approach to transforming healthcare addresses the limitations of the current reactive system, which often leads to late diagnoses of severe conditions. Andrew Lacy, CEO of Prenuvo, shares how their cutting-edge MRI technology offers comprehensive whole-body scans capable of detecting early-stage diseases like cancer and ane…

1
EXTRA: People Aren’t Dumb. The World Is Hard. (Update) 53:13

30d ago53:13

53:13

You wouldn’t think you could win a Nobel Prize for showing that humans tend to make irrational decisions. But that’s what Richard Thaler has done. In an interview from 2018, the founder of behavioral economics describes his unlikely route to success; his reputation for being lazy; and his efforts to fix the world — one nudge at a time. SOURCES: Ric…

1
596. Farewell to a Generational Talent 52:41

1M ago52:41

52:41

Daniel Kahneman left his mark on academia (and the real world) in countless ways. A group of his friends and colleagues recently gathered in Chicago to reflect on this legacy — and we were there, with microphones. SOURCES: Maya Bar-Hillel, professor emeritus of psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Shane Frederick, professor of marketin…

1
Building a Better Future: The Universal Basic Income Solution 55:33

1M ago55:33

55:33

Conrad Shaw and Scott Santens, founders of the Income To Support All Foundation (ITSA), share their journey in supporting various UBI initiatives, highlighting personal stories and the challenges faced, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Does the U.S. economy generate enough wealth per capita to eradicate poverty through UBI? What happened …

1
595. Why Don't We Have Better Candidates for President? 1:01:50

1M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

American politics is trapped in a duopoly, with two all-powerful parties colluding to stifle competition. We revisit a 2018 episode to explain how the political industry works, and talk to a reformer (and former presidential candidate) who is pushing for change. SOURCES: Katherine Gehl, former president and C.E.O. of Gehl Foods. Michael Porter, pro…

1
Analyzing the "Debate for the Ages," Leadership and Future Implications 42:19

2M ago42:19

42:19

After a dismal debate performance by Joe Biden last week, Andrew and Zach discuss the potential fallout of support, panic within the Democratic Party, and future implications. They explore the possibility of nominating an alternative candidate and what a contested convention might entail in August. Hear Andrew and Zach's perspective on the debate, …

1
594. Your Brand’s Spokesperson Just Got Arrested — Now What? 43:38

2M ago43:38

43:38

It’s hard to know whether the benefits of hiring a celebrity are worth the risk. We dig into one gruesome story of an endorsement gone wrong, and find a surprising result. SOURCES: John Cawley, professor of economics at Cornell University. Elizabeth (Zab) Johnson, executive director and senior fellow with the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative at the …

1
Crossing America in an RV: Surprising Truths About Our Divided Nation 40:15

2M ago40:15

40:15

Join us on a journey across America, where Bloomberg editor and author Frank Barry takes you through the heart of American democracy. In this episode, Frank shares his adventure of driving an RV along the historic Lincoln Highway, exploring the diverse landscapes and people from all walks of life. Discover how his conversations with everyday Americ…

1
593. You Can Make a Killing, but Not a Living 49:39

2M ago49:39

49:39

Broadway operates on a winner-take-most business model. A runaway hit like Stereophonic — which just won five Tony Awards — will create a few big winners. But even the stars of the show will have to go elsewhere to make real money. (Part two of a two-part series.) SOURCES: David Adjmi, author and playwright. Sonia Friedman, theater producer and fou…

1
EXTRA: The Fascinatingly Mundane Secrets of the World’s Most Exclusive Nightclub 44:58

2M ago44:58

44:58

The Berlin dance mecca Berghain is known for its eight-hour line and inscrutable door policy. PJ Vogt, host of the podcast Search Engine, joins us to crack the code. It has to do with Cold War rivalries, German tax law, and one very talented bouncer. SOURCES: Lutz Leichsenring, executive board member of Clubcommission Berlin and co-founder of VibeL…

1
Empowering America's Future Entrepreneurs & Leaders 48:07

2M ago48:07

48:07

Venture for America (VFA) is a nonprofit entrepreneurial career accelerator founded by Andrew Yang in 2011. Its mission is to recruit talented young people to become entrepreneurs and leaders in growth companies, creating new jobs and opportunities nationwide. Learn about VFA's new CEO, Carrie Murphy, and her unique approach to identifying and nurt…

1
592. How to Make the Coolest Show on Broadway 1:05:08

2M ago1:05:08

1:05:08

Hit by Covid, runaway costs, and a zillion streams of competition, serious theater is in serious trouble. A new hit play called Stereophonic — the most Tony-nominated play in history — has something to say about that. We speak with the people who make it happen every night. (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES: David Adjmi, author and playwrigh…

1
The Future of Ranked Choice Voting 42:38

2M ago42:38

42:38

Roughly 75% of Americans feel that our country is not working for them. How do we achieve structural democratic reform that gets our government working again for the American people? Meredith Sumpter, the new CEO of FairVote, details how Ranked Choice Voting is the key to unlocking the political gridlock and empowering voters to have real voice and…

1
591. Signs of Progress, One Year at a Time 53:20

2M ago53:20

53:20

Every December, a British man named Tom Whitwell publishes a list of 52 things he’s learned that year. These fascinating facts reveal the spectrum of human behavior, from fraud and hypocrisy to Whitwell’s steadfast belief in progress. Should we also believe? SOURCES: Tom Whitwell, managing consultant at Magnetic. RESOURCES: "Supercentenarian and Re…

1
Ghost Newspapers, News as a Civic Good, and Rebuilding Trust in Journalism 41:03

3M ago41:03

41:03

Over the last 20 years, over 2000 local newspapers have shut down, leading to a 65% drop in the number of journalists and a sharp increase in political polarization. Steven Waldman founded Rebuild Local News, a non-profit coalition of over 3000 local newspapers, to combat this decline and advocate for local journalism. How did the rise of Craigslis…

1
EXTRA: The Opioid Tragedy — How We Got Here 41:59

2M ago41:59

41:59

An update of our 2020 series, in which we spoke with physicians, researchers, and addicts about the root causes of the crisis — and the tension between abstinence and harm reduction. SOURCES: Gail D’Onofrio, professor and chair of emergency medicine at the Yale School of Medicine and chief of emergency services at Yale-New Haven Health. Keith Humph…

1
590. Can $55 Billion End the Opioid Epidemic? 40:56

3M ago40:56

40:56

Thanks to legal settlements with drug makers and distributors, states have plenty of money to boost prevention and treatment. Will it work? (Part two of a two-part series.) SOURCES: Keith Humphreys, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University. Stephen Loyd, chief medical officer of Cedar Recovery and chair of the Tennesse…

1
Andrew Yang on the path to UBI, the explosion of AI, and optimism for the future 1:06:23

3M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

Carly Reilly sat down with Andrew at the 2024 Hudson Valley Ideas Festival for a wide-ranging conversation on Universal Basic Income and alleviating poverty, political reform, and AI. How did an Onion article inspire his efforts to push for UBI? Did COVID stimulus checks really cause inflation? What did Andrew get wrong on AI, if anything? And at h…

1
589. Why Has the Opioid Crisis Lasted So Long? 48:33

3M ago48:33

48:33

Most epidemics flare up, do their damage, and fade away. This one has been raging for almost 30 years. To find out why, it’s time to ask some uncomfortable questions. (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES: David Cutler, professor of economics at Harvard University. Travis Donahoe, professor of health policy and management at the University of Pi…

1
Political software is a walled garden. Can anyone break through? 52:13

3M ago52:13

52:13

If you're a Democratic candidate in the U.S., you use Democratic software; if you're Republican, you use Republican software. But what if you're independent? You're out of luck, locked out of both the technology and the voter data required to run a competitive campaign. Farhad Mohit founded and ran Flipagram, now better known as TikTok. After Flipa…

1
Extra: Car Colors & Storage Units 35:15

3M ago35:15

35:15

Presenting two stories from The Economics of Everyday Things: Why does it seem like every car is black, white, or gray these days? And: How self-storage took over America. SOURCES: Tom Crockett, classic car enthusiast. Zachary Dickens, executive vice president and chief investment officer of Extra Space Storage. Mark Gutjahr, global head of design …

