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Freakonomics Radio

by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio is a podcast that explores the hidden side of everything. Hosted by economist Stephen Dubner, the show uses the tools of economics to delve into the intriguing and often unexpected ways that people respond to various incentives. From analyzing the criminal justice system and healthcare policies to unraveling the mysteries of human behavior and decision-making, Freakonomics Radio delivers thought-provoking insights that challenge conventional wisdom and shed light on the complexities of the world around us. With a mix of expert interviews, storytelling, and Dubner's signature wit and humor, this award-winning podcast offers a fresh and engaging perspective on a wide range of topics that impact our lives in profound ways. To listen to Freakonomics Radio is to join a community of curious thinkers who are eager to learn and explore the hidden forces that shape our world.

Copyright: 2024 Dubner Productions and Stitcher

Episodes

580. The True Story of America’s Supremely Messed-Up Immigration System

55m · Published 14 Mar 03:00

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 Pennsylvania.
    • Roger Nam, professor of Hebrew Bible at Emory University.
  • RESOURCES:
    • The Truth About Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers, by Zeke Hernandez (2024, available for pre-order).
    • "The Refugee Advantage: English-Language Attainment in the Early Twentieth Century," by Ran Abramitzky, Leah Platt Boustan, Peter Catron, Dylan Connor, and Rob Voigt (NBER Working Paper, 2023).
    • Streets of Gold: America's Untold Story of Immigrant Success, by Leah Boustan and Ran Abramitzky (2022).
    • "If Liberals Won't Enforce Borders, Fascists Will," by David Frum (The Atlantic, 2019).
  • EXTRAS:
    • "Is Migration a Basic Human Right?" by Freakonomics Radio (2015).
    • "Who Are the Most Successful Immigrants in the World?" by Freakonomics Radio (2013).

579. Are You Caught in a Social Media Trap?

42m · Published 07 Mar 04:00

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 Markets Become Collective Traps: The Case of Social Media," by Leonardo Bursztyn, Benjamin Handel, Rafael Jimenez, and Christopher Roth (NBER Working Paper, 2023).
    • "Social Media and Xenophobia: Evidence from Russia," by Leonardo Bursztyn, Georgy Egorov, Ruben Enikolopov, and Maria Petrova (NBER Working Paper, 2019).
    • "Status Goods: Experimental Evidence from Platinum Credit Cards," by Leonardo Bursztyn, Bruno Ferman, Stefano Fiorin, Martin Kanz, and Gautam Rao (NBER Working Paper, 2017).
    • "'Acting Wife': Marriage Market Incentives and Labor Market Investments," by Leonardo Bursztyn, Thomas Fujiwara, and Amanda Pallais (American Economic Review, 2017).
    • "Measuring Crack Cocaine and Its Impact," by Roland G. Fryer Jr., Paul S. Heaton, Steven D. Levitt, and Kevin M. Murphy (Economic Inquiry, 2013).
  • EXTRAS:
    • "Is Facebook Bad for Your Mental Health?" by Freakonomics, M.D. (2022).
    • "Why Is U.S. Media So Negative?" by Freakonomics Radio (2021).

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

1h 5m · Published 04 Mar 05:05

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.

  • SOURCES:
    • Jodi Balsam, professor of clinical law at Brooklyn Law School.
    • Brandel Chamblee, Golf Channel analyst.
    • Karen Crouse, sports journalist.
    • Bomani Jones, sports journalist.
    • Victor Matheson, professor of economics at the College of the Holy Cross.
    • Alan Shipnuck, sports journalist.
  • RESOURCES:
    • "The New N.F.L. Owners?" by Lauren Hirsch, Kevin Draper, Michael J. de la Merced and Sarah Kessler (The New York Times, 2024).
    • "PGA Tour Raises $1.5 Billion From Group of U.S. Investors," by Lauren Hirsch (The New York Times, 2024).
    • "PGA Tour, LIV Golf Agree to Merge," by Andrew Beaton and Louise Radnofsky (The Wall Street Journal, 2023).
    • Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar, by Alan Shipnuck (2022).
    • "Dustin Johnson Paid £100m to Perform Late U-Turn and Join Saudi-Backed Rebel Series," by By James Corrigan and Tom Morgan (The Telegraph, 2022).
    • "Russia Was the Hottest Place in Sports. Now It’s Frozen Out," by Joshua Robinson, Ben Cohen, and Louise Radnofsky (The Wall Street Journal, 2022).
    • "Could This Be the Year ‘Sportwashing’ Backfires?" by Andrés Martinez (The Los Angeles Times, 2022).
    • "The Truth About Phil and Saudi Arabia," by Alan Shipnuck (The Fire Pit Collective, 2022).
    • The New Yale Book of Quotations, by Fred Shapiro (2021).
    • "The Surprising Reason That There Are So Many Thai Restaurants in America," by Myles Karp (Vice, 2018).
  • EXTRAS:
    • "Greg Norman Takes On the P.G.A. Tour," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023).

