Freakonomics Radio is an American public radio program and podcast network which discusses socioeconomic issues for a general audience.[2] While the network, as of 2023, includes five programs, the primary podcast is also named Freakonomics and is a spin-off of the 2005 book Freakonomics. Journalist Stephen Dubner hosts the show, with economist Steven Levitt as a regular guest, both of whom co-wrote the book of the same name.[3] The show is primarily distributed as a podcast, and is among the most popular on iTunes.[4]
 | |
| Running time | Variable |
|---|---|
| Syndicates | WNYC Studios (radio)[1] Stitcher (podcast) |
| Hosted by | Stephen Dubner |
| Created by | Stephen Dubner and Stephen Levitt |
| Original release | June 1, 2009 |
| No. of series | 5 (as of September 2014[update]) |
| No. of episodes | 536 (as of 16 March 2023[update]) |
| Website | freakonomics |
History
Freakonomics Radio was created in September 2010.[5] Starting in July 2018, production moved from WNYC to Stitcher Radio;[6] Freakonomics Radio is released at 11 p.m. on Wednesday each week on podcast aggregators such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, as well as on the Freakonomics website.[7]
From November 16, 2016, until November 12, 2017, Freakonomics Radio produced episodes of “live journalism wrapped in a game show” called Tell Me Something I Don’t Know.[8]
In November 2022, the Freakonomics podcast looked at whether Google searches were getting worse. The episode featured former Google executive Marissa Mayer.[9]
In February 2023, Freakonomics Radio Network announced a deal with YouTube to bring its podcasts to the video platform.[10]
Podcasts
As of 2023, the Freakonomics Radio Network produces the following podcasts:
- Freakonomics Radio, with Dubner.[11]
- People I (Mostly) Admire, with Levitt.[12]
- No Stupid Questions, with Angela Duckworth and Mike Maughan.[13]
- The Economics of Everyday Things, with journalist Zachary Crockett.[14]
- Freakonomics, M.D. with Dr. Bapu Jena.[15]
Former programs include:
- Tell Me Something I Don't Know
- Sudhir Breaks the Internet, with sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh.[16]
- Footy for Two, with Dubner and his son Solomon.[17]
- Question of the Day, with Dubner and James Altucher.