Podcast Episodes
Back to Search541. The Case of the $4 Million Gold Coffin
Episode 541
How did a freshly looted Egyptian antiquity end up in the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Why did it take Kim Kardashian to crack the case? And how much …
2 years, 10 months ago
Why Your Projects Are Always Late — and What to Do About It (Ep. 323 Replay)
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…
2 years, 10 months ago
540. Swearing Is More Important Than You Think
Episode 540
Every language has its taboo words (which many people use all the time). But the list of forbidden words is always changing — and those changes tell …
2 years, 10 months ago
539. Why Does One Tiny State Set the Rules for Everyone?
Episode 539
Delaware is beloved by corporations, bankruptcy lawyers, tax avoiders, and money launderers. Critics say the Delaware “franchise” is undemocratic and…
2 years, 11 months ago
538. A Radically Simple Way to Boost a Neighborhood
Episode 538
Many companies say they want to create more opportunities for Black Americans. One company is doing something concrete about it. We visit the South S…
2 years, 11 months ago
How to Hate Taxes a Little Bit Less (Ep. 400 Replay)
Every year, Americans short the I.R.S. nearly half a trillion dollars. Most ideas to increase compliance are more stick than carrot — scary letters, …
2 years, 11 months ago
537. “Insurance Is Sexy.” Discuss.
Episode 537
In this installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, the economist Amy Finkelstein explains why insurance markets are broken and how to fix them.…
2 years, 11 months ago
Why Are There So Many Bad Bosses? (Ep. 495 Replay)
People who are good at their jobs routinely get promoted into bigger jobs they’re bad at. We explain why firms keep producing incompetent managers — …
2 years, 11 months ago
536. Is Your Plane Ticket Too Expensive — or Too Cheap?
Episode 536
Most travelers want the cheapest flight they can find. Airlines, meanwhile, need to manage volatile fuel costs, a pricey workforce, and complex logis…
3 years ago
535. Why Is Flying Safer Than Driving?
Episode 535
Thanks to decades of work by airlines and regulators, plane crashes are nearly a thing of the past. Can we do the same for cars? (Part 2 of “Freakono…
3 years ago