578. Water, Water Everywhere — But You Have to Stop and Think

52m · Published 29 Feb 04:00

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 and immunology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine.
    • Amy Kirby, program lead for the National Wastewater Surveillance System at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    • Natalie Koch, professor of geography at Syracuse University.
  • RESOURCES:
    • Arid Empire: The Entangled Fates of Arizona and Arabia, by Natalie Koch (2023).
    • "How a Saudi Firm Tapped a Gusher of Water in Drought-Stricken Arizona," by Isaac Stanley-Becker, Joshua Partlow, and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez (The Washington Post, 2023).
    • "Arizona Is in a Race to the Bottom of Its Water Wells, With Saudi Arabia’s Help," by Natalie Koch (The New York Times, 2022).
    • "Tracing the Origin of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-Like Spike Sequences Detected in Wastewater," by Martin Shafer, Devon Gregory, Marc Johnson, et al. (medRxiv, 2022).
    • "Water and Waste: A History of Reluctant Policymaking in U.S. Cities," by Brian Beach (Working Paper, 2022).
    • Water, Race, and Disease, by Werner Troesken (2004).
    • COVID Data Tracker: Wastewater Surveillance, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • EXTRAS:
    • "What Is Sportswashing (and Does It Work)?" by Freakonomics Radio (2022).
    • "Covid-19," series by Freakonomics Radio (2020-2021).

Is Google Getting Worse? (Update)

56m · Published 22 Feb 04:00

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 at Duke University.
    • Tim Hwang, media researcher and author; former Google employee.
    • Elizabeth Reid, vice president of Search at Google.
    • Aravind Srinivas, C.E.O. and co-founder of Perplexity.
    • Jeremy Stoppelman, C.E.O. and co-founder of Yelp.
  • RESOURCES:
    • “A Fraudster Who Just Can’t Seem to Stop … Selling Eyeglasses,” by David Segal (The New York Times, 2022).
    • Subprime Attention Crisis: Advertising and the Time Bomb at the Heart of the Internet, by Tim Hwang (2020).
    • “Complaint: U.S. and Plaintiff States v. Google LLC,” by the U.S. Department of Justice (2020).
    • “Fake Online Locksmiths May Be Out to Pick Your Pocket, Too,” by David Segal (The New York Times, 2016).
    • “‘A’ Business by Any Other Name: Firm Name Choice as a Signal of Firm Quality,” by Ryan C. McDevitt (Journal of Political Economy, 2014).
    • In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives, by Steven Levy (2011).
    • “The Anatomy of a Large-Scale Hypertextual Web Search Engine,” by Sergey Brin and Lawrence Page (Computer Networks and ISDN Systems, 1998).
  • EXTRAS:
    • “Is Dialysis a Test Case of Medicare for All?” by Freakonomics Radio (2021).
    • “How Big is My Penis? (And Other Things We Ask Google),” by Freakonomics Radio (2017).

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

47m · Published 19 Feb 05:05

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 Feynman Series, by Freakonomics Radio (2024).
    • "The Future of Therapy Is Psychedelic," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023).

The Vanishing Mr. Feynman

1h 1m · Published 15 Feb 04:00

In his final years, Richard Feynman's curiosity took him to some surprising places. We hear from his companions on the trips he took — and one he wasn’t able to. (Part three of a three-part series.)

