Podcast Episodes

474. All You Need Is Nudge

Episode 474

When Richard Thaler published Nudge in 2008 (with co-author Cass Sunstein), the world was just starting to believe in his brand of behavioral economics. How did nudge theory hold up in the face of a …

Published on 4 years, 3 months ago

Is There Really a “Loneliness Epidemic”? (Ep. 407 Rebroadcast)

That’s what some health officials are saying, but the data aren’t so clear. We look into what’s known (and not known) about the prevalence and effects of loneliness — including the possible upsides. …

Published on 4 years, 3 months ago

473. These Jobs Were Not Posted on ZipRecruiter

Episode 473

In a conversation fresh from the Freakonomics Radio Network’s podcast laboratory, Michèle Flournoy (one of the highest-ranking women in Defense Department history) speaks with Cecil Haney (one of the…

Published on 4 years, 4 months ago

Reasons to Be Cheerful (Ep. 417 Rebroadcast)

Humans have a built-in “negativity bias,” which means we give bad news much more power than good. Would the Covid-19 crisis be an opportune time to reverse this tendency?

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Published on 4 years, 4 months ago

472. This Is Your Brain on Pollution

Episode 472

Air pollution is estimated to cause 7 million deaths a year and cost the global economy nearly $3 trillion. But is the true cost even higher? Stephen Dubner explores the links between pollution and c…

Published on 4 years, 4 months ago

471. Mayor Pete and Elaine Chao Hit the Road

Episode 471

While other countries seem to build spectacular bridges, dams, and even entire cities with ease, the U.S. is stuck in pothole-fixing mode. We speak with an array of transportation nerds — including t…

Published on 4 years, 4 months ago

Two (Totally Opposite) Ways to Save the Planet (Rebroadcast)

The environmentalists say we’re doomed if we don’t drastically reduce consumption. The technologists say that human ingenuity can solve just about any problem. A debate that’s been around for decades…

Published on 4 years, 5 months ago

470. The Pros and Cons of America’s (Extreme) Individualism

Episode 470

According to a decades-long research project, the U.S. is not only the most individualistic country on earth; we’re also high on indulgence, short-term thinking, and masculinity (but low on “uncertai…

Published on 4 years, 5 months ago

469. The U.S. Is Just Different — So Let’s Stop Pretending We’re Not

Episode 469

We often look to other countries for smart policies on education, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. But can a smart policy be simply transplanted into a country as culturally unusual (and as supremely…

Published on 4 years, 5 months ago

468. Nap Time for Everyone!

Episode 468

The benefits of sleep are by now well established, and yet many people don’t get enough. A new study suggests we should channel our inner toddler and get 30 minutes of shut-eye in the afternoon. But …

Published on 4 years, 5 months ago