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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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Todayconversational10 min4-min read
What Now? with Trevor Noah | Michael Che: The Unspoken Rules of Comedy
A bonus excerpt from What Now with Trevor Noah, in which SNL's Michael Che joins Trevor Noah and co-host Eugene Koza for a candid, funny, and often heavy conversation about money, fame, and what it costs — literally and figuratively — for a Black performer in America to feel free.
- 5 days agonarrative57 min8-min read
693. What’s Our Job as Humans Anymore?
Part two of Freakonomics Radio's series on AI and creativity pivots from predictions to practice: Sean Astin fights AI encroachment on actors through contract language and the No Fakes Act, economist Joel Waldfogel reframes AI disruption through his 'random long tail' theory, Kevin Kelly argues for deliberate optimism, and Stephen Dubner sits down — awkwardly, fascinatingly — with Tilly Norwood, the AI actress whose existence poses the episode's central question: what happens when human emotion meets artificial intelligence?
- 1 weeks agonarrative59 min5-min read
692. What Will A.I. Do to (and for) Human Creativity?
This episode of Freakonomics Radio explores the evolving relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence, framing AI not just as a tool but as a potential 'exo-self'—an intimate, always-on digital companion that enhances human capabilities. The discussion weaves together futurist visions, creative experimentation, and labor concerns to examine how AI is reshaping identity, art, and work.
- 2 weeks agonarrative48 min5-min read
Are Private Equity Firms Plundering the U.S. Economy? (Update)
This episode of Freakonomics Radio investigates the growing influence and controversial impact of private equity firms in the U.S. economy, arguing that their business model—built on debt, short-term ownership, and fee extraction—often leads to long-term harm for workers, consumers, and communities. Despite industry claims of efficiency and value creation, the podcast presents evidence of systemic plunder masked by legal opacity and political influence.
- 2 weeks agointerview43 min5-min read
691. Is This What a “Good Billionaire” Looks Like?
David Rubenstein, co-founder of the Carlyle Group and a fixture in Washington’s elite circles, reflects on his journey from modest beginnings to billionaire status, his ownership of the Baltimore Orioles, and his philosophy of patriotic philanthropy aimed at preserving American history and institutions. Despite political turbulence and criticism of private equity, he remains committed to civic engagement and bipartisan values.
- 3 weeks agonarrative1h 1m5-min read
690. It’s Show Business, Baby!
This episode of Freakonomics Radio pulls back the curtain on the chaotic, often misunderstood world of podcasting — a $9 billion global industry that’s more Wild West than golden age. Host Stephen Dubner explores how podcasts are made, funded, and valued, featuring voices from producers to economists to AI entrepreneurs, revealing a medium at a crossroads between art, commerce, and automation.
- Oct 2, 2026narrative49 min6-min read
689. Here’s Why Your Hamburger Just Got So Pricey
The U.S. beef industry, a cornerstone of American agriculture and culture, is facing unprecedented price surges and structural challenges driven by biological constraints, market concentration, and decades of consolidation. Despite strong consumer demand—especially for ground beef—the supply chain is strained by a 10-year cattle cycle, drought, labor shortages, and the dominance of four major packers who control 85% of processing.
- Sep 25, 2026narrative50 min6-min read
688. When Is a Bet Not a Bet?
Prediction markets like Kalshi claim to offer a more accurate, transparent, and socially beneficial alternative to traditional gambling by functioning as regulated financial exchanges that aggregate public knowledge. However, their rapid growth—especially in sports betting—has triggered legal battles over federal versus state jurisdiction, concerns about insider trading, and fears of a regulatory backlash.
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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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