  • SOURCES:
    • Alan Alda, actor and screenwriter.
    • Barbara Berg, friend of Richard Feynman.
    • Helen Czerski, physicist and oceanographer at University College London.
    • Michelle Feynman, photographer and daughter of Richard Feynman.
    • Cheryl Haley, friend of Richard Feynman.
    • Debby Harlow, friend of Richard Feynman.
    • Ralph Leighton, biographer and film producer.
    • Charles Mann, science journalist and author.
    • John Preskill, professor of theoretical physics at the California Institute of Technology.
    • Lisa Randall, professor of theoretical particle physics and cosmology at Harvard University.
    • Christopher Sykes, documentary filmmaker.
    • Stephen Wolfram, founder and C.E.O. of Wolfram Research; creator of Mathematica, Wolfram|Alpha, and the Wolfram Language.
  • RESOURCES:
    • Quantum Man: Richard Feynman's Life in Science, by Lawrence M. Krauss (2011).
    • Perfectly Reasonable Deviations From the Beaten Track: Selected Letters of Richard P. Feynman, edited by Michelle Feynman (2005).
    • The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, by Richard Feynman (1999).
    • The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan (1995).
    • Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman, by James Gleick (1992).
    • The Quest for Tannu Tuva, by Christopher Sykes (1988)
    • “What Do You Care What Other People Think?” by Richard Feynman and Ralph Leighton (1988).
    • The Second Creation: Makers of the Revolution in Twentieth-century Physics, by Robert Crease and Charles Mann (1986).
    • Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!, by Richard Feynman and Ralph Leighton (1985).
    • Fun to Imagine, BBC docuseries (1983).
  • EXTRAS:
    • “The Brilliant Mr. Feynman,” by Freakonomics Radio (2024).
    • “The Curious Mr. Feynman,” by Freakonomics Radio (2024).

The Brilliant Mr. Feynman

52m · Published 08 Feb 04:00

What happens when an existentially depressed and recently widowed young physicist from Queens gets a fresh start in California? We follow Richard Feynman out west, to explore his long and extremely fruitful second act. (Part two of a three-part series.)

  • SOURCES:
    • Seamus Blackley, video game designer and creator of the Xbox.
    • Carl Feynman, computer scientist and son of Richard Feynman.
    • Michelle Feynman, photographer and daughter of Richard Feynman.
    • Ralph Leighton, biographer and film producer.
    • Charles Mann, science journalist and author.
    • John Preskill, professor of theoretical physics at the California Institute of Technology.
    • Lisa Randall, professor of theoretical particle physics and cosmology at Harvard University.
    • Christopher Sykes, documentary filmmaker.
    • Stephen Wolfram, founder and C.E.O. of Wolfram Research; creator of Mathematica, Wolfram|Alpha, and the Wolfram Language.
    • Alan Zorthian, architect.
  • RESOURCES:
    • "Love After Life: Nobel-Winning Physicist Richard Feynman’s Extraordinary Letter to His Departed Wife," by Maria Popova (The Marginalian, 2017).
    • Quantum Man: Richard Feynman's Life in Science, by Lawrence M. Krauss (2011).
    • The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, by Richard Feynman (1999).
    • Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman, by James Gleick (1992).
    • "G. Feynman; Landscape Expert, Physicist’s Widow," (Los Angeles Times, 1990).
    • "Nobel Physicist R. P. Feynman of Caltech Dies," by Lee Dye (Los Angeles Times, 1988).
    • “What Do You Care What Other People Think?” by Richard Feynman and Ralph Leighton (1988).
    • The Second Creation: Makers of the Revolution in Twentieth-century Physics, by Robert Crease and Charles Mann (1986).
    • Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!, by Richard Feynman and Ralph Leighton (1985).
    • Fun to Imagine, BBC docuseries (1983).
    • "Richard P. Feynman: Nobel Prize Winner," by Tim Hendrickson, Stuart Galley, and Fred Lamb (Engineering and Science, 1965).
    • F.B.I. files on Richard Feynman.
  • EXTRAS:
    • "The Curious Mr. Feynman," by Freakonomics Radio (2024).

How the San Francisco 49ers Stopped Being Losers (Update)

1h 3m · Published 05 Feb 05:05

They’re heading to the Super Bowl for the second time in five years. But back in 2018, they were coming off a long losing streak — and that’s the year we sat down with 49ers players, coaches, and executives to hear their turnaround plans. It’s probably time to consider the turnaround a success.

