Freakonomics Radio
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.
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Recent Episodes
Why does an 18th-century Christian oratorio lend such comfort to our own turbulent times? Stephen Dubner sets out for Dublin to tell the story of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. (Part one of “Making...
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This is the first episode in a three-part series exploring Handel's Messiah, tracing its 1742 Dublin premiere and examining why this 280-year-old piece of music continues to resonate so powerfully today. The episode investigates the historical context of Messiah's creation during a time of war, disease, and political upheaval, revealing how it became a monument to hope and human agency that emerged from a universe of pain.
- A Personal Journey into Messiah
- The Dublin Premiere and Fishamble Street
Dying Is Easy. Retail Is Hard. (Update)
Nov 28, 2025Macy’s wants to recapture its glorious past. The author of the Wimpy Kid books wants to rebuild his dilapidated hometown. We just want to listen in. (Part two of a two-part series, first published in ...
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This episode explores the future of Macy's department stores and traditional retail through the lens of their famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. The discussion features Macy's CEO Tony Spring defending his turnaround strategy, retail expert Mark Cohen offering critical analysis, and children's author Jeff Kinney's ambitious plan to revitalize downtown Plainville, Massachusetts through retail development. The episode examines whether physical retail can survive and thrive in the modern economy.
- The State of Macy's and Retail's Evolution
- Tony Spring's Bold New Chapter Strategy
The iconic department store calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV viewers, it’s also a big moneymaker — at least we think it is: when it comes to parade economics, Macy’s is fa...
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This Freakonomics Radio episode explores the economics, logistics, and cultural significance of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. With 30 million TV viewers and 3.5 million in-person spectators, the parade represents one of America's most watched non-sports broadcasts. Despite its massive scale and commercial nature, Macy's treats cost information as proprietary, referring to the parade as their 'annual gift to the nation' while refusing to disclose production expenses, sponsorship fees, or the intricate financial arrangements with NYC and NBC.
- The Parade's Massive Reach and Mysterious Economics
- 18-Month Production Timeline and Year-Round Operations
654. Is the Public Ready for Private Equity?
Nov 21, 2025A Trump executive order is giving retail investors more access to private markets. Is that a golden opportunity — or fool’s gold? SOURCES:Elisabeth de Fontenay, professor of law at Duke University...
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This episode examines President Trump's executive order opening private equity investments to retail investors through 401(k)s. While private equity has outperformed public markets historically, experts warn that retail investors may be entering at the worst possible time—as institutional investors pull back and returns decline. The discussion explores the risks of high fees, illiquidity, lack of transparency, and whether this 'democratization' of investing is actually a golden opportunity or fool's gold.
- The Investment Landscape: From Lotteries to Private Equity
- Private Equity's Light Regulation and Roll-Up Strategy
653. Does Horse Racing Have a Future?
Nov 14, 2025Thoroughbred auction prices keep setting records. But tracks are closing, gambling revenues are falling, and the sport is increasingly reliant on subsidies. Is that the kind of long shot anybody wants...
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A deep dive into the world of thoroughbred horse racing through the lens of the Keeneland September yearling sale in Lexington, Kentucky. The episode explores the economics, traditions, and uncertain future of horse racing, featuring sellers like Hinkle Farms, buyers investing millions in unproven horses, and industry insiders discussing how gambling's evolution threatens this once-dominant American sport.
- The Keeneland Auction Complex and September Sale
- Hinkle Farms and the Star Filly
What Happens When You Turn 20
Nov 12, 2025The world has changed a good bit since Freakonomics was first published. In this live anniversary episode, Stephen Dubner tells Geoff Bennett of PBS NewsHour everything he has learned since then. Happ...
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Stephen Dubner celebrates the 20th anniversary of Freakonomics with a special episode featuring his reading of the new book foreword and a live conversation with PBS NewsHour host Jeff Bennett at Sixth and I in Washington, D.C. The discussion explores the book's unconventional approach to economics, the evolution of data-driven journalism, lessons learned from two decades of work, and reflections on curiosity, collaboration, and making decisions with intention in an increasingly noisy world.
- The New Foreword: Reflecting on 20 Years
- Rebelling Against Convention in Journalism
652. Inside the Horse-Industrial Complex
Nov 07, 2025How does Kentucky keep itself atop the thoroughbred industry? Is a champion stallion really worth $200,000 per date? And how many hands can one jockey have? (Part two of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”) ...
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This episode explores the economics and inner workings of the thoroughbred racing industry, focusing on three key areas: the life and career of a jockey, the breeding business centered in Kentucky, and the immigrant workforce that supports the industry. Through interviews with former jockey Richard Migliore, economist Jill Stowe, and breeding executive Mark Taylor, the episode reveals how this multi-billion dollar industry operates, from the physical demands on jockeys to the strategic breeding decisions that shape bloodlines, and the complex economic forces that keep Kentucky as the industry's epicenter.
- The Life and Career of Jockey Richard Migliore
- Horse Communication and Riding Technique