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Stephen J. Dubner

Co-author of Freakonomics and host of Freakonomics Radio, exploring the hidden side of everything.

Top 10 podcasts with Stephen J. Dubner

Ranked by the Snipd community
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208 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 28min

20 Years of Freakonomics: How It Changed Business

Stephen Dubner, journalist and co-author of Freakonomics, delves into the book's monumental impact on economics and culture. He shares insights on how complex economic ideas reached the masses and discusses the varied reactions from the academic community. Exploring the balance between storytelling and ethics, Dubner highlights the importance of evidence-based narrative in media. He also reflects on the book's legacy, revealing inspiring listener stories and the challenges of a post-factual world, emphasizing the enduring need for fact-driven journalism.
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165 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 1h 14min

A Question-Asker Becomes a Question-Answerer

Stephen J. Dubner, an award-winning journalist and co-creator of Freakonomics Radio, reflects on his journey from a farm upbringing as the youngest of eight to a celebrated author. He shares the thrill of writing his first poem at age eleven and discusses the impact of his dual heritage on his quest for identity. Dubner also teases a new TV talk show centered on understanding people, emphasizing the power of curiosity and storytelling grounded in data. With insights on choosing creativity over fame, he inspires listeners to 'swing their swing' and pursue their passions.
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78 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 1h 43min

Twenty Years of Freakonomics (with Stephen Dubner)

Stephen Dubner, a journalist and co-author of the groundbreaking book Freakonomics, opens up about its 20th anniversary. He shares how a magazine profile led to their bestseller, blending narrative journalism with data-driven research. The conversation dives into private equity’s complex role in the economy and its impact on employees. Dubner also explores the nuances of incentives, using the intriguing bagel honor-box experiment to highlight social norms. The discussion challenges conventional economic thought, offering fresh perspectives on competition and behavior.
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20 snips
Apr 20, 2023 • 56min

Capitalism, Private Equity, and the Seven Deadly Sins — with Stephen Dubner

Stephen Dubner, the brilliant mind behind the Freakonomics Radio podcast, dives into capitalism's core with Scott. They tackle the stark realities of CEO compensation and its role in growing inequality. The conversation shifts to private equity's surprising influence on the pet care industry and the struggle of new veterinarians. Dubner also reevaluates Adam Smith's moral philosophy, emphasizing the need for progressive taxation to revive the middle class. Their discussion blends economic theory with personal anecdotes, making complex ideas accessible.
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10 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 25min

Stephen J. Dubner

Stephen J. Dubner, an award-winning journalist and co-creator of Freakonomics, dives into fascinating discussions on curiosity and its decline with age. He shares insights from his journey in media, including a new talk show focused on human stories. Reflecting on two decades of Freakonomics, Dubner emphasizes the blend of economics and human behavior. He also examines the interplay between authenticity and fame, offering a candid look at the pressures of media recognition while exploring the hidden dynamics of the publishing world.
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10 snips
Dec 16, 2024 • 56min

Stephen Dubner on 20 years of Freakonomics

In this engaging conversation, Stephen Dubner, a journalist and co-creator of Freakonomics, dives into the peculiarities of human decision-making. He reflects on why predicting the future is so challenging and questions the real purpose of college. Dubner shares insights from their vast exploration of behavioral economics and discusses the complexities surrounding the legal marijuana industry. With sharp wit, he critiques traditional economic theories and emphasizes the blend of data and storytelling that defines Freakonomics.
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10 snips
May 20, 2019 • 29min

Bonus: Fadbusting with Freakonomics

Join Stephen Dubner, co-host of Freakonomics and an expert in uncovering economic truths, as he dives into the realities behind popular workplace fads. He critiques the inefficacy of open offices, advocating for a balanced hybrid model. Dubner questions the validity of outdated practices like personality assessments and learning styles, urging listeners to rethink management strategies. His insights challenge conventional beliefs and inspire a fresh approach to workplace effectiveness, sparking discussions about creativity and collaboration.
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Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 50min

Stephen Dubner Returns Again

Stephen Dubner, award-winning journalist and author of Freakonomics, explores intriguing topics that blend social psychology and technology. He delves into the evolutionary role of disgust and its potential for social danger. The ethics of berating AI sparks debate, revealing the duality of human emotions. Reflecting on two decades of Freakonomics, Dubner discusses his commitment to transparency in journalism, while emphasizing empathy over contempt in divisive times. With insights on AI's future role in writing, he contemplates how automation might reshape human purpose.
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Nov 8, 2016 • 1h 2min

#199: Stephen Dubner -- The Art of Storytelling and Facing Malcolm Gladwell in a Fist Fight

Stephen J. Dubner (@Freakonomics) returns to the show. He is an award-winning author, journalist, and radio and TV personality. He is best-known for writing, along with the economist Steven D. Levitt, Freakonomics (2005), SuperFreakonomics†(2009), and Think Like a Freak (2014), which have sold more than five million copies in 35 languages. He is the creator of the top-ranked Freakonomics Radio podcast. His brand-new podcast, produced in collaboration with The New York Times, is Tell Me Something I Don't Know It is equal parts game show, talk show, and brain-tease. I had a chance to experiment with this format as a "panelist" alongside Malcolm Gladwell. It's a blast. In this episode, we cover such diverse topics as: Why cats wiggle their butts before they pounce How to grow a podcast If he thinks he could take Malcolm Gladwell in a fist fight Economics and the President's actual influence over the economy How virtual reality might affect education And much, much more Please enjoy this round two with Stephen J. Dubner! Show notes and links for this episode can be found at www.fourhourworkweek.com/podcast. This podcast is brought to you by Wealthfront. Wealthfront is a massively disruptive (in a good way) set-it-and-forget-it investing service led by technologists from places like Apple. It has exploded in popularity in the last two years and now has more than $2.5B under management. Why? Because you can get services previously limited to the ultra-wealthy and only pay pennies on the dollar for them, and it's all through smarter software instead of retail locations and bloated sales teams. Check out wealthfront.com/tim, take their risk assessment quiz, which only takes 2-5 minutes, and they'll show you for free the exact portfolio they'd put you in. If you want to just take their advice and do it yourself, you can. Well worth a few minutes to explore: wealthfront.com/tim. This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the world's largest marketplace of graphic designers. I have used them for years to create some amazing designs. When your business needs a logo, website design, business card, or anything you can imagine, check out 99Designs. I used them to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body, and I've also had them help with display advertising and illustrations. If you want a more personalized approach, I recommend their 1-on-1 service. You get original designs from designers around the world. The best part? You provide your feedback, and then you end up with a product that you're happy with or your money back. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run. ***If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Visit tim.blog/sponsor and fill out the form.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Mar 5, 2020 • 2h 50min

#1437 - Stephen Dubner

In this engaging conversation, Stephen Dubner, the award-winning co-author of the Freakonomics series, dives into the intriguing effects of noise pollution on our lives and how different sounds impact our emotions. He also explores the introspective moments flying can evoke, alongside the role of substances in enhancing creativity and the joys of solitude. The discussion touches on the moral complexities of environmental actions, offering insights into health debates around diet and the resilience of urban wildlife. It's a thought-provoking blend of humor, science, and personal stories.

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