Freakonomics Radio

NFL teams have long struggled to predict which college quarterbacks will become stars, and the failures are costly. Stephen Dubner talks to a scout, a sports psychologist, a data entrepreneur, and Hall of Famer Kurt Warner — who defied every evaluation — about why the position is uniquely hard to project and whether cognitive testing and analytics can improve the odds.

James Daunt, who went from running one small London bookshop to reviving both Waterstones and Barnes & Noble, tells Stephen Dubner how physical stores can compete with Amazon. He shares the philosophy and turnaround tactics that brought two iconic chains back from the brink, arguing that the in-person experience can do what e‑commerce cannot.

Former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo discusses her plan to manage the workforce disruption caused by A.I. She argues that while A.I. will create many new jobs in the long run, the short-term transition could be socially devastating without aggressive retraining and government-employer coordination. Raimondo has launched a bipartisan initiative, RAISE US, that unites major employers and governors to fund and direct large-scale workforce retraining. The episode explores why past government retraining programs have failed, why this effort might be different, and the political stakes of getting the transition right.

Stephen Dubner speaks with Anne Pasternak, director of the Brooklyn Museum, and Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University, about the challenges of leading cultural and educational institutions during a time of widespread distrust of institutions. They discuss strategies for keeping the peace amid cultural conflicts, balancing competing expectations, and maintaining trust with staff, visitors, and donors.

In this update to a series about repatriation, Freakonomics Radio examines the trend of museums returning looted artworks and artifacts. With insights from curators, legal experts, and economists, the episode explores the ethical imperatives driving these returns, the legal challenges involved, and innovative solutions like long-term leases and shared stewardship agreements. The case of the Nigerian Benin Bronzes illustrates the tension between national politics and museum-level repatriation. Ultimately, the conversation asks what it means to be a museum in the 21st century when old collections are under new scrutiny.

Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jennifer Egan discusses her creative process, revealing that her confidence comes not from believing in her first drafts but from trusting her ability to revise extensively — sometimes over 35 drafts. She explores the role of luck in a writing career, the importance of trusting editors and early readers over her own initial judgment, and how sustaining a long career requires embracing uncertainty rather than seeking formulaic success.

Western museums are filled with artifacts taken during colonial eras when plunder was the norm. Now there is growing pressure to return these objects to their countries of origin, but the process is far from straightforward. This episode examines the legal, ethical, and practical complexities of restitution, featuring perspectives from prosecutors, museum directors, archaeologists, and artists.

Warren Zanes, former member of the Del Fuegos and author of acclaimed biographies of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, shares his unconventional career path. He joined his brother's band knowing only how to play a record player, experienced the highs and lows of rock stardom, and eventually reinvented himself as a writer. Zanes discusses the craft of capturing the lives of music legends.

This episode investigates how a looted Egyptian antiquity — a $4 million gold coffin — ended up in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It examines the role Kim Kardashian played in cracking the case and the broader question of how much of what any museum displays has a problematic or stolen origin. The episode is Part 1 of the series "Stealing Art Is Easy. Giving It Back Is Hard" and was first published in 2023, with this update released in 2026.

Angela Buchdahl, the first Asian American to be ordained as a rabbi and now among the most influential rabbis in the world, sits down with Stephen Dubner for a Better in Person conversation. They discuss boundary-crossing, the aftermath of October 7, and whether someone can be a good Jew without believing in God. The episode explores how outsider status and identity shape leadership, belonging, and religious community.

Former SEC chair Gary Gensler reflects on his experience helping to clean up the last financial crash and shares his perspective on whether another one is looming. He discusses America’s massive bet on artificial intelligence, suggesting that the current enthusiasm may not be sustainable. In a wide-ranging conversation, Gensler offers insights into regulatory lessons and the fragility of financial markets.

Harlan Coben joins Stephen Dubner to discuss his writing, including his use of suburbia as a backdrop, his struggles with impostor syndrome, and what he learned from his college friend David Foster Wallace.

