The Economics of Everyday Things
Freakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett
Who decides which snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a suburban elm tree worth, and to whom? How did Girl Scout Cookies become a billion-dollar business? In bite-sized episodes, journalist Zachary Crockett looks at quotidian things and finds amazing stories.
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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
Aug 28, 2023 • 20min
15. Home Staging
Learn about the origins and importance of home staging in the real estate market. Discover the process of home staging, including color palettes and optical illusions. Understand the impact of personalization and the exceptions for famous individuals. Explore successful home staging stories and the use of props. Compare home staging to dressing up for a date and making the house attractive to buyers.
Aug 21, 2023 • 13min
Girl Scout Cookies (Ep. 2 Replay)
Explore the sales strategies and revenue generation of Girl Scout Cookies. Learn about Katie Francis, the record holder for cookie sales and the dedication involved. Discover the intense competition among parents and the evolution of cookie sales. Delve into the challenges, controversy, and financial risks faced by the Girl Scouts. Discover the benefits of selling cookies, gaining confidence, and developing entrepreneurial skills.
Aug 14, 2023 • 12min
14. “Happy Birthday to You”
The most popular song of the 20th century — and a key part of a ubiquitous American ritual — was also the subject of a years-long legal battle. Zachary Crockett blows out the candles.
Aug 7, 2023 • 17min
13. Carnival Games
Does anyone ever win the giant teddy bear? Zachary Crockett steps right up.
Jul 31, 2023 • 16min
12. Women’s Sports Bars
Most sports bars rarely screen women's games. Zachary Crockett taps into the strategy of one woman who changed the channel.
Jul 24, 2023 • 15min
11. Cashmere
Once a luxury good, the soft fiber is now everywhere — which has led to a goat boom in Mongolia. Zachary Crockett tugs at the thread.
Jul 17, 2023 • 17min
10. Michelin Stars
Only the finest restaurants have a chance to bask in their glow. Sometimes, it’s a bit too bright. Zachary Crockett squints at the menu.
6 snips
Jul 10, 2023 • 16min
9. Bowling Alleys
Once America’s favorite recreational activity, bowling has been in the gutter for decades. But some surviving alleys are resetting the pins. Zachary Crockett laces up.
Jul 3, 2023 • 13min
8. Delaware License Plates
Vanity plates might be 2KUL4U, but in the Blue Hen State, low-digit plates command high-digit prices. Zachary Crockett sums up a big market in a small state.
Jun 26, 2023 • 12min
7. Animal Urine
One creature’s trash is another’s cash. Zachary Crockett flushes out the numbers with a man who found profit in pee.
