Freakonomics Radio

  • 662. If You’re Not Cheating, You’re Not Trying

    In sports, the rules are meant to be sacrosanct. But when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs, the slope is super-slippery. (Part one of a two-part series.)   SOURCES: April Henning, associate professor of international sport…


  • Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)

    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…


  • 661. Can A.I. Save Your Life?

    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…


  • 660. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly Wrong

    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. (Part three of “The Freakonomics Radio Guide to…


  • Steve Levitt Quits His Podcast, Joins Ours

    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…


  • 659. Can Marty Makary Fix the F.D.A.?

    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? (Part two of “The…


  • 658. This Is Your Brain on Supplements

    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? (Part one of…


  • Are Personal Finance Gurus Giving You Bad Advice? (Update)

    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…


  • Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)

    Behavioral scientists have been exploring whether a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. In this update of a 2021 episode, we survey evidence from the London Underground, Major League Baseball, and New Year’s resolutions…


  • Are the Rich Really Less Generous Than the Poor? (Update)

    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,…


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