Guest host Steve Levitt examines the transition from government-led space exploration to the new era of private space companies driven by billionaires. He explores the regulatory vacuum and the question of who should set the rules for commercial activities in space. Drawing on historical parallels, Levitt discusses the high stakes and potential conflicts that could arise without proactive governance.

Comedian Gary Gulman sits down with Stephen Dubner to discuss how he transforms depression into comedy, the lingering grudges he holds, and the importance of recovery and creativity. They also play basketball together, a key part of Gulman's wellness routine. The conversation touches on getting fired and how that experience reshaped his path.

Steve Levitt explores an unconventional proposal: moving AI infrastructure and compute into space to solve earthbound constraints. The episode examines the economic, technical, and environmental rationale behind space-based AI, why this might seem ridiculous but could become inevitable, and what barriers currently prevent deployment. Part one of a two-part series.

Hillary Sterling, executive chef at Ci Siamo in New York City, discusses how she transformed from a Brooklyn kid eating cream cheese sandwiches into one of the city's most accomplished chefs. The episode explores the relationship between cooking and caregiving, examining how food preparation serves as a form of emotional labor and connection. Sterling reflects on her culinary journey, the influence of her background, and what it means to cook for others as an act of service.

In this update of a 2025 episode, Stephen Dubner investigates the widespread misdiagnosis of penicillin allergy. Tens of millions of Americans believe they're allergic, but the vast majority aren't. This false label drives up healthcare costs, leads to the use of less effective and more toxic antibiotics, and contributes to antibiotic resistance. Dubner explores why the medical system struggles to fix this easily testable problem.

Bjarke Ingels, the renowned Danish architect behind projects like the Serpentine Pavilion and Copenhagen's 8 House, discusses how architects think and solve complex spatial problems. Ingels argues that the oxymoron—the ability to hold two contradictory ideas simultaneously—is the foundation of creative problem-solving. The episode explores how constraint, paradox, and strategic thinking shape architecture and human innovation.

Stephen Dubner, host of Freakonomics Radio, drives to Connecticut to seek advice from legendary talk show host Dick Cavett. Dubner is launching his own YouTube talk show, *Better in Person*. The episode explores what it takes to host a great conversation and why in-person interaction still matters. Cavett shares his philosophy on interviewing, drawn from decades of hosting his own iconic show.

Sian Beilock, president of Dartmouth College and psychologist who studies performance under pressure, discusses how universities can rebuild public trust amid criticism over institutional management, DEI initiatives, and educational outcomes. The conversation explores how performance anxiety frameworks apply to leadership challenges in higher education.

In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, Vanderbilt University chancellor and political scientist Daniel Diermeier discusses how the university is thriving at a time when public trust in higher education is declining, political pressures are mounting, and finances are fragile. His central management philosophy is summed up as “choosing magnets over wedges”—finding ways to unite rather than divide. The conversation explores how this approach plays out in practical leadership decisions across campus.

Stephen Dubner examines the pervasive administrative sludge that burdens everyday life—confusing insurance forms, subscriptions that can't be canceled, and an ever-growing stream of automated notifications. He traces where this sludge originates, why it persists, and the staggering economic cost it imposes on individuals and society. The episode updates a 2025 exploration of the same topic.

Stephen Dubner examines New York's legalization of medical aid in dying through multiple perspectives: the governor who signed the law, an economist analyzing the policy, a death doula describing end-of-life care, and an ethicist opposing the practice. The episode explores who decides what constitutes a 'good death' and the tensions between autonomy, ethics, and social policy.

Backgammon, the ancient board game, is having a modern renaissance. Stephen Dubner explores how it brings strangers together in face-to-face play, teaches probability, strategy, and emotional control, and has even been used by NFL teams to help win the Super Bowl. The episode is part two of the series 'We Are All Gamers Now.'

Freakonomics Radio updates a 2022 episode that investigated the hidden toll of air pollution on human health and cognition. As environmental regulations are rolled back, the episode revisits the evidence linking fine particulate matter to cardiovascular disease, neurological decline, and broader societal costs. The update considers what's changed in policy and science, and why this invisible threat remains urgent.