  • SOURCES:
    • Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders; former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.
    • Al Guido, president of the San Francisco 49ers.
    • Kyle Juszczyk, fullback for the San Francisco 49ers.
    • Bob Lange, senior vice president of communications for the Philadelphia Eagles; former vice-president of communications for the San Francisco 49ers.
    • John Lynch, general manager of the San Francisco 49ers.
    • Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises and executive vice-president of football operations for the San Francisco 49ers.
    • Victor Matheson, economist at College of the Holy Cross.
    • Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
    • Malcolm Smith, former linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers.
    • Joe Staley, former offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers.
    • Solomon Thomas, defensive tackle for the New York Jets; former defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers.
    • Jed York, C.E.O. of the San Francisco 49ers.
  • RESOURCES:
    • "49ers Overreactions: Have Shanahan, Lynch Built Team That Can Last?" by Matt Maiocco (NBC Sports, 2023).
    • “Jimmy Garoppolo Leads a 49ers Resurgence,” Victor Mather, The New York Times (December 29, 2017).
    • “Why American Sports Are Organized As Cartels,” Tim Worstall, Forbes (January 14, 2013).
    • NFL History - Super Bowl Winners (ESPN).
  • EXTRAS:
    • "When Is a Superstar Just Another Employee?" by Freakonomics Radio (2023).
    • "How Does Playing Football Affect Your Health?" by Freakonomics, M.D. (2023).
    • "Why Does the Most Monotonous Job in the World Pay $1 Million?" by Freakonomics Radio (2022).
    • "The Hidden Side of Sports," series by Freakonomics Radio (2018-2019).
    • "An Egghead’s Guide to the Super Bowl," by Freakonomics Radio (2017).

The Curious Mr. Feynman

1h 2m · Published 01 Feb 04:00

From the Manhattan Project to the Challenger investigation, the physicist Richard Feynman loved to shoot down what he called “lousy ideas.” Today, the world is awash in lousy ideas —so maybe it’s time to get some more Feynman in our lives? (Part one of a three-part series.)

  • SOURCES:
    • Helen Czerski, physicist and oceanographer at University College London.
    • Michelle Feynman, photographer and daughter of Richard Feynman.
    • Ralph Leighton, biographer and film producer.
    • Charles Mann, science journalist and author.
    • John Preskill, professor of theoretical physics at the California Institute of Technology.
    • Stephen Wolfram, founder and C.E.O. of Wolfram Research; creator of Mathematica, Wolfram|Alpha, and the Wolfram Language.
  • RESOURCES:
    • "How Legendary Physicist Richard Feynman Helped Crack the Case on the Challenger Disaster," by Kevin Cook (Literary Hub, 2021).
    • Challenger: The Final Flight, docuseries (2020).
    • Truth, Lies, and O-Rings: Inside the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster, by Allan J. McDonald and James R. Hansen (2009).
    • Perfectly Reasonable Deviations From the Beaten Track: Selected Letters of Richard P. Feynman, edited by Michelle Feynman (2005).
    • The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, by Richard Feynman (1999).
    • Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman, by James Gleick (1992).
    • “What Do You Care What Other People Think?” by Richard Feynman and Ralph Leighton (1988).
    • "Mr. Feynman Goes to Washington," by Richard Feynman and Ralph Leighton (Engineering & Science, 1987).
    • The Second Creation: Makers of the Revolution in Twentieth-century Physics, by Robert Crease and Charles Mann (1986).
    • Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!, by Richard Feynman and Ralph Leighton (1985).
    • "The Pleasure of Finding Things Out," (Horizon S18.E9, 1981).
    • "Los Alamos From Below," by Richard Feynman (UC Santa Barbara lecture, 1975).
    • "The World from Another Point of View," (PBS Nova, 1973).
  • EXTRAS:
    • "Exploring Physics, from Eggshells to Oceans," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023).

Freakonomics Radio has 746 episodes in total of non- explicit content. Total playtime is 499:55:47. The language of the podcast is English. This podcast has been added on June 16th 2022. It might contain more episodes than the ones shown here. It was last updated on March 17th, 2024 10:12.

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