Freakonomics Radio

  • America’s Hidden Duopoly (Rebroadcast)

    We all know our political system is “broken” — but what if that’s not true? Some say the Republicans and Democrats constitute a wildly successful industry that has colluded to kill off competition, stifle reform,…

  • 385. What Do Nancy Pelosi, Taylor Swift, and Serena Williams Have in Common?

    They — along with a great many other high-achieving women — were all once Girl Scouts. So was Sylvia Acevedo. Raised in a poor, immigrant family, she was told that “girls like her” didn’t go…

  • 384. Abortion and Crime, Revisited

    The controversial theory linking Roe v. Wade to a massive crime drop is back in the spotlight as several states introduce abortion restrictions. Steve Levitt and John Donohue discuss their original research, the challenges to…

  • A Better Way to Eat (Rebroadcast )

    Takeru Kobayashi revolutionized the sport of competitive eating. What can the rest of us learn from his breakthrough?

  • 383. The Zero-Minute Workout

    There is strong evidence that exercise is wildly beneficial. There is even stronger evidence that most people hate to exercise. So if a pill could mimic the effects of working out, why wouldn’t we want…

  • 382. How Goes the Behavior-Change Revolution?

    An all-star team of behavioral scientists discovers that humans are stubborn (and lazy, and sometimes dumber than dogs). We also hear about binge drinking, humblebragging, and regrets. Recorded live in Philadelphia with guests including Richard…

  • 381. Long-Term Thinking in a Start-Up Town

    Recorded live in San Francisco. Guests include the keeper of a 10,000-year clock, the co-founder of Lyft, a pioneer in male birth control, a specialist in water security, and a psychology professor who is also…

  • 380. Notes From an Imperfect Paradise

    Recorded live in Los Angeles. Guests include Mayor Eric Garcetti, the “Earthquake Lady,” the head of the Port of L.A., and a scientist with NASA’s Planetary Protection team. With co-host Angela Duckworth, fact-checker Mike Maughan,…

  • 379. How to Change Your Mind

    There are a lot of barriers to changing your mind: ego, overconfidence, inertia — and cost. Politicians who flip-flop get mocked; family and friends who cross tribal borders are shunned. But shouldn’t we be encouraging…

  • Here’s Why All Your Projects Are Always Late — and What to Do About It (Rebroadcast)

    Whether it’s a giant infrastructure plan or a humble kitchen renovation, it’ll inevitably take way too long and cost way too much. That’s because you suffer from “the planning fallacy.” (You also have an “optimism…