Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior.
To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 2, 2016 • 28min
245. Being Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell, a best-selling author known for his thought-provoking works, shares candidly about the challenges of writing. He discusses the 10,000 hour rule, emphasizing that mastery combines talent, dedicated practice, and support. Gladwell reflects on his experiences as a staff writer for The New Yorker and the nuances of achieving success. He also reveals why he’ll never take up golf and explores the balance between pursuing hobbies and personal growth, illustrating his insights with engaging anecdotes.
Apr 28, 2016 • 48min
244. How to Become Great at Just About Anything
Research psychologist Anders Ericsson discusses the overrated concept of talent and the importance of deliberate practice for excellence. The podcast explores the 10,000-hour rule, the debunking of talent myths, and the journey of a psychologist improving her singing abilities through rigorous practice.
46 snips
Apr 21, 2016 • 39min
243. How to Be More Productive
It's Self-Improvement Month at Freakonomics Radio. We begin with a topic that seems to be on everyone's mind: how to get more done in less time. First, however, a warning: there's a big difference between being busy and being productive.
Apr 14, 2016 • 37min
242. Is the World Ready for a Guaranteed Basic Income?
Exploring the impact of technology on job markets and proposing a guaranteed basic income as a solution. Discussing experiments in Canada and the U.S., viability of a basic income system, Y Combinator's research project, and the transition from workers to companions in a technologically advanced world.
Apr 7, 2016 • 50min
241. Are Payday Loans Really as Evil as People Say?
Critics -- including President Obama -- say short-term, high-interest loans are predatory, trapping borrowers in a cycle of debt. But some economists see them as a useful financial instrument for people who need them. As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau promotes new regulation, we ask: who's right?
Mar 31, 2016 • 43min
The Economics of Sleep, Part 2 (Rebroadcast)
People who sleep better earn more money. Now all we have to do is teach everyone to sleep better.
Mar 24, 2016 • 46min
The Economics of Sleep, Part 1 (Rebroadcast)
Could a lack of sleep help explain why some people get much sicker than others?
Mar 17, 2016 • 34min
240. Yes, the American Economy Is in a Funk -- But Not for the Reasons You Think
As sexy as the digital revolution may be, it can't compare to the Second Industrial Revolution (electricity! the gas engine! antibiotics!), which created the biggest standard-of-living boost in U.S. history. The only problem, argues the economist Robert Gordon, is that the Second Industrial Revolution was a one-time event. So what happens next?
Mar 11, 2016 • 43min
239. The No-Tipping Point
The restaurant business model is warped: kitchen wages are too low to hire cooks, while diners are put in charge of paying the waitstaff. So what happens if you eliminate tipping, raise menu prices, and redistribute the wealth? New York restaurant maverick Danny Meyer is about to find out.
Mar 3, 2016 • 39min
238. The United States of Cory Booker
The junior U.S. Senator from New Jersey thinks bipartisanship is right around the corner. Is he just an idealistic newbie or does he see a way forward that everyone else has missed?