Fareed Zakaria challenges the narrative of American decline in the face of Middle East conflict, international order retreat, and domestic political chaos. He argues that structural fundamentals—economic strength, military capability, demographic advantages, and institutional resilience—suggest the U.S. retains capacity for renewal despite real governance failures. The episode explores how perception of decline often misses the deeper patterns that determine civilizational trajectory.

In the final years of his life, physicist Richard Feynman’s insatiable curiosity led him to explore unexpected corners of the world. This episode, part three of a series, shares stories from the companions who accompanied him on those journeys, including one trip he hoped to take but never could.

Richard Feynman, reeling from existential depression and the recent loss of his wife, left New York for a new life in California. This move marked the beginning of a remarkably productive second act, both personally and professionally. This episode, part two of a series originally published in 2024, traces that transformative journey.

This episode revisits a three-part series on Richard Feynman, the legendary physicist whose career spanned the Manhattan Project and the Challenger investigation. Feynman was famous for his relentless debunking of what he called 'lousy ideas' through rigorous scientific skepticism and simple, clear experiments. The show argues that such intellectual integrity is urgently needed today, as misinformation and unchallenged assumptions proliferate. Through Feynman's story, listeners are encouraged to adopt his curious, questioning approach to the world.

The New York Times' games division, led by the runaway success of Wordle, has grown so large that Freakonomics Radio asks whether the paper is turning into a games company. This episode kicks off a series called 'We Are All Gamers Now,' examining the rise of gamification in everyday life. Host Stephen Dubner explores how simple puzzles can reshape a legacy institution and what the trend says about modern culture.

Stephen Dubner explores the emotional and logistical aftermath of a major artistic premiere through conversations with composer David Lang following his new work's debut with the New York Philharmonic. The episode examines what happens to a creator after the public unveiling of months or years of work, including the psychological arc from anticipation to doubt to reflection, plus reactions from audiences and orchestra leadership.

This episode examines the political tug-of-war over Adam Smith's legacy. Economists and politicians often cast him as the patron saint of free-market ideology, but critics on the left argue that this reading ignores the moral philosophy underpinning his work. The show revisits the debate in an updated replay, asking whether the right has misread Smith and what his true contribution to economic thought should be.

Composer David Lang turns Adam Smith’s 1776 economic treatise into a musical work with the New York Philharmonic. This episode follows the final rehearsals and world premiere, exploring how text about markets and commerce can become a transcendent artistic experience.

Stephen Dubner profiles Judy Faulkner, founder and CEO of Epic Systems, which manages electronic health records for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Despite building one of the most successful healthcare software companies and becoming one of the most successful female entrepreneurs in history, Faulkner has remained largely unknown to the general public. Dubner explores what drives her, her philosophy, and the 'Faulknerverse' that defines her approach to business and life.

New York City’s mayor called them “public enemy number one.” History books say they caused the Black Death — although recent scientific evidence disputes that claim. In an updated episode from 2025, we ask: Is the rat a scapegoat? And what does our rat hatred say about us?

New York City’s mayor has called rats “public enemy number one,” but is this reputation deserved? This Freakonomics Radio episode revisits the 2025 exploration of rat hatred, challenging the long-held belief that rats caused the Black Death with recent scientific findings. It asks whether rats are scapegoats for deeper human fears about filth, disease, and disorder.

Freakonomics Radio investigates why Alzheimer's research has stalled despite decades of funding. The episode examines a major scientific fraud at the heart of the leading hypothesis that dominated the field for years, featuring interviews with the scientist who uncovered the misconduct and the journalist who broke the story. This fraud diverted billions in research funding and delayed alternative approaches.

How do beekeepers make a living? Why is there so much honey fraud? And why did billions of bees suddenly disappear? To find out, guest host Steve Levitt activates his hive mind. SOURCES: Alex Sapoznik, historian, reader in late medieval history at King’s College London.

Nearly everything that politicians say about taxes is at least half a lie. They are also dishonest when it comes to the national debt.

Is it tradition … or protectionism? And what happens when the bourbon boom turns into a glut? SOURCES: Andrew Muhammad, agricultural economist at the University of Tennessee.

As one researcher told us: “We’ve engineered a world where the most distracting device ever made is also the one we use to listen to music in the car." A new study tries to measure the cost. SOURCES: Bapu Jena, economist, physician, and professor at Harvard Medical School.

In blue cities across the country, unions and politicians want to ban self-driving cars. In this episode from the Search Engine podcast, PJ Vogt visits Boston to sort the facts from the propaganda.

How a secret project at Google led to driverless cars on American roads. Freakonomics Radio shares a story from our friends at Search Engine. (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES: Alex Davies, author of Driven: The Race To Create the Autonomous Car. Chris Urmson, co-founder and C.E.O. of Aurora.

A ruthless (and ruthlessly efficient) industry is using digital tools to supercharge one of the world’s oldest behaviors. We look at how the industry works, and ask the scam-fighters what they’re doing about it.

Economists don’t usually talk about “culture.” But Joel Mokyr argues that it’s the engine of innovation — and the Nobel Prize committee agreed. Stephen Dubner sits down for a thousand-year conversation (including advice!) with the new Nobel laureate.

Just beneath the surface of the global economy, there is a hidden layer of dealmakers for whom war, chaos, and sanctions can be a great business opportunity. In this updated episode from 2025, journalists Javier Blas and Jack Farchy help us shine a light on the shadowy realm of commodity traders.

... of bad reviews, meager financing, or artificial intelligence. But he is worried that the world is full of sloppy thinkers who mistake facts for the truth. SOURCES: Werner Herzog, writer, filmmaker, and actor. RESOURCES: The Future of Truth, by Werner Herzog (2025).

Existing drugs can sometimes be repurposed to treat rare diseases. But making that match can be hard — and the financial incentives are weak. Guest host Steve Levitt tries to solve the puzzle. SOURCES: Chris Snyder, professor of economics at Dartmouth College.

When Richard Thaler first published Nudge, the world was just starting to believe in his brand of behavioral economics. In this 2021 episode, we ask: How has nudge theory held up in the face of a global financial meltdown, a pandemic, and other existential crises?

The science says no, at least not in the athletic sense. But the psychic benefits can be large — just ask former N.F.L. star Ricky Williams. He says athletes should consider cannabis a healing drug, not a party drug. Even the N.F.L. is starting to agree.

In sports, the rules are meant to be sacrosanct. But when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs, the slope is super-slippery.

They used to be the N.F.L.’s biggest stars, with paychecks to match. Now their salaries are near the bottom, and their careers are shorter than ever. In this updated episode from 2025, we speak with an analytics guru, an agent, an economist, and some former running backs to understand why.

For 50 years, the healthcare industry has been trying (and failing) to harness the power of artificial intelligence. It may finally be ready for prime time. What will this mean for human doctors — and the rest of us?

Zeke Emanuel (a physician, medical ethicist, and policy wonk) has some different ideas for how to lead a healthy and meaningful life. It starts with ice cream.

After five years, Levitt is ending People I (Mostly) Admire, and will start hosting the occasional Freakonomics Radio episode. We couldn’t be happier. SOURCES:Steve Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics and host of People I (Mostly) Admire.

It regulates 20 percent of the U.S. economy, and its commissioner has an aggressive agenda — faster drug approvals, healthier food, cures for diabetes and cancer. How much can he deliver?

We all want to stay sharp, and forestall the cognitive effects of aging. But do brain supplements actually work? Are they safe? And why doesn’t the F.D.A. even know what’s in them?

One Yale economist certainly thinks so. But even if he’s right, are economists any better? We find out, in this update of a 2022 episode. SOURCES:James Choi, professor of finance at the Yale School of Management.Morgan Housel, personal finance author and partner at the Collaborative Fund.

Behavioral scientists have been exploring whether a psychological reset can lead to lasting change.

A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It’s an easy narrative to embrace — but is it true? As part of GiveDirectly’s “Pods Fight Poverty” campaign, we revisit a 2017 episode.

All sorts of people have put their mark on Messiah, and it has been a hit for nearly 300 years. How can a single piece of music thrive in so many settings? You could say it’s because Handel really knew how to write a banger.

