Freakonomics Radio

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]

Freakonomics Radio

Running time	Variable
Syndicates	WNYC Studios (radio)[1] Stitcher (podcast)
Hosted by	Stephen Dubner
Created by	Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt
Original release	June 1, 2009 (2009-06-01)
No. of series	5 (as of September 2014[update])
No. of episodes	618 (as of 22 January 2025[update])
Website	freakonomics.com

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]
• The Economics of Everyday Things, with journalist Zachary Crockett.^[13]

Former programs include:

• No Stupid Questions, with Dubner and Angela Duckworth. Dubner was replaced by Mike Maughan in later episodes.^[14][15]
• Freakonomics, M.D. with Dr. Bapu Jena.^[16]
• Tell Me Something I Don't Know
• Sudhir Breaks the Internet, with sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh.^[17]
• Footy for Two, with Dubner and his son Solomon.^[18]
• Question of the Day, with Dubner and James Altucher.