Best Stephen Dubner Podcasts (2024)

1
Sally Jenkins Thinks Losing Is Wonderful 59:58

9m ago59:58

59:58

“Who can explain the athletic heart?” These are the words Sally Jenkins’ father would ask, driving her to follow in his footsteps and become a groundbreaking sportswriter. From eating a cheeseburger alongside golf legends as a child, to writing memoirs of the world’s top athletes and coaches, Sally has had a unique look into the lives and minds (an…

1
NYU or Nowhere? (with Paul Scheer) 51:56

42m ago51:56

51:56

When Paul Scheer was a senior in high school he decided that he would only apply to NYU because if it was good enough for Theo Huxtable, it was good enough for him. Sam talks to Paul about decisions he’s made since then (not based on Theo Huxtable), like having kids and deciding what kind of parent to be. They bond over being “latchkey kids,” the c…

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

1h 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
Jeremiah Fraites Isn’t Just The Tambourine Guy 50:00

10h ago50:00

50:00

Jeremiah Fraites, co-founder of The Lumineers, says he’s not a lyricist. Yet he matches me quote for quote as we discuss creativity, grief, and giving up control. The conversation takes us a lot of places – like to the free-throw line, and to church. As a fellow father and musician, it’s a treat to see so many sides of Jeremiah, as is getting to re…

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

1d 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
International Relations or International Popstar? (with Rachel Platten) 47:36

12d ago47:36

47:36

While in college, Rachel Platten was on the path to a career in international relations. But then she decided to switch course and swap a semester abroad in Spain for a semester abroad in Trinidad where she fell in love with music. She now has a song that has been streamed more than a billion times (Fight Song) and a new album “I Am Rachel Platten”…

51
596. Farewell to a Generational Talent 52:41

3d 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
Vivian Rosenthal on Frequency Breathwork (with full Breathwork Session!) 1:25:20

3d ago1:25:20

1:25:20

Vivian Rosenthal is co-founder of Frequency Breathwork and Diamond Rose Sanctuary, where she combines Kundalini, breathwork, and energy medicine to create profound shifts in consciousness.Vivian has guided over 10,000 people through therapeutic breath work sessions. In this episode, we’ll split our time between Vivian speaking about how breath work…

1
The Singular Fredness of Armisen 55:49

14d ago55:49

55:49

Fred Armisen grew up idolizing trailblazing musicians, from The Beatles to The Clash and The Talking Heads. But spending his twenties drumming in bands never seemed to land him further than moderate crowds and endless nights loading his gear into the van. In need of a change, he turned to comedy, honing the craft of creating characters we know and …

1
Doctor or Doc…umentary Filmmaker? (with Joy-Ann Reid) 55:54

14d ago55:54

55:54

When MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid was growing up she was expected to be a doctor, lawyer, or architect. Then she decided to drop out of Harvard, ditch her doctor aspirations, and re-enroll as a documentary film major. These days the biggest decision Joy makes every day is deciding what news stories to include in her show The ReidOut. Sam talks to Joy ab…

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

13d 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
Check it Out: “Kierkegaard or Californication? (with David Duchovny)” 49:22

14d ago49:22

49:22

This week I wanted to share this interview I did with my friend Samantha Bee on her show Choice Words. Read more about our discussion below, and happy listening. We’ll be back next week. When actor David Duchovny was teaching his daughter to ride a bike, he made the questionable choice of taking her to the top of a grassy hill at Pepperdine Univers…

1
Snow Raven, Live at Esalen - Shamanistic Spirit, Arctic Beatbox 47:44

16d ago47:44

47:44

Snow Raven, also known as Suor, a performer from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in Arctic Siberia, now residing in the United States, performed live at Esalen Institute this winter, during our Go Within Series. Snow Raven is renowned for her unique blend of traditional shamanic practices and modern electronic music, which she uses to connect with …

1
College or Kitchen? (with Alison Roman) 41:40

16d ago41:40

41:40

While a student, Alison Roman made a life-changing decision to leave college to start working in a restaurant kitchen and has never looked back. Sam talks to Alison about being such a decisive person, creating viral recipes, the magic of pasta water, weighing information and intuition and making the content for yourself that you wish to see in the …

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

17d 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
Tony Hawk and the Trick That Changed Everything 50:39

22d ago50:39

50:39

I may not know a lot about skateboarding, but I can recognize the type of relentless drive that fuels Tony Hawk. He’s left his mark on a sport that thrives on risk, which means he’s soared high and fallen hard. On the 25th anniversary of Tony landing the first “900” — a trick where he somehow spins 900 degrees in mid-air — we discuss the years of t…

1
Woman in Late Night or Woman on Tour? (with Taylor Tomlinson) 49:28

23d ago49:28

49:28

When Taylor Tomlinson was interviewing to be the host of After Midnight, she wasn’t even sure she wanted the job. She loved making her own schedule as a touring stand up comedian, and loved her road family. But when the network said she would still have time to be on the road, it was an easy decision to say yes. Sam asks Taylor about how the stakes…

