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Freakonomics Radio

Freakonomics Radio

Written by: Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
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About this listen

Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.2024 Dubner Productions and Stitcher Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 660. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly Wrong
    Jan 23 2026

    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 Getting Better.”)

    • SOURCES:
      • Zeke Emanuel, oncologist, bioethicist, professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

    • RESOURCES:
      • Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life, by Zeke Emanuel (2026).
      • "Nutrition Science’s Most Preposterous Result," by David Merritt Johns (The Atlantic, 2023).

    • EXTRAS:
      • "Is Ozempic as Magical as It Sounds?" by Freakonomics Radio (2024).
      • "The Suddenly Diplomatic Rahm Emanuel," by Freakonomics Radio (2023).
      • "Ari Emanuel Is Never Indifferent," by Freakonomics Radio (2023).
      • "What’s the “Best” Exercise?" by Freakonomics Radio (2014).

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Steve Levitt Quits His Podcast, Joins Ours
    Jan 21 2026

    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 (Mostly) Admire.

    • RESOURCES:
      • "How to Help Kids Succeed," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2025).
      • "Feeling Sound and Hearing Color," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024).
      • "Richard Dawkins on God, Genes, and Murderous Baby Cuckoos," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024).
      • "Arnold Schwarzenegger Has Some Advice for You," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024).
      • "Drawing from Life (and Death)," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023).
      • "Yuval Noah Harari Thinks Life is Meaningless and Amazing," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022).
      • "Is This the Future of High School?," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022).
      • "Does Death Have to Be a Death Sentence?," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2022).
      • "Sal Khan: 'If It Works for 15 Cousins, It Could Work for a Billion People.'" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).
      • "Jared Diamond on the Downfall of Civilizations — and His Optimism for Ours," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).
      • "Amanda & Lily Levitt Share What It’s Like to be Steve’s Daughters," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).
      • "How Rahm Emanuel Would Run the World," by Freakonomics Radio (2020).
      • The Levitt Lab.

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    46 mins
  • 659. Can Marty Makary Fix the F.D.A.?
    Jan 16 2026

    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 Freakonomics Radio Guide to Getting Better.”)

    • SOURCES:
      • Marty Makary, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

    • RESOURCES:
      • "Clinical Trials Affected by Research Grant Terminations at the National Institutes of Health," by Vishal Patel, Michael Liu, and Anupam Jena (JAMA Internal Medicine, 2025).
      • "What the evidence tells us about Tylenol, leucovorin, and autism," by Matthew Herper (STAT, 2025).
      • "I Run the F.D.A. Pharma Ads Are Hurting Americans." by Marty Makary (New York Times, 2025).
      • Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What It Means for Our Health, by Marty Makary (2024).

    • EXTRAS:
      • "Are You Really Allergic to Penicillin?" by Freakonomics Radio (2025).
      • "How to Fix the Hot Mess of U.S. Healthcare," by Freakonomics Radio (2021).
      • "Bad Medicine, Part 3: Death by Diagnosis," by Freakonomics Radio (2016).

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    55 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Entire concept is so refreshing. Contemprary and past beliefs questioned and RCA done with 5 Why type approach. Best part is, all point of views brought out and presented as they are, discussed in an unbiased manner and leavingthe audience grey cells ticking overtime. No manipulations or political agendas. Made economics and data fun. Though topics discussed generally targeted at American audience, but the issues discussed resonate globally. Totally addicted.

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