Freakonomics Radio

Was Adam Smith Really a Right-Winger? (Update)

Economists and politicians have turned him into a mascot for free-market ideology. Some on the left say the right has badly misread him. In this updated replay of a 2022 …

May 06, 2026 · 1h 8m

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673. What Is Money?

That’s what the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang wanted to learn. So he turned Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations into an oratorio. We tag along as Lang’s piece heads …

May 01, 2026 · 54m

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672. What Makes Judy Faulkner Run?

Epic Systems manages the electronic health records for hundreds of millions of people. This makes Faulkner a healthcare heavyweight and one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in history. So …

Apr 24, 2026 · 1h 0m

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Why Does Everyone Hate Rats? (Update)

New York City’s mayor called them “public enemy number one.” History books say they caused the Black Death — although recent scientific evidence disputes that claim. In an updated episode …

Apr 22, 2026 · 40m

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671. Why Has There Been So Little Progress on Alzheimer’s Disease?

One possibility: a leading hypothesis pursued by researchers (and funders) was built on science that now appears to be fraudulent. Stephen Dubner speaks with the scientist and the journalist who …

Apr 17, 2026 · 1h 1m

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670. Beeconomics 101

How do beekeepers make a living? Why is there so much honey fraud? And why did billions of bees suddenly disappear? To find out, guest host Steve Levitt activates his …

Apr 10, 2026 · 55m

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Ten Myths About the U.S. Tax System (Update)

Nearly everything that politicians say about taxes is at least half a lie. They are also dishonest when it comes to the national debt. In this update of an episode …

Apr 08, 2026 · 1h 4m

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669. Why Is 95 Percent of the World’s Bourbon Made in Kentucky?

Is it tradition … or protectionism? And what happens when the bourbon boom turns into a glut? SOURCES: Andrew Muhammad , agricultural economist at the University of Tennessee. Brad Patrick …

Apr 03, 2026 · 46m

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668. Do Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny Have Blood on Their Hands?

As one researcher told us: “We’ve engineered a world where the most distracting device ever made is also the one we use to listen to music in the car." A …

Mar 27, 2026 · 53m

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In a Driverless World, Who Loses and Who Wins?

In blue cities across the country, unions and politicians want to ban self-driving cars. In this episode from the Search Engine podcast, PJ Vogt visits Boston to sort the facts …

Mar 25, 2026 · 1h 5m

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Are Human Drivers Finally Obsolete?

How a secret project at Google led to driverless cars on American roads. Freakonomics Radio shares a story from our friends at Search Engine. (Part one of a two-part series …

Mar 20, 2026 · 1h 11m

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667. Here’s Why You Are Constantly Fighting Off Scammers

A ruthless (and ruthlessly efficient) industry is using digital tools to supercharge one of the world’s oldest behaviors. We look at how the industry works, and ask the scam-fighters what …

Mar 13, 2026 · 47m

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666. This Is How Progress Happens

Economists don’t usually talk about “culture.” But Joel Mokyr argues that it’s the engine of innovation — and the Nobel Prize committee agreed. Stephen Dubner sits down for a thousand-year …

Mar 06, 2026 · 53m

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The Most Powerful People You’ve Never Heard Of (Update)

Just beneath the surface of the global economy, there is a hidden layer of dealmakers for whom war, chaos, and sanctions can be a great business opportunity. In this updated …

Mar 04, 2026 · 1h 6m

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665. Werner Herzog Isn’t Afraid ...

... of bad reviews, meager financing, or artificial intelligence. But he is worried that the world is full of sloppy thinkers who mistake facts for the truth. SOURCES: Werner Herzog …

Feb 27, 2026 · 49m

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664. Are Thousands of Medical Cures Hiding in Plain Sight?

Existing drugs can sometimes be repurposed to treat rare diseases. But making that match can be hard — and the financial incentives are weak. Guest host Steve Levitt tries to …

Feb 20, 2026 · 51m

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All You Need Is Nudge (Update)

When Richard Thaler first published Nudge , the world was just starting to believe in his brand of behavioral economics. In this 2021 episode, we ask: How has nudge theory …

Feb 18, 2026 · 57m

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663. Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug?

The science says no, at least not in the athletic sense. But the psychic benefits can be large — just ask former N.F.L. star Ricky Williams. He says athletes should …

Feb 13, 2026 · 50m

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662. If You’re Not Cheating, You’re Not Trying

In sports, the rules are meant to be sacrosanct. But when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs, the slope is super-slippery. (Part one of a two-part series .) SOURCES: April Henning …

Feb 06, 2026 · 52m

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Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)

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 …

Feb 04, 2026 · 58m

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661. Can A.I. Save Your Life?

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 …

Jan 30, 2026 · 1h 0m

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660. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly Wrong

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 …

Jan 23, 2026 · 1h 5m

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Steve Levitt Quits His Podcast, Joins Ours

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 …

Jan 21, 2026 · 45m

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659. Can Marty Makary Fix the F.D.A.?

It regulates 20 percent of the U.S. economy, and its commissioner has an aggressive agenda — faster drug approvals, healthier food, cures for diabetes and cancer. How much can he …

Jan 16, 2026 · 55m

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658. This Is Your Brain on Supplements

We all want to stay sharp, and forestall the cognitive effects of aging. But do brain supplements actually work? Are they safe? And why doesn’t the F.D.A. even know what’s …

Jan 09, 2026 · 53m

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Are Personal Finance Gurus Giving You Bad Advice? (Update)

One Yale economist certainly thinks so. But even if he’s right, are economists any better? We find out, in this update of a 2022 episode. SOURCES: James Choi , professor …

Jan 02, 2026 · 1h 0m

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Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)

Behavioral scientists have been exploring whether a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. In this update of a 2021 episode, we survey evidence from the London Underground, Major League …

Dec 30, 2025 · 42m

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Are the Rich Really Less Generous Than the Poor? (Update)

A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It’s an easy narrative to embrace — but is it true? As part of …

Dec 26, 2025 · 43m

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657. Whose “Messiah” Is It Anyway?

All sorts of people have put their mark on Messiah , and it has been a hit for nearly 300 years. How can a single piece of music thrive in …

Dec 19, 2025 · 48m

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