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

24d 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
Maddy Dychtwald on Ageless Aging: A Woman’s Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan 58:40

25d ago58:40

58:40

Maddy Dychtwald is the author of the new bestselling book “Ageless Aging: A Woman’s Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan.” Maddy has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the top fifty female futurists globally. With her husband Ken Dychtwald, she is the co-founder of Age Wave, a world leader in understanding and addressin…

1
Sean Penn and the Squared-Away Individual 56:12

29d ago56:12

56:12

There are few actors left who embody the ethos of old Hollywood. Sean Penn is one of them. We got together at his place for a face-to-face exploration of Sean’s life and career. We discussed how his childhood in Malibu helped him create the iconic Jeff Spicoli, and how his first acting coach still shapes him today. We speak of his friends — Brando,…

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

1M 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
Make Comedy or Watch Comedy? (with Nick Kroll) 39:51

1M ago39:51

39:51

When comedian Nick Kroll decided to end his hit show “Kroll Show” he wasn’t totally sure what he would do next. But it was important to him to decide something was done rather than drag it out. Sam asks Nick about how he’s so good at zeroing in on what he genuinely wants, finding the funniest people in the room to make Big Mouth, and how to decide …

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

1M 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
Patric Gagne and the Art of Sociopathic Zen 1:01:51

1M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

When I first heard about Patric Gagne, a diagnosed sociopath with a buzzy new memoir, I was intrigued. If she lives without the social emotions that often hold us back — embarrassment, jealousy, and shame — does she actually have a superpower? What can she teach us about failure, and does she fear it like the rest of us do? After tearing through he…

1
Presenting Wild Card with Rachel Martin 31:12

1M ago31:12

31:12

Here’s some good news! Choice Words is coming back for season two on June 13th! Get ready for more amazing (and questionable) choices from great guests like Nick Kroll, who we’ll be kicking things off with. In the meantime, today we’re bringing you a special new podcast from our friends at NPR: Wild Card with Rachel Martin. On the show, Rachel rips…

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

1M 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
Sravana Borkataky-Varma on Tantra, Subtle Bodies, Ritual, Prana, and Esalen 41:28

1M ago41:28

41:28

Sravana Borkataky-Varma is a historian, educator, and social entrepreneur. As a historian, she studies Indian religions focusing on esoteric rituals and gender, particularly in Hindu traditions (Goddess Tantra). As an educator, she is the Instructional Assistant Professor at the University of Houston. At present, she is a Center for the Study of Wo…

1
Stephen Dubner and the Joy of Quitting 41:59

1M ago41:59

41:59

Stephen Dubner, host of Freakonomics Radio, has done more than change the way we think about economics — I consider him a spiritual guide of our time. But for all his success, he’s got a laundry list of careers he’s left behind, from rising-star musician to New York Times writer. We debate the merits of expecting the worst versus hoping for the bes…

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

1M 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

2M 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
Sarah Silverman and the Stupid, Shitty Things You’ve Done 39:21

2M ago39:21

39:21

On stage and off, Sarah Silverman is always evolving, whether that’s honing her standup routines or coming to grips with missteps in her past material. We reminisce about our mutual friend Garry Shandling, including the comedy star-studded basketball games he used to host, where I first met Sarah. I also have the pleasure of talking to Sarah about …

1
Joyful Justice, Fierce Compassion: Dr. Kamilah Majied on Black Wisdom Traditions & Buddhist Thought 55:28

2M ago55:28

55:28

Dr. Kamilah Majied is a contemplative inclusivity and equity consultant, mental health therapist, clinical educator, researcher, and internationally engaged consultant on building inclusivity and equity using meditative practices. After 15 years of teaching at Howard University, Dr. Majied joined the faculty at California State University, Monterey…

1
Choices We Made: Logic or Emotion? (with Stephen Dubner) 47:17

2M ago47:17

47:17

As the author and podcast host of “Freakonomics,” Stephen Dubner spends a lot of time thinking about and studying what goes into good decision-making. In one of our favorite episodes from the vault, he gives Sam tips on balancing logic with emotion, offers ways to use your imagination to help you make a choice, and defends the coin-flip method. Fol…

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

2M 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
Brad Gilbert and the Problem with Perfection 43:46

2M ago43:46

43:46

Like all of us, athletes fail often. Renowned tennis coach Brad Gilbert knows that well, and has spent decades analyzing weaknesses as a way to develop strengths. As a player, he rose to the rank of #4 in the world, then began coaching stars like Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, and, most recently, Coco Gauff. He even trained Zendaya for the movie Challe…

1
Choices We Made: Honest Conversations or Family Secrets? (with Laura Dern and Diane Ladd) 41:31

2M ago41:31

41:31

When Laura Dern found out that her mother, Diane Ladd, had scarring on her lungs, the doctor told her to be gentle with her mom because she’d be dead in 6 months. Laura chose to challenge that diagnosis by taking her mother on regular walks to expand her lung capacity. Not only did it work, but it turned into a new book co-written by the two award-…

1
Extra: Car Colors & Storage Units 35:15

2M 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 …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Stephen Dubner Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide