Podcast Episodes

294. The Fracking Boom, a Baby Boom, and the Retreat From Marriage

Episode 294

Over 40 percent of U.S. births are to unmarried mothers, and the numbers are especially high among the less-educated. Why? One argument is that the decline in good manufacturing jobs led to a decline…

Published on 8 years, 5 months ago

The Harvard President Will See You Now (Rebroadcast)

How a pain-in-the-neck girl from rural Virginia came to run the most powerful university in the world.

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Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

293. Why Hate the Koch Brothers? (Part 2)

Episode 293

Charles Koch, the mega-billionaire CEO of Koch Industries and half of the infamous political machine, sees himself as a classical liberal. So why do most Democrats hate him so much? In a rare series …

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

292. Why Hate the Koch Brothers? (Part 1)

Episode 292

Charles Koch, the mega-billionaire CEO of Koch Industries and half of the infamous political machine, sees himself as a classical liberal. So why do most Democrats hate him so much? In a rare series …

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

"Tell Me Something I Don't Know" on the topic of Rivalry

Steve Levitt, Scott Turow and Bridget Gainer are panelists. For the "Freakonomics" co-author, the attorney and novelist, and the Cook County commissioner it's "game on!" as they tackle competition of…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

291. Evolution, Accelerated

Episode 291

A breakthrough in genetic technology has given humans more power than ever to change nature. It could help eliminate hunger and disease; it could also lead to the sort of dystopia we used to only rea…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

290. He’s One of the Most Famous Political Operatives in America. America Just Doesn’t Know It Yet.

Episode 290

Steve Hilton was the man behind David Cameron's push to remake British politics. Things didn't work out so well there. Now he's trying to launch a new political revolution – from sunny California.

Ho…

Published on 8 years, 6 months ago

289. How Stupid Is Our Obsession With Lawns?

Episode 289

Nearly two percent of America is grassy green. Sure, lawns are beautiful and useful and they smell great. But are the costs — financial, environmental and otherwise — worth the benefits?

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Published on 8 years, 7 months ago

288. Are the Rich Really Less Generous Than the Poor?

Episode 288

A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It's an easy narrative to swallow — but is it true? A trio of economists set out to test the theory. All i…

Published on 8 years, 7 months ago

287. Hoopers! Hoopers! Hoopers!

Episode 287

As CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer was famous for over-the-top enthusiasm. Now he's brought that same passion to the N.B.A. -- and to a pet project called USAFacts, which performs a sort of fiscal co…

Published on 8 years, 7 months ago