Freakonomics Radio

Freakonomics Radio

Running time	Variable
Syndicates	WNYC Studios (radio) [1] Stitcher (podcast)
Hosted by	Stephen Dubner
Created by	Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt
Original release	June 1, 2009 (2009-06-01)
No. of series	5 (as of September 2014 [update] )
No. of episodes	618 (as of 22 January 2025 [update] )
Website	freakonomics.com

Freakonomics Radio is an American public radio program and podcast network which discusses socioeconomic issues for a general audience. ^[2] While the network, as of 2023, includes five programs, the primary podcast is also named Freakonomics and is a spin-off of the 2005 book Freakonomics . Journalist Stephen Dubner hosts the show, with economist Steven Levitt as a regular guest, both of whom co-wrote the book of the same name. ^[3] The show is primarily distributed as a podcast, and is among the most popular on iTunes. ^[4]

History

Freakonomics Radio was created in September 2010. ^[5] Starting in July 2018, production moved from WNYC to Stitcher Radio; ^[6] Freakonomics Radio is released at 11 p.m. on Wednesday each week on podcast aggregators such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, as well as on the Freakonomics website. ^[7]

From November 16, 2016, until November 12, 2017, Freakonomics Radio produced episodes of “live journalism wrapped in a game show” called Tell Me Something I Don’t Know. ^[8]

In November 2022, the Freakonomics podcast looked at whether Google searches were getting worse. The episode featured former Google executive Marissa Mayer. ^[9]

In February 2023, Freakonomics Radio Network announced a deal with YouTube to bring its podcasts to the video platform. ^[10]

Podcasts

As of 2023, the Freakonomics Radio Network produces the following podcasts:

• Freakonomics Radio, with Dubner. ^[11]
• People I (Mostly) Admire, with Levitt. ^[12]
• The Economics of Everyday Things, with journalist Zachary Crockett. ^[13]

Former programs include:

• No Stupid Questions, with Dubner and Angela Duckworth. Dubner was replaced by Mike Maughan in later episodes. ^{[14] [15]}
• Freakonomics, M.D. with Dr. Bapu Jena. ^[16]
• Tell Me Something I Don't Know
• Sudhir Breaks the Internet, with sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh. ^[17]
• Footy for Two, with Dubner and his son Solomon. ^[18]
• Question of the Day, with Dubner and James Altucher.

References

1. "Freakonomics Radio". WNYC Show Distribution. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
2. Freyman, Neal. "'Freakonomics Radio' host Stephen J. Dubner on the podcast's 500-episode (and counting) run". Morning Brew. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
3. Dean, Michelle (May 15, 2015). "Freakonomics 10 years on: Stephen J Dubner and Steven D Levitt on what they got right and wrong". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved March 22, 2023.
4. Kevin Smith (May 14, 2012). "Top 10 Podcasts to Feed Your Brain and Ease Your Commute". Business Insider . Retrieved June 26, 2016.
5. "New Freakonomics Radio Podcast". NPR . Retrieved May 13, 2014.
6. "Freakonomics RadioPodcast Moves To Stitcher". InsideRadio. April 24, 2018.
7. "Freakonomics".
8. "Tell Me Something I Don't Know Archives".
9. Meek, Andy (November 18, 2022). "Freakonomics podcast investigates whether Google Search is 'getting worse'". BGR. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
10. Shapiro, Ariel (February 7, 2023). "The irresistible draw of the rewatch podcast". The Verge. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
11. Adamcyzk, Alicia. "Millionaire cofounder of Whole Foods says business is 'judged and attacked'". Fortune. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
12. Piatowski, Nick (February 27, 2023). "Why an economist who talked with Greg Norman doesn't think LIV will survive". Golf. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
13. "The most normal things can have loaded backstories: 'The Economics of Everyday Things' examines hidden and unexpected histories". Podsauce. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
14. Bartos, Sarah. "Plug into these student-recommended podcasts". The Rice Thresher. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
15. "What About ALl the Questions We Haven't Answered?". Freakonomics. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
16. "Former Slate Audio Head Joins Freakonomics Radio As Editorial Director". Insideradio.com. March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
17. Severns, Maggie. ""Rogue Sociologist" Embeds With Prostitutes and Crack Dealers in NYC". Mother Jones. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
18. Gorce, Tammy La (November 10, 2017). "How Stephen J. Dubner, of 'Freakonomics' and 'Tell Me Something I Don't Know,' Spends His Sundays". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved March 17, 2023.

External links

• Official website