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by 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.
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- 4 days ago59 min
677. Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves?
It brings strangers together. It teaches probability, strategy, and emotional control. It has even helped N.F.L. teams win the Super Bowl. Stephen Dubner explores why this ancient game is having a renaissance. (Part two of a series, “We Are All Gamers Now.”) SOURCES: Remington Davenport, founder of NYC Backgammon Club. Frank Frigo, game strategy expert & two-time world backgammon champion. Masayuki "Mochy" Mochizuki, professional backgammon player. Marc Olsen, C.E.O. of Backgammon Galaxy. Robert Wachtel, author and professional backgammon player. RESOURCES: The Backgammon Chronicles: A Pro's Adventures on Tour Volume 1, by Robert Wachtel (2019). In the Game Until the End, by Robert Wachtel (1993) "Tric Trac, Clic Clac," (The New Yorker, 1930). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 6 days ago47 min
This Is Your Brain on Pollution (Update)
As the Trump administration rolls back environmental regulations, we revisit a 2022 episode that explored the hidden cost of an invisible threat: air pollution. SOURCES: Angela Duckworth, psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania. Michael Greenstone, economist at the University of Chicago, director of the Energy Policy Institute, co-director of the Climate Impact Lab. Stephan Heblich, economist at the University of Toronto. Andrea La Nauze, economist at Deakin University. Steve Levitt, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Chicago. Edson Severnini, economist at Boston College. RESOURCES: "Most Polluted Cities," (American Lung Association, 2026). "Air Pollution and Adult Cognition: Evidence from Brain Training," by Andrea La Nauze and Edson Severnini (Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, 2025). "Air Pollution and Student Performance in the U.S.," by Michael Gilraine and Angela Zheng (NBER Working Papers, 2022). "Billions of people still breathe unhealthy air: new WHO data," (World Health Organization, 2022). "Evolution of the Clean Air Act," by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (2020). "The Death of U.K. Coal in Five Charts," by Hannah Ritchie (Our World in Data, 2019). "The Colour of Pollution," (The Economist, 2014). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 1 weeks agointerview1h 5m6-min read
676. Has America Lost the Plot?
Fareed Zakaria reflects on the miscalculations of U.S. foreign policy, particularly the war with Iran, which he views as a strategic blunder that has weakened American standing globally while benefiting adversaries like China and Russia. He argues that the U.S. continues to misunderstand nationalism and overestimates its ability to reshape weaker nations, repeating past mistakes in the Middle East.
- 2 weeks agonarrative1h 0m7-min read
The Vanishing Mr. Feynman (Update)
This final episode of a three-part series on physicist Richard Feynman explores his late-life curiosity, emotional depth, and enduring legacy, revealing how his relentless questioning, respect for doubt, and human connections defined his approach to science and life.
- 2 weeks agonarrative52 min5-min read
The Brilliant Mr. Feynman (Update)
This episode explores the life and legacy of physicist Richard Feynman, focusing on his postwar emotional turmoil, his transformative years at Caltech, and his complex persona as a brilliant scientist, charismatic teacher, and controversial figure with deep contradictions.
- 3 weeks agonarrative1h 3m7-min read
The Curious Mr. Feynman (Update)
This episode explores the life and legacy of physicist Richard Feynman, focusing on his insatiable curiosity, scientific brilliance, and moral courage—exemplified by his role in uncovering the truth behind the Challenger disaster. It argues that Feynman’s commitment to honest inquiry and understanding over authority remains urgently relevant today.
- May 15, 2026narrative57 min5-min read
675. Has the New York Times Become a Games Company?
This episode of Freakonomics Radio explores the cultural, psychological, and economic significance of games, arguing that play is not just for children but a vital, soul-nourishing human activity. It examines how games shape identity, build community, and even sustain major institutions like The New York Times.
- May 8, 2026narrative45 min7-min read
674. How Does a Composer Feel After the World Premiere?
Composer David Lang's new oratorio The Wealth of Nations, inspired by Adam Smith’s 1776 economic treatise, premiered to sold-out performances by the New York Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel. The piece reimagines Smith not as a champion of unfettered capitalism, but as a moral philosopher concerned with justice, equity, and human dignity—revealing how art can reframe enduring economic ideas in emotionally resonant ways.
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About Freakonomics Radio
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.
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