1
588. Confessions of a Black Conservative 56:40

3M ago56:40

56:40

The economist and social critic Glenn Loury has led a remarkably turbulent life, both professionally and personally. In a new memoir, he has chosen to reveal just about everything. Why? SOURCE: Glenn Loury, professor of economics at Brown University and host of The Glenn Show. RESOURCES: Late Admissions: Confessions of a Black Conservative, by Glen…

1
How to Give a TED Talk 40:20

4M ago40:20

40:20

Andrew and Zach go behind the scenes and reveal how a TED talk comes together - from the writing and revision process to the weeklong conference itself. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/K_XtG0rw8B0 Watch the TED Talk: https://youtu.be/1Ws3w_ZOmhI Follow Zach Graumann: https://twitter.com/Zach_Graumann | https://instagram.com/zachgrau…

1
587. Should Companies Be Owned by Their Workers? 46:33

3M ago46:33

46:33

The employee ownership movement is growing, and one of its biggest champions is also a private equity heavyweight. Is this meaningful change, or just window dressing? SOURCES: Marjorie Kelly, distinguished senior fellow at The Democracy Collaborative. Corey Rosen, founder and senior staff member of the National Center for Employee Ownership. Pete S…

1
Is Ozempic a Magic Pill? Johann Hari weighs its risks & benefits 58:09

4M ago58:09

58:09

In one survey, 47% of Americans said they would take Ozempic or similar drugs, which promise to help people lose 5-24% of their bodyweight — but what's the catch? After Johann Hari began taking Ozempic in 2023, he began investigating how Ozempic affects brain chemistry, the causes of obesity in the western world, and the risks of weight-loss drugs …

1
586. How Does the Lost World of Vienna Still Shape Our Lives? 57:19

3M ago57:19

57:19

From politics and economics to psychology and the arts, many of the modern ideas we take for granted emerged a century ago from a single European capital. In this episode of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, the historian Richard Cockett explores all those ideas — and how the arrival of fascism can ruin in a few years what took generations to build…

1
Can housing be cheaper? 47:53

4M ago47:53

47:53

As housing has become increasingly financialized, it's also become more and more out of reach for most people. Atticus and Andrew talk about the housing crisis, utilizing unused spaces, rethinking how rent is paid, and what's getting in the way of more affordable housing for all. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ubnCtwA-JgM Follow At…

1
Extra: Why Is 23andMe Going Under? (Update) 1:02:04

4M ago1:02:04

1:02:04

Five years ago, we published an episode about the boom in home DNA testing kits, focusing on the high-flying firm 23andMe and its C.E.O. Anne Wojcicki. Their flight has been extremely bumpy since then. This update includes an additional interview with the Wall Street Journal reporter who has been investigating the firm’s collapse. SOURCES: Rolfe Wi…

1
585. A Social Activist in Prime Minister’s Clothing 52:26

4M 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
Mark Normand, Sam Morril, & Andrew Yang talk comedy and politics 1:20:44

4M ago1:20:44

1:20:44

Andrew, Mark Normand, and Sam Morril sit down for a freewheeling conversation about New York, running for office, comedy, polarization, and much more. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zczZQ9yigIY Follow Mark Normand: https://twitter.com/marknorm | https://instagram.com/marknormand Follow Sam Morill: https://twitter.com/sammorril | ht…

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

4M 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
How an independent candidate got 42% of the vote against an incumbent 48:27

4M ago48:27

48:27

As an independent candidate, Greg Orman received a stunning 42.5% of the vote in his race against an incumbent senator in Kansas. Greg joins Andrew to talk about facing an unprecedented opposition effort from Republicans, wasted votes, and cheat codes for independents. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X7tY6jX5Y4w A Declaration of…

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

4M 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
Why Are There So Many Bad Bosses? (Update) 49:41

4M 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
The TikTok Ban, Truth Social, and China's AI Advantage 45:48

5M ago45:48

45:48

Andrew sits down with CBS News correspondent Jo Ling Kent to discuss TikTok's potential ban and sale, the real estate settlement and what it means for potential homebuyers, the economics of Truth Social, China's AI advantage, and inflation. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WK11sJItqcw Follow Jo Ling Kent: https://twitter.com/joli…

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