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Freakonomics Radio

In their books Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner use the tools of economics to explore real-world behavior. As boring as that may sound, what they really do is tell stories — about cheating schoolteachers, self-dealing real-estate agents, and crack-selling mama's boys. Just like the books, Freakonomics Radio will explore "the hidden side of everything." It will tell you things you always thought you knew but didn't, and things you never thought you wanted to know, but do.

Learn more about Freakonomics Radio.

Produced by American Public Media's Marketplace and public-radio station WNYC.

RECENT SHOWS

Is a 'No-Lose Lottery' the Answer to America's Savings Problem?

What do you do when smart people keep making stupid mistakes? And: are we a nation of financial illiterates? more >>

Eating and Tweeting

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The Power of the President ... and the Thumb

How much does the President of the United States really matter? Also, where did all the hitchhikers go? Plus, a pair of "attribution errors." more >>

Show and Yell

Is booing an act of verbal vandalism or the last true expression of democracy? Also, when you drive a Prius, are you guilty of "conspicuous conservation?" more >>

The Days of Wine and Mouses

Do more expensive wines taste better? And what does one little rodent in a salad say about a restaurant's future? more >>

The Upside of Quitting

You know the bromide: winners never quit and quitters never win. To which Freakonomics Radio says, "Are you sure?" Sometimes quitting is strategic, and sometimes... more >>

Can We Stop Predicting the Future?

It's impossible to predict the future, but we can’t help ourselves. With misses that go unpunished, we’ve been trained to ignore the record of those who make … more >>

The Suicide Paradox

There are twice as many suicides in the US each year than murders, and yet the vast majority of them aren't discussed at all... more >>

An Economist's Guide to Parenting

Becoming a parent means entering one of the largest seas of advice known to man. Much of it is written by amateurs... more >>

The Church of 'Scionology'

When you spend your life building a successful business, it's natural to hand the reins to your son or daughter. But economic research indicates that's a terrible idea. more >>

Program Details

Host

Stephen J. Dubner

Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning author, journalist, and TV personality. He is the co-author, with Steven D. Levitt, of Freakonomics (2005) and SuperFreakonomics (2009), which have sold more than 5 million copies in 35 languages. Freakonomics has been translated into a high-profile documentary film (Freakonomics: The Movie); the Freakonomics blog, has been called "the most readable economics blog in the universe."

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