In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode of our “Making Messiah” series, Parr breaks down the economics of the New York Philharmonic.

When he wrote Messiah (in 24 days), Handel was past his prime and nearly broke. One night in Dublin changed all that.

Why does an 18th-century Christian oratorio lend such comfort to our own turbulent times? Stephen Dubner sets out for Dublin to tell the story of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah.

Macy’s wants to recapture its glorious past. The author of the Wimpy Kid books wants to rebuild his dilapidated hometown. We just want to listen in.

The iconic department store calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV viewers, it’s also a big moneymaker — at least we think it is: when it comes to parade economics, Macy’s is famously tight-lipped. In this 2024 episode, we try to loosen them up.

A Trump executive order is giving retail investors more access to private markets. Is that a golden opportunity — or fool’s gold? SOURCES:Elisabeth de Fontenay, professor of law at Duke University.Steven Kaplan, professor of entrepreneurship and finance at the University of Chicago.

Thoroughbred auction prices keep setting records. But tracks are closing, gambling revenues are falling, and the sport is increasingly reliant on subsidies. Is that the kind of long shot anybody wants?

The world has changed a good bit since Freakonomics was first published. In this live anniversary episode, Stephen Dubner tells Geoff Bennett of PBS NewsHour everything he has learned since then. Happy birthday, Freakonomics. SOURCES:Geoff Bennett, co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS News Hour.

Dubner profiles a rare honest voice in the tax debate: a policy analyst willing to say what both parties won't — that taxes must go up OR spending must be cut dramatically, and neither party has a plan for either.

Economic historian Joel Mokyr discusses how innovation drove long-run economic growth, why the Industrial Revolution happened in Europe, and what the history of technological change tells us about AI's likely economic impact.

Dubner examines the science of presidential prediction: from Allan Lichtman's 13 Keys model to prediction markets to polling aggregation. He asks: can elections be predicted, or is the question itself misleading?

Dubner explores why NFL running backs — once the highest-paid, most celebrated players — now have the shortest careers and lowest salaries relative to their physical sacrifice. A case study in how market forces can make essential work almost worthless.

Dubner revisits the core Freakonomics premise: incentives explain nearly everything. He examines cases where well-designed incentives produced extraordinary results (organ donation in Spain) and where poorly designed incentives produced disasters (Wells Fargo fake accounts).

First episode of a multi-part series on failure. Dubner examines why we fear failure despite evidence that it's the primary mechanism of learning and innovation. He interviews entrepreneurs, athletes, and scientists about their most productive failures.

Steve Levitt guest-hosts an episode on the hidden economics of beekeeping: honey fraud, the economic value of pollination services, and why the bee economy is far stranger than most people imagine.

Dubner examines AI in healthcare: diagnostic algorithms that outperform radiologists, AI that detects cancer earlier than human doctors, and the question of whether patients will trust machine diagnoses. The answer: AI won't replace doctors, but doctors who use AI will replace those who don't.

Dubner investigates the economics of exclusivity: how nightclubs, restaurants, and luxury brands use artificial scarcity to create demand. The story centers on a legendary New York nightclub that charged $50 for drinks that cost $2 — and had a 3-hour line every night.

Dubner revisits Richard Thaler's 'nudge' theory 15 years later. Has nudging — using choice architecture to improve decisions without restricting freedom — lived up to its promise? The answer is complicated: it works, but not as universally as promised.

Dubner tells the story of how Boris Yeltsin visited a Houston supermarket in 1989 and was so stunned by the abundance that he questioned the entire Soviet system. A single grocery store visit helped end the Cold War.

Dubner investigates the epidemic of academic fraud: fabricated data, plagiarized papers, and retracted studies. The incentive structure of academia — publish or perish — systematically rewards quantity over quality and fraud over integrity.

Dubner examines the 'fresh start effect' — the psychological phenomenon where temporal landmarks (New Year, birthdays, Mondays) create perceived fresh starts that motivate behavior change. He asks: do these resets actually work, or do they just feel good?