Freakonomics Radio

  • 428. The Simple Economics of Saving the Amazon Rain Forest

    Everyone agrees that massive deforestation is an environmental disaster. But most of the standard solutions — scolding the Brazilians, invoking universal morality — ignore the one solution that might actually work


  • 427. The Pros and Cons of Reparations

    Most Americans agree that racial discrimination has been, and remains, a big problem. But that is where the agreement ends.


  • 426. Should America (and FIFA) Pay Reparations?

    The racial wealth gap in the U.S. is massive. We explore the causes, consequences, and potential solutions. Also: another story of discrimination and economic disparity, this one perpetrated by an international sporting authority. The first…


  • 425. Remembrance of Economic Crises Past

    Christina Romer was a top White House economist during the Great Recession. As a researcher, she specializes in the Great Depression. She tells us what those disasters can (and can’t) teach us about the Covid…


  • 424. How to Make Your Own Luck

    Before she decided to become a poker pro, Maria Konnikova didn’t know how many cards are in a deck. But she did have a Ph.D. in psychology, a brilliant coach, and a burning desire to…


  • 423. The Doctor Will Zoom You Now

    Thanks to the pandemic, the telehealth revolution we’ve been promised for decades has finally arrived. Will it stick? Will it cut costs — and improve outcomes? We ring up two doctors and, of course, an…


  • 422. Introducing “No Stupid Questions”

    In this new addition to the Freakonomics Radio Network, co-hosts Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth discuss the relationship between age and happiness. Also: does all creativity come from pain? New episodes of “No Stupid Questions”…


  • 421. How to Prevent Another Great Depression

    Millions and millions are out of work, with some jobs never coming back. We speak with four economists — and one former presidential candidate — about the best policy options and the lessons (good and…


  • 420. Which Jobs Will Come Back, and When?

    Covid-19 is the biggest job killer in a century. As the lockdown eases, what does re-employment look like? Who will be first and who last? Which sectors will surge and which will disappear? Welcome to…


  • How to Make Meetings Less Terrible (Ep. 389 Rebroadcast)

    In the U.S. alone, we hold 55 million meetings a day. Most of them are woefully unproductive, and tyrannize our offices. The revolution begins now — with better agendas, smaller invite lists, and an embrace…